"For I know the plans I have for you - declares the Lord - plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
2016
What a year for our family both here and in Guatemala! Setting out on this journey last summer, I had no real idea that it was going to lead us to this endeavor. Jumping into this mission feels much like jumping off a cliff (or for me more like surfing - I wanted to try it, I did it, I loved it, but was still waiting for a shark to eat me)! It is daunting, exciting, hopeful, and scary all at the same time. In our family, life and spiritual lessons are experienced daily & are something we stumble over or celebrate (or a combo of both) as we work to discern our path.
I admit, we made and continue to make mistakes and have a few successes as well - but my hope and prayer is that God will take all our humanness and use all the mistakes and successes for good and for His purpose. I do know that I may never see the full effects of this work in fruition - but i know that many seeds are planted and I can already see the start of some sprouts beginning to grow!
Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse of mine that brings much comfort to me, both in highs and lows in my life. The promise that God "has got this"! Does he allow us to suffer, make mistakes, see the hurt in the world that breaks His heart too? Yes! Yes - He does - but it is not because He is a mean spirited God - it is the world that is evil - and we are challenged to lean into Him with our own free choice - to choose Him, like He chooses us. Every day.
Our path to each other, our family, our careers, our faith, and into this mission work, has never been a straight path for the H(e)art family - it has dramatic twists and turns, highs and lows, and has taken a tremendous amount of faith and perseverance to get to where we are today! This faith has only grown with each of these changes in direction. Looking back, I can clearly see all those roads we traveled, got lost on, flat tires, missed flights, have led us to this exact place and all the right characters have showed up to help along this path - some for a short time, and some for a longer time - but all vital. This is not accidental, it is providential.
In 2017, we will continue moving forward with a clearer vision and a hopeful path for H(e)arts 4 Guatemala! We are looking to partner with other non-profits currently working in Guatemala to help sponsor projects in the area of Chiquimula. We have also begun filing official paperwork for non-profit status so soon your generous gifts will be tax deductible!