Leaving Guatemala

As you know, I've been working with four young ladies reading a purity book.  To end this many-month activity, I organized and hosted a retreat for the young ladies.  We stayed in another missionary's apartment and have several events.  First, we started out with a scavenger hunt.  I gave each team a list of things they needed to find, including purchasing a few meaningless things from the store.  They even had to obtain signatures from the guys across the street working at the gas station.  It was raining and they returned all muddy, but LOVED the activity!

We also had guest speakers all weekend long, meals taken care of, a fashion show to demonstrate appropriate clothing, a shopping spree for a new outfit and much more!  Because of your financial gifts, these girls walked away very blessed!  Together, we were able to purchase them embroidered towels with their names on it, brand new Bibles, gift baskets with beauty care products and this weekend away.

At the end of the retreat, the last speaker shared about "Waiting 'Till Marriage".  At the end she asked if any of the girls wanted to commit to God to wait.  The first girl to raise her hand was the last one I thought ever would!  God is so good and works in mysterious way.  If they decided to stay pure until their wedding night, they received rings and we prayed over them.  

I don't know everything going on in the girl's lives, but I know God met them right where they're at and blessed them.  Thank you!

THEN, the retreat ended and I took the girls home.  Immediately following was my Goodbye Party with our missionary team and my closest friends from Guatemala.  It was a bit intense, but a huge blessing! 

We all gathered together at our Ministry Base, had dinner together and talked about the memories we all share of my last two years in Guatemala.  It was really sad to be actually saying goodbye to everyone and my life in Guatemala, but I'm glad we got to do it this way.

The following day was Sunday and my last day at church.  My pastor prayed over me and sent me out of the house and back to the States.  Later that afternoon, a few friends picked me up and blind-folded me and took me somewhere.  As they took off the blindfolds, I found out I was at my good friend's house and the youth group threw a surprise party for me!  It was, again, great to be able to say goodbye in a more formal setting to all the young people I've been able to build relationship with over the last two years.

Then Monday came... I don't remember too much as it was all a blur of luggage in the air, bank lines and goodbyes to the people in my office.  Before I knew it, I was at the airport.  I actually arrived almost an hour late - which worked out perfect!  I checked in, went through customs and security and pretty much walked onto my plane!  Then, I woke up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, my destination.  I was greeting by my parents and we drove home.

In a few words or a blog, I cannot even begin to sum up all the experiences I've walked away with in Guatemala.  There's lessons I've learned, friendships I've made, ministry opportunities I've taken part of... the list goes on.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life during these past two years.  I know that God has even bigger things in store for me, new land to spread the Gospel to.  Please keep checking back to see what's going on!

In God's Hands,

Sarah