Day 3 Mexico

I ran some errands and reached my boiling point. I could not function my frustration was high. I tried to justify to God my feeling but I was broken and just wanted a hug. Yet God knew that it would be a false comfort. So after spending the day holding everything in I went to pray. It was very similar to the Hispanic Pentecostal churches I have been to before. Prayers were all done at the same time yet the voice of one can be heard above the many prayers. The people who prayed over the prayers were a blessing, they pointed to Christ. Yet after prayer I went away that I may not speak to anyone. I have been battling that throughout the day. Please pray that God help me.

Levita

Mexico Day 2 : Trip Day 9

I awoke at around 8 in the morning and was at John 6. Jesus the bread of life. How important is that when confronted with gluttony. I have had so much temptations cone my way to do what my conscience says is a sin. This being in matters of my attention being captured by the TV and asked time and time again to have some more food or to eat this because the other person is full. God has been so good to me and I hope to be a light that seeks after Christ no matter what is thought of me. I find that people in Mexico believers in Mexico and the US need prayer because of how we are bombarded with the cares of this world. There is much opportunity in Mexico and Guatemala to live for the Lord and let me share a little of what happened on my second day in Mexico. We went to Tlatliago (I think that's the name) We met the oldest son who lives in the countryside and has 4 people and one helper living on the property. Those who are in their program are Javier, Cecilia, David, and Samuel please pray for them as they are vulnerable, that God in their weakness be it a physical impairment or mental impairment the glory of God may be seen more. Liz is a young woman who helps them out. Pray for her too for her serving for her walk. This part of the orphanage ministry is run by Jony the oldest son of Freddy and Berta. He lives there with his wife Amber and three kids Asa, Lila, and the youngest. Amber is from Illinois she is a sweet girl who growing up had no idea that she would end up here. Now in their place they have planted many things like pumpkin, radish, a type of greens, chilies, tomatillos, potatoes and carrots. Their son Asa loves playing in the dirt. They have chickens, rabbits, and sheep and live right near a mountain that takes an hour to climb. I think Tina you would love to visit but I digress. By the way pray for their family and Amber who is pregnant with their 4th baby. The oldest Asa asked me time and time again Juega conmigo, (play with me) he asked and God allowed me to serve the little boy in that way. Jony his father has an amazing testimony saved from pride, rebellion, hatred, and fear of death. God has taught this man that in belonging to Christ there is humility and a love for others. He has taken a lot of mocking for moving from the city and having a farm, just like his father Freddy did he was told he could either pastor or run the orphanage but not do both, so they had to leave the church to serve God. Glory belongs to God. I have been blessed and know that God calls us to something greater. May our lives shout our hope is in CHRIST!

Levita

Day 7 and Day 8 Antigua, Guatemala City and Mexico

There is so much to say. The day after the wedding we decided all, but the newlyweds to go to Antigua. It was a gift of God to go there. That morning I woke up and was able to read the word. I really wanted to go to church but it could not be helped. I am able to have personal devotion time and worship but want corporate prayer and worship. I have been in John, Ephesians, and Psalms seeking Him to behold Him. I was able to behold God in Antigua with Jack and Jane Surina who are in Antigua to learn the language. We had lunch with them and they are handing out tracks and teamed up last week with a street preacher named Manuel. He and his children go into the central park where many locals and tourist just hang out. I was able to translate for Jack and Jane while they spoke to a man Pable and another man named Francisco they go to a local evangelical church called Nueva Jerusalén. They go to church but do not have their own to study daily. I spoke to at an organic store a lady named Heidi when I started talking about the Lord she smiled and was so happy to talk about the Lord she also attends the same church. We met with Manuel at around 3:15 pm. It was a blessing to translate between him and the Surinas to be sure that we are on the same page with the Gospel. He then open air preached out of Hebrews 1:1-3.
Hebrews 1:1-3 NASB
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, [2] in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. [3] And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
When he preached I translated for Jane and she was so touched at the message. I think I get why those who go to Guatemala Nick, Seth, the Surinas want to return I have been through the ringer emotionally and spiritually yet I don't understand my heart or God's leading please pray because sincerely I wanted to stay if not for the promise I made to return.
Now the next morning we flew out another day of traveling with a brief respite at Antigua. It showed me more impatience yet God helped me. It was good. I got into a discussion about weakness and strength. I want God to pour His love into me.
Here in Mexico and meeting Freddy and Berta hearing about their ministry to families offering counseling, orphanage, and help to single mothers always sharing the Gospel while serving. Freddy's father shares the Gospel in a nearby park. Sara their daughter loves the Lord her favorite Psalm the 63rd. Daniel the son and I got into a discussion on the free will of man in salvation. Sigh, after a total of 30 minutes I decided enough was enough. That finished off my first day in Mexico.
Let me know how Bible study went yesterday.

