In Over My Head...

“And You crash over me… and I’ve lost control but I’m free… I’m going under… I’m in over my head… And You crash over me… and that’s where You want me to be… I’m going under… I’m in over my head… Whether I sink… whether I swim… it makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head.”

I missed Wawa!! 

As you may know, I returned to the States for a two-month furlough on November 8^th to visit friends, family, and raise funds. I will be returning to Guatemala on January 4^th to start the coming school year at Fuente de Esperanza. My time in the States has been OVERWHELMINGLY good. God has brought me to the point of weeping simply from His goodness more than once since my return. The hugs, the encouragement, worshiping with and beside the people I have missed, sharing His story with my friends and family, and just being loved well has been an incredible experience. I am grateful to have a chance to recharge before heading back to my beloved Guatemala in January.

One of the common themes that has kept popping up during my time in the States has been that of letting go, losing control, and letting God move. This morning as I was listening to one of my favorite playlists the lyrics above jumped out at me. Instantly a number of memories from the past few weeks jumped into my mind.

First of all, as I was sitting last night at coffee with my friend Christy, she said something that only those who have come to a place of living their lives “out of control” understand. Christy spent her teenage years growing up on the mission field, and even though as she said “I can’t support this specifically with scripture, I can through personal experience.” Christy explained, and I agree with

Love My Peoples :) 

her, that being on the mission field brings you to a place where you are in a place of immense grace, providence, and protection that you can only equate with being in the perfect will of God. She went on to say that it’s not that we are outside the will of God when we are not on the mission field, or that we are not experiencing His goodness… but there is a whole different level of grace, providence, and protection that takes place when you say yes to stepping away and onto the mission field.

The only reasoning I can imagine behind this phenomenon is the surrender that is necessary on the mission field. Being on the mission field is completely OUT OF OUR CONTROL… and that is a hard place for many of us to live. We want to control… we want to organize… we want to plan… and often that is not the case on the mission field. The lack of control either breaks you or brings you to a place of complete surrender… of complete letting go.. and as I’ve said before… that is when God can come in and work. When we let go.. and lose control.

Doing Life... out of Control

Another memory that jumped to mind hearing these lyrics was precious hours I spent with a group of ladies doing life together in a prayer group. Again.. the common theme of letting go and losing control ran deep as each woman gave account of struggles over the past weeks. A child’s suicide attempt and hospitalization… the dream job opportunity which surfaced after hope was long abandoned… personal struggles in relationships… and learning to trust God as provider were all stories recounted amongst dear friends.

As I listened to the stories, I started to realize that being in control is such a false reality. The truth is… we control nothing. We struggle so hard to control things… to control schedules… to control life events… to control jobs… to control relationships.. to control… to manipulate things into whatever we want and desire…  but in reality we control nothing.

"Out of Control" on Ice

Now.. this isn’t to say that life is a collection of random events… that we shouldn’t act responsibly or care… or that we should just sit around and do nothing. However… the reality is is that we control NOTHING.… BUT when we can realize that it’s not our job to control.. and we can let go of our ATTEMPT to control… there is a FREEDOM that fills the void we are trying to fill by attempting to control all the details of life. When we can let go of the busyness of trying to control every single detail… there is a freedom in being OUT OF CONTROL.

I will admit.. I am definitely preaching to myself on this one. However, let me invite you (along with myself) to take a moment and think. What are we TRYING TO CONTROL? (Hint… it’s probably something you’re worried about.. money.. jobs… relationships… etc.) Now… choose to let go and lose control of it. Don’t stop praying.. don’t stop trusting.. don’t stop hoping.. but realize.. God’s got this. He is in control.. and when we let go.. He can move. The truth is.. we were never IN CONTROL in the first place.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate each of you, your love, and your support. 

Blessings,

Meaghen 

Sailing on Unpredictable Seas...

Recently I was sitting in a cafe in Antigua drinking coffee with my friend, Val. I was sharing with her some of the hardships I am facing and how it is difficult to know which direction to take.

My delicious coffee :) 

 As Val looked at me over her steaming cup of rich dark Antiguan goodness, she said "Even though unpredictable is hard... it gives space for God to work." Her words stopped me... and I thought... she's right. Unpredictability gives space for God to work.

If you have read my earlier blogs, you know that God has taken me on a journey from being a planner to being a little more "flexible"throughout this journey. In fact I often joke and say that in the process of coming to Guatemala I attempted to "show God my 3-point plan and my PowerPoint" and tell Him how this journey was going to play out. You can imagine how that went over... I am fairly sure I heard God laughing at me. And here I am... NOT LIVING ACCORDING TO MY OWN PLAN. 

There are SO MANY THINGS that do NOT go according to plan when living on the mission field. Take what appears to be a "simple" trip to immigration. Often these trips turn into "all day events" which leave us mentally and physically exhausted due to changing paperwork, changing requirements, and waiting hours to be told that you are missing a form, have to pay a fine, or that your photos are the wrong size. Did I mention the guy who takes the photos uses a camera from the 1800s and develops the photos in THE BATHROOM?!! I kid you not!!

Everyone is excited about immigration

Other things that have taught me a lot about unpredictability and flexibility are things like when the date of school graduation gets moved because they haven't been able to get the diplomas printed on time... or when classes get canceled to celebrate one of the many Guatemalan holidays such as the "National Day of Corn"... or protesters shut down the MAIN HIGHWAY into the city and the only other route takes you an hour and a half in the wrong direction... or when you're taking a shower after a morning run and the water pressure slowly drops until there is NO WATER coming out of the shower and you have a head full of shampoo...or when suddenly there is traffic heading at you head on on a major highway because they open a travel lane on the opposite side of the road during heavy traffic times... All things that are unpredictable and don't go according to "my plan". 

I often remember that for many of our students at Source of Hope, the future is equally unpredictable. Two weeks ago was the last "official" week of school, and it was the last time I will see some of our students. We have students who will not be able to continue studying with us because of poor grades or behavior issues. We have sixth graders who will not be returning to school in order to go into the workforce and help support their families. We have fourteen ninth graders that are graduating and heading onto higher education or other opportunities. 

I would be lying if I said that I don't worry about "my" kids and the myriad of unpredictable things that may come their way. I worry about their opportunities to find "good" employment that will support their families and not cause them to age beyond their years with

The Picture that didn't go according to plan:) 

hard labor and poor working conditions. I worry that young ladies will make decisions that ultimately impede their future plans for a career or an education. I worry that some of our student's parents let them roam a little too freely in a country where sexual abuse and violence are often a cultural norm. I worry that they have enough food to eat and their own bed to sleep in. I worry... I worry about all the unpredictable things that may happen to them in a culture of unpredictability. 

