This Is Church!

Today we experienced what we’ll call a glimpse of heaven. We almost don’t dare say that the sun was shining brightly, the air warm and fresh and not one but two volcanoes were puffing away! But the natural beauty of Guatemala isn’t all that we experienced today. On past trips we’ve usually attended a church in the city with the girls from the Oasis on Sunday mornings.  This year, with a desire to connect with and support the local church, we invited the kind people of the Nazaret Church in San Lucas to join us for a picnic after church. But God worked it all out even more beautifully than we could have imagined. They agreed to hold their service right here at the Oasis! So, for the first time ever, Nazaret Church in San Lucas, New Hope Church, the staff of Kids Alive Guatemala and the girls all gathered together as the body of Christ at the Oasis. We filled the dining room with as many chairs as we could fit and still had standing room only.  We were especially blessed to be led by the Oasis worship team - the girls we’ve watched grow up and heal were now serving us. Our team was then invited to the front as nearly the entire church came forward and graciously offered hugs, kind words of welcome and thanks and a gift. It was incredibly warm and humbling. The pastor then taught us from God’s word, reminding and encouraging us to love God first and foremost. After church we shared a picnic lunch and visited all afternoon.  People were scattered all around the campus playing basketball, soccer, jumping on the trampoline, face painting and just enjoying one another’s company. Nobody wanted to leave, it was a great day. We enjoyed God’s people, His creation and His sweet presence. There were many people involved in planning and organizing this day but no one person can take credit for what happened here today – we are truly blessed to be a part of what God is doing here in Guatemala and all the glory goes to Him!