Another amazing week gone and our time here in Guatemala is officially over. I don’t think I could ever truly express how much I love it here and how much it absolutely breaks my heart to leave! I will never be the same again and a piece of my heart will always be here!
This past week was so hard but so so sweet! Our week started off like normal on Tuesday with ministry. We started with some prayer and worship time which was super sweet and then we went to Santa Marta for the rest of the day to work with the kids. I got to sit in one of the classes with the kids while they ate lunch and it was so much fun! I got them to play tic tac toe with me and do some arm wrestling which was a blast. Our ministry ended a little early on Tuesday and our hosts surprised us with a super special meal they prepared for us! One thing about our hosts is that they truly know how to love people well and put so much time and effort into loving us well!
Wednesdays are my absolute favorite day and I know I’ve said that before but it’s so true! It was our last time getting to serve with Kingdom table but it was so good! This week I got the privilege of getting to help the people wash their hands as they came in, it’s one of my favorite things to do! My very first week serving in Kingdom table I got to wash hands and it was super special getting to end with washing hands again! My friend Ash and I also got to have a really good conversation with one of the guys that serves there. It was super sweet and encouraging to hear a bit of what the Lord has done through him and his yes to serve. They ended the morning with having the people pray over us and thank us for our time there. After they prayed each and everyone of the people there came and hugged us and so many of them prayed over and blessed us which was so beautiful! Even though we’re here to serve it was those we were serving that blessed us which was super sweet!
Wednesday afternoon was our last Bible club and it was actually perfect! We got to do one last time of dancing and praising with the kids which was super fun! One of the little boys saved a seat for me and I got to sit with him for the lesson. The lesson this week was on repentance and it was so so good! They don’t sugar coat anything with these kids but they show them the full thing, the real thing! Working with Reindom has shown me the depth of understanding children can have for the Lord and a true hunger for him! After the lesson they had an activity where they had each of the kids write down five things that they regret and repent for, it was so beautiful to see these kids get it! We got to spend the rest of the afternoon just playing with the kids and hanging out with them!
Thursday was our last activation and it was a super sweet time of worship! We ended by singing “I have decided to follow Jesus, the world behind be, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back” such simple words but so so powerful! It’s such a sweet reminder, “no turning back” this is the decision I’ve made and I will not turn from it, I will never go back; what a huge deceleration that is! Our lesson this week was about the gospel of God’s kingdom and repentance. It was honestly such a sweet message with some simple but good reminders and truths! Kinda crazy that repentance came up so much this week but so beautiful to see how the Lord works and brings everything together!
Friday, oh Friday what a beautiful but sad day! We started the day with our last prayer room, it was actually some of the sweetest and best worship ever! The Lord really met us there and it was so simple and sweet! Our ministry hosts prayed over us, for the rest of our trip but also for what the Lords gonna do with the rest of our lives! I’ve truly enjoyed getting to pray and worship with them every week! We headed out for Santa Marta to do our last ministry day with the kids. I got to sit with one of the classes while they ate and it was so much fun to just hangout with them! After lunch I helped wash the dishes and then we met back at the school for an announcement. The staff at Reindom had shirts that they handed out to the kids and then they told the kids it was our last day. They had us stand in the front and had some of the kids come lay hands and pray over us. After praying over us we got absolutely swarmed by the mob of kids coming to hug us. Every single one of the kids made a point to hug each of us and to say goodbye. It actually broke my heart and I was sobbing hugging each of them. As much as it hurt to leave I truly believe I will see them again in heaven!
That night our ministry hosts invited us to Reindom house and they had a whole night planned for us. First we went out on the town to see all the Christmas lights and decorations which was so cool! When we got back to the house they had set up a whole meal for us and also planned some stuff for us to do! We got to help set up their Christmas tree and decorate it and then we all sat down and did a sweet time of communion! It was honestly so sweet and so good to just sit and hangout with them! They also got us sweet little gifts and just loved us so well! I couldn’t have picked a better or sweeter day to end our ministry on!
I knew leaving would be hard but I never expected it to be this hard or to make such deep and beautiful friendships here. Saying goodbye to the kids broke me but I know that if nothing else we’ll be reunited in heaven! I made incredible friendships with the people we got to work with and gained so many brothers and sister in Christ! This place has impacted me in ways I can’t even describe and these people have touched my heart so deeply! My prayer as we drove away from Santa Marta was that the Lord would edge this place on my heart so deeply that I can never forget it, that every little moment would be so engrained in my mind forever! I hope with all my heart that I can carry and share all the things I’ve learned here with me for the rest of my life and show others the love Reindom has shown me! Thank you Reindom! You’ve impacted me in ways you’ll never know and I’m so so thankful the Lord let our paths cross!
This is my last week in Guatemala next week we’ll be arriving in South Africa. It breaks my heart to leave but I’m beyond excited for what the Lord has planned there! For our last prayer room at Reindom we sang Missionary Anthem with the words “The harvest is ready we have to go, we won’t stop till the whole world knows. The power in your blood to save every soul, we’re not ashamed of the gospel.” Singing these words gave me a new hope and joy for South Africa! I truly believe that the Lord has good things planned for there, I believe that the harvest is ready and I’m ready to go!
I’d really appreciate your prayers for safe travels and peace as we leave! Prayers for my team and I to have open hands and open hearts, being expectant of what the Lords gonna do! Prayers that I’d continue to walk in a deeper obedience and depth of Christ love! Thank you for reading, thank you for all your support and prayers! If you wanna hear any more about what the Lords done here and what he’s done in my heart reach out or leave a comment and I’ll do my best to respond!
Love,
Emilee
Guatemala, Reindom and the Spiderverse feel blessed for your life, thank you for serving with so much love and affection. I see Jesus reflected in your life. Continue to be the light and salt that you are.
Awww praise the Lord!! I loved hearing a bit about your experiences in Guatemala and what an encouragement to see His kingdom being built among these people! I know goodbyes are hard but as you said, thankful we have heaven to look forward to! Thinking and praying for you and your team as you continue on!
Thank you so much for the prayers!