A while ago, Matt and Mandy Wilson, along with their three children, felt God calling them to pack up and move to Guatemala for one year. Here is the story, from Mandy's perspective, of how they got from Niagara to Jalapa:

“Our first task in approaching another people, another culture, another religion is to take off our shoes. For the place we are approaching is Holy. Else we may find ourselves treading on another's dream. Move serious still, we may forget that God was there before our arrival.” (unknown author)

Coming to the decision of going to Guatemala was one I wrestled with for months. It started three years ago when our family visited a girls orphanage/shelter in the region of Jalapa, Guatemala. Our eyes were opened, our hearts touched, and our lives forever changed.

Our first trip down, we connected with a family of four sisters. After learning more about their home situation, we felt compelled to walk along side them and support them. The oldest, Francesca was raped by her father, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. Her angry father, kicked in her stomach killing the child at 7 months gestation. The second oldest, Angelica, was also being sexually abused by family members. In this culture, typically the girls don't say much and withstand the abuse, which could last years. In Francisca’s case, she was terrified for her younger sisters well being and in wanting to protect them, she reported her father to the police. This lead her to court and from there to Casa Hogar. She pleaded with the judge to let her take her other three sisters with her. We are inspired by her bravery as she stepped out and put a stop to the abuse and violence. Her father was taken away and put in jail indefinitely. Since Francesca was the “cause” of the disrupt in the family, her mom has disowned her and fails to support the girls. Darlin came to Casa Hogar at the age of 8 and Suli ( the youngest) at the age of 5. They have now been living at Casa Hogar for six years. It was after our first trip down that we fell in love with these girls and saw so much potential in them. We invested time into looking at adoption alternatives.

After coming back home to Canada, we felt that life could not go on the same and that changes needed to be made. For months my husband and I had conversations and sometimes arguments over what it would look like for our family to go. In January 2011, Matt made a trip out to see the girls, in Guatemala. I was happy to stay back with the kids. I questioned God so often why He would give my husband the desire to just go and not me. So I started praying, a prayer that God would change Matt's heart. Funny enough, God started changing mine. It was a strange week. A week in which I felt an incredible loneliness. A week in which I struggled back and forth with questions and decisions. Now that I look back on that week just 11 months ago, I know God had me right where I was supposed to be. During that time of quietness He Spoke. Not in loud ways to grab my attention, rather gentle whispers of truth, love and wisdom. You see, when we are too busy, we often don't listen We are too consumed with ourselves. God wanted my attention...all of it. “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength”....

One night I was packing up all the Christmas decorations, and I suddenly was brought to my knees. I laid there sobbing and pleading for Him not to send me. In my heart I already knew what He was asking. How could I say no to the one who created me? How could I possibly ignore the nudging? I thought maybe it would go away. A few days later I was laying in bed praying over my clients before another busy day of work. God spoke yet again to me that morning. He told me that the girls weren't suppose to come but we were to go to them. I laid there wondering if I heard that right. I couldn't tell anyone what I heard. I was afraid that if I voiced it, then it would happen. And that scared me like crazy. So I waited. God works in amazing ways. Matt came home from his trip fired up as usual, getting excited about possibilities. However, he knew how I was feeling and respected my opinion. I think God brought Matt to a place where he was willing to surrender his desire to go and brought me to a place where it was time. I decided it was time to share my thoughts with him and after prayer we both knew that we wanted to follow God's calling and be obedient.

I never really felt like the missionary type. It was never a dream, let a lone a thought that occurred with me. As I was processing this, I was reading a book called, “Too Small to Ignore.” This book wrecked me. As I sobbed through chapter after chapter, God revealed a powerful statement. Wes Stamford states, “God isn't looking for our ability, rather our availability.” I realized I need not fear. God is just looking for my time and He will take care of the rest. I didn't really think I qualified. The more I studied and prayed, God was reminding me to trust and let go.

It wasn't all easy from there on in. I hit a wall late spring, facing a burn out like never before. It took me a week to get on my feet again. I felt like everything around me was changing and I didn't like it. I wanted to stay safe and comfortable. Again, I spent a lot of time praying, journaling and reading. God was asking me to be still. So often we get our self worth out of being productive. Something that is an ongoing struggle for me. I am learning that no matter what , my worth is found and centered in Christ alone. It was a huge struggle for me, but I gave God my business, my home, my family and friends. If all of these were gifts from the Lord to begin with, I trusted that He would take care of all the details. As we prayed, God opened door after door and the opportunity to serve in Guatemala was now becoming more of a reality. Stepping on the plane that early September morning brought a feeling of excitement and fear all mixed together. I felt like I was leaving my arm behind. I was reminded once again that we as Christians, are not called to live in fear. God was going before us and has been already there.

To read more about the Wilson's experiences in Guatemala, you can follow their blog at: http://wilson-cten.blogspot.com/