On Wednesday we officially left our ministry to head to debrief. It was a weird combination of many feelings, sadness to leave my new friends in Chile, excitement to see the squad, and astonishment that two months has already flown by.
Wednesday was sad. Packing up and saying goodbyes are never fun- especially since we were in Chile for two months. That’s a long time, y’all. It was so great having good, last final moments with people but the goodbyes hugs hurt. It’s hard making such good connections because I want to see these people again but who knows what will end up happening- will I ever?
So we packed up the car and jumped in to head to the bus station. One thing I was confused about was why one off my close Chilean friends was getting in the car with us. Turns out he was coming to give directions and to help unload the car. So I? was super thankful for the last hour in the car we had to talk and laugh. What I? didn’t super realize was I had already said bye to him twice and this would mean I? would have to say bye- yet again.
So after a really fun car ride we unloaded and he walked us to the bus station. Then another hard goodbye. Then we start to head into the bus station that we weren’t too familiar with and BAM emotions. I couldn’t help but sob. A flood of feelings of sadness of saying goodbye, but also joy for new friends, and fear of leaving some where that I’ve made home for myself, just overcame me. I went almost numb. It was a weird feeling of wow how I would love to sit and process this. But we didn’t have time.
We kept on through the busy bus station and finally ran into some squad mates. It was so super exciting to see my friends and give them all hugs but I was all tangled up with emotions.
I was being attacked by the enemy. I had thoughts of, “Why didn’t you press harder into your relationships in Chile?” “Why are you sad to say goodbye if you dont really even know them?” “No one on the squad is excited to see you” and “Get ready for fake hi and I love you’s.”
I tired brushing it off, I continued to greet my squad and quick catch up with a few people but finally I couldn’t do it. I went over to two of my teammates and broke down. I explained how much I hated having both extremes of emotions. I was so excited but so sad. They spoke good truths over me and comforted me. I got some good teammates that really know me- I’m super thankful for them. It was a sweet moment.
Then we got on a bus to head TO PERU!!!
I am very excited for month 5 in Peru. I’m excited to have a fresh start and dive deep into new ministry. But first, we have to make it to Peru.
Here on the world race, we take the cheapest way! Sometimes the cheapest way looks like a 31 hour bus ride, 1 hour bus ride, then a 6 hour bus ride, and finally a 10 hour bus ride! But hey then you’re in Peru!!!
So we board our bus at 11 pm and we all (try to) pass out. Then we wake in the morning, mad about the lack of good sleep any of us got. The cool part was the scenery change. We started into the desert!
But things got confusing. We kept stopping, then at one point we sat outside for a good three hours but then got on the bus and kept on! We all just assumed it was fine and just the normal bus problems.
But wait there’s more!!
We kept on driving and living it up for the twenty some hours we had left. We then all the sudden pull off on the side of the road- this time, no gas station, no nothing. So we sat for a good twenty minutes then finally a few os us decided to get off.
So we get off and have a couple goofy moments of being stranded in the desert of Chile pictures and laughs. You know the normal things, haha!
Then we decide to climb this mountain (or hill- all depends on where your from, haha). So we start on but John Mark is barefoot and these are some sharp rocks. So being the best sister in Christ a gal like me could, I spared one shoe. So John Mark and I climbed this thing with one foot.
Man oh man, that summit was breath taking. Seeing the glory and beauty of the Lord was so cool!!
It was so cool being able to take that hike and sit at the top. I was getting bummed about Chile since our trip to a waterfall and Patagonia Mountains didn’t work out. But then the Lord gifted us with eh adventure of being broken down in the middle of a desert!!
We sat at the peak and checked out the AWEsome view. Then after good looks and good talks, I walked down back towards the bus. The rest of the time looked like laying in the dusty sand/dirt eating PB&J’s starting at the baby blue sky. It was so refilling and refreshing.
Who knew that our bus being broken down for hours, on the side of the road in the desert, with no service, would be such a blessing?
I then made a Vlog about our travel day which ended up being 74 hours, 42 minutes and 21 seconds!! 6 buses!! It was insane but we did it!
Check it out HERE!!
