The Keys: Guatemala
  • Home
  • What We Do
  • Larry's Blog
  • Jennifer's Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact

Larry's Blog

Adoption - We have not, But why we will, And why we will help in the meantime

4/22/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Jen and I have found ourselves walking down a path that is completely foreign to us. The world of adoption and foster care. As many of you know, we have an overwhelming desire to work within the church here in Guatemala to educate and encourage families on adoption. This desire is not a surprise to us, as we have always been passionate about children, and have always had it in our hearts to one day adopt. However, at this moment, we are not adoptive parents. At this point in our lives, God has called us to Guatemala, a country where we can not adopt from at this moment, and to adopt from any other country would require a complete life change away from where God has us at this moment. How then, do we, as non-adoptive parents, do the work that we have such a strong desire to do. How can any adoptive or potential adoptive parents take us seriously? This is a question we have asked ourselves over and over again.

As we grow in our faith, Jen and I are continually learning about who we truly are as individuals. As our understanding of the gospel deepens, and we learn what it means to truly be rescued through Christ, our desire for the orphan grows stronger. Our faith is to be a walk that reflects the true work that has been done in us through Christ. We are to reflect His sacrifice by sacrificing ourselves in order to bring Him glory. For many this looks different, but for all who have been redeemed by the Savior, we should strive to redeem and lead to even more redemption through Christ.

We are limited in the level of redemption that we can provide. The soul of another is completely out of our hands. We can do our best to lead someone to the One who can save, but ultimately, we can not save any soul with the redemptive power of Christ. How then, can we reflect the saviors love for us, if we can truly never do what He did on the cross? We do this by doing what we can in our human form.

What a blessing it has been to be parents. We have learned what it is like to truly give ourselves up completely when we would rather be sleeping or watching our favorite TV show. It's been a humbling and growing experience. It is just the surface of what Christ has done for us. In the physical, my daughters have never been without a loving parent. Since the moment they entered the world, they have been smothered with hugs and kisses. As a rescued individual in Christ, can you imagine being without a father or mother in not just the spiritual sense, but also in the physical?

For many, adoption is just something that takes place when more children are desired, or when we are faced with an adoptive opportunity based on an already existing relationship. This is good! This is not the only time we should act, however. The orphan statistics throughout the world are mind-boggling. When you compare those numbers to the number or churches throughout the world, it will not just be mind-boggling, but mind-exploding. We as Christians, have allowed this issue to get far out of hand, simply by not allowing our lives to be a reflective image of what Christ has done for us.

The truth is, we have all been lost and fatherless in this world. If you live in Christ, you have been rescued and adopted by God, the heavenly father.

Galatians 4:3-6 (ESV)
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Adopted is who we are.

Proverbs 27:19
As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

Adoption is hard, and not always possible to everyone due to various circumstances in life. However, as adopted individuals by God, we should all be loud advocates for the redemption of children throughout the world.
Comments

When "self" prevents mission

3/22/2016

Comments

 
Picture
This year we have transitioned into a way of life that has proved more difficult than we could have imagined. I am not talking about the recent growth to our family, rather the ministry that we are here to pursue. We have been blessed with local friendships and ministry opportunities through those friendships. However our full time ministry focus of working with children and restoring healthy families had brought to a place where we were forced to learn a lot about ourselves.

As we transitioned out of teaching and into full time ministry work, we were excited! Excited to see what God does through the vision that He had placed in our hearts. We took this excitement and began trying to run with it. We established goals and plans to make this happen. Then we hit a road block. Everything we had set to do in our hearts, could not be done at this time due to government regulations and restrictions. Rather than engaging ourselves in new creative ideas, we hit a stand still. This led to somewhat of a depression, something that I truly believe so many of us deal with when life begins looking like it makes no sense. Kind of like that moment when the hopes and desires that God placed on your heart look impossible. This is what we began dealing with. Only stronger than we had ever felt because this time we had sold everything we owned and moved to a third world country.

