hey friends!

i have been living in Parramos, Guatemala for a week today. it is truly a miracle to be here. the Lord has been so sweet to me. on the night of January 13th i packed up my stuff praying that my test results would come in the next morning. everyone had gotten their test results back besides me. i didn't know why i was the only one who didn't have my results back. i had already had covid and been in isolation for a little longer than a week.

i could have sat in my room and cried all night but i decided to praise God instead. praise Him in the waiting, praise Him when i was confused and didn't understand. i danced with my sweet friend kourtney and was believing that God had a good plan for me even if i couldn't leave with my squad the next morning. i continued to say "if not, God is still good."

January 14th I woke up at 4am to see that my test results had still not come in. i grabbed all my stuff, left with my squad and headed to the airport. when we got to the airport i hugged my friends goodbye saying "see you soon" hoping that i would get my results back and be able to fly to Guatemala as soon as possible with my squad. i waited with another squad mentor at a nearby parking lot making sure everyone made it through security. she told me i should check to see if my results came back. i loaded my email, waiting to see what they were.

i got them back, i was negative! in shock i told megan. we drove to a hotel, printed them out and headed back to the airport. i prayed that i would make the same flight with my squad. the security line was so long, i ran to the gate and made it 5 minutes before they started boarding. 

i am so full of gratitude to be here right now. it has been even more sweet to be here, as i was almost not able to come the same day as everyone. the Lord's timing is the best timing and He always fulfills His promises to us. My team and i have been working with One Way Community in San Lorenzo, Guatemala. It is a community that helps push and develop the people. this week we went and visited houses, brought food/school supplies to the families of the community and prayed over them. i have loved serving the people of Guatemala and seeing the Lord work in amazing ways. 

please be praying for my squad and i that we would stay healthy. that the Lord would protect us and go before and behind us.

all my love,

lydia