Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Our time in Guatemala has come to a close

Our time in Guatemala has come to a close.  It is bittersweet.  We tried to show the love of Jesus to many people but more than anything, I think Jesus showed himself to each one of us.  People were refreshed, transformed and healed by His power. The family behind Hearts for the Children Ministry, Tom, his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Cheryl, live an abundant Christ-centered life.  I have learned so much about how to truly love others from them, from my teammates and from the Guatemalan people.

At first, though, I felt like what we did was so small in comparison to their needs. Then, it was explained to me that by showing up and demonstrating to them that we care about them, by simply spending time with them and ministering to their needs, by praying over them, the people become intrigued and many then choose to come to the ministry's church.  From that point, Jesus takes over and changes the direction of their lives.  We had the privilege of meeting some of the precious people who had made that leap at a dinner we hosted at Tom's ministry house.  How awesome to witness how Jesus works!

Our word for the week was relationship.  Maybe it is the word for more than the week.  How often do I superficially say hello or ask people how they are doing, only to keep walking along without actually waiting for a real answer?  What if I, if we, took the time to actually show people we care about them, by showing up, by simply spending time with them and ministering to their needs, by praying over them?  How many people might see and seek Jesus as a result?

Today at VBS at Dahlonega UMC, a little girl told me her hope was that Jesus would love her.  Ouch!  Everyone needs to know that Jesus already loves them, but how will they know if we do not tell them?

Jesus te ama,

Renee Lloyd

P.S. For those of you who may not know, Jesus te amo means Jesus loved you, which is not at all the same thing.  Some of us learned that the hard way.

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