Monday, June 21 @ 6:30 AM
The miles seemed to peel off slowly one at a time. We had made it out of the village and past the very difficult road that even the tiniest bit of rain would have made impossible for us to pass through. Knowing that there were still several hours of travel till we made it safe to the base i knew that only prayers would bring three tired drivers and 3 vans full of precious lives back home. As I began to pray and wondered how I would be able to perfom this task that was begining to seem very difficult I had a peace come over me and I belive God let me know that there were still people back home praying for us right then and there. I knew it would be difficult but that God would get us through.
During those hours on the road I reflected on many things that had happened that day and this past week. I first reflected on the village that we had just left and how one again God hit a home run through our children as they gave their all to love these people and give them a chance to come to know Jesus Christ. I think the long and bumpy road will be the thing that many of the team will remember clearest. I can see exactly why God allowed us to minister in such a remote place. These people needed to hear the gospel and we needed to do what ever it takes and take risks to bring that Gospel to them. I believe that this difficult road will serve as a reminder in the future of the need for us to have that attitude and passion over and over again to do what ever it takes to make the good news of Jesus Christ available to those who are still lost. As we spent close to two hours digging, scraping, tossing rocks in the road, putting on chains and praying. God was giving us a beautiful lesson of what it means to work together and put our faith in God. As the team stood on the side of the road, it was as if we were watching the angels pull the two vans [one in tow with the other] over the steep mudy road. It will go down in my mind as a miracle as I am sure many others who watched this moment happen. I know if the team had to do it all over again tonight, they would.
Again as I was driving, my thoughts also turned to the village of people that had never been given the true message of Christ as not a single person there had claimed Jesus as their savior till that night. It was again a beautiful sight to see the team fill that school house with singing and testimonies of God’s mercy and joy. With hearts softened by the Holy Spirit and the Love that this team poured out, many in this village would not return to their homes empty hearted. As Hermano Jesus once again uttered my favorite words “Entra mi vida. Enta mi Corazon. Cambia me. Transforma me.” I witnessed your children and loved ones stand besides these woderful people with hands on their shoulders and tears on their cheeks as they received Christ into their hearts. What a gift God has given us to see such a harvest. God worked amazingly in both villages that we have been called to as well as the families that we built the homes for.
The miles seemed to click off a bit faster as my mind continued to wonder over things that had happend this past week. My thoughts were then turned to the team themselves. I began to have pictures of each person of our team flash infront of me, pictures of them smiling, crying, singing, playing, sharing testimonies, giving gifts, working, caring and loving. I am so proud of each person on this team. They have truly given their best this week and in doing so they have been transformed and changed as well. God is going to use this week to give purpose and meaning to many on this team who were lost and stuggling. I believe that we have not only witnessed a great harvest hear in Guatemala, but also a great harvest in this team.
It was at 2:30 AM this morning that we pulled into the mission, safe and full of stories of God’s faithfulness and power.
Today as we spend our last day hear. Please pray that God continues to move in us. We will be going to Antigua to do some shopping. Pray that we don’t get caught up in our desires to want things and focus on ourselves. As we spend time with eachother, pray that the bonds between team members would grow closer and be tightend for when we return home. As we spend one last night in worship and sharing on this mountain, pray that we would hold nothing back and offer Christ our entire lives. As we prepare to go home tomorrow -pray for safe travel. We leave tomorrow at around 7:30 for the airport and fly out around noon. We don’t arrive in Detroit until midnight and that leaves us still with a long drive home. Please pray specifically for this drive. We have been living on little sleep and we are going to need your prayers even on the smooth roads in Michigan to make it safe back home at around 4:00 in the morning.
Thanks again for the countless ways that you have all supported us and prayed for us this past week. I pray that your lives have been touched through this journey as well. I can’t wait for you to hear the stories first hand and rejoice with these team members at what God has done this week.
May we all remember the lessons God has given us and be willing to take the road less traveled in our lives as we carry a gift that needs to shared. May we truly allow our lives to be a passionate, living sacrifice for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It has been a pleasure serving with this wonderful team.
Hasta Luego,
In his Grip,
Kevin Van Wyhe