And then I remember... Life is not going to be lived according to my plan. I need to let go.. and remember... that God is big enough. He is big enough to take care of my kids (ALL 194 OF THEM). He is big enough to take care of me. He is big enough to take care of my family back in the States. He is big enough. And to Him... NOTHING IS UNPREDICTABLE.

See, when things are unpredictable and we are "blindsided" by things we didn't see coming.. we learn to depend on God to get us through. It is in these times that as Val said "we give God room to work". I can and I do worry about my kids, but I must remember that His plans are higher than my plans and
His ways are higher than my ways. When I'm hit with news from home that shakes me to the core, I have to trust His plan beyond my own and know that He's got this. Nothing surprises Him. Even when things seem unpredictable... I need to remember... He knew me before I was formed in my mother's womb... He knows the number of hairs on my head.. and He knows what tomorrow brings.. and He knows the exact moment when I will take my last breath. 

So, I choose to let go. I'm laying down my plans.. what I think it should look like... and I choose to let life be unpredictable. I choose to give Him room to work. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I am grateful for each of you, your love, and your support. 

Blessings,

Meaghen 

Troughs and Crests

Flying in... 

  I recently celebrated my seven month "Guate-versary" and I started to reflect on the past seven months in this country. The best way I could think to describe it would be like the troughs and crests of waves as they come rolling into shore. As you prepare to come your emotions grow more and more excited... you can't sleep with expectation of your arrival.. and you can't wait to finally be on
foreign soil... and then the day FINALLY comes to board the plane and come to your "land of dreams". When you arrive on the mission field, you are filled with hope... excited about everything... your dream has come true... you love the food... you love the people.. you love the culture... you love everything... IT'S PERFECT!! At this point you're at the very top of the wave.. at the crest... you're riding on top of the world... and nothing could seem more perfect...


  Then... reality starts to set in... you have to learn a language that is not your heart language... the feelings of inadequacy creep in... you feel like a three year old trying to ask for a beverage at a restaurant.. you want to tell people "I'm not stupid... I have a Master's degree... it's just that I don't know this language well enough"... the cultural norms are confusing.. you don't know what you are supposed to do at a funeral... how do you greet the deceased's family...do you push into line in the market and demand attention when the lady selling strawberries is ignoring you and serving everyone around you... how do you give directions to the tuk tuk driver to get to your house... do you try the food that the local family made for you and risk major gastrointestinal assault....

Navigating Traffic in Guatemala

you learn how to "fake" eating and drinking things that may not be "safe" to eat.... and still not understanding why you can't flush toilet paper like a "normal person". At this point you start the nose-dive down the back of the wave and into the trough. The culture stress builds until one day you find yourself crying over cookies... or in my case crying over a student who repeatedly intentionally made jokes that I didn't understand.

  When you're in the trough.. it's hard. You don't doubt that God has brought you to your new
country.... but you're not so sure you really want to be here anymore... You long for the "Honeymoon Phase" to return when everything was perfect. Even doing normal things like asking a question or voicing your opinion can be a struggle. You yearn for someone who speaks your language and understands your home culture. You yearn for your friends... your family.. and people who "get you". You get tired of always being stared at for being different.. for people assuming you don't understand because "you're not from here"... and being mentally and physically exhausted at trying to figure it all out.


  Then one day... you start the climb up the wave again... little by little you start to understand the culture and the language... operating in a foreign culture becomes almost normal... and you start to get stared at because you CAN ACTUALLY COMMUNICATE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON... you're finding your stride... You're starting to make friends... things are looking up... You're climbing to the crest again...

  And the scale tips yet again and you find yourself slipping down the backside of a wave... your favorite students have to flee the village because of extortionists... a baby conceived in sexual assault dies only a few months into her short life sending her mother and friends into yet more emotional
hardship and difficulty... you listen as a fourteen year old boy explains the rejection he regularly receives at home from his mother, step-father, and step-siblings and how he must work two jobs while attending the fifth grade.... a promising young woman who graduated from the ministry program is struck by a vehicle while crossing the road and later dies from a head injury sustained from the accident... and you're back in the trough again... asking why... why are these things happening... why is it so difficult sometimes...


  Little by little the climb starts again... The student you're doing physical therapy with who has been wheel-chair bound is able to balance himself without support on crutches... You watch as the student's faces start to light up during the devotional times and you realize "they are starting to get it"... Your

ministry partner tells you that one of the students who had been struggling with identity and sexual sin prayed to receive Jesus Christ as her personal savior... You are literally tackled by the Kindergarten class anytime you walk into their classroom... and just like that.. you're back at the crest again...


  Due to recent difficulties I have spent quite a bit of time in prayer and asking God why we have to go through the troughs in our lives. Why do we need to walk through the hard parts. He answered me... and said... that's how you gain strength to make it to the crests. See... as we're diving into the troughs of the waves... we're gaining momentum... we're gaining speed... we're gaining strength... and when we hit the trough and start the upward climb.. it's only because of that speed and that strength that we are able to make it to the crest of the next wave. The troughs are necessary to propel us to the coming crests. Wow...


  So... I want to encourage you today... wherever you are in the ebb and flow of life... maybe you're on the crest.. maybe you're in the bottom pit of the trough... remember... we must go through the troughs to make it to the next crest. It's a process... and there is a purpose. At times it's hard... at times it's rough... but keep pressing forward. Keep pressing through... because the crest is coming... and it's with the power and momentum we receive from going through the trough that we will reach the crest.


  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. 

Blessings,
Meaghen

Fighting Against the Darkness.. My Personal Struggle against Suicide.

  Today on my Facebook feed a memory from six years ago popped up, and I was instantly transported to SEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY and the events that were taking place. I will warn you... this is going to be a not so pretty story about the lowest point in my life and is not the usual post I share on my blog. However, this morning I have felt so pressed to share it... and I know that someone out there needs to hear this.. and needs to know that THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

  Seven years ago, today, I was working for a Sheriff's Department in Mississippi as a Deputy Sheriff. At this point, I had been a police officer for six and a half years and I LOVED MY JOB. However, what I didn't realize at this point was that ALL I KNEW ABOUT MYSELF was that I WAS A POLICE OFFICER. I had entered the police academy when I was twenty years old and I was twenty-one when I graduated. So, I had spent the most "formative" years of my life as a police officer. I had such promise... I was going places.... I was on the verge of an assignment that would mean a promotion... I was so PROUD of who I THOUGHT I was.. where I THOUGHT I was going.. and what I THOUGHT I was doing.

