I have been writing a lot lately which is good because it keeps people that are reading interested and I've just got back from a mission trip where I had a lot of time to think about things so there will be a lot on here in the next few weeks since I have the time now. Like I said before God is opening my eyes more and more these days. I have a little short "poem" that I jotted down while in Guatemala and just wanted to share it on here.

It is:

Guatemala.
I can't wrap my mind around it.
I can't understand it.
It's has God's beauty all around
it but yet the people are in such
poverty.
They are in poverty but yet they
have the want to know God and
the happiness that can't be described
when they do have Him.
The thought of being there seems so
far away but yet so close.
It's so far away because I keep
giving excuses but yet so close
to my heart.
It feels like home to me.

Numbers of Guatemala

Doing a little bit of research on Guatemala and here is what I found-

-More then 370,000 orphans

-5,000 homeless children on the streets in Guatemala City because of abandonment and poverty

-Chroic malnutrition rate for children under 5 is 50%-4th highest in the world and highest in the region

-53% of population lives in poverty-13% live in extreme poverty

-Illiteracy rates in indigenous women reach almost 60%

-Chroic malnutrition in indigenous areas can reach 70%

:Numbers from the website: www.orphansheart.org

Back from Guatemala

Why is it that I can only write what I truly feel and not share it with the people I trust around me? The trip to Guatemala was a life changing one for me and like always I want to go back that hasn't changed. Don't know when but I want to. We had 3 children get saved and 2 of them were in my group and I got to help one of them. It was neat to see the 2 because I saw the process before and after. I had like an elementary age or early middle aged group which was way out of my comfort zone but it was fun and something new. One was a boy and the other a girl. The boy, before he was saved, was sitting at a table alone by himself coloring and I went over to sit by him. I didn't say much because asking him didn't cross my mind but another leader did and after the lesson was over he kept following that other leader. It was just neat to see that other leader stright out ask him "do you know Jesus?" That was a neat expereince for me. She wasn't scared or anything but she had a lot of practice too. It was that time that gave me the encouragement to ask this girl when I noticed something about her. She pointed to the bracelets that I had on and I asked her if she wanted one and she said "yes" so I gave it to her. Then I asked her what it said and she said, "Love for God" which was right and she also said it in Spanish. During our small group, the other leader pulled out the bridge picture and she pointed to that so we went over it as a group. After that is when I pulled her aside and tried to talk to her but it didn't quite work so I got our transaletor and talked through her after I tried the other leader because he talked more Spanish then I did. She said that she wanted to know more about Jesus so I took her over to the main leader of our group and the leader explained everything in spanish which was neat to see and here and then I got to pray with them both while the little girl asked Jesus into her heart. That situation showed me that I can lead more people to Christ and that it isn't as hard as I think it is espically with children. I need to learn Spanish though if I'm going to do it in a Spanish speaking country. Just sayin' it might help. I also think that helped to have a better relationship with the Lord because I saw Him working in her life. She would come and give me hugs and kisses every time she saw me after that. While I went shopping in one of the big cities near by, I just fell in love more with their culture and their arts. It was neat because I had two boys from my group make me an orgami heart and flower. I was taught how to make the heart but we will see if I can remember how to. There were a lot of steps to it. Through people in the group and even the Guatemalan children and people, Christ showed me how I need to treat my friends here and not assume things like I have been lately. They have a totally different culture then we do here in the states and their actions and language is different from ours in ways. It was so strange too because I saw a little girl (2 years old) out on the streets of the city we were shopping trying to sell us things. She would actully show us the things she was selling and hit us with it. It is just really sad when they have to start that young and then who knows where they end up. It might be the orphanage. Then I had friends in the group that encouraged me with my dream of wanting to move there someday. They were like so "when are you going to move here?, you should move here!" It was just strange and the messages every night really got to me too as well as the other teenagers. We had one night where a lot of the teenagers came to the front because they wanted to be sent and used by God. It was really moving to see that. God was working at Casa and still is! It is a beautiful place both Casa and Guatemala! I left part of my heart there. I know I did with those kids. Today has been so hard for me. Then one of my friends wrote me an encouraging note and put Ps. 119 on it to read. I read it today and it was about being a servant and how I want to follow God's path and laws and princpals for me. I want to do that but I need the strength to do that first. I know where I am know He wants me there but Guatemala is never going to leave my heart. I want to see the true side of it because I really live there like see a small village or dump not just the city and the orphanage. God has something big planned for my life. He is calling to me for something big but right now I'm fine where I am because I'm following Him and He hasn't showed me that big thing yet.