Levita

Day 4 & Day 5 Wedding!

There is so much to say. We just got to the Best Western in Guatemala City 7 hours after we started our trek after the wedding. Friday we traveled out from Flores the small island that we were staying at to Chisec. It took a long time and when I got there I wanted to change money. Nick decided to get a haircut before the wedding. I got lost and missed the civil ceremony supposedly they have those before a church wedding. I walked around most of Chisec and took two tuktuks to find them. I was able to meet Norma's family and was able to talk to them. Yolanda, her mom, is a dear woman who loves the Lord and shared how she and her husband met. She misses him but says God has set this to happen. Norma's brother Nixon came along later and shared how God changed his attitude of anger. How he constantly asked for prayer seeking deliverance from this sin from God. He is such a quiet calm man he and wife have two kids and are expecting a third. So after we ate together we set off to the wedding site including Norma's sister Lilia. Please pray for Lilia that God may provide for her, have her serve her mother and that her children would grow in the admonition of the Lord. By the time we got there I was really really tired and though I still served it was grudgingly. I was asked if I was all right yet I did not admit it. I was broken and getting so tired that I despaired to the point of wanting the rushing river to sweep me away. By the grace of God when the next day the Wedding day rolled around I was filled with such a sense of leave and love I repented of my attitude.
Now for the wedding. It's the rainy season and I was told by Norma they were supposed to create a platform jutting out from the shore by the waterfall where they were to be married. Nick was in the bungalow. Norma, her sister, and I were across the waters. So much was going on its hard to remember it all. The wedding was supposed to start at 10 but did not begin til later. By six o'clock that was when young men began building the platform. It was beautiful. I was able to take in God loving hands in the preparations. I wish y'all were with me.
It pointed to Christ and His bride there was much prayer and love poured into this. The man who officiated, Norma's eldest brother. He did make a joke in the beginning but the most profound thing that struck me is that God has united two nations, two families into one just like man and wife become one flesh. We are one in Christ. We worshiped the Lord in English and Spanish it was a blessing. I will tell you more when I saw y'all face to face. It point to Christ to Him be the glory.

Levita

Day 3: To serve

Dear Tina,

It was a day that began with praise to God even through tears just realising how good God is. I read some of John where He was consumed with zeal for His house. He is worthy. Today I have so much to share that it may take me more time than I want. This morning and afternoon I was able to serve. The plans for today going to the beach and going to a bible study.

By the way there is a praise. You know I struggle with overeating. It is something that has been on my mind much and I want God to deal with it. In the US there is constantly lunches and snacks and wonderful ladies who work with me who love on me by providing me food if they feel I am going hungry. God has been telling me eat this and no more. I have not eaten more than what is necessary.

So I woke up to the word. To dance before the Lord. I read a little bit in John the first miracle of Jesus it still strikes me that the first miracle of Christ has to do with the Jewish rights of purification. He created the wine from water bringing to mind two things, Jesus the living water in whom we shall never thirst, second His blood the true drink which cleanses our unrighteousness. I read more here and three a bit of Romans 8 There is threfore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.

