A little over 6 years ago I was on my first international mission trip. On that trip, I fell in love with the country of Guatemala. It was also on that trip that God placed this desire in my heart to go out in the world and work with people of different cultures.
Like us humans will do, I got back from that trip and went back to college life as normal- which for me included a fair amount (and that might be a liberal measurement) of partying. I had just had this “mountain top” experience in Guatemala, but when I went back to Hope College in Michigan, my life just resumed the same as it was before. And it could have stayed that way. I could have looked back on a really great trip to Guatemala as an awesome experience that I enjoyed a lot at the time. And then went on with my life. And I tried this.
But the Lord had different plans. He didn’t want me to continue down the “normal” road I was going down. My “normal” road turned out to get me into some trouble. My “normal” plans were ruined. At the time I was devastated, and I couldn’t see past those ruined plans. However, in the Lord’s perfect timing, He reminded me of that desire He had given me in Guatemala, for working going out in the world and working with people of different cultures. Soon, even while my “normal” plans were ruined, I had a job offer to teach in Morocco. An initial two-year contract turned into a life-changing four years.
Now, 6 years after that first trip to Guatemala, I am sitting on the roof of my team’s house, looking out at those same gorgeous green hills. After spending 8 months in 8 different third world countries where my heart was broken for all the kids I encountered and their lack of education, the Lord has brought me back to this country that first tugged on my heart. And He hasn’t just brought me back to the country, but He has brought me specifically to Morning Glory Christian Academy, a school that meets so many of the educational needs the kids in this country have while displaying the love of Christ in all they do. In this school, I am seeing a real model of what the Lord has given me a vision of in prior months- education for kids who otherwise would not receive it.
In August I head to Denver, and I am beyond excited for what the Lord has for me there. And I am so thankful for the joy and dreams He has given me this month here in Guatemala, whatever that may end up looking like in the future. Mostly, however, I am thankful to be able to look back this month on where He has brought me from these past 6 years and see the amazing things that only He could accomplish in my life.