  Then there was him. He was a married co-worker (yep.. I went there) with whom I was romantically involved for OVER A YEAR at this point. He made me feel like I was valued.. he made me feel wanted... and he made me feel desired. And... he kept promising.. month after month.. after month... after month that he would leave his wife for me... he didn't want to be with her...she was crazy... they only lived in the same house.. she was leaving in a few weeks... he didn't love her... that soon he would be with me.. that he would marry me one day..

  Rumors starting circulating within the Sheriff's Department where we worked that he and I were romantically involved, and of course... we denied it. We believed there was no way without either one of us admitting to it, that anyone could ever prove it. However, a full on internal investigation was launched and on July 29, 2009 I stood before the Chief Deputy in his office and was informed that my resignation would only be accepted if it was effective immediately.

  In that moment, my world came crashing down. In that moment, my identity SHATTERED... I was a police officer... what would I do if I wasn't a police officer? Where was I going to go? I was SO FULL OF SHAME that seeing my co-workers and them knowing what I had done.. and that I had lied was OVERWHELMING... I had to leave.. but WHERE? I drove my patrol car back to my home and called my supervisor on the way. My supervisor told me to load all my equipment into my patrol car and they would come to pick it up later that afternoon.

  As I watched my supervisor back my patrol car out of my driveway... I collapsed. It was like watching myself being taken away in that moment. I laid on the floor crying for hours... I cried until I didn't have tears anymore. I couldn't eat... I couldn't sleep... I couldn't think... and not only had I lost my career.. and my identity.. but I lost him as well. He wouldn't return my calls.. I tried to send messages through friends.. and nothing. Nothing. I didn't hear from him from that day forward.

 That's when the darkness crept in. I remember laying in my bed and the thoughts that came to me were overwhelming. Just end it... you're not worth it... you'll never be respected again... you're a liar... you'll never be loved again... you're worthless... you're never going to be a police officer again. I had guns in the house... I still had my own personal handgun. I imagined placing the gun to my temple and pulling the trigger... ending it all.... but then...

 I imagined my friends.. my fellow first responders being the ones who found me.. what my nieces would think... what my family would think... and that was the narrowest thread that kept me hanging on in that moment. This day started a very hard and a very difficult period in my life... I won't lie and say immediately everything changed... because it didn't. But... I chose to fight. I chose not to listen to the voices and push against the darkness... and there were times I didn't want to.. when thoughts of suicide would arise again.. but I refused to give up.

Two weeks later, I landed in Hawaii. My sister invited me to come live with them while I started to rebuild my life. I have told her.. and I hope she knows.. that she helped save my life during this time.
Over the next few years, I moved back to the mainland and I actually got a job as a police officer again in a tiny town in Mississippi. And... God used this tiny town and it's people to love me back to Him. See... I had begun running from my faith and from God when I was in the police academy. I still believed in Him and knew He loved me.. but I wanted to live my life for me.

 One early morning in the early winter of 2011... I had once again had enough. But, this time.. I had had enough of living my life for me and running from God. I remember crying out.. through tears and praying "I don't want to live like this anymore"... and the peace flooded me. I was filled with hope.. a promise.. and I began to learn who I REALLY AM.

  Our identity is not WHAT WE DO... it's not WHO WE LOVE... it's not WHERE WE LIVE... our identity is WHO HE CREATED US TO BE. We are HIS CHILDREN.. HIS MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS... We are the ones HE SINGS OVER... the ones HE PURSUES... the ones HE FORGIVES... the ones HE DELIGHTS IN... the ones HE CREATED. And until we know that.. and accept that.. we will go around chasing identities in careers... and relationships.. and places.

 So, I don't know where you are today... maybe you're not sure of your identity.. maybe you feel lost.. maybe you don't want to go on.. maybe you feel like giving up. PLEASE KEEP FIGHTING. KEEP PUSHING AGAINST THE DARKNESS. DON'T GIVE IN. DON'T GIVE UP. TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY.. THERE IS HOPE.. THERE IS A FUTURE. THERE IS A GOD WHO LOVES YOU DESPITE ANYTHING YOU MAY HAVE DONE.. AND HE'S CHASING AFTER YOU.

 When I look back to seven years ago, I would NEVER BELIEVE that I would be where I am today. As I type this.. I'm sitting at my desk in my apartment in Antigua, Guatemala. Today I am a missionary with an organization that ministers to at-risk children. Today I speak hope to children and people who are broken.. suffering.. and in need of a reason to continue on. If I had given into the darkness that day... I would never be here. The darkness would have won.. and I could not be helping to set other people free from the same darkness that tried to take me.

So, please.. keep pressing. You never know where you'll be sitting next month, next year.. or seven years from now. You never know how life can change.. for the better.. when you let God in.

Today, I am proud to stand and say "I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO FEAR... I AM A CHILD OF GOD".

 If you are feeling suicidal... and you need to talk to someone... please... talk to a friend.. a family member... a church member... or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Blessings,
Meaghen

His River is Pure...

  Evelyn charged into my office with a look of deep concern on her face. As she took a seat I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. “We have to do something…” She then explained to me that she had heard that one of the girls in the basico program (7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grade) was pregnant. Evelyn poured out her heart and her concern regarding the lack of education in sexual purity and the fact that

Two of our Basico Girls 

 in Guatemalan culture abstinence and sexual purity is something that is not talked about…. Even within many churches. In fact, in many communities divorce is considered an unforgivable sin, and for that reason many people will not get married for fear of divorce down the road. Many times, this breeds a culture of people who accept living together, having sex before marriage, and having children together out of wedlock even within the church.

  So… as any good researcher.. I started searching the internet for videos IN SPANISH that were relevant… NOT CHEESY… and actually addressed the topic of sexual purity well… AND FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE. Eventually… I came across “Love Without Regret” which is a video of a live presentation which took place in the United States and was presented by a soon-to-be-married couple in their twenties. AND IT’S GOOD!! And.. it was dubbed and subtitled in Spanish… GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!! J

  I would be lying if I said that I had confidence from the beginning that everything would go PERFECTLY… In fact, when I shared with a few people the weekend before and told them what we had planned… people told me their personal horror stories in attempts to do the same thing. I also had NEVER put on ANY form of a purity presentation before… let alone in a SECOND LANGUAGE…. So, I did the only other thing I could do… I prayed. I prayed the days before… I prayed the Monday before… I prayed as I prepared the room and set up desks.. I prayed through the hallways of the school… I prayed through my office where the boys would be meeting… I prayed… and I prayed… and I prayed.

  On Tuesday morning, as I stood before approximately 70 teenagers I can’t explain the peace and the confidence I felt. I explained to the students that we were going to be watching a movie and discussing sexual purity in the days to come… and to my shock only one giggle was released. (VICTORY!!!) I explained to them that we would watch the video together on Tuesday and Wednesday and then divide the group for discussion on Thursday. After starting the video, I expected giggling… conversations… joking… but what I noticed instead was SILENCE… FOCUS… AND INTEREST. There were a few comments made to friends… but these kids were CAPTIVATED. WOW. The same thing happened on Wednesday when we finished the video… the students PAID ATTENTION… they were actually INTERESTED AND LEARNING about sexual purity. WOW.

