The past few days have been packed full of “see ya laters”. Saying goodbye to the people who fill my life with love and laughter will never be easy. But lately this reality of “see ya later” has been hitting me extra hard. The reality that I’ll be missing birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Easter, graduations, and everything that makes a year special. I’m beginning to dread saying goodbye to my family in just a short 7 days. Though it’s going to be a hard goodbye, it makes me feel so blessed to have a life that is so difficult to leave behind.
Looking back on this summer, it’s been full of unknowns and crazy blessings. I started summer without a job and the looming task of raising $14,951 in only 7 months. But within a few days of being home from school I had an overwhelming amount of job opportunities. I became a caregiver for my dear Janice and a babysitter for the sweetest three little girls. Not only have these two jobs been a financial blessing, but they have been the greatest experiences. There is nothing more special than spending the day with someone who genuinely cares as much as Janice does. She is about to be 101 years old and I’m pretty sure she’s my best friend. We have the greatest time together whether it’s organizing her apartment or swiping through boys on Bumble. Then on the opposite side of the age spectrum is the lively Mackenzie (5), Kennedy (3), and Brooklyn (6mo). The time I spend with them every week is so refreshing. Princess tea parties to picking up roly-polies on the side walk, every day is an adventure. I didn’t come across these jobs on accident, they were blessings placed on my path because God knows these 4 people would leave a forever mark on my heart. They were so much more than just jobs, they were blessings that reminded me God is in complete control.
When I decided to say yes to God and this trip, my dad told me I had to take a self-defense class. I researched places around where I live and found West Coast Krav Maga. I thought I would take this class, learn how to punch, and be on my way. Little did I know that I would fall in love with it as well as make some incredible friends. I was blown away at the support I received from these total strangers. Now as I prepare to leave I have more confidence in my ability to protect myself, but most importantly I have the support of my community.
Though my jobs and Krav Maga have been great blessings, the biggest blessing this summer was the most unexpected. Fundraising. Watching people rally behind me in support has been so humbling. Because of the wonderful generosity people have shown, in just 4 months I went from having $0 to $10,796. I needed $10,000 in order to launch on September 7 and I have well surpassed that. I have full faith that the remaining $4,155 will come in due time before my final deadline at the end of December. Fundraising is a constant reminder that this is our journey, the people who support me with their finances are coming along side to do this with me. They are saying yes to God and His urge to give which makes them partners in this adventure. Fundraising has been what I needed to solidify that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. God has shown me that this is His plan and He is making a way for it to be done.
Since I hit the $10,000 August deadline, on September 7 I’ll be boarding a one-way flight! Our first stop is one month in Medellin, Colombia. This will be an all squad month, meaning all 40 of us will be together doing ministry at the same place. We will be partnering with a ministry called Ciudad Refugio. Here we will be teaching English and tutoring children, cleaning up the neighborhood, painting houses, doing sports ministry, delivering food to families, and helping with a vacation bible school. I’m beyond excited for this trip and for all the unexpected blessings to come. Now the countdown begins, only 7 days!