First Day on a Real Mission Trip

Well, after today I feel like I've been on a real mission trip. Everything that could go wrong has and I had to keep a positive side to it. I got to the airport in AR way to early because I read the email wrong. We flew to Dallas and spent the rest of the day and night there. We had a 4 hour delay at first which was normal and I'm use to that. Then our airplane had problems with its AC like some of the wires were not together so we had to stay over night in a hotel at the airport. We got another flight for Sunday that leaves at 7 in the morning. We were all loaded on the plane and on the track away from the gate. We had to go back to the gate and unload. We were all sweaty after we got off the plane that is how bad it didn't work. We spent all day in 2 different airports. On the upside, though, the hotel we stayed at was worth a $855 per room but we got it free of course. God was teaching me a lot of patience because I wanted to be with the children so bad. I had to keep reminding myself that this is only the start of being a missionary for me if that is what I want to do or even just travel by myself someday to Guatemala. I also met some amazing ladies at the airport that was going to Guatemala too to do ministry work with the Mayans in the mountains. They were part of a health ministry putting stoves in for the a Mayan community. The stoves would be healthier because the people wouldn't be getting that black smoke in their lungs. It just helped me see that while my passion are these children there is a lot that still needs to be done in that country. It is my dream to actually see Guatemala City like walk it and see all the dumps and children on the street and to see some actual Mayans and interact with them somehow. I know it is a strange dream but still it is one. It was also my first time talking to strangers like that and actually listen to them because I was interested in what they were doing. God also showed me through a friend that I could even call it my home because it is that close to my heart. God can use anything as a ministry if we would only let Him.

It's Time to Leave for Guatemala.

I thought I would write right before I leave to show how early I have to leave and go to the airport. It is close to 5:00 on Saturday while I'm writing this. I got up about 4:00. I need to get to the airport about 2 hours early an international flight so I will leave my apartment about 5:30. The two things I'm taking with me this year that I got last year during and after this trip are the title of this blog "God Loves Me, He Cares for Me, and He is Calling Me" and "Will I be a person who blesses or hurts others during this trip?" Hopefully, I will be a person that blesses the children. :) Some wise advice from some amazing friends of mine and sad they're not coming this year but they had other things to attend to. I'm also listening to this song that I got from a friend last year to prepare me for this year. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y4NlnTtejI&feature=youtu.be. It talks about how I want my life to be like Perfume to Jesus' feet. How I don't want to conform to this world but show the Love of God to it. How I want to live my life according to His Purpose because of all He has done for me. How I want to worship God with my life. Please take a look at the music video. It is a really good one even though it is in Spanish. There is one in English and the link to it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ts3k7DJNG4. I encourage you to listen to both because the Spanish one brings the additude but most of us can understand the English one.
Please Pray:
- that the trip down there and back is a safe one
-that the children will be open to what God has to say through us, Americans (ginkgos)
-that lives will be changed.
-God will give the whole group strength to get through the week with those children. They are sweet but can be a handful sometimes espically if you have all boys like I did last year. They will ware you out by the end of the day.
Thank you and God Bless. To let the ones know that aren't going this year but went last year that might be reading this you will be missed. Just sayin'. :)