Some of our students watching a team's presentation

  Then, came Thursday. Evelyn and I had both decided to share parts of our personal testimonies with the young ladies (It’s not an easy thing when you’re talking about your sexual past in front of complete strangers). However, once again when I stood before the 39 young ladies I felt such peace. Evelyn and I both shared scriptures which pointed the ladies to living and maintaining a pure lifestyle and shared what that looked like. Evelyn shared parts of her testimony, and I noticed that AS SOON AS she started talking  about her past… a hush fell over the crowd… the girls leaned in… and THEY LISTENED. I could see them nodding along at times. WOW….

  Then, I got up to share my story. I used a white paper heart as part of my illustration. I explained that when I was 11 years old, my parents divorced. It was difficult not having my father in my home during such a formative stage in my life, and I began looking for love in other relationships and with other young men. At the age of 14, I lost my virginity and that started a pattern which played out in my early twenties as well. I explained to the girls that at one point in my life I didn’t care about having sex… it didn’t “matter” to me and I thought it was “no big deal” however… what I didn’t realize was that every time I had sex with a man who was not my husband… it was like giving a piece of my heart away… so as I talked about having sex with my boyfriends or other young men… I tore a piece of my paper heart and let it flutter to the ground… again I tore a piece… again I tore a piece… again I tore a piece.. until I only had a small ragged piece of my heart left.

  I paused for a moment… THERE WAS COMPLETE SILENCE IN THAT MOMENT…. As I looked around the crowd… one young lady in particular stood out to me. Jessica was sitting at the very front of the group… and tears were running down her cheeks. My heart leapt inside me. Just from watching Jessica over the past few months I could tell that she was struggling with her identity… with relationships with young men… and with her own purity. There were a number of other young ladies who also had tears in their eyes. All I could think was… MY GOD… YOU’RE WORKING IN THIS MOMENT.

  I continued by holding up my shredded ragged heart, and I explained to the girls that this is what I would one day have to give to my husband… and that is not God’s plan. I explained to them that God only wants the best for our lives, and when we’re born we are given a new, clean, complete hearts (held up another complete, whole heart I had on the table). It is God’s plan for us to one day arrive at our wedding day with that heart to give to our spouses. I admitted to the girls that I understood that there were some of them in the room that were not virgins, and that I also am not a virgin… but they could make a choice.. today.. to ask for forgiveness and to choose to live a lifestyle of purity. It doesn’t matter what we had done in our past… all that mattered was what we chose to do from that day forward.

  When it came time to pray, five girls raised their hands to ask for forgiveness from their sexual past (Jessica included) and ten girls raised their hands stating that they wanted to make a commitment to

The Hearts We Gave to Our Girls

live a pure lifestyle from this day forward. We gave each and every girl a laminated white heart with 1 Timothy 4:12 written on it, and encouraged them to be an example of purity to others. WOW. ONLY GOD.

So, I share this story to encourage you. Despite not knowing every needed vocabulary word in Spanish and despite not knowing how to even really approach this subject… GOD MOVED. I have realized that He has called me into a season of doing things that I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE… and it’s a place where I MUST DEPEND ON HIM much more than I ever have in the past. It would have been easy for me to make excuses about not knowing the language “well enough” or not being “comfortable” talking about sexual purity… however… I trusted Him to make up the difference… and HE DID. HE MOVED AND TOUCHED HEARTS DESPITE ANYTHING I DID OR SAID. So, don’t be afraid… if He’s calling you to do it.. HE WILL PROVIDE… even if you don’t conjugate all the verbs correctly J .

Thank you for reading my blog. 

Blessings,

Meaghen 

Put Down Your Umbrella... and Get Drenched!!

Sharing an Umbrella

  Rainy season has officially descended on the village of Zapote.. and that means that EVERY... let me emphasize that once more... EVERY SINGLE... AFTERNOON it rains. Usually it starts POURING somewhere between 4pm and 6pm and the storms may be passing, or may settle in for the evening. However, with the rain comes cooler temperatures... WHICH I WELCOME ENTHUSIASTICALLY. The temperatures in the weeks prior to rainy season have been in the 90s-100s and at times it was all I could do to sit in front of a fan and drink water (there is no A/C in Guatemala). I praise God for the evening times when the temperatures cool into the 80s and become much more tolerable.

  A side effect of the rain, however, is the swelling of the rivers. As you may remember, we must cross FOUR RIVERS on the way to Zapote. There are NO BRIDGES, so we drive THROUGH the rivers in a four-wheel drive truck. Due
to the rain, the paths of the rivers also change which means crossing the river is different every time we come through.  As we were returning to Zapote on Monday morning, we were approaching one of the river crossings. As we came around the corner, we could see down the hill to the river and... STUCK... IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER... WAS A BUS. There was not even room for a motorcycle to pass through between the rocks and where the bus was stuck. So, we parked along the side of the road... and began... waiting. Fortunately, we were bringing groceries back with us, so we knew we would not starve in the meantime!

The Bus Stuck in the River Crossing

  As soon as we parked, we began discussing divine appointments and pondering what God could be doing in this moment as we were sitting along the road waiting. We speculated (jokingly) that he was probably keeping us from being kidnapped by a group of bandits farther down the road. A few moments later we were STARTLED to see what appeared to be a large group of men from the United States walking down the hill toward the bus. (It is VERY VERY VERY RARE to see non-Guatemalans in this area of Guatemala. Tiffany and I are THE ONLY TWO non-Guatemalans in the village where we live, so you can imagine our surprise). I decided to walk down to the river and see what this group from the United States was doing here in Guatemala.

  To my immediate surprise, the two leaders, Carlos and Andy, were very familiar with Zapote, the school where I work, and were two of the original individuals to visit Zapote, help plant and build the church here, and help support the work at the school!! Talk about divine appointments!! We shared stories and I found out that they were coming to visit the school later that week. While we were sharing stories, the team of young men worked together with the locals and were able to put enough smaller rocks under the wheels of the bus to get the bus moving forward again and out of the river. Another thing that ALWAYS IMPRESSES me about Guatemala is how quickly people jump in to help each other in times of need!! We were shortly on our way and were only a "little" late for work that morning :).

