Hello Friends!

I would like to share a bit about what the Lord has been doing these past few weeks. The end of March marked a new season in my life and I began to ask the Lord, “what next?”. Then shortly after, news came to me that a one-way ticket to Guatemala was purchased under my name! I can honestly say that I was surprised but not shocked. Going to serve in Guatemala had been on my heart but I didn’t know when I’d be able to go again.

Preparing for the trip

Two weeks leading up to the trip, I found out that I needed to be vaccinated in order to enter the country. Guatemala requires that your vaccination should be completed two weeks before you enter the country. I could see the hand of the Lord opening another door when we were able to schedule an appointment the same day! Another requirement was to have a negative COVID test three days before the flight. This past Friday, we received word that they had dropped that requirement. Again another confirmation of the Lord leading and calling me to Guatemala.

Currently

As I type this update, I am sitting in the midst of beautiful sisters in Christ. I have been blessed to spend my last couple of days in Texas with the women in the Sparrow House. Saturday we had such an awesome time going out evangelizing and being the light on the corner of Runberg and North Lamar. Friday, I attended bible study with my Spanish speaking sisters and brothers. I loved our time together worshiping and dancing and just thanking the Lord for all He has blessed us with. I am excited to see what the Lord is doing in Guatemala and being able to join Him there.

Prayer requests:

Wisdom

To have wisdom when ministering in Guatemala and to be aware of my surroundings and not foolishly walk into dangerous situations.

Courage and boldness

To have courage and boldness to be the voice of the Lord. To not be scared to share what the Lord tells me because of age or amount of time I have been walking with Him.

Trust

To remember He is my shield and my shelter. To trust that He has me in His hand. That it is He who is doing this work, and I need only to obey. To remember that I am not enough but He is all I need in order to fulfill this mission.

Week at a glance in Guatamala

Tuesday – We flew out from Houston which is about three hours away from Austin. When we arrived at the airport, we had a blast trying to shuffle around the weight in our bags. We had a 40lb max! As we waited to board the plane, I had the opportunity to speak with another passenger about why I was traveling to Guatemala. We even read a psalm together :)

Wednesday – Throughout the week we do nights of worship, prayer and bible study. It’s been a privilege to witness the Potters and Emily lead. I am excited to learn from each of their leadership skills. One night Emily and I got to share our testimonies. It was a really awesome time! I could tell that the girls were listening and that the Lord was working in each of their hearts. Brent prayed us out and THE LORD WAS THERE! I could feel His spirit so strongly and it was such a blessing. 

Thursday – The Potters make it a point to stay in touch with the kids they have served throughout the years. So, whenever a birthday comes around it's like one big family reunion! (In the past two weeks we have already celebrated two birthdays!)

Friday – Friday nights we go out to a city called Antigua. Where we hand out dinner and coffee to the homeless. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to communicate with those on the streets because of my limited Spanish. The Lord is so good! He provided a translator! There was one person that night that I felt like the Lord was really speaking to. He was honest about his struggle with addiction and said he was still grateful for what he had. He had a bible with him so I asked him to pull it out and we read through a psalm together. 

Saturday – Saturdays are days the Potters take the girls out. One Saturday we visited Antigua and picked a couch! Liseth and I loved the ride back home

Sunday - Sunday mornings we go out to the center of Chimaltenango to feed and talk with the shoe shiners. I felt like I had no idea what or how to talk with people. I sat with a group of little boys and asked them who they believed in. They were very shy and didn’t respond much to my questions. I walked away from that experience thinking that next time I am just going to spend time getting to know them. To show that I genuinely care for them. 

After that we go to a nearby church and then after service, we spend some quality time together. 

Monday – Last Monday we went to an orphanage for special needs kids called Los Gozosos. They have lots of needs in terms of Maintenance. We spent the afternoon cleaning out some pools and rugs. It was hard! Afterward we treated ourselves to some very delicious tortas!