En Christo's Amor,

Tiffney

Thoughts Before Leaving for Guatemala

My last post didn't say much even though there is a lot going on in my mind and around me right now to prepare for the trip. My sister gave me the idea of turning my blog into a mission blog for a week or so because she thinks it would be interesting to see what goes into getting ready for the trip in every way whether spiritually, emtionally, and what to pack. I’ve always wanted to do a mission blog and this could be a start of one and see how many responses I get to it. Start with a week and then if in the future I get to go for the summer or 6 months, I’ll know how to keep a blog and what to say in it. It is crazy to think that I could actually do one if I wanted to do because I know things that other people don’t. She opened up my eyes to seeing that. It’s strange to think that even. I take things for granted a lot when really people don’t know and would love to know. This is my 2nd year back to Guatemala so I have a lot of different plans to do with the children down there and it will all be for them. I am excited and blessed to get to go again but scared at the same time and that is a new feeling this year for me.  I’m scare because my eyes have been opened to these kinds of children more. The abandoned, abused, and necgetled children because I have worked with them for 4 months now. I want to get the real feel for orphanage life. I want to rock those babies to sleep, paint the little girls’ fingernails, and just spend time and show God’s Love to those children. That is my mission to them. We are also teaching the children about missions and how they can help in their own country so that will be neat to see the reaction and just to see if they really get it. Guatemala really needs those Christian leaders to step up. Their home is really a mission field just like the States are to us that live here. Anywhere is a mission field if people don’t know Christ. Something I am really passionate about and I’ve taught the lessons in Sunday School at my church so I know them already so seeing the different responses will be neat. Who cares about going shopping or sightseeing if I can help it? The verses that God has put on my heart to look at on this trip are Luke 22:39-46 where Jesus is in the Garden and He is saying to God, “Not my Will, but Your Will be done.” Another chapter is Psalm 139 and that is about how wonderfully I am made and the Plans God has for me if I just follow Him. I’m praying too that my kiddos will remember and just run up to me. That would be an experience I would never forget and a neat one. This is the first mission trip where I know some of the children still there. I pray that my two special boys are still there and will come straight to me or even if I go to them they will remember me. I was honestly not excited but scared to go at first when things were coming together and when I wasn’t helping get ready as much because of my job but now I helped some and am so excited again. It has been a year for me since the last time I was there and I know it was all in the Hands of God because my life has turned around since then totally and still is. I never thought I would be where I am today but because of that one trip I am. Another trip and things on my mind that I want to happen and they will once I get back. I need it to sort my mind out after this year and just to have fun and really rest in the Lord because for some reason it seems when I’m out of the states and with children that is the only time I get to rest and think spiritually which is strange. Do you think God is trying to tell me something there? 

Leaving for Guatemala

I'm leaving for Guatemala this Saturday so not much to say right now. I can promise when I get back there will be stories to tell, verses/explainations, and ideas to write out so please keep up after the 22nd (that's when I get back). If you think about it, please pray for the children at the orphanage that their hearts will be open and for the group that I am going with that we can share the Love of God and His Word. I can already feel that God is going to to do amazing things through the children and the whole group.  This is just an update on what I am doing since it has been awhile. Sorry not so interesting but it will be once I get back. God has put a lot on my mind this past year to really think about and sort out in the mountains of Guatemala, which is the perfect place. :) I have a feeling that He is really going to pull me apart this trip. He is going to show me what the orphanage is really like with my babies and elementary age children. Can't wait! but still kind of scared. The second trip back is always the hard one because you can think about the children instead of having fun and exploring the place. I really want my voice heard on this one too in a nice way.

"A Preshus Life"

A child’s life can be hard at

Times. You see a child and

Ask, “What is wrong with them?”

Nothing is wrong, they just

Haven’t had someone to truly

Love on them, show them what

That word means, or even just

Have some one on one time with

Them.

At first the child might hit you, pull

Your hair, pinch you, or try to push

You away by not letting you in but

You have to stay strong if you want

To make a difference in their life.

