Great news everyone this girls is fully funded, and some change. I know that it is because of God and people like you all that I am here; I do not take any credit. Because of your help I have been able to do so many things the last 7 months within myself and for others. I would love to tell you all some high lights that have been accomplished while being here:
Month 1 India: This month was so different than any other month that we have had. What a way to start off the race. Many people on my squad got sick from the food. Fortunately I was ok until the very last day there. Our ministry was to go village to village and pray for people. This was spiritually challenging for me, because we encountered people that asked for healings and people that needed demons casted out of them. Both things that I never seen before and was not sure I was ready.
Month 2 Nepal: This country was the most beautiful place that I have seen yet. It was a vibrant green color and had mountains that took my breath away. We would go house to house where ever we were staying and talk to Hindu people about the gospel. We would move around every week or so and lived in orphanages, a church that took 2 hours hike to get to, and homes of wonderful pastors. I met so many good friends there that I still keep in touch with.
Month 3 Thailand: Thailand started off as a disappointment, because I thought that we would be working with women in sex trafficking, but surprisingly this month I grew spiritually the most in. We did not have much ministry to do at all, so I had a lot free time. I started to get this thirst for God’s word. It is like I could not put my bible down. I was so hungry for Him. The girls on my team also started talking about relationships and it forced me to rethink my views on dating (thank the Lord). And at the end of the month I got my first team change (what a bitter sweet moment).
Month 4 Malaysia: After having a spiritually high month in Thailand, Malaysia was definitely the month that I felt spiritually the lowest. God felt so far from me and I lost the hunger that I had for him. This month we also did not have much ministry to do. We worked with a kindergarten for 3 year olds a couple days a week and did a couple of what they call “character classes”. However, most of my time was spent finding internet sadly.
Month 5 Cambodia: This month has been one of my favorite, so far. Living conditions were full of bugs, rats, and fans. We got to teach English every day and did a bible study with the kids every night. I fell in love with those kids! Spiritually, I felt far away from the Lord and was striving to get back to the hunger. Team issues were starting to surface for me. The problem was that I was feeling different and alone ALL the time.
Month 6 Vietnam: Oh Vietnam! This country is so similar to America, well at least where we were staying. We got to help people refine their English skills all month and night. Because of that I got to hang out with this girl Mia a lot. I love her! I still felt far from the team and the issues that I was having were not getting any better. But, we got to be with 2 other teams and have a beautiful Christmas with them. And on the plus side my own walk with the Lord was starting to get better.
Month 7 Uganda: Our first month in Africa was powerful and tiring, if I am being honest. We got to work with the kids in Northern Uganda that were affected by the war that happened here. We heard stories about the LRA and saw the effect that AIDs has on the community. I fell in love with the cutest baby in the whole world! The issues with the team I was having got a lot better after we had debrief at the start of the month. To make a long story short, I figured out that I was having such a hard time because I have rejection issues. And now I am working through them with the Lord. I would have never started healing if it was not for the 3 months previously of being upset. So, while it was hard it was also really good for me to be in that place because it brought me here.
Month 8 Kenya: About to go into our freakin 8th month which is crazy to type or say out loud. Don’t really know what we are doing but we leave tomorrow for it all, excited to go there, but missing home more than ever.
Thank you ALL who have helped me! I love you!
