Belize
Outside of our time spent “siestaing” in Belize’ afternoon heat, my team and I kept busy working alongside a variety of dedicated local leaders.
We were given the opportunity to edit biblical study materials, support a local pregnancy center, and assist with multiple youth activities.
However, the majority of our time was spent helping with construction projects in the Camalote area. It was extremely rewarding to see the physical byproducts of our efforts, and super exciting to dream of all the things God had planned for the physical spaces we worked in.
I left Belize excited by all that I don’t yet know about God, by all the enchanting facets of who He is that I have not yet discovered.
Thank you Belize for making me want to know Him more, praying our team was able to do the same for you!
Hello America!
It was fairly surreal that Belize was our last country on the race… And honestly, it still hasn’t quite hit me that I won’t be moving to another country in the coming days. After a short, final debrief on the island of Caye Caulker, Belize… we were landing in Miami!
Not only were some of my squamates able to stick around Miami and enjoy the beautiful city that I love and call home, they were also able to literally walk with me through my “firsts” of reentry. First time driving again. First time seeing friends and family again. First time talking to a group of Americans about my experiences abroad.
He knows what we need before we ever ask and definitely blessed me beyond anything “asked or imagined” during my first few days back.
So What’s Next?
Teaching
I have always known how passionate I am about the family unit and education. However, I wasn’t sure how God was going to use those passions in this next season. As the race came to a close, He made it very clear that I would be returning to teaching.
I felt like He said “I plan to show up and be at work in the classroom. If you want to come see, you should follow me.” Who would say no to that?!?
I have accepted a 3rd Grade Teacher position at a small, Christian school in southern Miami and can’t wait to work alongside the team of amazing people who are already ministering in that place!
Community Building in Miami
For those of you who know me, you know I am passionate about community! I am currently in the process of house hunting with one of my brothers and two of my cousins.
We are super excited to open up our (not yet found) home so that God can use it as He sees fit. If you are in the Miami area, know that a house warming party is probably in the near future 🙂
Daniel
Finishing the race also meant finishing my commitment to singleness. My prayer throughout the race, whenever I talked to God about my relationship life, had been “Lord, don’t let me get distracted or chase after anything that You are not trying to give me.” As my friendship with Daniel grew (post race), it became very evident that God was trying to gift us with more than just friendship.
Song of Solomon 8:4 encourages us to “not arouse or awaken love until it so desires”. I will always cherish the season I got to spend saying “yes” to God and “no” to romantic relationships. However, doing life and seeking God alongside Daniel has already become one of the biggest blessings in my life. What a joy it is to say “yes” to our new season!
Daniel works for Adventures in Missions in Gainesville, GA. Long distance may not be what we would choose, but we are excited to discover all the reasons that God has chosen it for us 🙂
Prayer
Please join me in praising God for..
- All that He did during my 11 months abroad.
- His faithfulness and provision surrounding my reentry to America.
Please lift up in prayer…
- Remaining logistics of reentry (house, car, getting ready for the school year).
- The students, teachers, and families that I will get to share life with soon.
- Our future home – that it would be a place of community and belonging for the people of Miami.
- That Daniel and I would point people to the Lord in the ways that we seek to love each other well.
Thank You
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for joining with me on this journey and for being so faithful to support me! I hope that my journey has been an encouragement to you and has made you more excited by/hungry for the Lord!!
Love you all, God Bless!
