We Have Arrived!

We have arrived safely in Guatemala, and to the Ministry Center that will be our “base camp” for the week.  We had a very smooth trip, meaning that every ONE and every THING arrived in one piece.  We are grateful to God for that.  It is not easy to move 23 people and 30 pieces of checked baggage through all the necessary hoops at Hartsfield and Guatemala.  Today alone, we have been transported by car, train, plane, and bus.  AND we have loaded/unloaded 30 bags each time.  Our trip leader, TG,  has a ton of responsibility just to GET us all here!

Being the basketball fan that I am, I’m interpreting my early morning encounters as simply, “THE FAVOR OF THE LORD!”  In the Delta Crown Room, as Braxton and I were saying our farewells to Keith and Thayer, Bobby Cremins came and sat down in the chairs adjacent to us.  We had a nice little chat with him about his recent knee replacement surgery.  We were big fans of his when he was the head men’s basketball coach at Ga. Tech.

As Braxton and I were walking to our gate on the international concourse, I connected with God in my spirit and just said… “Thanks.  That was really cool seeing Coach Cremins”  I’ve been trying to develop the HABIT of expressing thanks more in my life; not just to the people in my circle but to God Himself – for the little things.  I think God really likes it when we do that.  How do I know?

When we got to Gate 18 and sat down, I glanced across the aisle at Gate 17 and noticed that its destination was Honolulu.  Who did I see pacing and talking on his cell phone?  Roy Williams, the head basketball coach of UNC!  I just laughed out loud.  God was purely showing off for me now.  While I’ve always been an ACC basketball fan, I now have a particular interest in UNC, as our nephew is a freshman there this year.  He’s a scholarship quarterback, but he’s got a sweet jumpshot as well.  So, since God was smiling on me today – I just got up out of my chair and introduced myself to Coach Williams.  He’s a delightful man, and we had a nice chat about Kanler.  If you happen to see this post Kanler… he’s expecting a visit from you in his office.  Might not hurt for YOU to connect with God in your spirit and say a quick “thanks”… grin.

So the day started well, and the traveling was easy.  Being a sophomore has its advantages.  The Ministry Center feels like home this time.  I know where everything is, and what all the rules are.  Today we have a gentle breeze, and cool temps.  My jeans and long sleeves feel just right.  Here are a couple of shots I took on the drive from the airport to the Ministry Center, just as a reminder that we are NOT in Kansas anymore. 

It’s not intended to be a scary thing – just a realistic and truthful description of where we are.  One of my favorite comforting sites, once we arrived at the Ministry Center, were the guard dogs Nina and Stark.  They patrol the Center and keep it safe for the Missionaries!  Those dogs take me back to my pigtailed days, growing up on the farm in deep south Georgia. 

My best friend during my formative years was a German Shepherd named Raider.  On long summer days, Raider took every step I took.  Our favorite game was “Corn Bin Baseball.”  I’d don my bright blue softball glove and grab a tennis ball.  The pitcher’s mound was a scuff mark I’d made with my bare feet in the red Georgia clay.  I was the star pitcher, and Raider was the Gold Glove outfielder.  I’d hurl the tennis ball against the door of the Corn Bin and it was game ON!  If the ball made it past me on the richoet, Raider was on it like white on rice.  He didn’t have a very good arm, but he got the ball back to the mound eventually.  He was a faithful companion.

Seeing Nina and Stark gives me yet another reason to say a quick prayer of gratitude to God… for a sweet memory, and for HIS hand of protection on us while we are in Guatemala.  In Psalm 5:11-12, it says:


But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

God has provided a safe environment for us, SO THAT, we can focus on the job He sent us to do.  During our three hour flight, I read a passage that helped me focus on exactly that.  It’s Isaiah 41:17,18,20.


"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them.  I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.  I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.  I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.  I will fill the desert with pools of water.  Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.  I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means - that it is the LORD who has done this,   the Holy One of Israel who created it."


One of our objectives is certainly to provide tangible medical care to the people in the villages. But the reality is, they will likely get sick again.  Our more IMPORTANT objective  is to help satisfy their SPIRITUAL thirst.  God is sending US - plain ole, unimpressive, uncredentialed US - to "open up rivers for them on the high plateaus."  


Please pray that we will serve the people well.  Pray that we will LISTEN to God's instructions for each patient.  Opening the fountain of living water doesn't have a boilerplate blueprint.  It requires different things for different people.  Pray that we will treat each villager with the love and respect he or she deserves as an image-bearer of God.


And pray that we will do it ALL in such a way that the villagers will KNOW  "that it is the LORD who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it."  


Tomorrow is Clinic One of Four!  To God be All the Glory!!