Wow. The last time I wrote a blog, I was in Malaysia and now I have so much to catch you up on. I completely missed sharing about an entire country: Guatemala.

It’s honestly hard to put into words the kind of experiences that feel almost unexplainable. Guatemala changed my life in ways I’m still processing. It was a season of growth, deepened faith, and learning what it truly looks like to walk in relationship with the Lord and in community with others. It will forever hold such a special place in my heart.

During our time there, our squad was split into different ministries. I had the opportunity to serve with a ministry called Dar Para Dar, which means “give to give.” That team truly changed my life. Some of my ministry hosts, Chako and Chicho, became such meaningful people in my life. Their families took me in as their own, and I know I will forever have a place with them, and they will forever have a place in my heart.

A lot of our time was spent at a coffee shop called Serve Hope. Inside, there was a small prayer room where we would worship, read scripture, and spend extended time in prayer together. Those moments were quiet, intentional, and powerful. We also visited a place called Prayer Mountain, a place set apart for solitude, where we could step away from everything and simply be with the Lord, listening for His voice.

We were also given the opportunity to serve at an orphanage, where we met some of the sweetest kids. Those moments were filled with so much joy and simplicity—they reminded me of what it looks like to love freely. Cherish every moment you have with your friends and family because some people don’t even get the opportunity to know what a mom or dad is. So go hug your Mom and Dad or text them and tell them you love them.

Guatemala wasn’t just ministry, it was laughter, connection, and community. The people we were surrounded by, including the staff who hosted us, brought so much life and joy into our days. As a squad, we grew incredibly close. We became a family.

Some of my favorite memories are the simplest ones: late nights in the common room, people cooking snacks, spontaneous games, worship nights, or just sitting and talking for hours. It was a season of growth not only in friendships, but personally as well.

Our staff poured into us constantly. Our host, Philip, was especially intentional—he would take time to teach us more about the Bible and help deepen our understanding of scripture. Every Thursday morning, we had something called “activation.” Staff members would come, lead us in worship, and share scripture, stories, and testimonies. Then, they would send us out into the streets to put what we had just learned into action. That’s where the name came from and it challenged us to live out our faith in a real, tangible way.

Guatemala was one of the hardest seasons for me, but also one of the most transformative. The Lord taught me what it truly means to rely on Him for everything. One of the biggest things He showed me was how to see people through His eyes, to love others the way He loves them. Even in moments of disagreement or difficulty within community, I began to understand what it looks like to extend grace and choose love. That perspective changes everything, especially when you’re surrounded by people who think differently than you do.

There is so much more I could say about Guatemala, and honestly, I probably will. I’d love to write more blogs diving into specific moments and lessons that impacted me the most during my time there. Thank you for reading and for being patient with me as I process and share all of this. I’m so grateful for each of you.

Here are some pictures of beautiful Guatemala and just a glimpse of what the Lord did during our time there.

Love you all so much!!