Part 3: Thoughts, travels, and treasures “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it`s the only thing that ever has.”- Margaret Mead This past weekend my squad and I had a few days of training [called “launch”] before we headed out to our ministry sites on Wednesday. My squad is now in 3 different countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras working alongside local ministries and local missionaries. On Tuesday, our squad spent the day together before our teams went to our ministry sites. What do world-racers for our last launch day in Guatemala? . . . Climb active volcanos. As I was hiking the 4 km to the volcano’s peak, the Lord spoke to me about the significance of our squad’s hike. It was a beautiful picture of God’s family. During the hike, several squadmates were in front and several were behind me. Each time I placed my foot where someone else had; my climb was less-strenuous. My feet were firmly planted. When I placed my feet in the loose terrain, it took effort to press onward. Like the climb, many racers have traveled before me. The Lord has blessed me with friendships with several World Racer alumni. They have gone before me and have shared their experiences and insight with me. It is my responsibility to be intentional, step into their path of wisdom, and continue upward. A few of my squadmates rented mules for the climb. I saw the beauty of community when a squadmate would offer his/ her mule for another squadmate to rest. Once we reached the summit, my squad and I were enthralled with God’s creation. He is taking us on this journey to fall more in love with Him so that we can share His love with the hurting. I do not think it was by chance that we climbed the volcano as our first s-squad adventure. We have felt the warmth of our Father’s embrace, like the heat rising from the volcano’s surface. Our squad now has the responsibility to share our Father’s love with the world throughout this year. For the next two months, our squad is divided up into our small teams in 3 different countries for October. We will be moving South next month, and we will be reunited as a squad in November in Nicaragua. Although I miss my squadmates, I find it beautiful that my squad is in 3 different countries this month. Our impact and experiences are being expanded already in the first month. This month we are living among locals in their homes to provide some income for their families. It is a humbling experience to live like others do every day. I am learning to treasure the small moments in life. I am blessed. I have more than enough. I have clothes to wear, food to eat, shelter over my head, a bed, clean water, and community. Life is good. Last night, in our group feedback session, my team members and I shared a specific area that we would like to work on this year. I want to increase in my character. I want to be a bold, compassionate, intentional daughter of the most High. A friend shared with me earlier this year that the Lord is more concerned about my character than my comfort. Sidenote: Today is our day of rest. We headed into Antigua for internet, laundry, and groceries. We do not have internet near our home this month. Internet is slow here in town so blog updates, emails, communication will be at a minimal. I will be handwriting blogs and will post more blogs when we have more reliable internet. May God’s peace and love be with you!
[along the hike]
[my squadmate Brooks at the top of Volcan Pacaya]
[Me and my teammate Krystle]
My team, team pneuma, had a short travel day on Wednesday- only 15 minutes by van. The Lord loves to connect his daughters and sons for his kingdom. Marco, our amazing missionary contact has a widerange network of local ministries. His vision is to transform 300 cities and 60 countries for Christ. Transformation begins with individuals. Individuals transform communities. Communities transform cities. Cities transform countries. Countries transform the world. Marco wants to pour into us throughout this month in order to indirectly impact 10 more countries. He asked each of us to write a list of our talents and interests, and he will try to connect us to different ministries- from midwifery, quilt-making, gardening, construction, and teaching English. He and his wife are teaching us how to cook local dishes on our low budget- which will be a useful skill this year. I have a feeling that we will have lots of stories this month. [Don’t worry. I’ll journal them and post a few when we have more reliable internet.]
