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Thanksgiving In Guatemala (I got sick again)

 

Thanksgiving this year was spent at the AIM base in Guatemala around one big table with all of my squadmates. Spending this holiday overseas was such an incredible experience I will never forget. But first, let’s talk about what also happened that week. 

 

Your girl got sick…again. Tuesday night I felt such an uneasiness in my body and stomach, and by Wednesday morning things were getting worse. I felt peace about not going to ministry that day, and within about thirty minutes of my team leaving I developed a very painful fever that ached my entire body head to toe.

That entire day was so testing for me. I have no phone plan, so there was no calling my family. I had no energy to even sit up, so there was no reading my bible or journalling going on. I don’t have a tv to watch. Not to mention I was in so much pain all I could do was really shove my face into my pillow, pray, and fall asleep. Being sick in Georgia was a big moment of mess for me. It was a time where I really got broken down and learned how to let my community come around me when I was really struggling. Being sick in Guate was a lot of just me and the Lord. A lot of frustration. It was the day before Thanksgiving, the thought of being this sick and away from my family at the same time made me feel more sick. 

 

I had many people praying for me that day. A couple of my leaders came to my bed and prayed, my team prayed together, and I know I had many people praying over me in the states as well. Thanksgiving morning, I opened my eyes and felt no more aches, no more fever. 

 

Thanksgiving overseas was so special. We pulled rotisserie chicken apart in big pots while sitting on the ground (turkey wasn’t the option this year, but it didn’t matter). We set up a big long table that seated every one with flowers and notes and sparkling juice in the midst of the beautiful base we call home. Everyone helped make dinner and we all sat and broke bread together. We got to dress up (a rarity) and take pictures in the lawn. We watched the sunset and played spike ball. We made notes of gratitude for our teammates.

 

My first holiday overseas was not an easy one. But the Lord, as always, was faithful. I saw so many pieces of His heart that day. There was so much redemption after being so sick the day before. 

 

It brought a whole new feeling and meaning to Thanksgiving for me. If the race has taught me anything, and I know this sounds cliche, but I am SO incredibly blessed. Each human the Lord has placed in my life, every meal, every moment, everything is a gift from Him. I have never been more thankful for home (Austin) than I am now, but I have also never been more thankful for where my feet are currently. Gratitude and contentment go hand in hand. 

 

Bye for now, 

 

MG 🙂

 

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