Every Monday night we have bible study with people from around Chimaltenango. Last week I helped out with the younger kids and realized that I do have a gift working with kids. I guess I had rejected the idea because kids are so much work but I felt so fulfilled working with them. My heart was overflowed with joy seeing them dance to worship and hearing them share about what they learned.

Celia

Hello Friends! 

It's been a little over two weeks since my last update. These past weeks have been filled with love, laughter, prayer and the sweet presence of the Lord. As I thought about what it is I am doing here in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The Lord reminded me that location doesn't change what He commands of me. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) 

Being a Witness 

Alongside discipleship, Jesus also calls us to be witnesses to those who do not know Him. I am reminded in the Gospel of John about the power of sharing the hope of Jesus with others and what it does. "The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:4-5) In sum, the Guatemala mission and anywhere I go is to be a witness, testifying about what "the Word" (Jesus) has done in my life and to make disciples.

The Potter's Home 

I am thankful to be in the home of Brent and Yuliza. And to meet and live with the girls they serve and host. We spend lots of time together in and outside the house. We cook together, we study together, we serve together and so much more! It paints a beautifully vivid picture of what community and discipleship looks like.

Prayer Requests 

That I learn how to have to deeper relationships with those around me. 

That I stay focused on the mission and not overthink it. 

That I grow and bear fruit. 

Thank you all for your continued prayers!

Love, Celia

Week Two Goal/Mindset: Focus on the Mission and Share the Gospel

Friday (April 29)

We went to Antigua with DBO. The ride there I was intentional with my conversations with the volunteers. We talked about what Jesus had done in our lives and how we came to know Him and follow Him personally. It was really cool because I felt like the conversation helped focus us on our mission that night. 

With every person I talked with that night I made it a point not to rush my time with them. We did get rained out but I felt like that night was a really good one. 

Saturday (April 30)

That Saturday morning, we went to DBO to serve with their kids' ministry. The kids are from around the neighborhood. It reminded me a lot of NACC’s Fiesta ministry. It was nice to be able to spend time with the kids and trying to get them to think a bit more about the bible stories that they reviewed that day. 

That night Emily and I treated the girls with “spa” time. We put face masks on them and gave them massages. While giving them massages we asked how we could pray for them. I was surprised at how open the girls were about what they were going through. It was a really beautiful time to be able to serve and the love the girls like that. It reminded me of when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. 

Sunday (May 1)

That morning I really wanted to be used by the Lord to speak to at least one person. I was fighting against feeling ill equipped in Spanish. The whole ride to the center of Chimaltenango I was praying. We arrived before anyone from DBO so I walked up to a small group of men waiting for the food that we would be giving out. As I stumbled through my words there was one moment where I felt like a street preacher and like the Holy Spirit was using me to speak to the group. I’m not quite sure how to explain it but that’s how I felt. One man began to cry and together we prayed that the Lord would deliver him from addiction. I prayed with another who had trouble sleeping at night. Another man explained to me that about five days before He had come to a point of brokenness and he had prayed to give His life to the Lord. We prayed that the Lord would help him say no to temptation that are in the streets. I invited each of them to Monday night bible study (church).

Monday (May 2)

Brent and Yuliza asked about our plan for the week so I worked on a schedule of all the ministries I wanted to work with. We had a good conversation with Julie about how purity is a good topic to speak with the girls about. 

That night we went to Monday bible study. I participated with the group that Brent leads. It was really cool to see all three of the men I prayed with show up! Brent introduced the book of John to the group. 

Also, when we got home. Liseth came up to me and asked me to pray for her. She confessed that work has been really affecting her relationship with the Lord. She knew that she needed to quite but wanted prayer to help speak with the Brent and Yuliza about it and to actually do it. She and three others from the house worked there and all of them felt the same conviction about leaving the Job. 