  In this season, God has been speaking so many things to my heart and my spirit, and it seems like one of the common themes has been letting go and putting down walls that I have built up over the

years. For the past few mornings, the lyrics of a song have been jumping out to me each time I hear it. The lyrics say "Put up my umbrella and let me get drenched in you.. Put up my umbrella, and let redemption rain fall over me." I find it so appropriate that during the rainy season God is calling me to "put up my umbrella.. and let Him drench me". I am remembering how to be playful again (I may or may not like to put on my rainboots and go puddle jumping from time to time... the looks I get are hilarious... but GOD LOVES TO PLAY). I am being intentional in playing with the kids at the school more and taking breaks from work to go love on some kiddos and share HIS JOY with them. I am also letting God open up areas of my heart and spirit that need fresh life breathed into them. I am remembering that we can TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD and hold onto the promises He has given us. Despite dreams and visions looking dead, there comes a season when the rain will come... wash off the dirt.. and breathe life back into those places. So.. let us.. put down our umbrellas.. and GET DRENCHED!!

I thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Feel free to share my blog with others. I appreciate each of you, your prayers, and your support as I continue on this journey.

Blessings,
Meaghen

Stepping Out Onto the Water...

More than once, I have been called brave when I share the story of my past and this INCREDIBLE journey God has brought me on to Guatemala. Yet, the truth is... I don't think that I am brave at all. I chalk it up mostly to the psychological phenomenon where people assume others live lives similar to theirs. I mean... doesn't everyone leave everything they own, their family, and every bit of normalcy and move to a foreign country?!! But, as I reflected on these same words that were recently spoken to me, I began to think.. maybe I have been brave.

In my life I've certainly done some brave THINGS...  I've worked two summers as an ocean lifeguard putting myself at risk to save others from dangerous surf and currents... I've also survived nine years as a police officer working on patrol (my family STILL doesn't know many of the stories), I've survived my share of car chases, foot chases, I SHOULD have been shot or seriously injured multiple times, I have had someone TRY to run me over with their car (my partner at the time said he saw the car hit me)... but in reality... I know that none of that really has to do with MY BRAVERY.

Before surrendering to the call to ministry on my life, I was working as a police officer in Wiggins,

Me in uniform :) 

Mississippi (a very small city between the Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg) and I was attending a church in the same city. After the incident happened where someone attempted to run me over with a vehicle, my pastor said something that still sticks with me today. My pastor told me that until I had completed what God had put me on this earth to complete, no one could "take me out". I still reflect on his words from time to time.

Don't misinterpret what my pastor was saying. My pastor was not inviting me to be arrogant and live a life out of a place where "nothing could touch me"... but rather he was assuring me that I am on this earth for a purpose, and until I complete that purpose that God would protect me and keep me until it is time for me to return to Him.  If we are living in His will, He provides His providence and protection to us to accomplish His will in our lives. It's like divine life insurance!

Now something to demonstrate how brave I am NOT. :) Two weeks ago, I was offered the opportunity to travel to Escuintla (a city near where I work in Zapote) to see a theatrical performance with the basico students (7th, 8th, and 9th grade). After watching the performance, we walked a short distance to an open lot where there were carnival games set up. I'm not sure what came over me in that moment, but when Evelyn (a secretary and friend at the school) asked me to ride a battering-ram style ride named the Sea Dragon I quickly agreed. This is quite out of character for me, as I usually avoid these types of rides in the U.S... let alone Guatemala which has few if any safety regulations!!                                                                                                                                                                

Shortly after taking my seat, I knew I had made a mistake. The ride attendant fastened the bar across our laps (fairly standard).. but then he explained that we needed to hold onto the bars above our heads  or we would fall out when the ride flipped upside down... Waaaaaaaiiittt... What?!! Before I could ask for clarification, he started the ride. My thoughts raced... Ok.. no big deal.. centrifugal force right.. it will swing fast.. and we really couldn't fall out.. surely...

Yes.. it's upside down... 

Well... it started swinging.. back and forth.. not so bad.. then.. we went upside down... and WE STOPPED... and WE STAYED STOPPED... and that's when I was certain that I WAS GOING TO DIE!! Honestly, I thought that I had made it all the way to Guatemala to die on a crazy carnival ride. My family WOULD NEVER believe I had done something this silly to get myself killed.

So, as any reasonable person would do.. I started screaming.. IN SPANISH... I screamed "I am going to die.. I am going to die.. please stop.. please stop.." and eventually I even added "I'm going to throw up.." I pushed with all my might into the bars above my head while pushing down with my feet against the floor to hold myself in the seat... Apparently my frantic screams encouraged the ride attendant.. who STOPPED the ride with us UPSIDE DOWN at least three more times.. then came the "death spirals"... I swear he sped that thing up until I was sure it was going to break loose and fling us across the city to a certain death... oh.. and yes.. I was STILL SCREAMING... After what seemed like an eternity.. the ride slowed.. and when it stopped my legs and arms were shaking uncontrollably. Even the kids were talking about how bad their arms and legs hurt after the ride!!

What I didn't expect (other than surviving) was how entertained all the students were by my performance. At least a dozen times they asked me "Were you scared? How can you scream so loud? What were you screaming?" In their eyes... IT WAS HILARIOUS. I declined when they invited me to go on the ride again... I try to keep my near-death experiences to one a day when possible. However, I can say that that experience served as quite the "ice-breaker" for some of the students and myself. Now when I walk down the hall, many of them greet me and talk to me where before they were somewhat unsure of me (or if I even could speak Spanish).

So, even though I will NEVER again venture onto a Guatemalan carnival ride... I will say this... In the midst of my crazy screaming and fear of certain death.. I started to pray.. and the peace of God met me in that place. I'm pretty sure God was laughing at me too... but I remembered what my pastor said years ago. If we are in God's will.. He will protect us... So, I want to challenge you (and myself)... What is burning in your heart today? What crazy adventure is stirring in your heart and your mind? Are you letting fear hold you back? I would challenge you to step out. If He is calling you out on the water, He will not let you sink. Step out of the boat and don't let fear hold you back. This reminds me of lyrics to one of my favorite songs "You split the sea so I could walk right through it.. My fears are drowned in perfect love.." There is no room for fear in His love. So be bold, and go forth in His love. (He'll even be there if you get on a crazy carnival ride along the way).

Thank you for reading my blog. I appreciate having each of you on this journey with me.

Blessings,
Meaghen

P.S. While I was writing this we had a "small" earthquake.. Ha ha ha.. talk about being brave!! :0

Caught in a Rip Current...

Some of you may or may not know that I was an ocean lifeguard for two summers in Nags Head, North Carolina where I grew up. As a lifeguard I became very well acquainted with rip currents. A rip current forms when there is a break in a sandbar or a deeper area that is surrounded by more shallow waters. The water surrounding the deeper place starts to funnel through and creates a strong current that can quickly pull unaware swimmers away from shore. Often swimmers realize they are in the current and start to struggle against it, they begin to panic, tire quickly, and need assistance. However, if one is aware they are in a rip current and they are able to relax, they will float out with the current, and can swim parallel to shore until they are out of the current and can return safely to shore. A rip current is the best way I can explain what has happened in the past two days..

