Before I left for Guatemala, I had this idea that I’d come back with all sorts of inspiration. I imagined I’d post something insightful and poignant. Something that would move you all to tears and get you fired up to go on a mission trip.
That was before I left.
Now that I’m home, I’m tired. I don’t have anything terribly insightful to stay, and I’m the one in tears.
Little by little, the stories will come. I’d be honored if you subscribed and followed along. (You can do that by entering your email address in the “Subscribe to email updates” in the sidebar.)
For now, here are a handful of images I managed to capture.
Worship in Antigua, a satellite campus of Vida Real
We stayed in the beautiful town of Antigua. Their public transportation is unique!
One of the many “chicken” buses in Antigua
We visited Potter’s House, a ministry to the neighbors surrounding the Guatemala City dump.
Prayer visit in Guatemala City
Those little dots? People “scavenging” in the dump to provide for their families. Be sure to notice the vultures.
Overlooking the Guatemala City dump
One of the girls at New Life and Peace Ministries.
Happy girl!
It’s impossible to summarize a trip such as this, but a few of things stand out:
Regardless of how much we have (or don’t have), we all have the same dreams and desires for our families.
The more we have, the more distracted we can become.
If you have a relationship with Jesus, you’re never without hope.
As the stories come, I’ll be introducing you to some new friends. I mentioned in my last post that we were a random, God-ordained group. Various ages and stages, we all seemed to be at a crossroads with life and ministry. The Lord amazed and grew us each day, and we’ll never be the same.
And that’s the best thing.
I’m praying with my friend Alene Snodgrass about a blogger’s trip. That’s the kind of scoop I’ll offer in my monthly newsletter, so stay tuned for subscription info!
continuing to keep you and your missions in prayer Susan
Thank you, Brenda. It was a full week.
Understanding the fullness of heart and emptiness of expression. look forward to sharing your journey further.
Now that I’ve been there and have a point of reference, I’m going to re-read Call of a Coward. Thanks, Marcia!
Wow, Susan, your words and your photos touched me. I want to make another mission trip before I get too old!!! I also want to go to the Holy Land. Time’s running out. I’d better start making some plans soon!
Looking forward to learning more. Today’s post reminded me yet again how blessed we are in America. I will not whine today…I will not whine today…I will not whine today…
I hear you, Vonda. I’ve already given warning that in Casa de Stilwell, there will be NO WHINING
Susan, It was amazing meeting you in Guatamala. I was amazed by how happy the people are. So blessed to know you. Laura
Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment, Laura. It was a great honor to spend that time with you. We’ll never be the same, will we?
Love this!! Can’t wait to hear your stories and see the trip through your eyes!!
Same here, Dawn! I stopped by your Cups Running Over and added you to my reader. I had such a great time getting to know you. I’m praying for the things we discussed, and will send you those links as soon as I clean up my inbox
Just saw this?! Feel like I know you tons more even since these comments! How fun!:)
Thanks Susan for sharing your heart, as well as your pictures. I know exactly how you feel post mission trip. I felt the same way. I have lots of pictures from our Poland trip but haven’t done anything with them yet. You’re ahead of me, that’s for sure.
I’ll look forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip. Perhaps you’ll inspire me to to do more with sharing ours.
Oh Liz, you DO know, don’t you? I managed to edit a few shots and upload them. Now it’s YOUR turn. I’m dying to see and hear more about Poland!
We are so blessed here in America …looking forward to another trip with you!!
We ARE blessed, aren’t we, Anita? No more whining at Casa de Stilwell
And YES to another trip with you!
I hear you, Susan. What a trip and I can only imagine how hard it is to process that information. Please keep me in the loop for the next trip…and by the way…I love what you said, “The more we have the more distracted we become”…THAT is a powerful statement and that is the ONLY story I need to hear.
Its hard to go on a trip such as that and then come home to our “plenty”. My heart is heavy with yours…I’m thinking how only yesterday I was worried I would be late for my facial…..really…..Lord, open my eyes and heart to those who are in need and forgive me for my selfishness…
I love you, dear friend!
