Hello from the land of eternal spring! There were definitely a couple days of uncertainty, but we finally made it to Guatemala with nothing less than a miracle from God! For the next five weeks, Team Lightning and Team Stormchasers are partnered together in a small neighborhood outside of Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Our little home is the new site for New Generation, a Christian ministry run by a local pastor and his family. We are working with New Generation to develop their facilities, which will serve as a food bank, school, and church for the community.

It has been so humbling working with God to transform the place into a sanctuary. It is super gratifying to see the visual changes we have made- painted walls, wood floors, stairs, windows, and a pila for washing dishes and clothes. Even more powerful is the spiritual space being created. We have had many obstacles while being here- limited resources, fear and anxiety, rain, and pushback from community leaders- but God has continually listened to our prayers and opened doors for His light to come. Our progress on this project is solely due to His grace and provision. It is our continued prayer that the sanctuary will be a place for healing, laughter, community, and communion with God for all who enter, and that God would continue to draw close to the Peliz family and empower them for the plentiful harvest in Chichi. 

Every other day or so, we are able to make the 25 minute trip up and down the winding mountain highway to the city of Chichicastenango. Days in town are perfect for running errands or getting a few rare moments of wifi, but when you are doing life with Jesus, you have to hold your plans loosely. There is so much other work to be done on city days! We get to meet people and speak with them, build relationships with vendors in the market, pray over spaces, etc. God and I call this “adventuring together.” I try to not have an agenda, because then all of a sudden there is an overwhelming urge to stop walking, to turn back, and to speak with someone I would have otherwise overlooked. It’s God’s exciting reminder to me that I’m not here for the work I can offer, but only to be used for the work He is already doing, in the middle of a GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

It hasn’t even been a full month, and I feel my life transforming already. The wall between “God time” and “normal life” are breaking down, and I feel myself drifting into a state of constant prayer. God is showing me more and more of Him, speaking more and more, and I am getting better at listening to Him. I think back to my life in Houston before the race. I wonder what adventures I could have had with God while shopping at HEB or eating at Whataburger, had I only been listening to His voice. Fortunately, I don’t have to feel regret or shame, because God’s mercies are new every morning and every day is a new opportunity to draw closer to Him. 

EVERYONE can learn to hear the voice of God. Let’s adventure with Him today! Comment or share a fun you had moment with Him! Love you all- enjoy the pics :)

PRAYER REQUESTS: 

1. Please pray for the physical health of our team!

2. Please pray for God to continue to open doors for ministry with New Generation- that the community leaders would allow us to meet with people!

3. Please pray over the COVID situation here in Guatemala! There is currently a shutdown for cities and businesses in the afternoons. Please pray for wisdom for national leaders, and peace in the midst of fear and confusion.