“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 NIV
So far I’ve been sharing a lot of highlights – and to be fair, there have been and still are quite a few of them! This week, though, I want to share some struggles I and my team have dealt with, and the ways the Lord has been so good through it all.
Thing 1: The first weekend we went into Antigua, there was actually a massive windstorm back up in the mountains – the worst one our hosts said they’d seen in a LONG time – that blew all our tents down the mountain. 🙃 (We found this out as we were driving back to Prayer Mountain for the week!) Our tents got a little banged up, but nothing too bad in the end. My tent was the worst off of everybody’s from what I know, and even that was really just a few rips and holes in the fabric. For how bad the storm sounded, it could have been a lot worse – the tents are certainly still livable for now! And that’s really what’s needed, just a place to sleep up on the mountain.
In the moment, it was rough, I won’t lie. The thought of living in a beat-up, ripped tent for another 6 weeks was NOT comforting or exciting, and I was certainly frustrated and “why am I here”-questioning as I set my tent back up. But as He so often does, the Lord has been redeeming even this. Day by day I realize more of how I get to see the beauty of His creation and be surrounded by His faithfulness in so many little but worthwhile things; night by night I’ve been able to see the vibrant stars, and sleep despite the cold of the mountain. It’s a different way of living, no doubt; but that’s the heart of the Race in a lot of ways. As we learned at training camp, some things (in a culture sense and, in this case, lifestyle sense) aren’t wrong, they’re just different.
Thing 2: On Tuesday this week, we got back to Prayer Mountain after a long, dusty ministry day and were informed that we had no water. Now, some background for this: we actually do have a bathroom with a toilet, shower and sink, and another sink by our kitchen area, all up on the mountain. This has been such a blessing to have while living in a place often covered in dust. So to come back dirty and ready for a shower and to have that be impossible was definitely a subversion of our expectations! The water ended up not being pumped until the next morning, and the rest of the week we had a lot more limited water than previously. Again, it was a struggle at first, but it wasn’t as bad as it first seemed. We had enough water to cook and wash dishes – we even got 2-minute showers per person, which was so helpful just for the sake of getting some dust off before bed!
Thing 3: On Thursday, while taking a water break from digging on the mountain, I helped Josie get some water for a couple of horses that were crowding us (because, we presumed, they were wanting water). And then… one of them kicked me in the thigh and I fell probably 3 feet backwards and down the mountain. It wouldn’t have been that bad if not for the fact that my foot got stuck on a piece of wood sticking out of the ground as I fell. Thus the rest of Thursday I couldn’t really walk on it because it was so badly bruised, which is a problem when you’re staying on a mountain full of uneven, steep pathways. HOWEVER, I’m including this event because I HAVE A TESTIMONY TO SHARE! On Thursday night, my team prayed over me for healing. The next day, I could walk on that foot. It still hurt, for sure, but it was a massive improvement from the day before, and so much faster healing than just a regular night of sleep would have brought about. Even this weekend has had more improvement; I’ve been walking around Antigua with only a bit of pain here and there. The bruise that was purple immediately after I fell is no longer even visible after just a few days. The Lord is good, He is gracious, and He still heals!!!
Why do I share these things? Let me be clear, this is not to complain or compare. I just want to show and share how God gives us peace through storms, especially when they are storms that occur as a part of being within His will for us. These experiences are my deepened understanding of that. There is a PEACE that makes no sense even as I experience it. Somehow the Lord has enabled me to walk through all of these things as if they were normal – which for right now, they are, so that’s just more of His grace! Despite all the crazy things that have happened already, His peace assures me that this is where I need to be in this season. And it’s His peace that then allows me to be grateful and joyful in the midst of the chaos. God is good!!
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalms 103:1-5 NIV
Prayer Requests!
– for health and safety for the team on the mountain, in Antigua, and in our travels all around
– for right heart posture before the Lord and others – to have servant hearts from the place of knowing the Lord and His all-surpassing love
– soft hearts to see the people before us with God’s eyes and to listen well to the Holy Spirit
– growth in the skills the Lord wants us to learn in our time here!
– for Antigua and all of Guatemala to encounter Jesus in Spirit and truth and not be stuck in tradition or religion for the sake of tradition/religion anymore, but have a real relationship with their Savior
Thank you! ❤️
Hey Bekah!
