Roads in Guatemala right now are in miserable condition. So much rain has caused mudslides and rockslides which have taken out sections of road in numerous places, or just have rocks and mud projecting out onto the road. Driving in this country is also a task I would not desire to perform. I was as close as I have ever come to being in a head on collision--riding in a van passing 4 trucks and meeting a semi in the passing lane(oncoming traffic) with no way to get back in our lane. A head on collision was imminent. A cliff on one side and bumper to bumper vehicles on the other. I panicked and lost all faith and thought " I am going to die on this mission trip." I truly thought that. God is faithful, even when I lose faith. He provided a miraculous way out that seemed impossible. God knew my faith is lacking. God is so faithful that he provided despite my weakness. God has all strength and power and I am so weak before Him- I must depend on Him, look to him for answers, guidance, love, and protection. Prayer is powerful. We have prayed for God's protection daily for at least a month and many others are praying also--(Thank You!) Power in Prayer-trusting and knowing God hears us and fulfills His will. I still don't know how we survived it-I thought our vehicle would be sheered between two others as we drifted back to our lane--God obviously was holding us in his Hand!
This first day we also learned some history of Guatemala and learned about the Catholic church in Guatemala. Guatemala finished a 36 year civil war in 1996. The longest civil war in history. Two specific stories of tragedy gave me great compassion for these people. In one situation, the people were asked to leave a fertile ravine-they said no, we have always lived here. So the governmen told all men to register with the city one day. While the men were gone they killed all women and children, except 4 boys who escaped. All men were imprisoned. The government wanted to do things that made the government money. In another village, the government took all men and all boys over ten and killed them all and buried them. So currently, in this village, there are no men over age about 30 because they were executed. To endure the exposure to these tragedies is heart wrenching. I am sure many other parts of the world can tell us stories of tragedy also. But this really reached me, knowing how much suffering was presentt now, in my generation. my eyes were full of tears knowing the tragedy they endure.My heart hurt deep inside to think of being a child witnessing this and feelings of loss, abandonment, suffering, anger-so alone and no where to turn-because they didn't know the one Almighty God who reigns over all and comforts us in need, has a desire to see us come to him, wants to share His love with us. I pray that God uses us and Impact Ministries to bring these people to Him, grow them in His ways, and open their eyes to the way, the truth, and the life that only Jesus can offer.
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