📍 Harlem Heights, FL

Last week the girls had the opportunity to make the 12 hour drive down to Harlem Heights, a tight knit community just outside Fort Meyers, FL to do some domestic ministry before leaving for our first country!

Harlem Heights experienced immense damage from Hurricane Ian just over a year ago. This community is unlike any neighboring community though, everyone is helping others restore their homes and exchanging their talents to get the community back to where it used to be. During the week, teams split off into different homes to work with volunteer contractors serving in the area, some just for a few weeks, and some wrapping up a full year of serving.

Team Harvest (keep an eye on Facebook for a team introduction ) was split between two houses. As one of my teammates, Hannah, described it while it was weird being split from the other half it was simply incredible to see the fruits overflowing from our team be seen in not one, but two homes! When our team leader, Ally, found out that our team was going to be split for the week her first reaction was to pray into how to divide the team. ❤️

The Lord placed Ally, Claire, Emma, and I together and we had the opportunity to work with the man named Johnny. Johnny has lived in Harlem Heights his whole life, could tell you everyone who lives on the block (and the next one over), and has such a big heart as to be helping his ex-wife restore her home from the damage. Since the home had been structurally restored we were able to begin the cosmetic touches. We painted the walls in the bathroom, hallway, bedrooms, living room, and the trim, put in cabinets, and began to put in the doors. Seeing the transformation from when we first walked into the home on Monday, it still looking like a construction site, to leaving it on Friday  almost completely finished to the point where his ex-wife can move in was so special. Johnny was so appreciative of the work were were able to help him with (despite the days where it didn’t feel like we did much), he told us how he had surgery on both shoulders and the repetitive motion of painting isn’t something that his mobility still allows.

While Florida was an amazing experience, I won’t hide the fact that the week was mentally challenging. Not only was the transition from four weeks of spirit driven teachings and worship to now a week of physical labor with minimal down time to process was challenging there were also days when not only my own mind got a hold of me, but our team as a whole. There were a few days when we would accomplish so much, for example day one, we painted 4 rooms and installed the upper cabinets. But the next day we would maybe install one door, or paint some trim and the rest of the day would be just chilling waiting for the lunch truck to swing by or chatting with Johnny. I think it was challenging for our team to understand that in both circumstances we were ministering to Johnny and the local area. Ministry isn’t a one size fits all deal. Some days may be more physically productive than others, but looking back at the week, day one when we were accomplishing more we weren’t able to get to know Johnny much at all. Compared to day 4 when we started waiting for lunch at 10:30 (the van doesn’t come until 11:30) and didn’t get back to work until 1:30, while it felt unproductive we got to know Johnny’s story and more about his faith. We were able to learn more about why he does things the way he does, and even evangelize a little!

While working on the house Johnny said that the woman next door, Mrs. Martha is always willing to let the people working use her bathroom. The first day it was the simple exchange of small talk while we worked though our line, however by the next day we truly got to know Mrs. Martha! We found out that she is a firm believer, has a beautiful story of praise despite immense pain. While in Florida, God answered a prayer. For the longest time I’ve wanted to see a old woman’s Bible just filled with highlights and little notes, stuffed with letters, devos, and pictures. That was Mrs. Martha’s Bible! I just thought I’d throw in that little moment since the day she showed us the Lord so clearly said, “Here you go!”

Florida was filled with highs, some lows, and so many buffalos (silly moments)! Team Harvest is so excited for this next week as we officially leave the country and that means we get to do ministry as a team!! However, there has been a slight change of plans… for the past couple weeks Guatemala has been struggling with some political tension after a recent election, causing protests of blocking the streets resulting in a resource shortage. Stores don’t have food, gas stations don’t have gas, and people can’t get where they need to be. I encourage you to do your own research into this and please be praying for Guatemala and the people who live there and are serving there for safety and dependency on the Lord during this time! This means 1 of 3 things:

1. We enter Guatemala as planned just a little later than the original date
2. We start by ministering in a boarding country then cross into Guatemala once things resolve
3. We need to steer clear of Guatemala and solely do ministry in a neighboring country

I ask that you please be praying for Guatemala. Also, keep an eye on Facebook for updates about where the Lord ends up taking us!