My first couple of weeks in Guatemala has been filled with fascinating experiences, great encounters and God teaching moments. God has been so good and faithful. Our host family is amazing, they are very welcoming, hospitable and kind.
Beautiful sunrise on the rooftop from our host family home
Our host family has a beautiful home. We have breathtaking views from the rooftop of our house! We have views overlooking the city, the mountains and the volcano. My team and I are so blessed and thankful that we were placed with a host family that is so loving and generous. Watching the sunrise was such a wonderful moment of being in awe of God’s creation.
My team and I met a sweet lady at the park we were relaxing in. We had some good conversations with her and she told us about the crafts that she handmade herself and invited us to her shop down the street. Such a blessing to meet this kindhearted lady. She also gave us a neat experience to try on some of her traditional Guatemalan clothes that she made. Such an awesome experience to share the love of God with her.
Ministry at Eco Farms
My team and I serving at Eco farms helping with harvesting sunflower seeds.
We served with a ministry called Eco Farms, it’s a sustainable farm that grows, harvest and provides organic produce, herbs, spices and fish for the community. The owner of Eco Farms gave us a great tour of the farm. They provide workshops about plants, oils and medicinal crops, nutrition, exercise, mushroom production. The community can also attend educational classes on how to recycle & live sustainable. They also have a farm school, survival training, sports program, an acrobatic area, a cafe area that provides worship services and an animal rescue center. The farm also offer horseback riding lessons for the community. We learned about their ancient Mayan farming technique used to growing crops and superfoods. It’s really fascinating that this technique is still used today in farming and that plants thrive from this biodiversity.
God is doing some wonderful things through Eco Farms and the work their doing here has greatly impacted, blessed and enriched the lives of the community.
Last week myself and two other teammates tested positive for Covid. So life in quarantine has its challenging and good moments. It’s been tough some days of not being able to help with ministry, but God has taught me to rest, slow down and that there’s joy in being still. Learning to be still before the Lord has been challenging but once I learned that I’ve entered in true intimacy with God. I’ve pressed into his stillness, meditate on his word and rest in his presence. This has given me so much peace and comfort in the process.
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1
Early on in quarantine I had feelings of not being useful and not as important. I would then go to God with these thoughts and feelings and replace them with God’s truth. I’ve asked God even though I’m not physically involved in helping with ministry with my other teammates how can I still be a part of ministry in quarantine? God has been telling me I still have an important role in ministry of praying over people and over my squad and teammates. During quarantine we were able to connect with our other teammates during team time over the phone. It’s been so great getting support and encouragement from them.
So I’ve been taking one day at a time, being prayerful and focusing on the present. I’ve also been delighting in God’s grace and presence, thanking God everyday for good health. God has been growing in me to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit in everyday encounters. While I was eating breakfast one morning during quarantine, the Holy Spirt told me to give an encouraging word to the worker that’s been serving me breakfast everyday. So with using google translate app and knowing a little Spanish I was still able to give prophetic encouragement to her and share the love of God. As I was sharing she had the biggest smile and was thanking me so much. These are the moments of joy I find in being still.
Talaya,
I am so glad that you are enjoying your time in Guatemala. Im thankful that Holy Spirit is revealing more and more of Himself to you through the challenges. You are so brave Talaya and Ronnie and I are so proud of you! We are praying for the Lord to release even more of His purpose in your life, keep you safe, and uphold you with His right hand. We love you!
Praying for you. Agreeing that you would come out stronger and better equipped from you time in His presence. Blessings to you!
This is stunning! I’m loving this so much! God Bless you and Brittany, I Hope you two stay in safe travels and out of any harms way. Keep the post coming ?
-Martha
Hi Talaya,
Sorry to hear that you had to quarantine but glad to see that God shaping you into the woman he called you to be through this experience. Continuing to pray for you and your team.
Lord Bring complete healing for Talaya, and renew her strength.
Thank you so much Kinley for your prayers! Yes the Holy Spirit has definitely been revealing and teaching me so much!
Thank you so much Martha! I will definitely post more!
Thank you Luvenia for your prayers! God has been equipping and teaching me many things from being in his presence!
Thank you so much Karen for your prayers! Yes I will carry this truth forever in my heart.
Thank you so much for your prayers! Yes God has definitely been shaping me everyday in finding joy in the stillness. God has been growing more in me to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit and in meditating on his word.
Thank you so much Kieth for your prayers! I greatly appreciate it. I have been healthy and completed my first week back serving alongside my Evergreen sisters.
Know that you are continually in our prayers, Talaya. May this truth carry you today and all the days ahead: “I’ve been taking one day at a time, being prayerful and focusing on the present. I’ve also been delighting in God’s grace and presence, thanking God everyday…” Love you much!
Loved seeing the photos of the beautiful sunrise, and your beautiful smile! I pray you’ll emerge from quarantine healthy and ready to continue serving alongside your Evergreen sisters.
Also, I thought this was brilliant and mature: I would then go to God with these thoughts and feelings and replace them with God’s truth.”