You have to ask questions about that

Child so she can let you in and trust you

Because that is the only way that she

Will see people care. You can’t

Give up on a child.

It is so beautiful when you can see the

Light come on in a child’s eye. When

They think or know, “Someone really

Does love and care for me like I really

 Am. I can trust that person with my

Words.” Then that child will talk to

You and will be hook to your side

Til they leave. It is like you are God

To them.  That child sees God through

You.

You try to understand the child. The

Child paint your fingernails and theirs.

She paints your toenails too. She loves

glitter and dresses. She is just a little

artist. She will color, paint, and glue

anything. She also loves to do

puzzles.  She is also very smart for her

age.

She is my beautiful princess but yet she

Doesn’t see that. She doesn’t like her

Beautiful, curly, black hair. She would

Rather have my boring, straight, blonde

Hair. That makes me feel important, though,

Because she wants to be just like me. She

Looks up to me that much. She picked out

A pink and white flowered dress to wear

“home”. It was lose and free like she was.

When it was time for her to leave it was

Really sad. By then we had a lot of one

On one time. When she knew she was

Leaving, she held onto my arm when

I knelt down beside her and laid her head

On it. We got one last session of nail

Painting and gluing glitter in while she

Was sitting on my lap.

I know God has my little princess

In His Arms. I planted a seed in her

Heart just for Him to work on. I will

 never again look at painting nails the

same way. I might even paint mine

more. She will grow up and is already

a Preshus Life in the Lord’s Arms. He

will take care of her whenever she might be.

Written By: Tiffney Wilson

Written On: June 6^th, 2013

3 Months with a Group of Children can Change Your Life

I just got done with my first 3 months with the children at my job. WAIT! I JUST SENT MY CHILDREN FROM MY MINISTRY OFF WITH MORE WISDOM OF WHAT IS OUT THERE THAT THEY CAN DO AND HAVE A BETTER LIFE! These past 3 months of changed my life, if not more, at least as much as the children I took care of.  I learned about what is really out there and more of what is around me. I'm not just thinking of myself anymore. I'm learning new ways to take care of the children depending of what they had to deal with before coming in. I'm working with all type of children. I'm becoming more creative as the days go on. It's not really at all about me though it is about the children and what they have learned and how they have changed. It is neat to see that within 3 months a child really can change if you will care for them and let them know that you do. Just knowing every little thing you do can change the child for the good or bad so you have to be on your feet and know what you are doing and love on those children when you don't feel like it. You can't have or show stress or madness at all. Every child as their own way to deal with things and you have to meet those ways but at the same time for me it is fun to see how they change over the months because of us. It gives me a sense of pride and that I am important in someone's life. You can't get caught up in the "fairness" (saying I got from someone at work, love it) of just one or most of the children and coming from a teacher's side too that is what is wrong in today's public schools. We have children coming from all over the place and from very different situtations not one thing will work for all the children. Some might need one on one while the others might feel fine with other children. They might be too hurt or scared to be with the others. They might not feel both emaitonally and pysically the same way as the others. There are tons of sickness and problems out there for children that we do not know about or very little yet. As I keeping working, I see that we need to teach even in public schools these days sel-help so the children know how because sadly they aren't getting it at home and as teachers and caretakers and everything else we all know that. We need to teach them to make their own deisons again. Teach them that they care have a say in some things and have their voice heard because they aren't getting it heard right now. It is sad when some children won't use their words or don't know how to talk because they are scared what will happen to them if they say anything. It is hard to explain what I feel right now because I'm still learning more and will have to research more but I'm on a road that I never thought I would be and I love it! I'm a teacher's kid so learning along with children are my passions. I just hope I can remember all of what I am learning with every child and/or set of children. I'm sure God will give me new things to learn with each new group of children. Not sure what this one was yet but when I found out I will right about it and I'm ready to see what the next thing He is going to teach me will be.