Tuesday (May 3)

The main leaders of DBO (Ronald and Shannon) invited us to coffee. We were really excited to be able to have the opportunity to speak with them. We noticed that a lot of the people who serve within their ministry seem to lack discipleship and others seem to not have a personal relationship with the Lord. The group is made up of a lot of young people so each serving opportunity seems to be more like a social gathering rather than spending time with those they are serving, sharing the Gospel and praying. So, when they invited us to coffee it was like the Lord was opening a door of a discipleship relationship with them. Emily and I prayed that the Lord would give us humility as we listen to them and that He would use us to speak to them. 

The conversation ended with them giving us the greenlight to lead a workshop (that their leader of Antigua requested we do with his group) with their leaders and volunteers. The workshop would consist of: What is the Gospel and how to share it with others, what is a testimony and how to share it and how to be intentional with the people you are serving and how to be prepared spiritually. It was really cool how on board they were with it. 

Wednesday (May 4)

I wanted to serve Brent and Julie and noticed that watching Margaret was something I could do. That day I spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon helping Brent make sure Margaret got her school work done. It was hard on my flesh because it was so hot upstairs and being patient with her as she would get distracted and not wanting to do work. I had wanted to work on other stuff but putting the needs of others before mine was a good (hard) challenge. 

Emily wanted to take the girls out for coffee and have a bible study time. I honestly did not want to go because I was mentally exhausted from helping out with Margaret. But choose to deny my flesh and go. Then when we got there Emily was like “Celia you lead”. Oh goodness I thought to myself. I honestly had nothing to give. So, before we began the bible study, I asked that three girls pray us in. As they prayed, I was pleading that the Lord point me to something that He wanted to the girls to hear. Then in my mind popped 2 Timothy chapter 2. So, when I opened it up, I felt like verses 21-26 were like highlighted in my brain. It was really cool to be used like that. 

Thursday (May 5)

I helped Margaret again with school.  Emily and I cooked lunch. Then that night. Brent led the house through a night of prayer. We shared about what we were struggling with and prayed for one another.

Celia

Week Three Goal/Mindset: Honestly, I had no goal and felt really distracted

Friday (May 6)

Again, I helped Margaret with school work. That afternoon Heidy's’ friend Karla invited us and the girls out to swim and other stuff. It was fun and I was able to share my testimony with her. We ended the day reading through a Psalm as a group and then praying together. 

Saturday (May 7)

We had a day full of activity. We hiked a volcano and went to the beach. I shared my testimony with the mountain guide and why I was in Guatemala. Things got a bit tense and stressful as we prepared to leave the beach. Someone had parked behind us blocking us in and then Julie’s nephew ended up hurting his hand. It was too much for me so I held Emily’s hand and together we prayed that the Lord’s peace enter into the situation. Things resolved and the rest of the ride was chill. I was grateful. Then when I got home, I received a text from my mom mentioning that she would like to talk with me about my return plans. I was kind of scared to speak with her because I felt like I knew she would want me to return sooner than I wanted. But I choose not to ignore and let her know what time I would be available to speak. 

Sunday (May 8)

I was not looking forward to the conversation with my mom and felt too distracted to be able to speak with people that morning. So, I choose to help make the plates of food to be handed out. I knew that I shouldn’t let something as silly as a phone call distract me from ministering to others. After all the plates were handed out, I tried to speak with those I spoke with the last Sunday. With one of them we read through some of the first chapter of John. 

We ended up not talking that day because her plans had changed so we missed each other. 

Monday (May 9)I spent a lot of time in prayer. Asking the Lord to help me submit to Racheal’s authority in my life. To be okay with leaving and not to get mad or push for what I wanted and what I thought was best. I put the conversation in the Lord’s hand. I know that He is Sovreign over everything. 

That morning and afternoon I helped Margaret with school. 

After lunch I spoke with my mom and listened to her plans about my return and how I shouldn’t be selfish and should keep in mind that others are wanting to come serve in Guatemala. She also shared that I shouldn’t put Stephanies and mines relationship in the back burner. That I should stay in touch with her until she either ends the friendship or that she come to Christ. It was hard to hear that I would be leaving Guatemala so soon but I knew that I am not my own and that the Lord has blessed me with Racheal as a mom. 

