Guatemala

  • From Adversity To Adventure

    This post, From Advesity To Adventure was originally posted on November 18, 2018 when Todd and I got back from Guatemala… for the third time. I just felt it needed to be released again.

    I woke up thinking about the Soul H2O Podcast Epidode #28, Seasons of Growth in Adversity (which also features and interview with Todd, my daughter and Peggy Kennedy). That reminded me of this devo and it encouraged me, so I pray it will do the same for you!

    Here’s the Soul H2O Devotion…

    From Adversity To Adventure

    This resurrection life you received from God
is not a timid, grave-tending life.
It’s adventurously expectant, 
greeting God with a childlike 
“What’s next, Papa?” 
God’s Spirit touches our spirits 
and confirms who we really are. 
We know who he is, and we know who we are:
Father and children.
And we know we are going to get
what’s coming to us
—an unbelievable inheritance! 
We go through exactly what Christ goes through. 
If we go through the hard times with him, 
then we’re certainly going to go 
through the good times with him!

~Romans 8:15-17 The Message

    For the past two weeks, Todd and I were in Guatemala!!! This is our third trip because the people have gotten into our hearts.  We’ve only been home a few days and we’re planning to go back.

    The crazy part is we started journeying to Guatemala before we ever became romantically connected! We discovered at the beginning of our dating relationship that we both wanted to go back to Guatemala.  With the encouragement (or maybe a little hounding) from Sam Welten of Possibilities International, we went last March to help with a teen missions trip. While there, I was asked to run a women’s event. It went so well they asked us back this year with a team of women who would coordinate four women’s events across Guatemala and build houses for families in need.

    I was blessed to have this opportunity because a horrible thing went on in my life. For two decades I was in an unhealthy marriage that ended with a very difficult divorce. Todd and I would never be married if we both hadn’t had to go through the disappointment of divorce. My life has been a series of hard times followed by incredibly awesome experiences.  I can honestly say; every struggle has made the good times all the sweeter. With God, you can go from adversity to adventure!

    ADVENTURE THROUGH ADVERSITY… TO THE EXCITING STUFF!

    I chose to use Eugene Petersen’s Message paraphrase of the Bible for this week’s Scripture reference because I love how he words this passage. {Side-note; did you know he’s Canadian too? A Canuck just like me… OK, back to the devo}  What Petersen’s meaning when he compares the Christian life by saying:

     This resurrection life you received from God
    is not a timid, grave-tending life.

    Is that the Christian life isn’t for lifeless, dead, boring people. It’s a life resurrected. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly!  Yes, you’re going to have problems, but yes, you’re going to experience the good stuff.  Begin to live adventurously expectant of what God destined for you. A life lived for God is an exciting adventure!  You won’t be bored. You may be hanging on for dear life at times, but it will never be a lackluster existence. I’ve found, that with each step I take towards God’s purposes for my life, the more attention-grabbing my journey gets.  Seeing how God connects me with the right people at the right time, watching where He directs me to go and recognizing who He’s leading me to go with are all born out of exhilarating escapades!

    So, if you’re finding life a tad bit drab… ask God to show you what HIS plans for you are and take the first step on your exciting new adventure!

    Prayer

    Father… Help me not to live small.  Your plans for my life are big, exciting, adventurous plans.  Let my heart line-up with your will so I can experience all that you have purposed for me to do. I will live expectantly asking “What’s next, Papa?”. In Jesus Name…Amen

    Right before we went to Guatemala I did a Facebook Live to update and encourage people.  It’s what inspired this devotion.

    WATCH MY FACEBOOK LIVE ON ADVENTURE

    Some of you have followed our adventures through facebook live’s from my Sherry Stahl-Author, Speaker, Blogger page and the Possibilities International Page.  If you didn’t, the videos are still on our Facebook page Video sections.

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    1. Romans 8:15-17 The Message
    2. Exodus 12:11
    3. Psalm 84:5
    4. Matthew 4:19

    THANK YOU!

