Emmanuel

Life and work in Guatemala can be hard. From practical things like transportation and safety, to personal things like trying to fit in and make friends, living long-term in Guatemala has its challenges. 

But the truth is, life and work anywhere can be hard. It doesn’t matter where you’re at or what you’re doing. We all go through trials, sometimes all at once. Health scares. Financial stress. Family problems. The list is long. 

So what is our hope as Christians in this life that we’ve already established is hard?

GOD is with us. 

This is my favorite promise of God: that HE offers us HIS presence always. Unlike how HE had to turn away from HIS one and only Son because of our sin, God offers us HIS presence in all things because of that great sacrifice of Jesus. HIS presence gives us joy and the joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). While we are still between this temporary world and eternal life, Jesus Himself, Immanuel, is the hope HE offers both to us and to a hurting world desperate for love. 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)