Whenever I looked at my calendar for the months of May, June, July, and August, I became overwhelmed with the amount of responsibilities required of me with teams. In the past, Soy and I would tag team responsibilities with our ministries and our family. We worked very well together. He was the entertainer and the motivator. He was the impulsive one, the flexible one, the fun one. I am the organizer and planner. I am the structured one, matter-of-fact one, the gets things done one. He would help out with the groups at night. I help out with the groups in the morning. Everything just worked.
As I made my to-do list in April, it became evident to me that I would not be able to handle all of the responsibilities and be a mother. I knew my girls needed to be priority above anything the teams could possibly need. I knew they needed me to not only be in the house but to be present. I knew they would need me more than ever before. I knew our days and nights are not predictable as deep grief doesn’t always align with our schedule.
Our situation is unique in the fact that every week we had a “first time” with the teams. It’s the first time the people, whom we love dearly, are returning to Guatemala. The rawness of the hurt and pain every single week has been my reality. While I find joy and comfort in the presence of people who love us, it does not lessen the hurt. And for many of our friends, returning to Guatemala was part of their grieving process also.
I needed a solution. I needed help.
I asked all of my bilingual teachers and workers to meet with me in my office. I simply said “I need help”. I listed every upcoming team coming to Grace Mountain and asked for people to be the Grace representative during the specific week. Without hesitation, they agreed to help. They understood that it meant waiting to greet the mission teams in the lateness of the afternoon or on Saturdays. They understood it meant answering all of the text messages and questions from the team leaders (teams can be a bit high maintenance). They understood it was serving the team and expecting nothing in return.
When the teams came to the school, the teachers took the lead to introduce, give directions on serving food, giving tours, singing with the children, etc. I did not worry because I was confident in the abilities of the teachers and workers.
I listened throughout the summer to the comments made by team participants. The comment “Everything runs like a well-oiled machine” makes me laugh and smile. So many things do not go as planned or there is a kink in our plans, but the workers solve the problem and make everything look effortless.
I will never apologize for being an advocate for the teachers and workers. So many of the team members have the privilege of spending only a few days with them and they always love and adore each of them. I watch them behind the scenes. I see their hearts. I watch them “wash the feet” of others. I see their love for people and Jesus.
To every teacher and worker with Grace Ministries, YOU are my hero! By serving the teams, you serve my family. The Lord has given a very strong, supportive Guatemalan family who knows me and loves me. A simple “Thank you” will never be adequate. You know when I needed to step away for a moment. You know when my girls need me to be with them. You are there are the hard days and the good days. You cry with me and you laugh with me. You give me grace. You are walking through the fire with us. You love us fiercely. You are a reflection of Jesus Christ.
You are my Heroes!
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Not Pictured: 18 Employees Who Are Absolutely Awesome Too!
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 