    We want to thank all the individuals who gave to help fund this missions trip and make it a reality. Below are links to a few of them.  We’d love for you to support them with donations or your business J

    Possibilities International
    Founder Sam Welten has been friends with Todd for decades and taking teams on humanitarian trips almost as long.  He’s a heavy-hitter for the Kingdom bringing his ‘lemony goodness’ around the globe. Affectionately telling people to ‘Get off the Sauce’ and do something with your life!
    https://iam1ru.com/ShoppingCartTrip.aspx Fall Medical/Build/Ladies Event

    Sew On Fire Ministries
    Wendy Hagar is one lady full of adventure! Following God’s call, she started this ministry in her home, now a 9000 square foot warehouse filled to the rafters!  Wendy vicariously travels around the globe as she sends out humanitarian aid with a loving touch. The women on her team sewed bags and gave us an abundance of stuff to put in them for the women of Guatemala, along with dressed for little girls, a wedding dress, and shoes)
    http://www.sewonfire.com/

    Tim & Stephany Mercer’s Century 21 Local Home Team in Leamington, Ontario
    These amazing friends of ours have the biggest of hearts! Adventurously stepping out into the business God purposed for them to start.  They offer their time, talents, and treasures to build God’s Kingdom. (Donated funding to build a home for a family in dire need and their 7 kids)
    https://www.localhometeam.ca/

    Goodness Project (Donated Clothes and Nailpolish)
    My cousin Bill & his wife {my BFF} Rachelle Fletcher are reaching out to those in need and providing emergency disaster relief across Canada and the US. They are two of the most giving people on the planet who have man an earthquake effect for God’s Kingdom opening wide God’s love into broken, needy places!
    https://www.teamgoodness.com/

    Keep It Real Ministries (Donated Encouraging Hats)
    Laura Bronson is a Youth Minister and Graffiti Artist who impacted our kids as teens and continues to influence youth for Christ as she has expanded Keep It Real ministry to include a team of Graffiti artists!
    http://ikeepitreal.ca/

    Soul H2O

    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY    Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAYCoffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz GiertzTHURSDAYHeart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community– Barbara Bradford OttingerFRIDAYDance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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  • Guatemala 2018 Update

    Hey Girls!  I hope this message finds you well.  I’m writing to update you on the Guatemala 2018 Woman’s Project Missions Trip.  I can’t tell you how excited I am about it!!!!

    If you want to know why I’m passionate about the women in Guatemala, I hope you take a little time and read this article Being A Girl in Guatemala.  They’ve gone through unspeakable horrors and continue to live difficult lives. It may just break your heart for them too!

    We have donators on board to help bless the women in abundance!  Each lady will leave events with a bag full of items that will refresh her in every way.  There will be:

    A Signed copy of Soul H2O in Spanish, Toiletry Products (possibly a bottle of perfume each—see below), Hair care Products, Feminine Care products, Candies, treats

    …and…anything else you might collect!

    sew on fireWendy Hagar of Sew on Fire Ministries said her organization can provide creatively designed bags, themed for our events.  So cool!  The women will love these reusable bags, hand-made with love by Canadian women.

    Scents of The Spirit LogoLaci Corso, Co-founder of Scents of The Spirit has committed to help bring in donations of perfume.  She’s adding to her amazing product line next month and when she does, she’s putting a pop-up for online purchases that will ask women if they want to donate money towards purchasing perfume for a mom in Guatemala!!!  How awesome is that? Donation amounts will decide if each Guatemalan lady receives a bottle, or if we have a set amount for Door Prizes at events.  If you haven’t sampled her perfume at one of my events, ‘whatcha been waitin’ fer’??? 🙂 It’s so delish!

    Soul H2O BookMy friend; Claudia Raymundo who provides translation services for the Canadian government, has finished translating Soul H2O into Spanish and we’re working on the publishing and printing of it!!!  This is a dream Claudia and I have had for about four years. She knows the hunger in the Latin community for spiritual refreshing resources and is passionate to get my books into the hands of Spanish speaking believers around the globe.

