Spiritual Leaders

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I had my feet up on the couch while eating a sandwich in front of the TV, when the phone rang. After the call, I made a cup of chicken broth, covered it, took it to the car, and prayed all the way to the orphanage. We had an emergency. I entered the bedroom and saw a pale-faced girl with listless, glazed eyes. She had the appearance of one who had died. I kept hearing the word death in my mind, and I knew we needed to get into spiritual warfare.

Within the orphanage, we had a small group of dedicated intercessors, comprised of eight girls and some adults. I asked Gerber and Yonith to call them to the casita. When they joined us, I told them that we as spiritual leaders needed to pray and follow the Lord’s leading. “Elena has some female problems, but there is something deeper going on here. I don’t know what it is, but God can reveal what we need to know.”

Having refused to eat or drink anything, Elena surprised me by emptying the cup of broth. The team prayed aloud over her, and Elena responded with a tight smile. Still hearing the word death in my mind, I asked if anyone had anything from the Lord. Josselin came forward and told Elena that she might not feel important, but she was to all of us. We all nodded, mumbling “amen” as Josselin continued with words of encouragement. Tears dripped down Elena’s cheeks. Josselin moved back to the group and said, “I feel something very strong here.”

“Is it a good strong or a bad strong,” I asked.

“It’s a bad strong,” she replied.

“It’s the spirit of death,” I replied, as I rubbed my hand on Elena’s icy forearm. Her skin felt hot moments before, but it suddenly turned cold like an icicle.

“Josselin, would you lead Elena in prayer and come against this using the authority Jesus gave us? Elena needs to speak against this spirit, commanding it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Immediate action took place, and I could feel the warmth return into Elena’s limbs.

One of the team said that Elena needed to make a confession, and when she did, she would be healed. The lady didn’t know anything specific, but Elena admitted that she did need to confess something. Wanting to protect her privacy, I suggested she choose someone she trusted, and they talk through this. Surprisingly, she chose me.

“Mama Carroll, I feel like I’m not important to God anymore, so I haven’t been giving Him any attention. I have shut Him out of my life.”

With a swift reply, I explained that the Lord had put her on my heart three weeks ago. “If God didn’t care, why would He put you in my mind so strongly? Elena, where would you be if you weren’t living with us?”

“In the streets.”

“With all the girls who live in the streets, why did God pick you to live with us? His plan for you is a great plan, and you are in training for His purposes.”

We prayed after she confessed her sin and then rejoiced together. “Okay, mi amor, you need to eat and rest so you can go to school tomorrow.”

After saying good-night, this bundle of life bounced up the stairs without any assistance.

With great joy, I thanked the team of prayer warriors for the victory we saw in Elena. We encourage the girls in the orphanage to walk in spiritual leadership, and I saw it happen that night.

Gut-Splitting Laughter

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One day I pondered if laughing hard could be harmful. So many other situations done to extremes are declared hazardous, and my thoughts questioned the possibility of damage done by gut-splitting laughter.

The event that brought this to my attention happened one morning. Focused on the computer in our office, my ears picked up screeching and shouting. Joanne and I looked at each other and simultaneously jumped up. We headed for the kitchen, where the cook and helper prepared all the meals for the children in the orphanage. A great battle unfolded before our eyes.

Elena and Gloria, armed with brooms, charged at a well-fed mouse, who dashed toward some boxed groceries. Heather, an intern, stood guard with a can of Bygon insect spray. The two brooms slapped close to the pursued mouse, until he turned toward the handlers and dove under the stove. Not defensively trained, the ladies screamed and leaped back. I grabbed Elena’s broom and poked it under the stove while Joanne blocked the side. The trapped victim flashed his beady eyes as he climbed the propane hose while being showered with insect spray. In the moments of panic, the jumping critter ran over Heather’s feet. She screamed bloody murder with her feet leaping in the air, and off went the mouse behind the washing machine.

By this time, I gave up the broom and grabbed the counter to keep from falling. In tears and laughter, I hung on as the scenario continued.

Elena attacked one side of the machine while Joanne stabbed in the corner from the other side. Surely this would get that bugger. Where else could he go? The mouse jumped toward Joanne, and she set off a series of screams and leaps that would have put the Ferrari prancing stallions to shame. I lost my grip on the counter and squatted on the floor, roaring hilariously. Meanwhile, the chase continued, but every swat from the wooden weapons missed the creature.

The patio close by had a large opening at the top. A TV antenna hung down to floor level, and this provided a way of escape for Mega Mouse. Gloria took one last swing, spinning herself around but missing the target. The intruder made it to the roof. From my perspective, I saw that critter turn his tail to us, swishing it back and forth saying, “Nanananaana,” before he took off for freedom. We’d been out-maneuvered. The scoreboard read: Ladies 0, Mega Mouse 1.

Everyone collapsed, breathing heavily, and reviewed everything with laughter that shook the metal roof. My insides ached from using every muscle in my abdomen. Did I damage anything? I’d never laughed so hard in my life, and because I ached, I questioned if I overdid it.

