The question was “How has GRACE ministries impacted you?” I’ll start off with how Guatemala has impacted me.
In July of 2007 I met a 9 month old Guatemalan little girl, she was born an American citizen, but she was 100% Guatemalan. Her name was Lluri Vargas and a couple in our church had taken her in as a foster child because her mother was unable to care for her. Me and my entire family fell in love with her. About 4 months later she had a sister born named Giavonna who was also placed in foster care with the same couple and we immediately fell in love with her too. It would take a book to explain everything that happened but short story my wife and I became foster parents because of our love for these girls. By divine intervention they came to live with us as foster babies at the ages of 16 months and 3 months old. About 2 years later we adopted them and their names are now Yuri Garnett and Gigi Garnett.
In 2009 Amy and I had an opportunity to come on a mission trip with Danville Baptist to GRACE mountain. Our 2 adopted daughters are what created our interest in this trip. I don’t remember what I expected to happen but I know that the trip far exceeded my expectations. I was blown away with the setup that GRACE ministries had achieved.
I have lost count of the number of times that I have been back but I think it is around 12 times . Every time I return I am amazed by what has been added since the last time. Bro Teddie and Friendship Baptist had done a fantastic job getting GRACE up and running but things really took off when the Taylor’s moved here full time. Soy and Deidra were the perfect missionaries, Deidra making sure stuff was getting done and Soy making sure everyone was having fun. But mostly both of them made sure that it was all about Jesus. I will never understand why Soy was taken but I know that his impact will be felt for generations. And I know that Deidra and her girls will still make sure that it will always be all about Jesus.
Now back to how GRACE ministries has impacted me. On that 1st trip what hit home for me was that God had chosen to bless me by allowing me to be born an American, on top of that he chose for me to be born in the “Bible Belt” to a fine Christian mother. It made me ask why? Why was I blessed like this and here are these beautiful Guatemalan people living in mud huts with no running water or electricity. To be honest it scared me, I’m going to have to give an account one day for what I did with what I was given. And I can guarantee you that it won’t be enough.
On that 1st trip a beautiful little Guatemalan girl gave me a trinket necklace, I think it sold for $1 but she gave it to me. That necklace is still hanging on the rear view mirror of my truck. It helps remind me how blessed I am and how I should try to do more for others with what i have been blessed with.
If you have never been to GRACE mountain I highly recommend that you go, I can’t guarantee that it will change your life but I would not be surprised if it did. If you ever have an opportunity to give to GRACE ministries I highly recommend that you give, I can’t guarantee that it will change your life but I can guarantee that it will change a Guatemalan’s life and I would not be surprised if it changes your life too.
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 