    GOODWORKS JEWELRYI’m working on jewelry from Goodworks ® Makes A Difference!  Final donation amounts will decide if each Guatemalan lady receives a bracelet, or if we have a set amount for Door Prizes at events.  I know a bunch of you have purchased some of the Goodworks ® jewelry at my tables and love it!  Wouldn’t you just freak out inside wrapping a bracelet around one of their wrists!!!!  I know I would 🙂

    We’re set to build a home for a single mom and her kids on the trip and meet other needs as they arise…and they always do in Guatemala.  We might visit the families who live in the dump, help at the school or build onto the school.  Sammy from Possibilities International keeps it exciting!

    The excitement is building…details are falling into place…all we need is…YOU!

    This is the time where we need you to sign up, so we can properly prepare for the trip.  Please reply to this email and let me know if you can make the trip and sign up on the Possibilities International Website.

    [imic_button colour=”btn-primary” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.iam1ru.com/fallbuildmedical.aspx” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]SIGN UP TO JOIN ME ON THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME![/imic_button]

    [imic_button colour=”btn-success” type=”enabled” link=”https://sherrystahl.com/dreams-taking-flight-in-guatemala/” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=””]INTERESTED–I Just Need More Info[/imic_button]

    If you’re still in the considering phase, let me know that too; it honestly helps to figure things out.

    Email me:  info-at-sherrystahl-dot-com

    In His Grip,

    Sherry
    xoxo

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  • God Loves a Cheerful Giver

    “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give,
 not out of regret or compulsion.
 For God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

    When I went to Guatemala in 2010 I fell in love with the people.  They’re some of the most giving people you can meet.  Our group worked with “the church under the bridge.” Leaving at the end of our week was so difficult.  We’d all become so close to the people in the community and especially the pastor, his wife and their adorable daughter.

    Guatemala 2010

    Just before we got on the bus the pastor made a presentation interpreted through Hector, our missionary.  The pastor’s wife had bought gifts for each of us girls on the trip in gratitude for our help and to let us know how she loved our time together.  The huge smile on her face revealed a very cheerful giver.

    It was difficult to accept gifts from someone who had so little, but we could tell she was thrilled to bless us.  A truly humbling moment for me.  You see, I love gift-giving but I’m not always the best at receiving. She presented us all with key chains made in Guatemala.

    Guatemala Gift

    I still have mine today because a present from a cheerful giver is a treasure, no matter what the dollar value. You see, there’s a BIG difference in receiving a gift from someone who wants to bless you rather than being the recipient of a present from someone you can tell, felt ‘obligated’ to gift you. Even if it’s something you want; it feels empty, almost awkward.

    I can understand why God had Paul write this verse.  God doesn’t want anything from us that is coerced. The NLT words it like this, “And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure.”

    When you truly understand how much God loves you and how much He’s given on your behalf, having the heart of a cheerful giver will come naturally and you’ll end up with the heart of this amazing Guatemalan woman!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for the gift of Your love.  It overwhelms me to imagine how difficult it must have been to follow through on Your plan to save the world when You knew it would cost You Your son.  Help me to have your heart so I give, not out of duty, but purely out of love.  May I have the heart of a cheerful giver and find joy in blessing others.   In Jesus Name…Amen

    [tweetthis]God loves a cheerful giver :)[/tweetthis]

    Dreams Taking Flight in GuatemalaI’d love if you would join me and some other amazing women on the mission’s trip to Guatemala, focussed on helping the women of Guatemala.

    Saturday, February 24 – Sunday, March 4, 2018

    [imic_button colour=”btn-success” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.iam1ru.com/thewomansproject.aspx” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]SIGN UP HERE TO GO TO GUATEMALA[/imic_button]

    [imic_button colour=”btn-warning” type=”enabled” link=”https://sherrystahl.com/dreams-taking-flight-in-guatemala/ ” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=””]MORE INFO ON THE GUATEMALA MISSIONS TRIP[/imic_button]

     

    Drawing From The Well-Blue 

    1. 2 Corinthians 9:7
    2. Deuteronomy 15:10
    3. Proverbs 11:25
    4. 1 Chronicles 29:9
    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    blogger prayerYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
    TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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  • DREAMS TAKING FLIGHT IN {GUATEMALA}

    For this dream to take flight, I need YOU!

