Hey everyone, I wanted to share this blog I wrote in February that I never got the chance to upload. Still so thankful, and amazed by the Lord’s orchestration. Let me tell you about it !!
As I wrote this I sat in Cafe Jade, a coffee shop debriefing in San Lucas, the place where Tcc does ministry work. However this time, I was with my squad, staying in the same hotel, going to the same places. It was truly unbelievable, and would not have worked without the hand of the Lord all over it.
2/27/22
Currently sitting in a coffee shop in San Lucas Toliman, tracing back the goodness of the Lord. I am in awe of his detailed orchestration. To say there has been a few God sightings in Guatemala would be an unfair understatement. I want to share some highlights and full circles that trace back farther than I could imagine.
Let me start in 2020 when I went on my third missions trip to Guatemala with excitement and anticipation. Some of you may remember some of you may not, but I broke two bones in my wrist, and simultaneously a girl on our trip, had to go to the Guatemala city hospital for a head injury. I ended up going with her since I was there when she fell. In that total loss of control, and the weight of so much on my shoulders I encountered God in a new, intimate, and comforting way for the first time. Randomly on the way home from the hospital, Jorje, the leader of our ministry base told me about the World race in a passing comment I wrote it down with no executions, forgot about it, and moved on.
That trip not only changed my view of the Lord but also gave me a passion and encouragement to speak in front of the youth group and share my first sermon. From that confidence to speak in forint of the youth, my internship started with TCC. Little did I know two years later I would see my youth group and my world race people, experience, and new knowledge of the Lord collide. I forgot about what Jorje had encouraged me to do until a year later when I was in the midst of trying to choose which college to go to, I was going through my Guatemala journal and saw the paper, and immediately knew that’s what I was being called to. However, when I signed up, for a reason unknown to me at the time, I felt the Lord asking me to not choose the Guatemalan route which surprised me and others. Little did I know He was perfectly working it out so not only would I be there for two months, but I would end up there at the same time my youth group would be. Little did I know we would end up debriefing all of our time spent in Guatemala in the same small town, and hotel hours away from our base in Antigua. Little did I know that I would not only get to see the girls I mentored during midweek all grown up and on fire for the Lord in Guatemala, but also get to see friends from camp, another world my heart is in who came along with Hadley like Charlotte Balentine and Addie Brink. Little did I know I would get to share another talk with them about being fully authentic, vulnerable in our testimonies, and allowing God to be sufficient through our weaknesses. So many moments in those 48 hours were unforgettable and I am so thankful it all worked out more than I could ever think or imagine it to.
I have learned so many things from this unfathomable orchestration, but the confirmed belief there truly are no coincidences and that God truly does give 100 fold when we choose to say Yes to his call. He meets us in our yes and replaces it with abundance.
Last night as I saw my 40 new friends who feel like family dance in the pool of Hotel Emmanuel, the same hotel I stayed in the past 4 years with TCC, A serious, nostalgic, and overwhelming thankfulness brought me to tears. As I heard each of their voice sing the goodness of the Lord I started crying and sat there thanking the Lord over and over again for chasing after me with his love. A pursuit I literally could never call a coincidence. A pursuit that has been the most personal, loving, and insane experience I have ever gone through. A pursuit that has changed my life and made me a better person. A pursuit that brought me best friends and people I will walk this life with forever. A pursuit that has taught me his Love for me is unshakable, deeply personal, and intricate.
I will forever be thankful that this moment will be another stone of faithfulness that I can look back forever and always remember God’s love for me and all those who seek Him. I can’t wait to share more stories from Guatemala and this experience when I get home.
All my love,
Emily
God truly does orchestrate some of the most divine appointments for us. What a great reminder to have our eyes open to the bigger picture when we don’t understand the direction things are going. See you soon! Love you.
Emily this is amazing! Our God is amazing! God is moving you, stretching you and growing you. Keep hearing His still small voice, His whisper as He leads you forward. I feel like you will be returning home soon, but will be a new Emily. ???? Jeanette
I hadn’t yet thought about the fact that you specifically chose against Guatemala, then our route got changed to Guatemala, AND you got to see your people. If you would’ve chosen the Guatemala route, you would’ve been there before your people or you wouldn’t have actually gotten to go at all. To the KING!!!
I love this, Emily! A beautiful and encouraging reminder that God is constantly pursuing us, and there are no coincidences as we are held in His hands.
That moved my soul. My spirit screaming YES!! YES!! YES!!
Good is ssoooo good! Not all stories of His work in our lives are easy and wonderful and happy memories. He also promised we will have to take up our cross.
Makes the moments/stories/memories like these that much more meaningful.
One more debrief????