My experience from Guatemala began months before our actual trip. I walked into our first meeting knowing with certainty that I had crossed over a threshold in my life and I would never be the same. Over the next few months, with a lot of guidance from Laura, I learned how to surrender to God. In His perfect wisdom, He illuminated deep, hidden pain from my past and waited patiently for me to surrender it to Him. I struggled at first, trying to “fix” it on my own, trying to navigate the darkness and storms that swallowed me. After weeks of literal mental torture, and again with Laura’s guidance, I reached out for help from the Healer. The storm dissipated and the light flooded the darkness. Just like that, a decade of torment and pain was erased. In my newfound freedom, I found peace like I had never experienced before. This experience with the Healer gave me insight into counseling the Guatemalans. I knew firsthand how simple and effortless God’s healing was, all that was needed was to surrender and let Him do the work. In the counseling stations, we prayed with everyone, but those who trusted me enough to share with me their pain, they were different. We would finish praying and they would lift their heads. The difference was immediate and significant. Their eyes cleared, the weight from their shoulders released, their heads held high. We would ask how they felt, and overwhelmingly, the answer was free! In God’s mercy and love, He showed me freedom and how to share His freedom with others.
Anna Peterman
Guatemala-June-2019 