On Monday morning myself and my beautiful squad of 47 packed our bags and took off for the World Race Gap Year. A few hours and cafe americanos and 3 planes later we stepped foot in Guatemala City, Guatemala. It honestly was the most bizarre thing. I felt more at home than I do in the states. I felt like a breath of fresh air entered my lungs and I could breathe again. Papa reminded me in that moment the call to missions and specifically Latin America He has placed in my life and the influence and authority He has placed in me.
The weekend of launch in Atlanta, Georgia was so special and the Father was the most intentional with me. One of the first nights of worship all I could do was kneel and weep over the Father and His goodness. He has been showing me randomly through my teammates, friends and mentor figures just how important this calling is that He has placed in my life. How much of a beautiful privilege and honor it is to go back out on the field and model honor and intimacy with the Lord for my squad. It has in no way been easy, and I am having to lean and rest on the Father for His constant energy. In that I have felt so encouraged and supported by my community here on Gap W and also my community back in the states. My biggest prayer this last year is to simply walk in communion with Holy Spirit and the peace He brings. That people won’t recognize me for the things I say or do but that they will be affected by the way I live rooted and grounded to the Spirit. This last week people have been affirming and calling that out in me and it has been so encouraging to see the overflowing coming from my time with the Father. He has been reminding me that His mercies are new every morning and joy is a choice. That I am only responsible for my own actions and that I will not compromise my daily disciplines or values for momentary satisfaction. All that to say- the Father has been reminding me of the big picture and why this thing is so important. Why discipleship is so important and why we need to choose to surrender each and every day.
The last few days have looked like settling into our new home outside the city of Parramos and getting to know our hosts here at the Adventures base in Guatemala. I have never been at a base where the staff was this intentional to pour into us and support us as a part of their team during this season. My team, Ekklesia, will be working in a local village teaching english in the schools, doing house visits with the locals building relationships and bringing encouragement through the gospel. We will be working with the women in their homes, cooking and showing them that the Father calls them ROYALTY and their identity is more than just being a helper in the home. Yesterday we were able to spend time with Maria and she showed us how to make corn tortillas. ( Y’all- making tortillas is actually an art form and ours were humorously bad but it was so sweet to laugh with them and see them encourage us through the process.) In praying over our ministry we feel that the Father is bringing such redemption to this community and their identities, that we will be able to go deep with them and show them the Father’s love and heart for them. I would absolutely love for you all to partner with our team these next three months that the Lord will guide and direct us each and every day with our words and actions. The staff here at the base is incredibly Spirit led and so full of encouragement and gratitude. Their vision for their ministry is to reclaim the hills with praise- talk about a powerful vision statement. They are here for kingdom work and chasing after the hearts and identities of the locals in these communities.
I am so excited to do life alongside these beautiful people and learn and grow from them these next three months. Squad W is hungry for more of the Lord and they are the most honoring and loving humans. It’s a pure joy doing this journey with them. More updates to follow!
*Names of locals in the community have been changed due to privacy reasons*
