As each day is spent alongside the girls, I am reminded of my time in Sparrow House. There are many things I feel the Lord used from the program in order to prepare me for this trip to Guatemala. From the morning bible studies to the weekly discipleship meetings, I have applied what I learned there, here at the Potter’s House. Going through a chapter verse by verse and sitting with it and pushing the girls to think deeper about what we read. Just like Rick, Candie and every other leader at NACC did with us in the Sparrow House. I see how participating in the different evangelism events NACC had, has taught me to share the gospel on the streets of Antigua and Chimaltenango. Everything I did at Sparrow House has helped me to minister today. I am thankful to the Lord for blessing me with Sparrow House and the time I spent with those at NACC.  

Celia

How my time in Sparrow House prepared me for a Guatemala or life in general.

Before going in to Sparrow House I knew I wanted to follow Jesus, but I was pretty lukewarm, I needed some hard core discipleship. I needed some hard core leadership. So that’s what I got at SH. There I had so much time to spend in the word of God, and that alone is very transforming when you start living out what you read. In SH I was taught what it means to lay your life down. I was taught what it means to love others and what it means to love God with all your heart, soul and might. I learned discipline, love and service. We would have weekly meetings with our pastor and he would challenge us to live out what the Bible says. I learned how to pray and how to be in intimate relationship with God. I learned that depression comes from the absence of a relationship with God. I also learned a lot about communication, how to handle disagreements, how to apologize and restore relationships. And I’m not saying this because of the name of the house, but I really saw Matthew 6:33 played out. I truly came to recognize that the Lord will take care of me. I was so scared when I first went into Sparrow house to quit a job and go in to a 24/7 ministry with no income. But I have seen the Lord provide for my every need and more! I have learned to trust Him. I say that I have learned all these things but truly I have only scratched the surface, I know I have so much more to learn. So much more to surrender and lay down.

Emily