I know it’s been a few months since I’ve posted anything on here. It seemed like everything happened all at once, or within the span of just a few weeks time. September was highlighted by Independence Day celebrations and a quick visit to the states. October was the celebration of Children’s Day and also 21 lives made new through water baptism. November is filled with chaos. That includes more than just the ongoing pandemic.
Just within the first week of November, we had a hurricane hit, coming in from the west. It hit Central America and reversed direction back towards Florida. Hurricane Eta. Most of what was seen around the home was very strong winds, knocking over a few trees in the highest part of the orphanage. We had just a day or two of strong rains, but that wasn’t too bad, for what we are familiar with in Guatemala. Yet, a few hours away from us, people were swimming out of their houses, stranded on roofs, and watched as their house got taken away by a mudslide, some even losing their lives. Ministries are going around to rescue, feed, and re-home these families who are now with just the clothes on their back. Various parts not only in Guatemala, but also in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Belize are still under a few feet of water, several weeks later. Oh yeah, and another hurricane came to visit again last week, Iota. This one was first noted as a category 4, quickly grew into a 5, and finally dimmed down to a small tropical storm before hitting our area. Another few days of wind and rain, but nothing of worry to the orphanage, once it was over. Those areas that were recently flooded are now deeper under water and are fighting to just survive. Along with the hurricane, last week the president spoke about the estimated government budget for the following year. Spending will be used in different areas than before. People now owe a lot more money. Happiness did not ensue after that news. Lots of rebellion, destruction, and protesting happened in the city. Tear gas was used, a few have died and/or been injured, and some even burned down part of the Congress building. There was mention that the Vice President may resign because of all the chaos, but I’m not sure what all happened there. Really, Guatemala is just in a bad place, with flooding and rioting, amidst a pandemic.
This is a season to give thanks. Yet, my first thought isn’t to give thanks at a time like this. Nevertheless, I know I am safe and healthy inside the orphanage walls. I haven’t been flooded out of my house. I don’t have rioters banging on my door or burning the walls down. The category 5 that was headed our direction? The following day, it was barely a tropical storm. I’ve got a great team I get to serve alongside, supported by many giving financial supporters and strong prayer warriors. I’ve got a community to share turkey with, in a country that does not celebrate thanksgiving. I am blessed to be a part of a happy, healthy, loving family of 74 kids. And that is more than enough to be thankful for.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
ALL circumstances. That includes through the fires and the floods, in our case, quite literally. Today, I remember to give thanks and I choose to make it a daily habit, through the good and the bad!
Please keep Guatemala in your prayers. Pray for guidance in the government, for knowing what changes can be made to the budget that the people can agree with, and for how to handle and put an end to the dangerous protesting. Pray for the families who are still fighting to survive, due to this heavy rainfall, not only in Guatemala but all across Central America. Pray for the virus that continues to be spread worldwide, affecting many lives and homes. We are praying for all the unrest in the US as well.
(har)Perseverance on a mission 