Blessings

Well, this week it almost felt like Christmas, except for instead of receiving presents wrapped in bows and colorful paper, we received about a mountain of sample medicines and over 4 truckloads full of dental equipment and other supplies. As a result, the office is packed with these generous gifts that will be used to help others. I have been constantly amazed this week while hearing stories of how some of these donations have come here. From getting through airport security with dental equipment that happened to pass the weighing test to having just enough money to pay the staff for last month. One great thing that I have learned from Dr. Tito has been that God will always provide for the things that we need, but that everything that we have in excess conflicts with our daily worship of the Lord. Tito has not only told us about trusting in the Lord like this, this is the way he lives and it is clear how God faithfully blesses him and La Mision.
Tomorrow should be another filled day, packed with surprises as usual. We have many things to do to prepare for the team that arrives on Saturday. It will be the second team from the church in Houston and we will be heading to the town of San Pedro. It is located near Lake Atitlan about 3 hours or so away from Guatemala City. We will take the team to Antigua on Sunday and then will head out for San Pedro on Monday. The team will be putting on a VBS again through out the week and we will have clinics in the mornings like last week. I can not wait to travel to this part of Guatemala. I have heard many things about this area and am excited to experience it myself.
I really can not express in words the joy that I have felt while being here. God has blessed me consistently with a heart of contentment and overflowing joy even during the most difficult of times. I cant wait to wake up tomorrow and experience a day full of surprises either through conversations with people or through situations I will find myself in. I have really grown to love the people here and their passion for serving the Lord. Even when I feel like I am lost in translation or like I am the only gringa to tease, I am loving every minute of being here. I do not know if I have ever felt this kind of contentment before in my life and I praise the Lord daily for it. I can tell He is up to something and it is good.

Thanks for reading and praying, it is obvious how powerful your prayers are and how great our Lord is in answering them. Please continue to pray for the staff at La Mision (Dr. Tito, Dr. Oswaldo, Rolando, Victor, Wendy, Makko, Koki, and others that work so hard here) for needed rest and readiness for the next team. Also, for the team coming, that they would be excited to work, play, and learn. Please also pray for the two new interns who have arrived this last Monday, that they would be healthy for this week to come (Michael and Brian). Michael has been up late coughing and has not been feeling well during the day-although he says differently. Also, praise God for quick recoveries from illness for me and medicine that really does work. Praise for what the Lord is doing, has done, and will do.

En Christo,
Steph

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” - Psalms 86:11-13