We spent many late nights in prayer. Many tears and frustrations shared between the two of us. Here we were with two young daughters and no idea what to do next. Suddenly, it hit me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Our purpose for being here was no longer for the Guatemalan people, it was for me. It became about what we could do, rather than how we can help. We had put so much pressure on ourselves to start something big and great rather than believing God, in His perfect timing would work things out according to His perfect plan. From that moment on, everything changed.

It was time for us to serve, learn, and equip ourselves for the work that God had called us to do. Not for us, but for them! We woke up the next morning and began emailing and calling every potential opportunity within this country that we could think of. The truth is, there are over 150 homes in this country that are working with orphaned children. There is so much help that is needed, and so many resources available for us to learn from. We have reached the next step, and we are so excited about it.

We are devoting all of our time to finding a perfect place for us to serve Guatemalan children in an established environment, and also learn from the leadership so we can be as equipped as possible for when God gives us the opportunity to pioneer the work we believe He has placed in our hearts. We could not be more excited not just for our family, but also for the investment that will be made for the Guatemalan people.
Comments

How our two year old saved our marriage for the day

2/25/2016

Comments

 
Picture

I will be the first to admit that marriage is one of the hardest things I have ever committed to. If you say this isn't the case with your marriage, I envy you, along with probably 99% of all other married couples. I am deeply in love with my wife, and would do absolutely anything for her to make her happy and to keep her safe. Things just become difficult when you add two kids to the mix and are living in a culture that will always be somewhat foreign to you.
​
A couple days ago was one of those days. Although our mistakes towards one another have been forgiven, it was just one of those days where nothing went right, and it showed in our interaction with one another. My wife and I differ in how we handle our conflict. I like to hash things out there on the spot, and she needs time.

Today, I adopted her approach. I needed to get away for a couple hours to just clear my thoughts. We were both tired, with a two year old that doesn't sleep, and a 6 week old that was up all night coughing. The last thing I was able to do was power my brain enough to keep up with a conversation that unfortunately wasn't going anywhere at the moment. I left and went for a small walk on one of the hills in town. I prayed. I sat silently. And yes, I played a round of Candy Crush. My brain was fried, and my emotions were drained. I was selfish in my doing as I left her home with the kids to deal with her emotions (you can probably imagine how that went). After awhile, I was ready, and I began the drive home.

We texted back and forth during my drive home and I wanted (needed) a coffee, and she asked for a tea. I stopped by a coffeeshop and got our drinks to-go. Then continued to drive. I prayed the entire way. I hate rough days like today. I needed help. I walked into the house to a wife that looked exhausted with a crying baby in her arms. My two year old was miraculously sitting quietly on the bed. I told my wife to go upstairs and take a nap with the baby and we would talk when she was ready. It was just me and my little Lucy now, sitting on the bed together shoving our face with gummy bears. I wasn't very talkative and I gave her every little thing she asked for, just so I wouldn't have to deal with her reaction to not getting her way.

I put a movie on the computer and Lucy snuggled up to my side. She looked up at me and I gave her a smile. She smiled back and immediately said “Daddy, you came back”. I responded with my usual response when she says that, “Daddy will always come back, Lucy”. “I just love you so so much”, she replied. Tears. I'm typically always emotional, and that little one turned on the waterworks. I was flooded with love.

Lucy quietly went back to watching Rio, and I sat there in awe. In awe of her faith. I never taught Lucy to love me. She looks at me, and despite my flaws, chooses to love me. Somehow she is always so excited when I walk in the door, even if I had an ugly morning. She does not care about the mistakes I made, or how my day went. She just cares if I'm there.

This my friends, is the Gospel.

God, the father, made himself flesh and died, to give us life despite our wickedness. He looks at us, the same way my daughter looks at me, with nothing but love. He doesn't see the outburst you had, or the ridiculous act you committed, because it has already been taken care of on the cross. He has chosen to love us, and wants nothing more than to just be with us.