I love YOU, Sandi, and can’t wait until WE have another great adventure together! As for today, I’m still basking in the glow of the CP ward. What a privilege to catch a little glimpse of how precious Clay was.
Glad to hear you’re home safely, Susan. You continue to be in my prayers, especially as you decompress from your mission. God is and will use you in a mighty way, I am sure of that!
Blessings!
~Anna
Thank you, Anna! I’m journalling and decompressing, and excited about the things the Lord did in Guatemala. HE IS GOOD
Susan,
I look forward to hearing about your trip as the Lord leads.
Prayed for you faithfully dear.
Love, Hester
I felt the prayers, Hester! Thank you so much for always having my back. You are precious, and I’m grateful to be your friend
You are so very blessed, Susan, to have been there. And I have no doubt, that they were bless by your presence.
Love you! Di
Oh gracious, Di. I AM blessed, and honestly — still trying to wrap my brain around some of the things the Lord has allowed me to do and see. My cup runs over!
Love you and this piece! I’m just glad to know I’m not the only messed up one. I want to share so much, but the stories are lodged in my heart. My prayers are intense and I know we will be there again soon. God’s got great things in store for this random group of people — one thing is sharing how others can get involved.
Yep Alene, and you know that “messed up” is a GROSS understatement! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love the shots you posted yesterday, and I’m excited about what’s next for us. And I’m praying!
Susan,
I well remember the mixed emotions that cross-cultural shock brings both over there and back home. Years later I look back and thank God for the incredible opportunity He gave my husband and I to see the other side of the world the way He sees it. Like one of your friends said above, sometimes the stories get locked in your heart and it takes the Lord to unlock them in His way and at His timing. Glad you are home and look forward to hearing what the Lord gives you to share in the days to come.
Hugs,
“Locked in your heart” – such a great way to put it, Glenda. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lord grows me. Thank you so much for praying for us on the trip, and also for these days afterward!
It truly takes time to decompress from a trip such as yours! Oh how we take so much for granted! I had a hard time carrying on a meaningful conversation with anyone for about a week, after returning from Nicaragua. Bless you for sharing your life with another world. Even the poorest Americans are rich in material possessions. Let me know when you want to get involved with Because We Care Ministries! xoxo
Yep, TK. These trips leave you very full but also very drained. And who knows, BWCM may be in my future!
Susan, today has been hard day for me physically ….so glad you are back safely
Thanks, Judy. You stay in my prayers.
I look forward to hearing and seeing all that God did! You stay in my prayers. I love you!
Thanks for praying, Kristi. I love you too, and we HAVE to get together SOON
Oh, yes, definitely still processing, but will never be the same! My heart is right there with you, Susan!
Yep, Emily – permanently wrecked!
Looking forward to hearing more about your trip
Thanks, Jodi. More to come…
I’m so with you. The words just didn’t come after the trip. Thanks for showing up here with this post though. Great insights!
Thanks, Jeff! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and see your shots.
Good luck as you try to calibrate your heart with your surroundings. I can only imagine how surreal it must be. Thanks for sharing, and with everyone else, I look forward to your what you can tell us, when you’re ready.
sigh…sad for you (and all the loves you left behind). you need “debriefing” and a safe place to put all this…we come home and sleep on the floor (because they did) and don’t want to eat (because they can’t) and feel so helpless because our hands and feet don’t seem to do enough here…and who can we hug – or touch the side of their face – to let them feel the LOVE of GOD as well as you could when you were amongst them.
i know.
this is my ministry. missionary care. if you need to chat, talk, a place to put those tears, just let me know…
Thank you, Marina. It’s good to know there’s someone else who gets it. As sad as I feel for them, I can’t wait to go back. Thanks for taking time to read and comment, and for the shoulder
Just catching up on my reading, Susan. Missed your words while I was away. This is the ringing truth in my ears from this post: “The more we have, the more distracted we can become.” AMEN!!