    My feet first touched Guatemalan soil in March of 2010.  The dream of going on a mission’s trip had been burning in my heart since I was a teen…and let’s just say I wasn’t a teen at that time 🙂

    GUATEMALA 2010

    When I started dating Todd we talked about how we had both gone to Guatemala and realized both had a desire to return.  We fulfilled that dream earlier this year and while we were in Guatemala I was given the opportunity to speak at a women’s event.

    We had 28 beautiful women attend with only four days notice of the event!

    GUATEMALA 2017

    Things went so well that I’ve been asked to come back with a bunch of girlfriends and run a week of women’s events in different towns across Guatemala.  This opportunity is yet another dream God gave me to make an impact in the lives of women around the globe.   February 2018 will see more of my dreams taking flight in Guatemala and I’m hoping you might join me!

    [tweetthis]When God gives a dream, it will be fulfilled.[/tweetthis]

    POSSIBLITIES INTERNATIONAL

    Possibilities InternationalTodd and I travelled with Sam Welten this past year.  Sam is the founder of Possibilities International (PI); a humanitarian organization that exists to fulfill simple dreams of the hurting, helpless and hopeless by raising up a nation of everyday philanthropists.  He has been a friend of both Todd and I for years, actually decades.

    Sam WeltenSince 2005 he’s been taking people on cross-cultural humanitarian trips through PI.  He’s also the Senior Pastor of New Life Assembly in Petrolia, ON.  Sam is the most generous person you could meet (next to my mother-in-law) and has the biggest heart you can imagine!

    {PURPOSE} TO BLESS & REFRESH THE WOMEN OF GUATEMALA 

    Sam has a heart to help the women of Guatemala.  He has seen firsthand the hardships that many women face and has been compelled to do something about it.  That’s how this trip came about.

    Sam and I would love for you to come with us to Guatemala in February of 2018 for THE WOMAN’S PROJECT trip so we can make this dream a reality.  On the trip we will run about 5 Women’s Events, build a home for a single mom and her children, visit a school to love on some kids and fulfill other humanitarian needs.  Our desire is to bless and spiritually refresh the women we visit so they experience an overwhelming sense of God’s love and unity with their Christian sisters from Canada.

    [imic_button colour=”btn-info” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.iam1ru.com/thewomansproject.aspx” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]REGISTER FOR THE TRIP/GET MORE INFO[/imic_button]

    THE BIGGEST GIFT THEY’VE EVER RECEIVED!

    GIFT TO YOUThis year, we only had four days to prepare for the women’s event so we didn’t have things organized like I would have wanted it.  Each lady received a very small gift bag, yet they were so thankful.   In true PI fashion, I want to give these women the biggest gift they’ve ever received!

    I hope you can be with me when we go back and overwhelm these girls with some ‘lemony goodness’ (that’s a Sammy term).  There will be prizes of perfume and jewelry and the gift bag will include yet another dream!  Inside each ladies bag, amongst other items will be a copy of my Soul H2O Devotional in Spanish!  Oh I can barely take this it’s so good!!!!!!

    Claudia RaymundoYears ago God gave my friend Claudia Raymundo a dream to translate my books into Spanish to help her friends and family.  Claudia’s from El Salvador.  At the time, Claudia had just started courses to become a certified translator and now she is providing translation for our government.  She has completed the manuscript and it is being presented before Publishers in a couple weeks.  This really is a dream trip!

     

    So, why not get your boarding pass and let YOUR dreams take flight in Guatemala?

     [tweetthis]Getting my boarding pass on the #TheWomansProject dream flight to #Guatemala2018 Join me?[/tweetthis]


    [imic_button colour=”btn-info” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.iam1ru.com/thewomansproject.aspx” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]REGISTER FOR THE TRIP/GET MORE INFO[/imic_button]

    THE WOMAN’S PROJECT {TRIP DETAILS}

    DATES:
    Saturday, February 24 – Sunday, March 4th, 2018 

    ACCOMODATION:
    Staying in Chimaltenango, Guatemala at the Missionary House in comfortable accommodations.  So nice you’ll feel kinda bad J  but you don’t need to!

