Month 11: We arrived in Belmopan, Belize a chaotic, sweaty mess. To top it off, our hosts happened to be out of the country for the first week. Without a specific ministry set up, Mallorie (the other team leader) and I began contacting potential partners in the area, asking if they needed any assistance. I received an email from a missionary family nearby, detailing different ongoing projects.
The email ended with “Any chance you happen to have a speech pathologist with you? I’m waiting on the Lord to send me one!”
My jaw dropped. For those of you who may not know, I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders, which means speech and hearing. I’ll be returning to graduate school in the fall to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. This is something that God placed on my heart about eight years ago.
It was a little strange beginning the Race already knowing what I would do when I returned. The majority of my squadmates had little idea, or any already-made plans were soon left behind to make room for greater things God revealed for them. The Race has made me question my identity, what I stand for, and how I want to pursue God with my life. I’ve sat with Him, fearfully praying about my future. Was I stubbornly holding tight-fisted to my plans? What if God asked me to forsake grad school and do something totally different? Could I obey? Would I obey?
Back to the email– it turns out, our ministry contact was a foster family with four foster kids (plus four biological). One of their foster sons is five years old and difficult to understand when he speaks. There were no therapists in the area and the schools didn’t offer any support. They graciously allowed me to work with him twice a week and offer suggestions! And though I’m not a professional and his speech didn’t radically change in the three weeks I was there, God was doing something big in my heart. He was saying, “Yes, of course I can use your skills for my kingdom. Your view of me is much too small. This IS what I have for you next, and more than that, I’m so excited for you.”
I’m just blown away by his perfect timing. He gave me answers when I needed them and not before. He gave me an opportunity to jump back into something I love, in a country that speaks English, just three months before I start clinical work in graduate school. He provided a way for us to meet, even using unplanned circumstances. It would have been so easy to “check out” on the last month, and just bide my time until going home. But the Lord had things to teach me up until the very last day. He is so, so good.
P.S. I’m home! My first few weeks have been busy my cousin Kat’s wedding, as well as visiting with some friends in Denver and Madison. My heart is still incredibly sad to leave my WR family, but also very full from reuniting with these wonderful people!
