Mission to Guatemala: Day 6 - Last Day of Clinics ):

Thursday, August 2nd:
Job 42:2

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted..."

Awesome story of miraculous healing in this morning's devotional -- the ministry's chief logistician, Dietrich, shared with us about his son's recovery from leukemia. Lea Jeremías 17:7 y Romanos 12:2

The people don't want to hear more about Jesus, they want to see Jesus

> How can our living witness show Jesus to the people God has put into our lives?

Later, Patrick used scripture and some rocking music to encourage us to be fully awake and fully alive, which was a good thing that early in the morning. Especially on our last day of full on mission focus.

From Ephesians 5, be imitators of Christ.
Live a life of:

Love
Thanksgiving
Goodness
Righteousness
Truth

Make the most of every opportunity

Be filled with the Spirit

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

Señor Super Cool: Dietrich

It was in some ways a difficult drive out to our last day of clinics, because it was our last day. And I started to get a little sad about the end of our trip getting ever closer. I felt like I could have just kept going out day after day indefinitely, but that was not and is not the plan for me (at least not as yet).

That last-day-of-clinics blues were swiftly lifted like a fog burning off during the drive out to our last village. Seven of us norteamericanos were privileged to ride with Luis, a member of the ministry team, whose testimony is so incredible that attempting to recount it in any particulars here would be entirely beyond me. But suffice to say his story is about the greatness of God's love for His children, how He reaches into the darkest corner of hell, scatters powers and principalities like dust to rescue us, carries us back from the enemy's territory, washes us clean as snow, gives us a robe and a ring and holds the richest of feasts whenever one of us lost ones arrives back home to be with Him. He and I had more than a few things in common, and I count it a blessing to have heard his story. God is great and He can do anything!

El Guapo, Luis y yo

The location of our clinic today was not too far from yesterday's. We set up at someone's home and in fairly close quarters. As we experienced before, the people were warm, friendly and joyful.

Entrance to the home where we ran the clinic

I was assigned to counselling stations in the morning with Sarah and afternoon with Jody. Aleida helped in both to cross the language barrier. She also has a great heart for sharing the gospel. I jumped out for a moment when I was drawn over this fellow who was sitting with one of our translators, Jorge, pictured below:

I had noticed the man earlier in the morning being assisted as he walked around the place very slowly. Turns out he is 80 years old and he is also the father of the man whose house where the clinic was being held today. His entire family knows the Lord (lots of praise!) and his only complaint was severe back and leg pain that made it difficult for him to walk. I love praying for healing. And I love praising God for His faithfulness at hearing our prayers. Both of these loves were fulfilled, and my soul was blessed. After we prayed, he stood up and walked away on his own at least twice as fast as he moved even when he had someone at each arm helping him into the chair. God is sovereign over healing, indeed!

Later in the afternoon, I was able to share with a young man who had come to the Lord, but hadn't yet been baptized, although he had a goal for that this year. His name is Victor, and I was able to use my eBand to share with him about the things in addition to baptism that we do to live out our new life in Christ.

Me, the eBand, Jorge and Victor

There were many more awesome encounters with God and the people there, and lunch was, of course, better than just about anything I can get in the states.

There was a sweet little kitten under the table being fed by Aleida

The children were beautiful and joyful beyond measure. It was a little sad as the day drew to a close, but I found great comfort in mastering this little bit of español, "¡hasta el proximo año!" Until next year! Certain that, God willing, I would be back soon, it was still bitter sweet, but a lot less biting.