JANUARY 2024 is the date of our last entry and honestly, life has been a complete whirlwind since then. Living, growing and moving forward as a family whilst being stewards of the LEAST mission has been a lot! Two babies in 14 months…especially a high-risk pregnancy which ended in an emergency delivery. It was a miracle that both Gabriela and Katie are here (alive) today. Thankfully the life and the hopes for the LEAST are also alive; the God-inspired-dream and call to serve the elderly, which Katie began to answer as a single woman, continues to unfold and evolve through the grace of living here as a family.
Here we go!!!
In the spring of 2023, Juan Pablo became a certified ophthalmic assistant and began to work at the local hospital. He screens and helps diagnose patients with cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and other ophthalmic pathologies; his work helps prepare the way for surgical and laser brigades throughout the year. We have been blessed with this service/job, but are VERY busy, being the only providers in the country who offer free eye care.
After almost 10 years of serving the LEAST, we had hoped to delegate more of the ministry to our employees and be able to focus on other areas of ministry. As we were about to begin the transition, we found out that there had been embezzlement and fraud going on for a while. It was a very clear sign to make a halt and regroup. We have had long conversations, lots of heartache, tears, doubts and have taken time amidst the disappointment and sadness to listen to God in the silence. We have reflected and discerned as a family about what we can and cannot do during this season of our life and how we can better do it together – precisely, as a family!
Even though we had to make the painful decision to shut down the weekly meal program for the elderly and to question our future here, we felt empowered to say: Our call still stands… we have been planted here in Guatemala and we will remain here in Guatemala as long as this is what consoles God’s heart and continues to bear life and freedom.
Today, we have a deeper sense of our call to do this as a family, doing what we can for the community. We are learning, now as parents, in this mystical and broken place that being a missionary means not only service, warm meals and remodeled buildings, but witness – that is, to bear witness to the love we have received and feel called to give. This is all we truly want to do: witness incarnate LOVE… first to God, as spouses, to our children and to those whom we are called to serve. Some days are tougher than others and we can’t even answer the door or take a phone call. It can be so disappointing… you know exactly what I mean. Yet, we know that our sacrifice in remaining here – together – in a foreign land, trusting in God’s Providence is fulfilling our missionary call, and becoming a channel for God’s amazing love to reach and touch many lives.
Needless to say, the last two years have been overwhelming… and yet so neccesary! We continue to learn, accept and embrace a season of life of slowing down and letting go. Our daughters, Clara Alegria (2.5 years old) and Gabriela Anastasia (16 months old) require a lot of our time and presence and have been a precious school of surrender and a channel of God’s patient and loving language for us. Our greatest privilege is to be present to them as we serve, and as we move away from the temptation and expectation to put money, security, career and success in the front seat. It feels like a road map that is being made as we walk… and the uniqueness of the journey is actually very freeing!
And what about CASA FELIZ?
Well, we are still here, living and serving in this former orphanage that was a sacred home to over 200 orphans. We still feel called to transform it into a care center for the elderly, but at a very different pace!
Thankfully, we are never alone and have wonderful friends and supporters whom we have met throughout the years, and who continue to come on yearly mission trips to serve alongside LEAST. How powerful to see so many coming all the way here to share your gifts, both in the medical field and in other humble but powerful little ways! THANK YOU ALL!
So, this is where we are!
We continue serving the elderly on a monthly basis and responding to their urgent needs when they arise and as best as we can. We continue to serve the community with free eye care. We continue to remodel Casa Feliz, piece by piece, and working towards the dream of being a place at the service of God and for the community… but all in His time. God can work swiftly and efficiently, no doubt! However, it seems that we are all supposed to discover and accept that, most times, He loves to work silently and gently in the hidden ways. He is present in the little things and in the daily tasks in each of our hearts and homes – in the school where we get our humble and invisible diplomas in generosity by serving one another and being God’s open heart for the people He places in our path each day.
In the end (and NOW)… we will not be asked how much we did, but how much we loved and trusted in the Father. Isn’t that the greatest news? (!!!)
Please keep us in your prayers as we look to the future with so much hope and excitement, but also knowing our limits and our need for honest helpers to labor in the Lord’s harvest.
Jesus, we trust in You!
Que maravillosa reflexión. Gracias por compartirla.