"Two of our students are leaving the school..", the Director (principal) told me as I sat in a chair in her office. When I asked her which two, my heart jumped when she responded... "Hannah and Fernando". I was shocked primarily because Hannah has been one of my favorite students during my time here in Zapote. She is the one who gives me the BIGGEST bear hugs every time she sees me, she lights up when she sees me enter the classroom, she has provided encouragement and acceptance from my first day here, and she's an incredible young lady. My stomach dropped. Then, I asked why.

The Director began to tell me a story that is far too common within Zapote and Guatemala. She

Hannah and Me

recounted the story of extortion that has plagued the family of Hannah and Fernando. At some point their family had been targeted by extortionists who were stealing money from the family. When the extortionists came this Monday, the family couldn't fulfill their demands, and they assaulted the family. The mother had decided to flee Zapote with Hannah and Fernando to protect them from further harm. I could not believe what I was hearing.

Instantly, I went into what I would call "cop mode". (For those of you who may not know, I was a police officer for nine years before surrendering to the call to ministry on my life... I know... I have lead and lead quite the adventurous life). I wanted to act. I wanted to do something. I wanted to "protect" the family and "put the bad guy in jail". But.. I couldn't.. I couldn't do anything.

In Zapote there is NO law enforcement presence. There are no police cars patrolling the streets. People don't call 911 for help. Much of this has to do with the fact that the police in Guatemala are often "crooked" and accept bribes in exchange for looking the other way. There is a DEEP mistrust that goes back generations and people have learned to "look out for their own" and to "take care of their own". So.. what we would normally do in the U.S... is something that you don't do here.

After I left the Director's office, I walked back to my office in a trance. Had she really just told me that.. I thought.. I went to my office and I shut the door. Not Hannah.. I thought.. not her family.. Why? Why.. God.. this isn't fair. Two of the BEST kids in our school and this is happening to their family? Where is the justice in this... then the tears came. I let the sadness and frustration overcome me as the tears fell down my cheeks. I cried as quietly as possible and let the feelings of the entire situation pour out of me as hot tears flooded my eyes. I took the time I needed to be in the moment, and to feel everything that was happening in my heart and my mind (this is a big deal for someone who became very adept at repressing emotions and "not feeling" when bad things happened).

Eventually, I steadied myself and did my best to make it through the day. As soon as I emerged from my office, Hannah found me and gave me one last hug. We held on for a long time, and I encouraged her and assured her that I would be praying for her. We shared tears on both sides and she left after the final bell rang.

I made it through the rest day by keeping busy and checking things off my "To Do" list. I soon realized that it was time for the weekly prayer meeting (6:15) and I went downstairs to find the family who lives at the school to walk to the church with them.

When I arrived at the door of the family's house, the niece, Alexis, told me that the sister of Ronald
(the father of the family and caretaker of the school) had died. My jaw dropped. She told me that the family had gone to the sister's house for the funeral service. I asked her hesitantly (she is nearly 9 months pregnant) if she would show me where the house was so I could join the family. She agreed.

The Caretaker and His Family 

When we arrived at the gate, I was escorted in and was introduced to every member of the family. It is customary in Guatemala to greet the mother, sisters, and other female members of the deceased with a long embrace and a prayer. I did my best to follow this tradition. Shortly thereafter, a van passed through the streets announcing the funeral service over a loudspeaker and slowly a crowd assembled. Around 9pm the service started with singing, prayers, and some rather interesting accordion music. I returned home around 10:30PM and collapsed into my bed.

When I awoke this morning, I lay in my bed thinking about the past twenty-four hours events. I struggled to get up and I was shocked that I managed to make it to our 7AM teacher devotional (eventhough I told my roommate that I would not go today). During the devotional time, we read James 1.  James 1 is one of my FAVORITE books of the Bible and as I repeated "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom their is no variation or shifting shadow"... I began to remember the GOOD THINGS that had happened in the past 24 hours. Even the small ones.

The Kindergarten Class

I remembered that after Hannah left, I went into the courtyard where the Kindergarten class was having PE and I was mobbed by the Kindergarten girls. It was just what I needed in that moment (the Kindergarten kids are my favorite!!). Then, the kitchen just happened to make MY FAVORITE lunch... (plantains, black beans, queso fresco, and tortillas)... I still can't get my plantains to taste like there's. Then there were encouraging words from my roommate that spoke exactly to what I was feeling. And, finally hearing one of my FAVORITE scriptures to encourage me that I'm on the right path.. and that it's going to be ok. As I read the words of James 1:17 I realized that even though the past two days had been ROUGH.. God was still in it.. encouraging me in little ways throughout it all. Sometimes we just need to remember to look for Him in the tough times.

Just like the rip current.. When I felt myself being pulled away from the shore.. worried.. and weary... I began to panic and get tired. Yet, when I put my eyes back on the Creator and Sustainer of my life I remember.. it's going to be ok. It's not easy.. and I do grow weary.. but He is in control and He loves these kids more than I could ever love them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate each of you on this journey with me. I appreciate the prayers and support each of you give... Your prayers for me have not gone unanswered. 


Blessings,
Meaghen

Just Keep Swimming... Just Keep Swimming...

I can't even begin to describe this past week. There is not one word that sums up the spectrum of emotions I experienced this week. There was LOTS of laughter... camaraderie... some periods of terror (ziplining)... frustration... and above all the peace that surpasses all understanding... and the mercy that is never failing that kept us going through it all.

Doing some sink repair

Securing the cabinets

This past week started with the arrival of TWO SERVICE TEAMS coming to our school in Zapote. One team was from New Hope Church in Minnesota (who stayed with us in the team quarters at the school) and the other was from McKinney Christian Academy in Texas. Teams bring with them the excitement of a "taste of home", excited spirits of the participants, and the opportunity to share with others what we do day in and day out. 

The New Hope team came to do construction projects within the school and our apartment . We were blessed with cabinets in our kitchen... WITH DOORS!! (The frequent ash has forced us to store silverware, plates, and other kitchen items in bins under the counters)... they also screened in gaps in the roof (it is open to allow air flow, but recently bats and other non-desirable creatures have found their way in)... they put screens on our windows (YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!)... they built cabinets in the team room.. they built a block enclosure around the water pump.. hung doors in the school.. fixed odds and ends.. and painted murals and signs on the school. WOW!! I'm just tired writing all of that!!

Our New Cabinets!!

