TEAM BELOVED DAUGHTERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA!!!!
It is month 8 for K Squad and we’re finishing out in Central America. We wrapped up our last week in Thailand with PVT (Parent Vision Trip) and had an amazing time with our parents. My mom had such an awesome experience and a cool taste of life on the field. She took everything in and embraced all the different feels and culture of the country. I’m so thankful we could spend those days together, I stood back and watched as she adapted so well and loved on the people around us. I know this is something that will be with her for a long time! I appreciate the opportunity for us to have this together, away from everything known and familiar, and wrapped in God’s arms on the other side of the world ministering for His kingdom!
This month our team is serving alongside our host in San Salvador, Iglesia Cristiana El Shadai Escoreal. We are staying in a church for the month and enjoying every bit of it. TBD brought out the hammocks and the weather has been nice enough for us to hang out in them every day during our rest and down time. It’s the best when the church members come by and experience the hammock for the first time! Community here is so special and intentional, like one big well-knit family…in Christ! There are church services just about every evening, they’re held here at the church so we’re almost always already here ready to go. We have been asked to share sermons throughout the month along with songs…our team is so great! We’ve been learning a song in Spanish and it sounds fabulous! On point! HAH
I have been exposed to a whole new view of freedom in Christ and love in community. I understand a big part of this is the culture here, but this is something America (especially churches) lack so much in. Only meeting one day a week for what I know as small groups, which is usually only 2 hours long, isn’t intentional enough. Spending the rest of the week communicating mostly through email is not true relationship. We have the excuses of always being too busy with work, school, family, etc. The people here in El Salvador also work, go to school, have families, etc. but they’re so intentional and real about getting together and worshiping our Lord. They love on each other and care to know what is new in their life or what God has been showing them. We have felt loved and accepted since day one, already a part of their family.
I listen to sermons from home as often as possible, some from the church I’ve been attending. Pastor JD Greear from Summit Church spoke in his sermon from a few weeks ago about the church. People from different cultures and nationalities attend the services and sometimes it can be very uncomfortable for them because it isn’t what they’re familiar with, but they press through the discomfort knowing the Lord has them there for a reason. I like was Pastor JD said, “The gospel shows us we’re not ultimately defined by our cultures. We are first defined by who we are in Christ.” As I am living this year overseas, every month in a different culture where I have the ability to become immersed and understand, I see above all of that the most important thing is relationship with God and unity among his church.
When I signed up for this route, I didn’t think at all about being excited for Central
America. Since being here, it has been an amazing experience and time of getting to know people and more about myself. I absolutely love our ministry hosts from this month and for the first time I thought about not wanting to leave. I know the Lord has so much in store for these last three months and that He wants me to finish the race strong! This month, especially towards the end, the Lord has been showing me how much of a warrior I am in Him. I’d like to finish out with this verse from Proverbs 24:5, “A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength.”
HERE’S to another chapter on the race and imprint to my future! God is doing big things and He never stops. So thankful He never grows weary or tired for his kiddos, His strength is above it all!
Dios de bendiga! (God bless you!)
#hartforthenations
