The first time I went to Guatemala was in May of 2010. I traveled there with my roommate at the time on my two week vacation from my job as a Branch Manager of Auburn Bank. We spent one week working at an orphanage that I found through the internet, Casa Guatemala, and spent the other week backpacking our way down to Guatemala City. We made stops in Tikal where we slept on the ground, in the jungle, in a tent, Coban, Semuc Chempey, which is deep in the valley of the mountains and jungles of Guatemala, and the lovely little town of Antigua. The Lord was there to guide us and protect us the entire time as we traveled. Although at the time we were completely unaware, tropical depression Agatha hit the West coast of Guatemala and came inland causing hundreds of deaths, mudslides, rockslides, floods, and massive destruction throughout the country. Also the giant sinkhole in Guatemala city occurred right before the volcano Pacaya errupted for the first time in many many years. This destruction, all occurring within a week, caused turmoil all over Guatemala. The airports closed for about 4 days as they expected Pacaya would errupt again.
Through all this mess, what left me speechless was not the devastion and destruction caused by all the natural disasters, rather it was the condition the orphans of Guatemala lived in, and the absence of true Christianity that they grew up with.
These babies are living in Hell on earth, they at least should have the opportunity to take hold of Jesus Christ so they can look forward to something better for their future. No one is there to teach them, at least not where I was. How can they believe if they have not heard? How can they hear unless someone preaches to them?
In June 2011, I returned to Guatemala with my mother. My dear Lord asked me to give up everything here, literally, and go there. He is going to make my ugly feet, beautiful feet. So together we went on my last two week vacation from Auburn Bank and scoped out the country, praying for the Lord to show me what to do and where to live when I arrive. (check out my facebook for pictures)
Alta Verapaz, the poorest department of Guatemala, is where I will be. I will set up shop, figure out how the Lord wants to do this thing, and do it. I will be His vessel. Simply a means of getting His purpose from one place to another, from one people to another. His Word will flow from the Bible, to my heart, out my mouth, and into their ears.
All I know is that there will be a home, Casa Gloria, Glory House. And this home will be a refuge for the Fatherless.
