Before we get into the purpose of this blog I’ll give you a little update on what’s been going on inside the world of gap i. We have now been in Guatemala for just over a month. We have been split into our teams for ministry which has been amazing to spend time with my olives (we are team olive branch). Our ministry hosts are some of the most loving, caring, God fearing people. And our weekend outings to Antigua are so much fun. One of our squad mates has gone home to follow Gods call on her life, which has been hard but we are abundantly proud of her obedient heart. And we are loving the beautiful country of Guatemala so so much. 

Okay so scaling a mountain… climbing up the side of a uncleared mountain with no paths through the brush and dirt and bushes is not exactly easy. And this was exactly the challenge that my ministry host, Chaco,decided to send me and Kaili on. We had already done a light 40 minute hike/walk to the clearing on the side of their mountain they named prayer mountain, then walked through a small hiking path back into the mountain more to see all the building plans he and his wife had for the mountain. On our way back he asked who was up for a challenge and Kaili and I rose our hands. So he sent us on a path that quickly ended, with the instructions to find the fir trees and hike up. 

We started our little hike which ended up being a lot harder than we expected. Once we found the fir trees, after a few attempts at tromping through an unpaved field, we made our way up the side of the mountain which also was unpaved so we created our own path through the bushes. 

As we hiked God reminded me of all my struggles with depression and anxiety over the years. He reminded me how he helped me work through them which was an uphill climb. Each step I took through the loose soil would send me down the mountain but never farther than from where I had first come. It reminded me of all the struggles that I felt sent me back but God kept me from going farther back than where I started and helped me to keep moving forward to scale the mountain to the freedom from depression and anxiety that had its hold on me for far to many years. 

I scaled an actual mountain but through that God reminded me of the figurative mountain I am scaling day by day to never go back to the depression or the anxiety that I had before. I know there are probably many of you who have struggled or are struggling with depression and or anxiety and I just want you to know you’re not alone and that I know and understand a bit of what you’re going through and if you ever need prayer or to talk I am here (as much as I can be with limited access to data or WiFi until I get home). Also I know every story is different but the one thing that stays the same is God wanting the absolute best for us and he has shown me time and time again how my struggle was not from him but he used it and is using it to bring him glory. And he has the same heart for each and every one of you. 

I love you all and hope you are all doing well and seeking the heart of God in everything you do. Until next time :) 

-Cass