Home at last!  Although we arrived Saturday afternoon, I felt I needed a few days to reflect on this trip before I wrote my closing entry.  The team worked really hard and I think we were all glad to get back to Seattle, although none of us will ever be the same. 

For me – working with Chris and Dick has made one thing  become very clear. Seeing how they care for those around them – not just the people of Guatemala, but for us also – was a strong reminder of what Christianity is supposed to look like.  With these missionaries there is no difference between what they say and how they act.  The words they use to give the light of Christ to others is the same light that shines through everything they do.  I realized how rare it is to see that in many of the Christians in my day-to-day life.

1 John 3:18  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.

Each of the chaperones on the trip was asked to lead a devotional.  This is one verse of the reading I first chose, unfortunately it was later used in a part of our pre-trip bible study.  Although I tried to find another, I kept returning to this passage. During my devotional I was lead to couple 1 John 3: 16-20 with the following from Mother Teresa. “Let us not love in words but let us love until it hurts.  It hurt Jesus to love us: he died for us.  And today it is your turn and my turn to love one another as Jesus loved us.  Do not be afraid to say yes to Jesus.”

After being a member of St. John’s for over 30 years, I have learned many important lessons and grown so much in my faith.  I want to thank all of you for support – not only of me, but also of my family.  Brad and I are so grateful for having the opportunity to serve twice in Guatemala and I know that wherever we go from here we will be always thankful and forever changed by our experiences.

Matthew 19:26  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”