If we’re not Facebook friends and you haven’t seen my update:
I’ve changed continents!!!!! Yeehaw!
I’m now in Chile and the time difference is only 2 hours, instead of 7 – praise! Kankles and swollen feet weren’t fun, but everything has been so great so far. My ministry location doesn’t have WiFi so for the next two months updates will be once a week (hopefully). Honestly, I’m coming to find that WiFi is a luxury (amongst other things given to us on the race – like a bed). But it’s something that I? got used to having in Ukraine. I? wouldn’t say that I? became dependent on it. But it was always there when I? needed it, even if that meant I? had to walk 3 minutes across the street to access it. It’s different here in La Pintana. Our home for the next two months is literally in the ghetto. I? kid you not, the worst part of town. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s a quote from my ministry host. Our first night there Daniel – our ministry host said, “don’t be scared if you hear gunshots at night, that’s normal here”.
I’m making it sound pretty bad, but don’t be alarmed. We DO have security. A pretty sound barbed wire fence; that has automated locks, and lots and lots of locked doors. Not to mention, 3 guard dogs. I? mean, it’s probably not the living condition that my momma would’ve chosen for me, but when has the Lord ever called us to be safe?
It’s strange; even in the midst of living in one of the most dangerous communities in this region of Chile, I? still feel so safe. And I’ve felt more love and warmth from the locals here than I? have anywhere else.
The team says I? know a lot of sayings, so here’s one for y’all:
Less is More.
I’ve come to find that the people who have the least, tend to want to give the most. Give the most love, give the sweetest friendships, give their time, and they also want to give us what little resources they do have.
It was unexpected in Ukraine. Honestly every expectation that I? had built up in my head about Ukraine was surpassed. And life in Uzhhorod was what we’d like to consider“Boujee”. I? thought I’d miss it. And I? have miss Uzhhorod; I’ve missed the people, I’ve missed the community, and I’ve missed the ministry. But I? haven’t really missed the luxuries that we’ve had.
This past week in La Pintana, Chile has been so good – and not to mention BEAUTIFUL. The high temperature here has been about 80 degrees, and we get an indescribable view of the Andes Mountains every day. And WiFi really hasn’t been missed; well maybe a little, but we’ve had such sweet time together as a team and as a community. And by a community I? mean with the girls living with us in our home – their home, we’re just their guests.
For the next two months we’ll be residing in a ministry called Casa Esperanza. A half-way home for teenage girls who are too old to live in an orphanage, but too young to support themselves on their own. The house it there safe place, it’s the place to cultivate their studies, and a place where they can find love and happiness. And there is SO MUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS TO BE FOUND.
So please keep my team in your prayers for the next two months! And for the girls living with us at Casa Esperanza!
Also – thanks to everyone who’s donated thus far! The ministry that is happening here wouldn’t be possible without y’all! I? still have a little over $2,000 to fundraise, so if you’d like to part of my journey the buttons above! I’ll be posting new ways to help fund my journey really soon!
With lots of love,
Gabby
