Hope in the Desert

Writing amidst drought and extreme heat is a challenge, but also an opportunity to reflect on hope, resilience, and restoration.

The New Garden

This year I dreamed a lot about giving a new lease on the medicinal herb garden for our ministry, “Holistic Hope". We started on a part of my property that was originally a fenced-in area for the dogs—not very big, but a safe place where we could begin with about 15 medicinal plants in May 2024.

After a wonderful effort from the whole team, in mid-May 2026, I was able to transplant and sow around 25 medicinal plants. Now we have this new space, five times larger, with the potential to be home to 40 types of medicinal plants that will be a great blessing to so many people. So, what could go wrong?

The Super-Niño

It's not just us here in Guatemala who feel and suffer from it. Very little rain combined with extreme heat became my new number one enemy. The challenge began in July and continues, and it's now the end of August. Many will say, "Well, you'll just have to water more and every day," which is easier said than done since there's no municipal water, nor a private well. Another truth that many may not know is that when it rains and there's lightning, a chemical process in the air causes the plants to be fertilized in a miraculous way. It's truly amazing that our good GOD designed every detail of HIS beautiful creation with a special purpose. And it is then that I see GOD's hand in my frustration as the earth dries up; I see my weakness and powerlessness, and it is there that we find the stage for true resilience.

Hope

Strength in waiting through faith. In times when it seems nothing is growing, we must remember that putting our hope in GOD allows us to "run and not grow weary" (Isaiah 40:31), giving us the strength to persevere through challenges. Even though there is no rain today, the Bible reminds us that GOD is the one who "gives rain in its season" and that HE cares for the earth.

Resilience

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This beautiful verse invites us to let go of human control and calms our anxiety in the face of the world's problems. We must be resilient, remembering that GOD is in absolute control and HIS power is supreme over any crisis. It reminds us that our stability does not depend on external circumstances (like rain or weather), but on how deeply we extend our roots to the source of life, which is GOD.

Restoration

The promise is powerful in Isaiah 41, verses 17 and 18: “I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the parched land into flowing springs.” Just as my parched land is promised to become a spring full of life, GOD has the power to turn our most difficult situations into blessings and supernatural provision. Our LORD promises that He will answer our cries and will not abandon us in need.

Rosemary and Lavender

These are the perfect examples of this promise. Rosemary is an extremely hardy Mediterranean plant that, once established, can withstand prolonged droughts and high temperatures without faltering. When our spiritual roots are deeply planted in trust in God, our "leaves" remain lush even in arid surroundings. Rosemary not only survives the heat but uses it to concentrate its essential oils, becoming more potent; in the same way, trials can strengthen our faith.

In times of greatest personal "drought" or scarcity, we can be like lavender. Even when the ground seems deserted, GOD's promise to open springs allows us to bloom with an aroma of peace and hope that blesses others, transforming our despair into a testimony of His provision.

Rosemary and lavender, which need that intense sun to concentrate their medicinal properties, are examples of trials that help us grow spiritually. Just like my garden is currently experiencing, I am sometimes also going through "spiritual droughts", but the secret to overcoming trials isn’t in my own strength, but in learning to wait on the LORD.

And just as I finish writing this message today, on a very hot and trying day, pouring my heart out to all of you… a little rain is coming… just for me, because my GOD is good.