The McKinney team gave the inside of the wall surrounding the school a fresh coat of paint... they painted the exterior of the school... they installed WiFi at the school (we will have to hide the password from the kids!!) and they put on a short VBS type program for the kids which the kids LOVED. 

Painting the Wall

However, that's only the beginning of the excitement from this week!! On Tuesday our lovely volcano decided to put on  QUITE THE SHOW to welcome our visitors. As we stood in the courtyard of the school watching the immense cloud of ash coming in our direction, I dreaded what lie ahead. (Two weeks ago the ash was blown into the house by the windstorms and really tested our perseverance). However, when the ash cloud reached us (it looked like an approaching thunderstorm), the ash fell like snow straight to the ground. (I have never been MORE THANKFUL for NO WIND than I was at that moment). Since it was not windy, the ash did not blow into the house. It covered the ground like snow and anyone who walked through left footprints as they went. And.. in true Zapotean (a new word) spirit.. the prayer meeting was still held that evening. These people are CHAMPS!! 

Painting the Outside 

Reuben (the groundskeeper) was up before 5am the next morning sweeping the ash out of the courtyard to clean up before the students arrived. That Wednesday brought the normal Zapote heat and hot sun, and I managed to get sunburned helping with the dance portion of the program that the McKinney team was putting on for the kids (I may really LOVE TO DANCE). 

On Thursday morning all appeared "normal" as we were preparing for the day around 6:30 AM. Then the power went out... this is not unusual in Guatemala... however I noticed that I could still hear what I thought was the coffee pot brewing from next door (the walls don't reach the roof so sound travels). Then I heard someone from the New Hope team talking about smoke and fire. Looking outside, I saw that the power pole which held the line supplying power to the top floor of the school was ON FIRE!! Reuben quickly ran and cut off all the breakers (there are no transformers on power lines in Guatemala). As we sat and watched the line burn we realized that we would have to figure out some way to put the fire out (there are no fire departments where the school is). The fire was beginning to burn up the line and would continue to burn along the line and spread from house to house if the fire was not put out. 

The Electric Fire

We made a quick search and realized that there are no fire extinguishers in the school and putting water on an electrical fire could be disastrous. "Ok... we have to McIver this thing" I said and we quickly came up with the solution of someone climbing up a ladder and throwing dirt on the fire (hey... we needed a "powder" extinguisher right?!!) I grabbed one of the older boys and ran to the soccer field to fill two flower pots with dirt while our brave teammates from New Hope propped the ladder precariously close to the burning and sparking pole. A brave teammate ascended the ladder, tossed a handful of dirt on the fire... and THE FIRE WENT OUT!! I'm not sure what we would have done if the New Hope team had not been there with us!! 

After calming ourselves and making sure the fire was extinguished and would not reignite we realized that our water pump is fed from the line that had burned. Without a water pump we did not have running water. That means we could not flush toilets.. we could not wash hands.. and there was no running water in the kitchen. However by time I asked Tiffany if we could have school without water, she laughed and said "The moms have all ready left to get the water." The mothers of the students (most of whom had been watching the fire adventure) grabbed buckets and bowls and were hauling water from a nearby well point. In a matter of minutes they filled the pilas, there was water to flush toilets, and water for cooking. The people of Zapote never cease to amaze me! We spent the rest of the day without power (but we had water!!) and the last we heard the line was still being worked on as of Friday afternoon when the team left the school. 

As if  that was not enough adventure for one week, the McKinney team invited Tiffany and I to join them for a zipline adventure at the edge of Antigua. I have wanted to go ziplining for some time; however, at some point I failed to realize that it involves EXTREME heights. I am TERRIFIED of heights. In fact, I nearly turned back multiple times throughout the zipline course and had to be coaxed more than once to keep going. My favorite (and most terrified) moment came after I somehow ascended a ladder that went STRAIGHT UP a tree (it had to be 50-75 ft) high... I stopped about half way up the ladder and attempted to come back down.. only to find that the security clip on the line would not allow me to descend and only to keep climbing... so after pondering if I wanted to live the rest of my life on the ladder... I gathered what minuscule intestinal fortitude I could muster (mostly from the cheering of those waiting behind me) and climbed to the top. We won't talk about how I was literally hugging the tree when the wind was blowing at the top of the platform...  

I was literally shaking as I stood on the edge of the platform and waited for my harness to be attached to the line. Next, I sat back in my harness and waited to feel gravity take over... and it SURELY DID. A few seconds into my journey (to certain death) I realized that my eyes were closed and it was almost if I heard God say "Open Your Eyes"... I did.. and WOW!!! As I passed over forests and mountains I was in awe of God's creation.. It was like a bird's eye view of ALL HE HAS MADE... I began laughing with joy.. and I will admit.. despite the terrifying moments.. I REALLY LOVED IT.. and now that I am convinced that I PROBABLY won't die.. I would do it again.. 

So... those were the highlights of this past week. I can say that despite it all the peace of God.. the joy of God.. and the encouragement of others really pushed me through this week. I can't help but think of God's mercy in choosing me to walk this path despite of who I am and all that I have done... and I am sooooo grateful for those who were beside me this week cheering me on. Whether it was laughing together at the heat, persevering through the ash, problem solving to put out the fire, working together to better the school in Zapote, or even ALL the moral support I received on the zip line.. I realize that when we work TOGETHER and ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER we can accomplish GREAT THINGS!! And thank you to all of you "at home" and "around the world" who pray for us as we continue this adventure. I really couldn't do any of this without you. Just because you are not physically present does not mean that you are not a part of this journey to. Thank you for sharing this with me. 

Blessings,

Meaghen

When the Waters are Rocky

          “Do you want to come to the church service with me tonight?” Tiffany asked as I sat among my pile of construction paper. Tuesday nights are the night of the prayer meeting at the local church we attend while in the village of Zapote. However, at that moment I was in the middle of working on a project for sponsorship, and I paused and thought for a moment… I have been struggling with what I will gently refer to as a digestive indiscretion, and I was not sure about the restroom facilities at the church. Ultimately, I passed and continued working surrounded by brightly colored construction paper and contact paper.

Only a short time later, Tiffany returned. Confused, I asked what happened to the church service. Tiffany explained that two men had gone missing from our village and the church service was being relocated to the family’s home to pray specifically for the missing men. I asked for further details and Tiffany explained that the two men (in their early 20’s) were working in the fields and were kidnapped while working on Saturday. This was Tuesday. The family had not heard anything from the young men since they left for work on Saturday morning. Due to the lack of trust in law enforcement or even the presence of any law enforcement in the village, it is not uncommon for people in this area to exact revenge on each other until it escalates to physical attacks, kidnappings, and even murder. Disappearances are very rarely IF EVER reported to the police for fear that the kidnappers will kill the victims or exact revenge on the family for reporting the incident.

