Sarah Rinn
1-10-08 n
Today has been one of the best days on the trip for me thus far! As I wrote about before, I have been wanting to go visit the family I lived with for 3 weeks in February of 2006.
We leave Panahachel tomorrow, so I was starting to get worried that I would not be able to get back across the lake to see Pastor Antonio and his family. Mainly I was concerned because I have still been feeling sick and didn´t know if I would be up to the boat ride and hike up to his house.
This morning came and since it was our last full day here if I was going to go it had to be today! Praise the Lord I was feeling well enough to make the trip. Marliaan volunteered to go with me, and we started our journey to find a boat across the lake.
As we were sailing across to San Pedro I started to worry. What if I couldn´t find a translator? What if they weren´t home? What if they didn´t remember me? However, God took care of all the little details.
We made to San Pedro and surprisingly I remembered how to navigate the streets as if it were yesterday that I was there. As I walked in I was greeted by the oldest daughter Ana. She wasn´t at home but once when we were there so she looked at me confused.
Then Kata (the momma) and Pastor Antonio came out and their eyes immediately lit up. They remembered me and were so excited and surprised I was there. Pedrito came out and gave me a hug as well. Immediately they called someone to come translate for us as well.
While we waited Pastor Antonio showed me the picture of our group that was still hanging on their wall. He then pulled out his computer to show me pictures of the church that we used visit every night in San Pablo. Back in 2006 there was only a small building made of bamboo and wood. On a good night maybe 20 people would attend the church.
I saw pictures of the new church building which is well on its way and will eventually be 2 stories tall! Then he also told me that there are now about 200 people in the church! I was amazed how God is still growing and providing for that church!
I also asked about Zacheo. For those of you that don´t know or remember, he was the young man, struggling with drug use, who accepted Jesus one day while we were hauling rocks. Pastor Antonio told me he is still coming to church regularly!
I think the coolest part about this reunion goes back to the last night of my previous trip to Guatemala. The night we were leaving in 2006, Pastor Antonio prayed for each one of us in front of the church. When he got to me he stopped and said, `` I think God is telling me that Sarah will come back one day.´´
I had completely forgotten about this till a couple weeks ago when I realized I would actually be in Guatemala soon and would possibly have the chance to see my Guatemalan family. When I talked to Pastor Antonio about this he remembered the exact prayer! God is good and faithful!
I got to visit with my Guatemalan family for about an hour before we had to go. It was one of the most joyful and best hours I have spent on this trip. I just couldn´t stop smiling. It was such an encouragement to see Pastor Antonio and his family still faithfully serving Jesus in San Pedro. I thank God that He worked out all the details for this brief reunion!!!