I was able to serve Nick´s parents and stepfather by being able to order breakfast for them. Then serve Dia by bringing breakfast and going to the store for her and grabbing disinfectant soap, yogurt, and a pair of sunglasses.

There was much submission to what Dia wanted to do and God cause me to submit but I have to learn to rejoice in it I pray to God admitting my sin and hope He will give me joy.

For some reason God has given me this friendliness or just love in wanting to hear and speak to others.

We walked much and this was an oppurtunity to serve Christ in counting Dia higher than myself by not going ahead with the other but remaining with her helping her. We took a boat in the early afternoon around the small island we are staying at and a nearby peninsula jutting out into a lake. A large purified fresh water lake. there was an opportunity to share the Gospel with the driver of the boat Jose. He is a husband to a Christian and does believe in God but is Catholic. This is really common in hispanic culture that God would save the wife and has her serve her husband joyfull. He dearly loves his wife Carina for this and his son Anthony. I was able to share about sin, about the righteousness of God, about his Son Jesus fully God that He might live by the law we have broken, fully human that he might be our mediator. I was filled with so much joy. I asked him if he had a bible he said no. Dia had given me a paperback one for the trip and I had it in my backpack. I told him a dear friend gave me this and I am giving it to you it is God´s word by the Holy Spirit that saves. He wanted to pay me for the bible Tina!!! I told him your soul is precious to be I will give it to you if you promise to read it. He promised me he would.

We went to the beach and I was able to talk to two ladies and serve them. Nick told them his story and they rejoiced. Please pray for Tere she is divorced with three sons and her cousin Elena Maria who was with her. They were there in Flores on vacation from Guatemala city.

On our way back was another opportunity I want to share with you so much that has happened but I know that I will miss some details. We climbed a path the took us to a lookout tree the way was steep and treacherous. By God grace He granted Dia the energy and strength needed to make the 45 minute trek to find another boat.

Now we got ready as fast as we could for church. This was the plan to take a little motorcycle type vehile with room for two in the back called a tuktuk for shorter distances it is 5 quetzales per per up to 15 quetzales for longer distances.We decided that if anyone wanted to stay to recover we could if not then we would take the tuktuk to a bus depo which was virtually a van. Thus we went to where Nick lives. He has been working as much as he could making repairs here and there to ready the place for he and his bride what a picture is it not. Anyway I digress because I was able to talk to a lady Adriana about living the Christian life. She goes to a small nazarene church but has not been getting into the word much on her own. The lady behind he with a baby was fascinated. I realized this and introduced myself. I forget her name but God knows it and finds her precious. I pray that she might go look at the word on her own. Her mom is one of the ladies who is deep into the word she has 7 siblings all girls I think and is married with 2 children.

So we saw Nick´s place but Dia was too weary to take the ten minute trek to the church Nick attends with the missionary Jimmy and his wife Shelley. Two dear people who love the Lord and want to minister among these people. Okay I am a little sidetracked. So Dia did not feel comfortale with me walking alone but Nick´s neighbor the guy Jual Miguel Paz Maldonado I think was going to church pray for him he may have an upper respitory infection/cold. Anyway he was going on his motorbike. Dia said to go with him. It was awful me sitting sidesaddle and clining to his should and backpack. So I did not die and I made it to church. I met this sweet 15 year-old girl named Sofia. She has ovarian pain and came to the Lord just months before. I was able to talk to her and tell her about suffering. I met so many dear saints, Norabet and olderlady with a large family she was with her grandchildren I believe. Luis who is zelous for the Lord God saved him recently and is just joy-filled. I was able to serve there too and encourage them afterword with what verse are stored up within me. We went through a bible study on 1 John 1-part of two. We went through If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteouness. Also if we have love for our brother we are of God. And lastly do not love the world or the things of this world. I was able to talk afterwards a bit with Shelley she wished we could have spoken more. These are a dear congregation who love the Lord. They have Christ. Please pray for this congregation that the might hear the word of God spoken by the power of the Spirit that prayer true prayer be made in their midst, that they continue to seek God.

