Hello everyone!
I Hope all is well wherever you might be. I know it has been a while since the last post. Finishing up ministry in Guatemala has been wonderful but very busy.
For this blog I just wanted to give a quick update about the end of our time in Guatemala and end with some prayer request for heading in ministry in Vietnam
Adios Guatemala!
Over our last three weeks in Guatemala so much growth and adventure has filled our team as we continued to serve with Riendom. Some days were long but being around Loyda, Ivan, Kevin, Rene, Maca, Grace, and all the others who served at Riendom was extremely fulfilling and joyful. These Men and women of God taught me how to lean on the strength of the Lord in all things in their life. They truly live worshiping at the feet of Jesus, acting and doing all things through the spirit of Christ.
Our last week in Guatemala was definitely one of the most special weeks of the race so far. Our team (DOGS) had the opportunity to leave the squad and stay with our ministry host in Sumpango for a week. Now not only were we doing ministry with our host but also living and eating all our meals with them. 15Q ($1.98 USD) giant empanadas from Dominos were a frequent go to!
Goodbyes were hard. I don’t think any of us had a dry eye when we gave our last hugs to the kids of Santa Marta. We spent so many hours with these children. Teaching them the sport of basketball and watching them rapidly get better thanks to my teammate Bens extraordinary coaching skills was a pleasure. There were so many sweet memories made picking up the kids and throwing them in the air, praying with them, singing funny worship songs, and many heartfelt moments shared between us. I love the children in Santa Marta and truly hope to go back one day.
If that was not hard enough it was time to give our final hugs and goodbyes to our ministry host at the Riendom house. This was a hard goodbye. Scratch that, it was a see you later.
Guatemala was a special place. So much healing and growth happened working with kids and seeing the joy and life that they had. It was such a blessing to work with Reindom over the past couple months and can’t wait to get back one day to check up on the Santa Marta basketball program. Thank you also to Ivan and all of Reindom for making us feel like family and going way above and beyond in allowing us to walk along side you in the places the Lord has called you.
Good Moring Vietnam!
On Saturday the 9th our squad arrived in Vietnam after a grueling 60+ hour travel day. You get to point where it all just kind of blends together and you start to forget where you really are after not sleeping for so long.
At our Layover in Houston Texas, my parents were able to fly out and meet me in the airport for our 10-hour layover. It was such a blessing to be able to share stories with them and here about back home. Especially with not being home for the holidays, it was nice to hang out and give my mom and dad hugs.
Our journey continued to LAX then Seoul South Korea and finally Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam.
The past 4-5 days have been for the most part filled with rest and debrief here in the city. This has been an amazing time to process what happened in Guatemala, and address anything within our team that we want to improve on moving into our next country. Guatemala was amazing but after the long hours of ministry and busy schedule it was nice to have some down time to spend with the Lord and refresh. (Also, a little adventure).
Heading Into Ministry + Prayer
For the next 3 weeks here in Nam our ministry is going to look completely different. We will be working with CRU on a college campus. The program is fairly new where we will be located.Our main goal will be to make friends with the students of the college, eventually talk to the about Jesus, and then plug them in to the Campus Crusades (Cru).
With this the lord has laid on my heart to be bold in the gospel. So, over the next month specifically I am asking everyone to pray for boldness like Peter and John in the early church of Acts.
Acts 4:13– “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
I ask that you pray that the people we encounter recognize that we had been with true living God. I pray that we can love well and that we can be bold knowing that if God is for us then nothing can be against us.
I encourage everyone reading to also walk in the boldness that the Spirit of God gives us. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2nd Timothy 1:7
Gratitude
The Lord is so good. I remain incredibly grateful every single day that I wake up on the race. It has been such a blessing to grow in faith and in relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support me. None of this would be possible without your faithfulness and generosity.
I still have about 30 percent of my fundraising goal left. If you are in a spot to give and you feel called here is my fundraising link. I love you all and want to continue to have a heart of humbleness and gratitude. The Lord is so good! Until next time…
We have and will continue praying for you and your team. I love you so much
It’s wonderful to read of your work and heart for serving God through service to others. We love, miss, and pray for you daily.
I love reading your updates, John Michael! What a blessing that you got to spend 10 hours with your parents! I’m sure that was treasured time for all of you. We are praying for you and your team.
Merry Christmas, John Michael!! We missed you at the McKinney Christmas party! Praying for you and your team and for God’s continued blessings on your trip! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! We love you!