Waiting in Hope, Reflecting in Gratitude

The end of the year has always been a natural time of reflection for me. It’s a season to look back and ask honest questions:

What went well?

What was difficult?

Where did we grow,

and where do we hope to change

as we move forward?

These moments of pause help create space for gratitude and renewed vision.

More than anything, this time of year reminds me to look for all the ways GOD has shown up - sometimes in obvious provision, sometimes in quiet strength, and sometimes simply in the grace to keep going. Scripture reminds us that “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; HIS mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Remembering HIS faithfulness gives us courage to celebrate the wins, even small ones, and to trust HIM with what still feels unfinished.

For some, this season is joyful and full. For others, it can be heavy - marked by loss, unmet hopes, or exhaustion. If this is a hard time of year for you, my prayer is that you would still find moments of joy - not because circumstances are easy, but because GOD is near. We are invited to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

December also brings us into the season of Advent - a time of waiting in the dark for the light to come. Here in Guatemala, the change in daylight is subtle, but the days do grow shorter and the nights longer. Advent reminds us that CHRIST came as the Light of the World, and that we also live in hopeful anticipation of HIS second coming. Even in waiting, GOD is at work.

As a team with Holistic Hope, we have taken this season to reflect together - to celebrate, to tweak our programs, and to prayerfully prepare for new ways of doing the work we feel called to. Now, we wait with expectation. There is much to do in the coming year, and we are excited to see how GOD will use our team here in Guatemala as we go out with joy and purpose, sharing hope in tangible and spiritual ways.

As we step into the new year, we invite you to partner with us - through prayer and, if you feel led, through financial support.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we seek to be HIS hands and feet, trusting that the Light who came into the world is still shining brightly today.