​Jen and I had a rough day, but it was saved by the Gospel that my little girl preached to me through her sweet innocent heart. I forever remained committed to our marriage, and to the Gospel that is so desperately needed in the center of our lives.  

Comments

Coyolate

2/18/2016

Comments

 
Picture
Coyolate is a small rural community located between Guatemala City and the Mexico border. It is home to many young families who work as farmers in the sugar cane fields that surround them. The culture is rich and the people are some of the most friendly and thankful people you may encounter. Many families live in single bedroom homes and put their children to sleep on the dirt floor in 80 degree heat on a nightly basis. Many of these families had been displaced due to the civil war that ended in 1996. For this reason, you will find a beautiful mix of different indigenous cultures all in one place. The need is great, and the people are hardworking and ready for change. Unlike the major cities in Guatemala, healthcare is not easily accessible, nor affordable for many who live here.

Earlier this month, I was able to travel with a team to Coyolate for the first time this year. It was a medical team of doctors, dentists, and a group that was dedicated to assisting locals in laying the foundation for their new community center. I particularly helped facilitate the dental clinic which gave me much time to get to know families as they waited their turn. What I found was a people that was eager to learn how to better themselves through good dental hygiene, but have just not had the opportunity in the past. Have you ever had that feeling? The one where you ask yourself, “If I just knew how to do this, I could better my life!”. Here's the difference between our thought and theirs. We have access to learning. We have the ability to hop online and google “How to take better care of my teeth”. In a country were internet access is limited, and books cost more than a monthly salary, many people in Coyolate rely on the gratitude of others to bring education.
​
It must start somewhere. We are blessed to be a part of that start not just in the realm of dental care, but also in every area that can empower the amazing people of Coyolate to bring a lasting change in their own lives, the lives of their children, and the lives of neighbors and friends. This is what excites us about the community center project that has began. It is going to be an attractive place for locals to come and grow in knowledge and community. It is a place that will one day be led by locals, to help bring change to locals. We are so excited to join together with the people of Coyolate to make this happen, and look forward to all the time we will have with them in the coming months.   


Comments

Christmas: It's all about the gifts

12/24/2015

Comments

 
Picture

Being somewhat new to the Christmas season with kids, we have found ourselves many times debating of course how we will share the joy of Christmas with our daughter. Santa or no Santa, gifts or no gifts. It's hard! Especially when you have such amazing memories from your own childhood, where everything revolved around Ol' Saint Nick and whether you were naughty or nice. This year, we think we have come to an agreement. Christmas will be all about the gifts.
 
What about Jesus? Isn't He the reason we celebrate. Absolutely. This is exactly what we are trying to teach our daughter. So many times we look at the gift giving aspect of Christmas, and immediately shun it away as getting our priorities completely mixed up. This is entirely possible, and I myself have been guilty, especially since becoming a father and wanting to spoil the diaper off my daughter. However, is there a message behind the gift giving that we are potentially missing? 

When God sent His Son, He sent Him to a people that was in desperate need. To put it in Christmas terms, He sent Jesus to an extremely naughty bunch. None of us deserve a Savior. But the Gift of life, through Jesus was rewarded to us despite our naughtiness. This rings true today.

 So this Christmas, as my daughter sits at the foot of the tree tomorrow morning, opening gifts that are not necessarily deserved from good behavior, we hope to use this as an opportunity. An opportunity to share the great love that God has for each and every one of us. Though none of us deserve gifts, He loves us enough to give us the greatest gift of all. 

Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Top Posts

    Sorry's From A Missionary (Or Two)
    4 Years married, And Two Kids Later. I Miss Being Single
    How Our Two Year Old Saved Our Marriage For The Day
  • Home
  • What We Do
  • Larry's Blog
  • Jennifer's Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact