I went on a hiatus there for a while, but I wanted to catch you all up to the here and now! This is what’s new in the life of Megs:
ASIA
Since my last post, I have travelled through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar! I’ll admit, I was nervous about Asia. What if it’s a huge culture shock? What if it’s too hot and I’m sweaty and miserable the whole time? (Yes I thought that, I’m an embarrassing human too) What is it going to be like?
But man, despite my reservations, I LOVED Asia. The whole time I was there, I was constantly taken aback by the kindness of the people. Not just the friends I made, but strangers too! I felt welcome, I felt accepted, and I didn’t even mind the heat. Asia was full of different smells and foods, of tropical landscapes and big cities. They moved at a different pace of life, and I quite enjoyed the opportunity to slow down. We taught a lot of English and did a lot of manual labor. I highly recommend you visit Asia at some point!
I celebrated Thanksgiving in Vietnam with our host and his lovely church family. Regan made (no exaggeration) the best turkey I have ever had. I loved our host family and our time in Vietnam. We even survived a tropical storm and flood!
Christmas in Cambodia was good and strange. I was surrounded by friends and we did a Secret Santa, which was hilarious and awesome. We started the day with pancakes, and we even had a tiny two-foot tree! However, I missed home, I missed my family and my mom. And I even missed the cold! Wearing shorts on Christmas just feels wrong to me. We also had team changes at the beginning of Cambodia and I was asked to be a squad leader (more on that below), so this was a time of big transitions.
In Thailand I celebrated my mom’s birthday with the amazing group of women surrounding me. We had pizza and ice cream and played games. Ali (a friend and worker at the hostel we stayed at) even made buffalo chicken dip! One of mine and mom’s favorite dishes. It was my first month squad leading without our alumni squad leaders being right beside me for help and guidance. A big learning curve, but the team I was with was so kind and helpful and full of grace for me!
Our final month in Myanmar was short, but I loved getting to see Myanmar. Indiana is home to many Burmese refugees (my host had even been to Indianapolis before! Not a common occurrence on the Race, let me tell you) and it was a blessing and honor to see their home.
SQUAD LEADING
In Vietnam, I was asked by our leadership team to be a raised-up squad leader. Our alumni squad leaders (the three lovely people who had done the Race before and graciously came with us for the first five months to extend their wisdom and guidance) left at the end of Cambodia after training Josh, Brie, and myself to take their place.
This role has been a huge blessing and honor. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time about leadership and service, myself and others, and how to follow Jesus even better. Ultimately our role is to serve and empower the squad. (Please pray for wisdom and humility for me as I continue in this role!).
COLOMBIA – THE HERE & NOW
3 long travel days, 6 layovers, 20 hours in San Francisco, and our squad made it to South America! Currently, I am in Filandia, Colombia, serving the youth of the community. Mind-blowing fact for you: back in 2017 when I was initially supposed to launch, this was the ministry I was supposed to serve in my first month. I LOVE when God brings things full circle! I have absolutely loved everything about this month so far. It’s hard to pick “favorites,” but I have to say, this one is up there for sure! I am also seeing a lot of improvement in my Spanish, and I love that! I want to be fluent at some point in my life, so this is the best time to start.
HOW I’M DOING & LOOKING FORWARD
I’m doing really well. While Asia was amazing, for me it was also a season of spiritual uprooting of things in me that don’t really look like Jesus. Which, is such a huge blessing and I’m loving reaping the benefits now, but was really difficult, uncomfortable, and exhausting at the time. So, I’m soaking in the beauty of this season of reaping and rest.
After Colombia, we have 3 months left in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. While I miss my family and look forward to going home, IT’S NOT OVER YET! I want to fully invest in the present, and finish strong. Plus, I’m pretty much in love with South America already, and I don’t want to leave just yet! Please pray for focus, for presence, and for discipline to dig in to all the Lord has for these upcoming months!
