month six is over? what the heck. this time last year was about the time i was applying for this crazy thing and here it is half way over. june was full of a lot of laughs, an INCREDIBLE birthday weekend (i felt so loved!), a lot of mall trips, and a lot of time with Jesus.
we lived on a YWAM (it’s an organization that’s all over the world – youth with a mission) base and helped them out around their base with their staff jobs. we got connected with a local pastor who hooked us up with helping out a guy who was starting an orphanage and also to visit a prison. we were also able to be on his radio show in panama.
some days were longer than others. all days were HOT. most days included manual labor (surprise, surprise!) and some days we were able to rest more. we were at the base at a busy time for the staff and they continually reminded us that though the work may have seemed menial – they really appreciated the timing of when we were able to step in and help them out. sometimes, it’s challenging to do work that we’ll never see the fruit of…but i guess i didn’t sign up for this to see the end result – i signed up to be a piece of whatever God is doing, wherever i am, glamorous or not. (and let me assure you – it usually is not :))
however, our schedule allowed me to spend so much time in the Word. i feel like i heard from Him so clearly and it was so refreshing to know I didn’t have to squeeze in time with Him in the 10 minutes before I fell asleep at night but rather chunks of time in the mornings and afternoons. i recognize that feeling so spiritually refreshed six months in is a huge blessing and i am so thankful for it.
next month, we’re headed out into northern costa rica, close to the border of nicaragua. we’re living in our tents (YAY!) on a farm of a couple who has a ministry for at risk youth. we were told to bring work gloves…and that’s all i know. from what i understand, internet won’t be super accessible – so when i get it i’ll throw out a few more details of what exactly it is we’re doing.
needless to say, i am so excited. i am excited to use this dang tent i’ve been lugging around south america. i’m excited to not have internet. i’m excited to work with people sometimes and not just a shovel or a rake. and i’m excited to see where the Lord wants to use our team during the time we’re there.
i often still cannot believe that i’m getting to live this life. that i have met so many awesome people and made so many really great friends. God has been so unbelievably gracious and loving in working out every single detail of this process for me. it has assured me that He really does care about me. that He wants me to be happy and He knows what I need and when I need it. He puts people in the right places when He wants me to encourage them and people in the right place to encourage me. He really knows what He’s doing.
thank you guys for being a detail that He orchestrated together to piece together this crazy year. we’re half way there! (…and really actually living on a prayer!)