I always look forward to Monday mornings and reading your blog posts! You have such insight despite having a harder week. Last night I kept waking up during the night and you kept being brought to mind. You were definitely covered in prayer over night! We love you and continue to pray for you!
Oh wow, that’s so encouraging to hear! Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️
Giving God the glory for all your understanding in these uncomfortable situations.
Love hearing how life is going for you!
…mean horse! You were just trying to give it water 🙄🥹
It’s cool to think that’s how some people will take your discipleship. Your just trying to help them by teaching them about the living water, but they will want to knock you down. It might hurt, but God won’t let you stay down.
Praying your requests
Loving your updates ❤️
Wow! I love that perspective!!! I’m gonna keep that in mind for sure! Thank you so much ❤️
Rebekah! Reading your blog has the ability to help me see God’s goodness in the smallest detail and how His mysterious ways are above ours! I’m sure those starry skies are praising His glory and I’m praising Him for your healing! I’m praying for your continued protection and for the gospel of Jesus to penetrate the people’s hearts in a new way ❤️
Wow, praise God!! I’m so grateful that I can be His vessel in this way too! Thank you ❤️
How would we know good if not for God? What the enemy means for evil He turns for our good. Keep the faith!
Amen!!!
Praying, Joshua 19 be strong, and of a good courage either be dismayed for the Lord that God is with you wherever you go. Beka you are an amazing young lady and I’m asking that God bless you give you courage, strength and wisdom. Praying also that God will renew your strength, heal your foot and heal any other bumps and bruises you may have. That I also ask you that you just bless her with a tent that doesn’t leak, and with the ability to get the sleep that she needs and renewing in her spirit in Jesus name! ❤️🙏🏼
Jesus, I also ask you bless the team that she’s working with as well give them guidance and wisdom, father, in Jesus name
This prayer means so much! Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️
It’s amazing to see the peace and perseverance Gods put in you at work. I can’t wait to see more about the journey God has for you!! This is awesome bekah!
Wow, thanks so much Kendra! Such a blessing to hear from you!! ❤️
Grandpa and I love hearing from you on your blog! We are praying that you will experience strength, safety, healing, and a spirit of peace with the plan that God has for you in the coming months. We are so thankful for your praying team! Love you and so proud of you!!
❤️ thank you so so much Grandma!! So grateful for you, love you so much!
Wow! It is so cool to read how God is moving in you and through you Bekah, especially through some challenging situations. I love your joyous perspective to see difficult situations as opportunities to grow. Praying for you dear friend 🙂
❤️❤️❤️ thank you so much!! Always grateful for you & your encouragement Melika!
I’m finally able to catch up on your blog and was not expecting to read about all these frustrating events that happened to you! But I’m loving the way you changed your perspective and realized that these things ARE the norm now! Of course, seeing God work in all of this is why you were able to change your perspective.
Incidentally, Bekah, I injured my ankle last week and have been hobbling around with a swollen and painful ankle also! Oils, ice and prayers (just mine, not a whole group 😉) have helped a lot.
Well first, thank you for taking the time to catch up on my posts! And second, oh no, I’m so sorry about your ankle!! Adding to your prayers now 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words! I keep realizing that God is so good and so faithful, even in our complaining and questioning, to help us see the reality and ways He’s at work. ❤️
Bekah, I love that you shared some of the difficulties you have experienced! You are learning Phil. 4:11-12 how to be content in whatever situation you find yourself – how to have little and how to have much. Praising God for your healing! What a testimony!
Dear God, please protect the whole squad, keep them healthy, when they get sick, heal them mind, body and spirit. Help them to cheerfully adjust to life on the Race. Give them Your Supernatural love for one another. Fill them with the fruit of Your spirit so this trip with be a spotlight and beacon of Your love for the whole world, specifically in Guatemala right now. Help each of the Racers to have a humble heart posture, full of love, willing to serve one another. Help the Racers see the People through Your eyes. You see the end product. We see the mess. Grow each of the Racers in the direction they need, increase their skills and help them give You the glory because of it. Prepare the way for Guatemala to encounter You, Jesus, then believe and be saved. Glory be to You, our Great God! In Jesus’ name, Amen
🙌 amen!!!