Hi, my name is Madison and I currently live and work full-time in Guatemala with a non-profit organization/ministry called Sin Limites. I am their program coordinator and if you are new here, please check out my first blog!
You may be curious about the title, “Overwhelmed because God is Good!” or wonder what will this be about? But there is so much that I can say just from my personal experience of living full-time in Guatemala.
God’s Work
As I work with Sin Limites, my coworkers and I work in a remote village called Vuelta Grande. Since I have been working in this village for over one year, I have developed special relationships with so many families and kids. It is great and fun to see each of their personalities and have the kids warm up to us… but it’s even more difficult to watch the kids grow up.
Every time I leave the village, my heart is filled and I am grateful to be able to serve this community. But outside of my work, I have been blessed in so many other ways as well!
Let me explain.
Just because I work for a ministry, it doesn’t mean that I can’t impact or be impacted by the lives of others… Whether that is friends from Guatemala or the United States.
Because there have been so many special and wow moments from God.
But first, let me share the risks.
The Risks
Living full-time in different country and not in the United States can be hard… How so? Well, here are a few reasons.
Of course, not having my full-time support system, but I’ve been surrounded by so many great friends and family here… Plus with me traveling back and forth to the United States and my family coming to visit me, it makes it a lot easier.
With me turning 26 this year (2024), we all know what that means in the United States… I will officially be off my parents’ insurance. That means what will I do for my yearly physicals, eye appointments, and dental appointments? Some people might say, well you can buy a plan or your job should be able to cover it. But that is not the case for me.
Since I have to raise all of my support, that means Sin Limites does not pay me to work in the village and no fault to the ministry, because I am considered a missionary from the United States.
That means I rely on having monthly supporters or whoever feels led to give… And when you give via Sin Limites (with them being a 501(c)3), all of your donations will come directly to me as they complete a monthly transfer.
But I knew that was a risk before moving here and I fully trust God as He continues to lead and guide me for the next few years! Because God will always provide, not only financially, but in different aspects as well.
As my mom always tells me, “God’s favor will always be in your life.” And I agree!
God Always Provides
When you think God will always provide, you probably think about it being financially… I did too! But there are so many other different ways He provides as well.
Psalm 32:8- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Because I know if God wanted my time to be over in Guatemala, he would end it here… But from the bottom of my heart, I can say that my work is not finished and I don’t feel like it will be anytime soon.
He has provided so much for me and His favor is here with me. Here are a few examples!
God has provided so many great friends for me. I have developed so many special friendships through my work and in Antigua as well! They make me a better person, they always listen to me, and they provide any advice when necessary. And I hope that I make an impact in their lives, especially on the spiritual side… I’ve witnessed many miracles and lives be changes in the past few months and all I can do is thank God! Because I know He is working in their lives as well!
God has also provided a hedge of protection around me. Since I’ve been in Guatemala, your girl probably has not made the wisest choices… If you did not know, I bought a motorcycle and I have had a lot of issues with it within the last year.
One evening, the chassi (body/frame of my moto) broke and I was stranded a few blocks away from my house with it being around 5:45pm… I had nobody to call to help due to my friends working, but luckily an older gentlemen (complete stranger) stopped, asked if I needed help, and I said yes please. He looked like a nice gentlemen and I had complete trust in him. He called some of his friends and they loaded my motorcycle in the back of a truck. Then we all traveled to the mechanic, which was about 15 minutes from my house… So yes, that’s right, I traveled with complete strangers to a different town and there was not one time where I did not feel safe. And do you know what that older gentleman told me? He said, “I have a daughter and she has a motorcycle. I would have loved for anyone to help her if she was in that situation.” And in that moment, I knew God provided the right people, resources, and hedge of protection around me.
Another evening, I was entering Antigua around 5:15pm and my back tire automatically went flat. I was about 15 blocks away from my house and I knew if I tried to push my bike, it would do more harm. I encountered a gentleman and explained my situation. Without any hesitation, he helped me by pushing my moto to a shop and fill up my tire with air. Once again, a complete stranger, but God provided the right person at the right time.
With each of those two stories, I have definitely kept my parents on their knees praying a lot of times, haha!! Because I’m in Guatemala and they are in the U.S. They can’t do anything no matter how bad they would like, but they can only trust me with my judgement and God as well.
Lastly, God has always provided and met my needs. Like I mentioned before, I have to raise all of my support and that can be difficult because of the unknown. The unknown of will I be to continue my work with Sin Limites, will I be able to continue to live in Guatemala, etc… But you know what, it always works out thanks to Him!
To be honest, there have been a few times where God has placed on my heart to give to a friend, a stranger, or a family in the village. I always seem to think, ask God why or how, if I don’t even have the financial means to do so, but I always listen. And do you know what, God always provides and blesses me with double or triple the amount…
That is all God and I give Him all of the glory!
Romans 11:38- For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
In Conclusion
Like I always say, I’m just here to share my journey and truth with you!
I’m not here to brag about anything that I’ve done because I have many flaws as well. Sometimes I have good days, bad days, and make bad decisions… but I continue to thank God, my family, my friends, and whoever else continues to support me during this journey. I certainly couldn’t do it with you.
I’m blessed with the people that God has placed in my life and the community where I grew up. We (Roanoke Rapids, NC) may be small, but we have so many loving and generous people. If there was ever a need, the community would come together and support each other. Just like they did for community of where I work.
With my family and a friend coming to visit me, they are bringing four full suitcases filled with shoes (200+ pairs in total) for the families in the village. With enough monetary donations, we will be able to supply 81 families with food bags (sugar, rice, beans, salt, soup, protein drink for kids, and body soap).
I would like to thank everyone who has donated with shoes or through a monetary donation. It means the world to me as well as for the families in the village.
XOXO
Madison Archer
