Guatemala Day 3 - Pray Hard
Today was another busy, but really meaningful day in Guatemala! We started our morning eating breakfast that consisted of pancakes and the best orange juice. While we were eating, Lisa began building on our previous day's challenge of Dream Big. When we fully trust that He is good, does good and is for us, it changes the way we dream. We no longer dream small dreams that we could possibly achieve on our own; we know dream big dreams that only God can accomplish if we are willing to be fully surrendered to His leading and plan. Because we dream big dreams, this causes us to Pray Hard. We are His children and because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we are able to come boldly to Him and pray hard about those big dreams that only He can truly make happen.

A newer part of Dare for More is the medical clinic located in a traditional Mayan village. Here they are able to care for women who are pregnant and do not have access to medical care that is needed to keep themselves and their babies healthy. This day was a special day because they were hosting their once a month prenatal clinic. While they were waiting to see the doctor, we had the opportunity to spend time with these women and their children. We did a craft together which allowed us a fun way to sit, talk, listen and get to know them. Even though we do not speak a lot of Spanish, this part of the ministry was another reminder that sometimes the smallest moments of connection can mean the most.

After the clinic, we had the opportunity and blessing to be welcomed into the homes of some of these families in the villages. If you remember yesterday's recap, we did a lot of grocery shopping and put together food baskets and today was the day we were able to give those food baskets to these families in need. The Dare For More staff chooses families they visit based on their specific needs and we are able to be a part of that by being welcomed into their homes and presenting them with the food baskets. These food baskets will be able to feed a family for about 2-3 weeks and so it meets a lot of their physical needs and allows the DFM staff to get to know their stories and to share Jesus with them. Today we visited four different homes. We were welcomed into their homes, dropped off the food baskets, listened to their stories, and prayed over their home and families. One of the family members we talked to was named Bartholomew. While we were there, we learned that he was sick and needed to see a doctor but didn't have access to it, so the DFM staff was able to step in and arrange for a doctor to come to his home for a visit. It was really special to see how Dare For More comes alongside people in practical ways whiles also caring about their hearts and their relationship with Jesus.

We then stopped for lunch at San Martin which is like a Panera Bread before heading to another part of the Dare For Ministry - a baking class. We learned that these women, who are learning this valuable skill to provide financially for their families, learn all different ways to bake. They do no have many resources, so they use they have. Most of them do not have access to a stove or oven, so they learn how to bake on an open flame. However, on this particular day, we were able to see them use the stove. The bakery item they were make was banana bread with chocolate chips. Once the consistency of the cake was just right, they put the cake ban on top of a boiling bot of water and then covered it was what is call the "beehive". This beehive was created by Teresa, the Dare For More baking class instructor. Once the cake was in the beehive, she shared her story of how she became a part of Dare For More. She talked about how hard she had worked and some of the difficult things she went through, including losing her bakery and dealing with people who did not believe in her when she had these big dreams. The God moment in her life was shortly after her bakery shut down. She heard Him say to her that she was selfish and that if she were die today, what would she leave behind and what had she done with the talents and gifts He had given her. She knew that she had been selfish and had not stewarded her gifts well and she fully surrendered to God to be used by Him in whatever way He wanted. From that, she is now with Dare For More teaching baking classes to many women and using how God has gifted her to reach more women for Him. Hearing her story and seeing where God has brought her is such an encouragement. Her story is a great reminder that other people's doubts does not determine what God can do through you if you fully surrender to Him. She left us with this one last piece of encouragement and challenge; God brought you girls here for a purpose and today that purpose was the bless those beautiful families that mean so much to her and her community. You can do hard things; with man hard things are impossible but with God all things are possible.

We also met Cece, the chihuahua who lives in the house where the baking class took place and quickly became everyone's favorite.
After the baking class, we headed to out to deliver two more food baskets. One of the houses we met a sweet family, Rosa and Benjamin. Rosa is a part of the baking class and Benjamin is going through some health difficulties that is not allowing him to work. We listened to their story and as Teresa presented a word of encouragement and challenge that God knows and sees you. This was a powerful conversation and we could feel the presence of God as we spent time with them in their home and prayed together. These moments have quickly become some of the most impactful and favorite parts of the trip because we got to slow down, listen, and connect with other people even though there is a language barrier.
We finished the day with dinner at Pappy's BBQ and had amazing ribs and steak sandwiches and then we walked back to the hotel and took in all the sights and sounds of Antigua. We watched the sunset and after a long day, it was a beautiful way to end the night.

Today reminded us that ministry does not always look like what we expect. Sometimes it is doing hard manual labor, but other times, it was the quiet moments of sitting with someone, delivering food baskets, hearing their stories and simply praying for and with them. We are so thankful that God has allowed us to be her and that He continues to give us opportunities to love and serve the people we met. Please continue to pray for our team as we go into another day, that we would continue to have our eyes, ears and hearts open to see the opportunities that God puts in front of us and be willing to step into them.
-written by Logan Baer, Abby Reitnour and Selah Charles