    MEALS:
    Safe well water & delicious meals. Most prepared for us at the mission’s house.

    HUMANITARIAN OUTREACHES:

    • 4-5 Women’s Events:  Worship, Door Prizes, Preaching, Ministry Time, Gift Bag for each lady
    • Building a Home in a Day for a Single Mom and her Children
    • School Visits in Chimaltenango, Guatemala
    • Other Humanitarian Aid Projects

    SIGHT SEEING TRIP
    This fun-filled adventure day will be on the last day of the trip to help you mentally prepare for ‘Re-entry’ to North America.

    FEES/EXPENSES
    $2399.00 / per person
    Prices based on flights from Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver.  All other locations will need to be priced and additional fees may apply.
    Charitable Donation Receipt for Humanitarian Trip through PI.
    ***Receipts within Canada and US as per donator details, not necessarily by participant.
    All food travelling to and from Guatemala and on Sight-Seeing Days at the expense of the participant
    *To See What is Included Please refer to the details as listed on the Possibilities International Site.

    So you know, if you decide to join Claudia and I, you won’t be left floundering on your own trying to raise funds.  We can’t raise them for you, but we will help in ways that make it so much easier to do.  Through Possibilities International you will receive the listed support. 

    FUND RAISING ASSISTANCE

    • All donations over $20.00 will be receipted for tax purposes through Possibilities International to the donor. A benefit to those wanting to support you.
    • Online profiles to direct your friends and family
      Click Here to See the page for our trip (Select The Woman’s Project)  https://www.iam1ru.com/ShoppingCarttrip.aspx 

    • Fundraising Cards for you to mail out
    • Fundraising Letter Template for our email or postal mailings 

    http://www.iam1ru.com

    LIKE THE POSSIBILITIES INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/iam1ru/


    [imic_button colour=”btn-info” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.iam1ru.com/thewomansproject.aspx” target=”_blank” extraclass=”” size=”btn-lg”]REGISTER FOR THE TRIP/GET MORE INFO[/imic_button]

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  • Turning Your Knowing Into Doing

    “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
    John 13:17 NIV

    Last week’s devotion talked about how Jesus was strengthened during the Passion Week by knowing His position with the Father and the power His Father held.  Jesus was fully aware that God the Father gave Him all power and authority, yet understood and faced the reality of His current situation.  Jesus discerned that soon it was time for Him to go back to Heaven by way of the cross.  During the Last Supper, Jesus turned His knowing into doing by washing His disciples’ feet.

    It’s when we start turning our knowing into doing that we begin to see the blessings of God in our lives!

     

    jesus washing disciples feetJesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father; not letting His actions follow what His life circumstances where revealing.  Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right.

    While knowing that He was going to be betrayed and die on a cross, Jesus chose to do kind things.  Jesus washed his disciples’ feet; even the feet of Judas who Jesus knew was going to betray Him.   It’s not that Jesus was emotionless and didn’t care.  John 13:21 tells us that “After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.”

    [tweetthis remove_url=”true”]Jesus didn’t wait till every situation was worked out in His life before He started to do what was right. [/tweetthis]

    Jesus chose to have his actions follow what he knew about Himself and about His Father.

    Guatemala-girls playing with my hairTo live in freedom you need to go beyond what you know about your circumstance…understand who God is…take hold of your position as His child, and begin to do something for others.

    What can you do today that would start turning your knowing into doing?  Act on whatever idea God gives you and complete the task.


    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for leading the way to freedom in practical acts of kindness.  Help me to see the ‘footwashing’ opportunities you place before me and let me start turning my knowing into doing by actions, not words.  Your Word says that faith without works is dead.1  May I learn to put into practice those things I say I believe so I can truly live!  In Jesus Name…Amen

    #Dare2Share
    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else! 

    1. James 2:17

    blogger prayer YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY     Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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