I called you and then spoke with the Potters. They were surprised to hear I’d be leaving so soon but understood.

That night's bible study was really encouraging. We read through Chapter One of John. I was reminded that each relationship I have has been given to me for a reason. So I felt better about leaving. 

Tuesday (May 10)

We went to Labor de Falla and helped out at a local school. I had a really good conversation with a mom. She was open about her struggle with her marriage and how her husband doesn’t want anything to do with Jesus. We prayed together that the husband come into a place of brokenness and repentance and that the Lord save him. 

That night I finally sent out my newsletter via email.

Wednesday (May 11)

I helped out Margaret with school again and then I went with Emily and the girls to wash clothes at the public wash area. Later it was really cool to listen to Emily explain why she took them out to wash clothes. She connected it to how Jesus left the presence of God the Father and humbled Himself to come and take our place on the cross. 

Thursday (May 12)

Today I’m not sure why but I was so exhausted. Emily and I cooked lunch for everyone again. After lunch I could not stay awake. I ended up taking a nap after lunch. I felt like I wasted the day sleeping. I think I need to spend some time in prayer. So that’s what I am going to do after I send you this update. I don’t want to waste the day again tomorrow. 

Love you and will see you soon :)

Celia

Week at a glance in Guatamala

On Saturday two of the Potters girls, Celia and I got to be a part of DBO kids. We got there early to set up for the kids that were coming. The kids got breakfast, we played games with them, they had a time of worship, a bible lesson and a craft. We were able to sit with the kids and talk a lot with them, which I thought was really good because it was a very relational and personal time. At one point I was talking to a little girl about her craft which was a penguin and then I don’t know how but we ended up talking about Jesus. 

Celia and I planned a slumber party for the girls and the Potters niece (Heidi). So On Saturday night we put facemask on each girl, gave them messages and prayed for each one, we kind of wanted to do like a feet washing, but in a girl fashion. 

On Sunday we got up again and joined the group that takes food to the shoe shiners and park workers. Actually I didn’t even hand out food, because I sat down with a couple women and just had conversations with them about the Lord, I got so into them that I accidentally missed the groups opening and closing prayer. There was one women named Maria that is homeless, she sleeps at the park, she had an injury on her side that had been sown up about three weeks ago. She looked pretty bad off. As I started talking to her and tried to get to know her she was really into our conversation, but as soon as I mentioned Jesus she got distracted and had that attitude of “yes I know God.” I see that a lot here. 

Sunday night we had home church with everyone at the house. We had a really great worship time and I was able to share. Celia and I are both sharing bible studies at least once a week with the girls. 

Monday night we went to the worship night that Brent leads with the people we meet at the park. At the end of the service Brent asked me to pray and talk with a woman that had a lot of troubles. I shared the hope that we have in Jesus with her.  As we read 1 John 1:9 she said, “that’s what I want, for God to forgive me.” I told her to pray whatever was in her heart, she prayed that the Lord would forgive her and I remember in her prayer she said, “I want to walk in your steps Jesus.” I hope I see her next Monday. 

On Tuesday, Celia and I had a meeting with the DBO leaders (Ronald and Shannon), they wanted to get to know us and they wanted to share the vision of DBO. The meeting ended with them saying that the doors are open for us there, and we talked about teaching their volunteers how to share their testimonies and in essence how to share the gospel when they are giving out food. 

It was also Liseth’s birthday party!! It’s really cool to see the care, love and dedication that Brent and Yuli have for these girls. It reminds me of the care the Lord has for us and it encourages me to do the same for the people around me. 

On Wednesday we took the girls out to coffee and a Celia shared about what a Christian looks like. The girls were really interactive! I really enjoy the bible study times with these girls. 

On Thursday night Brent led a bible study and instead of talking he just asked everyone to talk about how they’ve been doing, and all the girls opened up about their struggles. 

