Children of the Light

Not a dry eye in the room, every voice singing out.

"Soy hijo de Dios   Sí lo soy"

(I am a child of God, yes I am)

Out of the countries we went to Guatemala was the one we spent the most time in. We were there for almost an entire 3 months. And wow did the Lord do some beautiful things. Since it's been a while I'll just re-say, we taught at an English school, where about 200 students of all ages attended. From 6 years old to 60. The schools name is SALEA which means Salt & Light. And most days we came in, graded papers, took naps in the court yard. Students would come in before school for one on ones, to just sit in the grass with us and talk. We all developed some very close friendships here, and would also hang out with students outside of school, going to Church in the city with them or going out to dinner or being invited over to their home for a picnic. (Jesus does some beautiful things when you just say yes, when you keep seeking others out in the everyday)

For the full last month at this school I spent everyday, painting. Painting, invitations to Bible Studies we hosted, Mothers day cards, and murals on the walls of each of the classrooms. 

It was challenging at times to look out and see my team-mates having beautiful conversations while I'm just staring at a wall, or at the paper before me. But I knew that God would use this too. The first Bible Study we did, we prepared snacks and everything, but only about 5 students showed up, and we had already promised our hosts we would do another Bible study. 

In what was our last few days there we hosted our 2nd Bible study and moved it to a smaller room, it was pouring rain outside and we honestly expected no one to show up, my team-mate Ashley and I were going to speak, and had been praying all day for God to surprise us and He did just that. 

Students just kept walking through the door, one after another, through the pouring rain they came, we gathered, we kept having to pull out more desks, the room was FULL!!!!

My Ashley shared her testimony and I shared a message related to the verses about light I had spent hours upon hours staring at and painting on the walls. 

{Psalm 91:8} "Don't be afraid, just open your eyes."

sitting there eyes and fists tightly shut, so overwhelmed by the dark, you can’t even see. I walked up, I am sitting right beside you, holding out a light.

Then I scoot a little closer which, in your blindness makes your heart race and you quickly move further away when my voice gently calls out. “dear child, don’t be afraid, just open your eyes.”

Your breathing, still rapid and unsure, you slowly lift up your head from its resting place on your knees, your tear stained eyes flicker open. You can see, a golden flickering light surrounding you, dancing through the darkness.

As you begin to turn toward me, I place the flame in your trembling hands and say… “I’m right here, right by your side. Look at the light, look into my eyes, be at peace.” Finally your breathing slows and your eyes meet mine.

All that was once blurry is now clear, all that was covered in darkness is now filled with light. All of a sudden you can see, light was present in the darkness the whole time, the stars filling the sky, the golden moon smiling down. And me, right by your side holding out a light. Never once were you alone. Your eyes were just closed, consumed by fear. I begin to stand and with a worry filled voice you say “where are you going? Please, please don’t leave me here.” I hold out my hand and say “child, I would never leave you. I am inviting you on a journey, lets walk through this night together.” You place your hand in mine and I pull you up to your feet. The candle in your hand suddenly transforms and begins to shine out from your heart. Hand in hand, side by side we walk through the night

together.

psalm. 91- HE IS MY SHELTER, REST, REFUGE, SAFETY, my LIGHT, my HOME.

We ended the night in worship, in boldly declaring this light and truth over our lives 

Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am In my Father’s house There’s a place for me I’m a child of God Yes I am

Our host and teacher Alex shared his heart and passion and said that they aren't just here to teach english but to share light and hope, and although the majority of Guatemala is Christian, our teachers said there were very few students who were actually serious about their faith, there is separation of Church and State there too and they keep receiving messages to change the name of their school, yet there we are painting light on the walls and declaring truth, continually. Every single person in that room, including us were crying, at the beauty of what the Lord was doing. we got to pray over the students and wow, words just can't even begin to describe how beautiful it was to see, after months and months of work, of time spent, of pouring out, time that often felt repetitive or not impactful, to see the impact of this was one of my most favorite memories.I have photos of the two paintings that in that school on the walls of my room at home and I often look over and am just reminded of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness and that He is moving even in the smallest of ways, that WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT and even through the dry seasons and the winter life still springs up.  also a few days after the bible study one of our students walked up to Ashley after class and said "i don't want to be mormon anymore, I want to follow Jesus" and that was a big part of my Ashley's testimony that she had shared just nights before. Our God is in the big things and the small, He will use your simple yes for His glory. and will do "infinitely more than we could ever ask or imagine."

Just have a yes in your heart and say "God, Surprise me today."