We made it to GUAT! My team and I have been living and serving here at YWAM Guatemala City for 3 weeks now. We are the first group this base has received since before COVID, so their team was quite excited to greet us and welcome us into their family! We have done a wide array of ministry tasks here including cleaning bathrooms on the base to sanding their front gate to prepare for a fresh coat of paint.
Truthfully, I love it here. I love that we are finally across international borders. I love that we get to make new friends with all of the YWAM staff. I love that we get to hear stories of how God is working all throughout His globe. I love getting to live in community. And I even love getting to clean bathrooms almost daily to ensure the base stays clean and safe. And I especially love that we were preparing to bring kid’s ministry into one of the darkest neighborhoods here in Guatemala City.
But then. On the eve of starting our kid’s ministry, my sweet teammate and I tested positive for COVID. And in one long afternoon, all of our ministry came to a halt. The base shut down. All of YWAM’s employees had to self quarantine in their homes. My team had to find a new place to stay for the next 15 days while we quarantine. And I questioned God. How can this be good? How can I love people if I can’t see anyone?
And in all the Lord’s goodness and gentleness, he reminded me of His truth. Our Lord IS a redeemer. Our Lord is a God who takes what the enemy intends for evil and turns it for good. How do I know? Our Lord took the darkest plan of the enemy – to kill Jesus – and turned it into our Salvation. Our Light. Our Redemption. Our Lord redeems with intention. We serve an intentional Father, who gently points us back to Him. To his love. His grace. His peace. And I have full faith that he can redeem this situation. I have full faith that the Lord can bring light from this situation. That he will be victorious over the enemy.
So friends. Stay tuned to see how the Lord redeems this time. To hear about what the Lord teaches me during this abundance of free time that I get to spend with Him. I can’t wait to sing his praises of redemption.
Annie May, I am just beaming with pride in you! I love your perception and your expectation of seeing “how the Lord redeems this time”. Love to you as you quarantine. ??????
God bless you, sweet Annie! Toby and I are praying for you and have every confidence in you and our Lord’s timing and care. We love you! May you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
I. Love. You.
Beauty instead of ashes