God and Coke-Bringing people to together.

As we walked into the dimly- lit one room house I thought to myself, what on earth am I going to say that will in any way relate to the woman who graciously welcomed me into her home? Thoughts rushed in my head as I took in my surroundings, a whole house's contents in one room. As we gathered around her in the cramped space, she looked at us with guarded eyes yet a warm smile slowly crept on her copper, sun-baked face. With her small children at her side we introduced ourselves and began the somewhat awkward "speech" of why we were here.
Now, I never prepare what words I say because they are not mine to choose. All of us were supposed to share our testimonies and to be honest, I was not sure how to go about saying that to someone I have no connection with. Lets just say it was uncomfortable. But after we asked what prayer needs she had, what I needed to say was as clear as the awkwardness I had only felt seconds earlier. She had hepititis. Not surprising for the conditions and lack of health care there. Also not surprising, she could not afford treatment. I could see the worries for her and her family expressed in the chocolate eyes as she looked at me.
Without thinking I began to tell her about my father, Tom, who has cancer. I knew how she felt and the worry that is so devistating for her and her children. Truly, without any preconcieved thought I poured my heart out about something I do not like talking about nevertheless share with a stranger. So what happened? In that moment, God was able to use something terrible to heal and bring people to Him. I was just his hands and feet. My dads illness was a terrible blow to not only him but our family. Never would I have thought something healing, powerful, and cleansing could come from it. But isnt that how God works? As mentioned tonight in our team discussion, God never promised us a happy life...meaning no sickness, no pain, no struggles. He did promise us, "abundent life," a indescribable joy found only in Him. Even living with a disease or the worst luck imanginable, we have full abundance in Christ which should be enough. To the woman, she has no hope for a "full life" in Him because she did not have Him. Can you imagine? I pray that my words will encourage her to draw on Christ for strength and commit her life to Him sunk deep in her heart. God's words sunk into mine.

And yes, the kids are all great! Two more days of work and the three houses are finished. We.are.tired. But I dont hear them ever complaining and we all work together so well. It is one of the best teams Ive ever seen..you have truly amazing children that are fun to be around. It doesn't hurt when my dad buys them all coke during our break today too! I swear it could have been a Coke commerical..the Americans and Guatemalans..dirty,sweating, and sitting on a curb sippin' on Coke. "If I could teach the world to sing in perfect harmony..."

Adios from Elizabeth Bognanno!