The word of God is a two edged sword able to pierce and divide. I was encouraging them and they were joyfully listening not to my words which are nothing, but I think I was speaking by the Spirit something to encourage them with.

Please pray for the wedding and for all the dear people I met here beloved by God. There is such a poverty of spirit here, such humility may God do a work.

By the way please pray for Juan that God continue to grow this young man.

I thank God always for you sister because you pray for me and care for me you are like a mom sometimes in your care and I so appreciate that when I lost my own. God bless you tonight in the fellowship I will be there in Spirit without the sleepiness.

Levita

Guatemala Day 2: Rest of the day

Off and on througout the day God has been reminding me look at me come with me. And I just cried out to Him but did not get the chance to truly be with God until this evening. The rains came furious and strong and I told Nick and Dia to go on ahead because he was helping her carry a large container of purified water to the room. I could not just go upstairs when God beckoned me to come outside. It was like God gently calling his bride to come outside. I went outside and beheld just a miniscule of His power as what is a heavy rain came down and in the distance seeing lightening. And I spoke to God and He answered me. It makes me think if I can have this sweetness, this sorrow at not beholding Him as much while being distracted by work I would take it, if my soul would be free from distractions. God is the prize. He is the reward. One thing that I was reminded by Nick that I first heard about 2 years ago. "And this eternal life that they might know you the one True God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

I love you guys and hope to see you soon.

Levita

Day 1 and Morning 2 in Guatemala

Okay on Monday evening I told myself I would not sleep. I had been praying that God would not let me worry that I may be able to calm and assure my other team member Dia while doing last minute things. I did get to sleep and did not get to be all nice and clean for my trip out. So God brought a lot of sin up in my mind on the 4th of June.

1) Impatience (I thought God had done a great work in this and he did but it did bring to mind that God still needs to sanctify me a great deal.

We were told on our flight out to Atlanta that we would not be able to board because we did not have a return ticket. God helped us greatly. We were at the wrong gate (my oversight), then the ticket counter. In Atlanta wrong gate again (my oversight again) we ran from one side of the airport to another. God showed me time and time again that He would get us where we need to be. It was work and by the end of the day I was really sweaty and was whining about by 3:00 pm which God convicted me of as well.

We met with a Bethlehem Global Partner Ludin and his wife Becky. They are such a blessing both to Bethlehem and Guatemale he does avaition and provides bible training to the Guatemalan people. His wife a wonderful helpmeet for him helps train young women to be nurses. They also help not by providing financial means but with giving them more economic opportunities. (This is what I got when I was not lost in my cloud of self-pity)

Dia and I got to our locationat around 8:00 pm we had dinner with Nick Jackson, his parents, his roommate Juan de la Paz (I think that is his name), Dia and I. It was a fun time Nick remembers fondly his Spiritual family in MN and the other places where we have gone. Please pray for his roommate Juan who is a young man who just finished seminary, may God fill Him and speak through this young man by the Holy Spirit. Please also pray for Nick that he might find deep fellowship with the children of God here in Pekin.

June 5, 2013

Second day

God woke me up 7:20 Guatemalen time enough time to go to Tikal but I am not a tourist. I had much to do like go to the bank and purchase a temp phone. I went out and was taken in by place, so much like Puerto Rico but not. No I do not think I am called to Guatemala I always told myself that God would not send me to a spanish speaking nation. (I know I speak Spanish). Dia was still resting and so much was ingrained into me  in Psalm 3. ¨I cried aloud to the Lord and he answered me from his holy hill. Ila down and slept I awoke again, for the Lord sustained me.¨ Then God brought me again to Psalm 4 ¨You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.¨ It is 11:04 and I need to check what else I need to do. it has been hard work and yet my heart feels lighter and my melancholy gone. God is so good to me that it bring me to tears. Who am I that God would take pity on me. I love you all.

Levita Michal Ayala Goeloe