Also, I’ve been learning guitar since no one here plays an instrument, and Thursday night I led two songs during bible study. They were very choppy, but I’m excited about it and its usefulness. 

I have had various opportunities to talk to Celia Potter, and every time I have tried to really emphasize confession and repentance. On Thursday morning we read 1 John together. It seemed like she really understood the concept of being in the light and being in the darkness, but she doesn’t really open up.  

Update May 6th – 14th 

Last Friday Heidi invited all the girls to the pool!! So we went and swam, until they kicked most of the girls out of the pool for not having swimming clothes! So most of them went in to the Sauna, and I stayed out in the pool with Margaret. Afterwards Celia tried teaching us how to play tennis, it was basically a fail. It was a fun afternoon hanging out with the girls! 

On Saturday the 7th we all went to the Volcano. It was very tiring, but the views were gorgeous! Afterwards we went to the beach and got sunburned! 

On Sunday the 8th we went to church with the Potters, they go to a church called Punto Vertical. It’s interesting going to a church that lasts approximately an hour and a half, at the end I’m always like, “Wait, that’s it?” On Sunday night we usually have Bible study/Home church. Celia and I led this last one, we put on some worship songs and then Celia shared. We are going through the book of Colossians. Two girls that the Potters know from Casa Shalom came over for dinner and were with us during the bible study, their names were Mary and Gladis. 

On Monday the 9th we had a rest day until the evening when we have worship night at DBO ministries with the people that sell at the park. While we waited for Brent to pick up the people from the park and bring them to DBO, it started raining really hard. Celia and I were talking with two of the girls that help out with worship night, so we decided to pray that the rain would go away when everyone arrived. The two girls were very astonished that we would pray something like that, and one of them even said, “I would like to see this miracle.” As time went by, the rain continued, but when the people arrived the rain stopped! Only 6 people came to worship night from the park, and they arrived pretty wet. Later on Brent told me that we should have prayed that God would stop the rain while he was waiting for people at the park! I guess we didn’t think things through! Although, the girls that prayed with us were very astonished that the rain stopped when we asked for it to stop. 

On Tuesday the 10th we went to Labor de Falla again, we helped with their children’s program that they do twice a week. When we got to Labor de Falla we sang one song with the kids, we then did a craft with them for mother’s day and then they ate rice and beans with and handmade tortillas. I sat with a group of three little boys and helped them with their craft, and got to talk with them. And then during lunch I sat with four girls, one of them started to ask me a question about God, and then got really embarrassed and didn’t want to talk anymore, I don’t know what happened. I do see that Celia and I are really the only ones trying to sit down and get to know the kids, everyone else from the ministry is so focused on getting through the program.  I think I will keep going to this village with this ministry, I want to build relationship with these kids. 

On Wednesday the 11th something really interesting happened! Brent and Yuli have been letting us drive their little car and it has been fun, it’s like driving in Mexico but a bit more intense. Anyway, the girls had to go to the market so I took them in the car, and we parked next to the communal clothing washing tank. The people that usually come to this place are very poor and have to bring their clothes to wash it here. As we walked by it after shopping, the girls jokingly asked me to bring them in the afternoon to wash their clothes, they were saying it jokingly because to them it would be embarrassing to do that. When I came home, I told Yuli, and she told me that I should take them on their word and take them to wash their clothes there. So I did, we all went to wash our clothes at the communal washing tank, some of them were very embarrassed at first, but then after we put music on and all washed together we had a good time. We also saw a lady there that goes to Monday night worship at DBO, and we talked with her while we washed clothes. After we washed clothes we got the girls donuts and came home to have dinner, as we ate we talked about Christ’s humility and how he chose to humble himself to be a sacrifice for us. 

Thursday the 12th we had a rest day and then Celia and I cooked lunch for everyone. In the evening we had a bible study through zoom with a pastor who has been giving the girls a bible study every Thursday.

Emily