God uses our circumstances to show His overwhelming love.

If you followed our mission trip journal, you know that each of our team members took a day to document our experiences.  I was scheduled to blog on Thanksgiving Day.

This day turned out to be one of the hardest days of my life.  I got a call from my stepmom that my dad passed away unexpectedly that morning.  At that moment, far away from Atlanta, the people on my team stepped in to be the love of Christ that I needed at that moment.  The God that we had shared with the people of El Salvador was the same God to whom I cried out.  I was broken-hearted.  I felt guilty that I was away when it happened.  I was not sure what to do next....

Thank goodness..."The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -  Psalm 34:18

I made the decision to come home a few days early so I could go be with my family.  On the flight home, I realized that I had something in common with the people I had met in El Salvador.  Whether they were children without a home, fatherless, neglected, job less, not sure what tomorrow held - God loves us just the same and He sees each tear that falls from our eyes.  I don't know their stories, but I do know that we have the same God.  We live in a fallen world and things will happen in our lives.  It is a fact.  When we start to see each other as "beloved" then we understand that we need each other.  We need to share God's love with each other, even when don't speak the same language.

Melissa & Beth using their spiritual gifts while the men work on building the new house!

We need to serve each other.  We need to live each day as a gift.  God brought me to El Salvador to show me His love.  He knew exactly what was going to happen to my dad. He wanted me to go and serve and see how His love expands to his beloved people.  He wanted me to know that even when I feel like my heart is broken, He is the ultimate heart healer and life giver. He speaks the same truths to my new family in El Salvador. 

Our trip was so rich.  Each day was a glimpse of God's faithfulness.  We hiked, we built, we sang, we ate, we laughed, we served, we prayed, we loved, we were uncomfortable, and we were humbled.  I believe this is the perfect picture of the body of Christ.

Thank you for your support and prayers for what is the beginning of something big going on down at Love & Hope Children's Home and in the country of El Salvador.

- Beth Cheatham