Doing an investigation on the internet, I learned that laughter might cause pain in gut-splitting situations, but it is actually an antidote for pain. One writer called it the best medicine. According to Wikipedia, “laughter is a physical reaction in humans, consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system.” On another site, I saw that laughter boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, and protects the heart. We left that day with healthy bodies after the fight with Mega Mouse.

Dear Readers, how many of you have had a gut-splitting laughter story? I invite you to share it with us. We could all use some good medicine.

Independence Day

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With it still dark outside, I disengaged my fingers from the ceiling, realizing that my neighbors were just celebrating Independence Day a few days early. Every community celebrates with fireworks, much like we do in the US for the July 4 celebration. Starting around 5:00 a.m., one can hear the booms and pops until 9:00 p.m. A traditional favorite firework consists of a metal tube where a fire bomb is dropped, ignited, and shot upward, creating a huge boom. The dynamite-like blast has sent me straight up from my bed many times, which creates the fingers-in-the-ceiling situation.

To witness the pride these people have for their culture blesses me deeply. Independence Day is officially September 15, and these patriotic people give honor to this significant occasion, the day on which Guatemala won its independence from Spain in 1821. The celebration is not contained in one day but fills a week with activities. Public buildings are draped in blue-and-white bunting, while many of the homes exhibit the national flag. Vehicles, including the tuctucs (taxis), display the flag and other paraphernalia, making a busy street flutter with blue and white.

img_0411Area schools compete against one another for prizes in one of the many parades. The kids from Liberty School get geared up weeks ahead of time and practice their march to the sound of the drums. In years past I have enjoyed watching them from the office window as they made the rounds on the property. When their day comes, they line up on one end of Monjas and march to Central Park, with lines of people watching and cheering. Each town or city has their unique theme and procedure for the march. In Guatemala City, military bands are included with the students.

In the schools and communities, the children and adults wear the traditional clothing of the 1800’s for their time of remembrance. The cultural dances and music of that era encourage many to remember an important time in history. Guatemalans keep it alive in the hearts of the young and old.

Many communities have the annual Antorcha de la Independence (torch run) on September 14. I learned that when Guatemala received its independence, the messengers carrying those words of freedom had to travel at night. They used torches as they made haste across Guatemala.

Our girls felt honored to celebrate with a torch run when we lived in San Cristobal. Because we lived in a guarded area, the run stayed within the boundary for the protection of the children. independencemarch10

Communities work out a plan, and after the torch is lit, the ecstatic bearer and his companions run to the next community, passing the torch between each other. At the designated spot for the next group, it is passed off with much cheering and shouting. That group takes off to their destination for the next torch passing.
I enjoy being in a colorful culture where the past is honored in many ways. The children receive encouragement and opportunity to learn about their heritage. I don’t mind making holes in my ceiling when I see the national pride these people have.

Hairy Spiders

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img_4783One does not have to be in a third-world country to live among the various spider populations. In Guatemala, one often meets up with tarantulas with a leap and a shout. These hairy spiders live everywhere, or at least it seems like it.

I do believe the Theraphosidae family of spiders have received a bad reputation because of the movies depicting them as killers. Truthfully, these timid creatures have venom weaker than a bee’s. I for one am not going to put that to the test, but they are not aggressive beasts.

Several years ago I went to the Animal Kingdom Park at Disney World, and at the entrance stood some young adults holding plastic containers. One could see different kinds of tarantulas, and some of the workers held them in their hands. My insides squirmed as I watched children gently pet the creatures. I realized that if there had been any danger, this would not have been allowed.

Every missionary at Shadow can tell a tarantula story. One fellow, bleary-eyed from an early morning wake-up, looked down at his foot to see an unwanted visitor. Braver than some of us, he grabbed his iPhone to get pictures and put them on Facebook. The Shadow guard disturbed one when he worked up soil around some plants. Before its death, he brought it over to the office for everyone to see. Another missionary found one in front of her house intending to visit inside. She made a quick decision that it would not have entrance. Cyndi Cope has a gift-giving cat, who left her a tarantula where Cyndi would see it. She almost stepped on the hairy creature.

One morning, I took a step into the shower. Seeing a dark spot, I jerked back and took a closer look. Yep, a small tarantula planned to shower with me. My plan for him included his early death.

My curiosity about these creatures took me to the internet, and I discovered some interesting facts.

1. Tarantulas are harmless, docile, and rarely bite people. They are intimidated by the size of people and   will seek a way of escape.

2. They can be as large as a dinner plate or as small as a dime. Any size of this spider can be scary when all their hair makes them seem more significant.

3.  The life span of the female is double that of the males, who can live up to ten years.

4. This arachnid has become a popular pet. Some countries have added them to the menu. (I think I will pass.)

5. They burrow in the ground to make their homes. At night they hunt in trees or on the ground for their food.

6. The parasitic Pepsis wasps are their dreaded enemy.

Hairy spiders are a part of life in Guatemala. Even knowing how harmless they are, I would rather they not live too close to me. My protective instinct would be to kill the small ones and holler for help for anything bigger than a half dollar.