I immediately decided to brave a potential intestinal attack to attend the prayer meeting. This is WHAT I LOVE TO DO. I changed clothes, applied copious amounts of bug spray, and put on my walking shoes (the roads are filled with sharp rocks that I tend to trip over J ). We walked up the main road of the village greeting everyone along the way (it is considered VERY RUDE not to greet someone you encounter in Zapote). As we turned off the main road and toward the home I heard a gentle hum which grew louder as we continued down the road. I quickly realized that THIS was the sound of the prayer meeting.

As we crowded around the front yard of the home, there was barely room to stand. The porch, home, and yard were PACKED with people praying so fervently that many were WEEPING as they

The Prayer Meeting at the Family's Home

were praying. I was taken aback by the sight. WOW!! These people CAN PRAY!! In Guatemala when people pray as a group everyone prays OUT LOUD and AT THE SAME TIME. The chorus of voices CRYING OUT to God was INTENSE. Tiffany and I joined as we prayed for the safe return of the young men, sang praises to God, and prayed over the family. While praying, I remembered a sermon Pastor Dan (my pastor in the U.S. ) gave in which he highlighted Acts 12:15 in which the church prays for Peter as he is imprisoned and an angel comes and releases him.  As we were praying I kept hearing “BUT THE CHURCH PRAYED… BUT THE CHURCH PRAYED..” and I realized that this was exactly one of those situations playing out on the mission field in Guatemala.

As of today there has been no news of the two young men. We continue to pray for their safe return and hope you would join us in this prayer. Yet, this is just one example of the POWER OF PRAYER I have encountered recently. In the past two weeks, I have seen prayer change my own attitude when I was EXHAUSTED AND FRUSTRATED from the non-stop ash that had been falling last week on EVERY SURFACE of our home (the volcano put on quite a show)… added to the fact I had not slept in THREE NIGHTS due to windstorms. I have PRAYED when woken up in the middle of the night being bitten by something I assume was a fire ant (I have anaphylactic reactions to fire ants) and prayed that I would not have a reaction and had NO REACTION TO THE BITE! (I do have Epi-pens handy JUST IN CASE.. J ).. and I have seen hundreds of smiling faces in the halls of the school that I pray for daily (and by name as I learn them..) flourishing despite their situations and past experiences.

So, I have said all that to say.. if you are facing something DO NOT FORGET THE POWER OF PRAYER. Prayer CAN and DOES CHANGE THINGS. Prayer is by no means a “magic formula” to get what we want, but I can say that I have seen it work and God is faithful to His promises!!

I want to thank each of you for reading this blog. I appreciate each of you. I appreciate your prayers, love, and support!!

Blessings,

Meaghen 

Jumping Into the River

Flying into Guatemala

GREETINGS FROM GUATEMALA!!! I have officially been in Guatemala for almost 36 hours... and it all seems very surreal. I find myself pausing mid-sentence.. looking around.. and realizing.. I am REALLY HERE!! I am really here.. and I am not leaving in a week.. or a month. I am here long term. I am here by God's grace and I am so grateful for each person who is giving and has given to get me to this place. Thank you for your prayers, your financial support, your emotional support, your friendship, and your encouragement. Without each of you, none of this would be possible!! Thank you!!

I honestly have to say that Guatemala speaks to my soul on a level I have never experienced. It's almost as if God wired me specifically to live in this culture. It's in everything I see... everything I hear... everything I taste.. everything I experience. The bright colors that are everywhere, the busyness that is the city, the affection and welcome that the people show complete strangers, the spices in even the most "average" dishes, the music, the language, the culture.. it feels so right. I recognize that I am very much in the honeymoon period, and I have yet to face any major challenges.. but this place feels right in a way I have never experienced before.

Hershey's Spread is a hot commodity

I arrived around noon on Saturday, January 23rd and my roommate I will live with in Zapote, Tiffany, picked me up from the airport. After lunch at a cafe, I arrived at what will be my temporary home in San Lucas while I go through some training before heading to the village of Zapote. Here I met another one of my teammates, Heidi, and realized that my team is composed of varying ranges of goofy people.. PERFECT (I have found my people!!) Heidi and I  took a trip to a local supermarket... which was surprisingly well stocked.. and  since the market is owned by Walmart, they have a lot of the same brands that I purchase in the U.S..... INCLUDING CHEESE (Praise God)!!! I also realized that they place really weird things in protective plastic cases to deter shoplifting.. things like Hershey's spread?!! I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Guatemalan Breakfast

I experienced my first official Guatemalan breakfast today... let's just say.. it ministered to me deeply. Heidi made me fresh eggs scrambled with onions, tomatoes, and cheese, black beans, and blue corn tortillas (only
available for purchase on weekends from the local tortilla stands).. and the crowning jewel... GUATEMALAN COFFEE... which is apparently procured from a friend down the street who gets it straight from the processing plant and uses the proceeds to fund his ministry with local boys homes. I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob, and this had me speechless. Yes, Lord.. and it wasn't even French Pressed!!

My largest adventure thus far has been showering. In the majority of Latin American countries, the only water that is heated is the water used to bathe. In Guatemala a common solution to this problem is known as the "Widow Maker" or "Suicide Shower" in which LIVE power lines are

The Suicide Shower

run directly into the shower head to heat the water. Getting a "light" shock is not uncommon when operating the faucet controls. So.. when it came time for my maiden voyage to the shower, I literally had to have Heidi talk me through operating it. Apparently this was quite hysterical to her as she directed me from the living room in between bursts of laughter. I will say, even though she CLAIMS that she has never been shocked by this device... I am fairly certain I felt tingling when I touched the faucet. I decided to turn it on and off with a loofa from now on!!

Today I attended church service at La Iglesia Galilea which is the local church that partners with Kids Alive International in the village of Zapote where I will be working. WOW... I was and still am completely overwhelmed at the goodness of God. Song after song we sang of His goodness, His faithfulness, His promises.. and I am in awe of all that He has done.. and HOW FAST He has done it. I wept tears of joy throughout the service just at His goodness and His faithfulness in this journey. God has a plan for each of us.. and in His timing.. He WILL SEE IT THROUGH. My journey has taken place at the speed of light (or so it seems).. but one thing that sticks out through it all is that HE IS FAITHFUL TO KEEP HIS PROMISES. Again and again He has come through at EXACTLY THE RIGHT moment.. sometimes waiting until the very last minute!! I trust that He has this journey, and I am excited about where this journey goes next!!

Thank you for reading my blog. I am grateful for each of you, and I look forward to sharing this journey as it unfolds!!

Blessings,

Meaghen