Our first week in Guatemala has not been what we were expecting, but it has been full of God’s goodness. We arrived at our ministry site on August 13 to our ministry hosts who are absolutely phenomenal people. The two teams that I am with this month get to partner with a small family of three, who are so dependent on the Lord and trusting in Him for every need that their ministry has. The husband, who for this blog I will just call “J”, has shared powerful testimonies of starting with nothing as a child on the streets and watching God provide every step of the way throughout his life. When he and his family has needed food, the Lord provided. When they had no place for their ministry to begin, the Lord provided. When they needed community relationships to begin their ministry, God brought them the right people and the right relationships at the right time. They’ve shared testimony after testimony of specific miracles that God has done in their ministry and lives. I am so appreciative of their spiritual outpouring to our teams, and their continuous invite for us to join them in close dependency on God so early on in this trip. “J” has created a beautiful vision for ministering to local children, police officers, and the needs of the locals during our stay here. We have been so excited to dive in, but unfortunately we were hit by some serious circumstances almost immediately after arriving.
Two days in at this month’s home, we had someone test positive for COVID. We had all tested negative on our way into Guatemala, but somehow we still were hit by it. We immediately started to quarantine, social distance, and made plans for safely navigating through the exposure. By Wednesday, however, half of our two teams had tested positive for COVID and were experiencing symptoms, myself included. It’s been hard not being able to start ministry with “J” and his family yet, but as we have prayed through this past week and have given our frustrations to the Lord it has been made clear that it was in His intentional timing that we were exposed to COVID this early on. One team member specifically felt the Lord speak “preparation” over our circumstances, and I agree that I feel that God is getting exposure and immunity built up right away so that we are able to move forward with greater boldness in the upcoming months.
On Thursday, August 19, I personally ended up having to leave our ministry site for medical care concerning my COVID symptoms. I traveled over to Guatemala City with a squadmate so that we could find better resources for the breathing problems I was experiencing. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and Covid-19, having trouble breathing and received care to address my lungs specifically. We stayed for 5 days in a hotel nearby while I had daily visits to the doctor. I am much better now, only having a cough left to shake off. The squadmate and I returned today, August 23, to our ministry site to finish our quarantine period here. Even though we still can’t interact with the teams, it’s been so nice to see/hear familiar faces and be staying with “J” and his family again.
There isn’t much more information I can give other than people are recovering well, and some people have been able to attend ministry. Everyone is doing alright, and the Lord has been so gracious and intentional with this time. For me, starting off from a place of rest has been a blessing and has given me the ability to really tune into what God has to say in our circumstances. I’ve been able to practice my Spanish as well, and have spent so much time praying over our squad. Family and friends have been so supportive and helpful in my process of recovery. The World Race insurance policy has also brought a lot of relief to the medical expenses. The enemy tried to stomp on our first week on the field, but truly God has carried us at every corner.
As we continue to recover from this past week, please partner in praying over KSquad. Pray for our ministries, our health, our well-being as quarantining is not fun. Pray for our families who have to trust that God has us in His hands. Lastly, please pray for our continued resilience to choose in to the cost of following Jesus into hardship. The squad has really leaned into the Lord during this time, but it’s still not easy. There is a long road ahead, but God is with us and we will see victory in the hardships. It can truly be felt and seen when we are covered in prayer. There is no “luck” or “coincidence” when it comes to the Lord. Having family and friends interceding for us truly affects our mission trip. You are making an impact through your prayers. So seriously, THANK YOU for praying!
Praying that all will be up And serving the Lord full speed soon
Glad to hear you’re recovering well, Abby, and using your quarantine time so wisely. Praying God keeps His hand of protection on you and the team and continues to bless J, his family, and ministry.
Your first line in this blog reminded me of Psalm 27:13, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living…” That is something I’ve seen in you, over and over again. You keep looking for the goodness of the Lord, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances. Know that you are so loved and prayed for!
Praying for you, and all of K-squad… that you will depend on God for perseverance and patience. THANK YOU for using your quarantine time so intentionally!
“We will be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)