A week in Guatemala! I am already in such awe & wonder of what the Lord has been doing here. It’s really hard for me to process it all at times, the fact that I am even here in general is so surreal. As I process and try to communicate everything, something I am super grateful for is “Wonderful Table Time”, my team and I set this up as a value and norm before we left the states and it has been an incredible blessing and encouragement! Let me quickly explain…
The Lord clearly was revealing to us all that we needed to stop putting God in a box and we needed to sit in His vastness, His expansive love, and ultimately be in wonder of Him. So we collectively made Wonderful Table Time so when we sit down at each meal, all distractions are away and we talk about all the ways we saw Gods wonder that day. It’s crazy when you slow down, seek His kingdom and watch for the wonder what the Lord reveals. Truly He is WONDERFUL.
A glimpse into some of the wonder from this week that I wish you could all see too:
– Our new friend J, his beautiful eyes. I got to hold his shaking hands while his eyes filled with tears when he told us that he just wanted to be happy with God so he sat in the town square everyday talking with Jesus. Moved to tears myself to hear that with a heavy tremor in his hands his family had been taking advantage of him but all He cared about was the hope in the Lord and it showed, I saw Jesus in His eyes.
– The beauty of the Church, the Lord has opened so many doors to beautiful conversations like hearing testimonies and stories of teammates where again, you look into their eyes and hear the deeper, hardest parts of a persons life and it draws you closer into community and you see Jesus in their eyes. It just makes me become so overwhelmingly thankful for the redemption that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ!
– The Lord’s sovereignty and light in the midst of darkness. We went to a home visit and saw an Abuela (grandmother) who was praising and still experiencing Hope after losing her beloved husband after a long fight to cancer. I looked into her eyes and all the language barriers collapsed as we both looked into each others eyes and spoke the same language of love & compassion. Only Jesus can break those barriers.
I could go on and on about the wonderful things that happened this week from working at Eco Farms – an amazing farm that’s paving a way for long term sustainable farming to Guatemalans – to playing with kids at VBS, to Discipleship Wednesdays or Worship Room Thursdays to Street Evangelism and Kids Soccer Programs on Friday. The Lord is SO good and has already been moving BIG time here in Guatemala before we even got here. The coolest part is we just get to partner with Jesus in His work & just marvel at the Wonder.
The Lord brought me to these verses in my studies last week. I wanted to share because it has continually encouraged and cultivated a spirit of wonder in me –
Look among the nations and see wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. – Habakkuk 1:5
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. – Psalm 9:1
He tells us to just LOOK. If we look, we will see the wonder and be in awe. The Lord doesn’t just want to tell us, he wants to SHOW us. And then the only response when you start to see His wonder is praise and thankfulness. When I recount all the wonderful deeds my heart simply can’t help but be thankful!
So I ask all of you – where have you seen God’s wonder today? This week? This month? Or even overall in your life? Take a minute to offer up praise and thanksgiving to our Wonderful God. And as you go on each day forward, Look for His wonder. I promise you, it’s everywhere.
Please share in the comments below, I would love to share a Wonderful Table Time with you. <3
Nicole
Oh how I love you friend! You have such a heart for Jesus and His will, and I’m so grateful to be on your team. Thank you for inspiring our team with your WONDERful table time moments and within the beautiful way you hear from the Lord. Can’t wait to read more about these moments and to of course experience many of them at your side over the next few months. Thanks for being great. ??
These are beautiful encounters. I love these moments you are having. Thank you for sharing!! I love it! So thankful for you!!
His wonder IS everywhere!! Thank you for sharing God’s wonder and the encouragement for us to seek it out each day!
Coco we are so happy that you share your journeys with us. We can see the light of Christ in you and love your commitment to Him. What an amazing journey you are on. I love the “wonderful table time”. I want to try it at our place. Keep up the good work.
Coco, I am so in awe of this!! It is crazy how God is not only using you in Guatemala but everybody else that gets the chance the read this. I am so moved and I definitely needed to read this! I am so encouraged by you. Keep it up
I am excited for you that all is going well. Thank you for the report. I will try harder to remember you in our prayers. May God continue to bless you.
Ed
Oh Nicoley,
I absolutely love this. When you described looking into people’s eyes and the language barrier was gone, it reminded me of the exact same thing that happened in Lebanon. I held hands with this grandmother that just kept smiling at me and she leaned in and kissed my forehead because she said I reminded her of her granddaughter. When you just listen to people, just really look at them, Jesus takes over and his grace and love cover all.
I love your heart and I’m praying for you and your team. Thank you for sharing the wonder of God. I needed to read that and be reminded that He has not left, and neither has His wonder and beauty. Praise God. I love you friend.
Love, Nisi
It is so exciting to read about what God is doing in your life, and the lives of your team members. We sure do miss you, but we are so happy that God is using you.
“He tells us to just LOOK. If we look, we will see the wonder and be in awe.” I can’t tell you how much I love this! And I can’t wait to see you in person and hear more! Love you much!
“slow down, seek His kingdom and watch for the wonder” Wow…what a great way to go through life! Thanks for the awesome reminder to stay awake to God’s gifts. So proud of you and Evergreen.