Reality has finally hit me
I’m not going back to the states for a whole year
I’m not going back to my old life
A life where I felt like I was working nonstop and not feeling like my time and effort were worth anything
Instead I’m living a new life, a life that I feel is filled with a sense of purpose
A life that I wanted for myself back when I was 17 which was to travel the world & put college off for a year
I am a missionary, and I wouldn’t have it any other way even at the age of 33
It’s hard to belizeve that my time here in Independence is coming to a close next week, and my team and I will be reunited for our first debrief with the rest of P Squad as well as our leader, mentor, and coaches.
It’s only been month one, but all I can say is that this month has been one of the most awesome months I’ve had in a long time, I have not only gotten to know my teammates better, but I got to learn so much about a country that I have to admit I really didn’t know anything about, and I even had to look it up on a map as I didn’t even know where exactly it was in Central America. Sure things were rough sometimes with adjusting to factors such as the climate, food, water, and living with other gals for the first time in a long time, and we battled minor illnesses and injuries, but in the end it just made us tougher as a group since we all had to learn how to rely on each other, which for me is something that is always a work in progress.
I know that I want to try and stay present, but the one thing that I am worried about is when (not if) our leadership team decides to switch up the teams. While I love everyone on my squad, I just feel like God put this team together for a reason, and for so many good things that we can do for his glory that I’m worried about what won’t happen if we are split up.
On the upside, we have met so many incredible of people, and have learned so much from them just as much as I’m sure they have learned from us, and the ministries that we have done will hopefully leave a positive mark on not only the people of the church of the Nazerene, but in the surrounding community of Independence as well.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” -Eph. 2:10
Photo Title: 2 Cultures, 1 God
Here’s a rundown of our ministry work this month:
1. First Church of the Nazerene
Out of all the other teams, we had a unique opportunity to both live & serve in the same place as our ministry hosts. Not only were we a part of Sunday service, but we also participated in several other ministries that the church puts on weekly including Weds night service & youth ministry. We also had the honor to take part in their revival services where each night as its a 3 night event-2 of us got the amazing chance to tell a small part of our testimony. I never thought that I would share my story like that, but it not me who chooses that as its the Holy Spirit that does. We as a team got to partake in the Harvest celebration as well, which was also so awesome since that is a cultural thing for them, and it was honor to celebrate harvest with them. We also spent a good chunk of the time painting both the interior & the exterior of the preschool as well.
2. Independence High School
First of all I think it is so cool that they can teach religion in the schools here as that is something that would never be allowed in the States. (Which is something that I absolutely HATE about the American educational system/ government as I am beginning to believe that we should start teaching religion in school since I think it would make kids better adults.- ok rant over)
My team and I spent 2 days in the classroom and on campus sharing our testimonies or whatever else the Holy Spirit might have put on our hearts to shares. My teammates have such incredible testimonies, and it was so cool that we all were able to open to share God in our lives. As a side note, I would love to try to convince them to post their testimonies on their blogs since I feel like the world needs to hear thier’s too. My teammates stories are so powerful, and every one of them truly shows that God does work in our lives. We also introduced them to the Church Clap song/dance as well.
3. Mayan People
A few of my teammates and I had the chance to go visit a Mayan village with a fellow American missionary where we met the Sanchez family who gave us a exclusive tour of their farm & even shared a few of their precious coconuts with us. Let me tell you there is nothing like fresh coconut water straight from a coconut. This was def a highlight of this month despite getting my legs chewed up by the sand flies (those little buggers are just as nasty as the sable flies back home). During these visits Sylvia mentioned if we would help out with the Sunday afternoon Children’s Sunday school, and we all agreed to help out with it. We prepared songs, dances, games, a Bible memory verse as well as a lesson about the good sameritian. My team and I had a blast despite the fact that we all were pretty worn out and I really didn’t want to do either, but we had made a commitment & we had to honor that because we are part of a squad who prides ourselves as a squad of honor. Having that time and spending that time with those kids, and my team will be something that I will never forget for as long as I live.
So yeah that’s a summery of our ministry this month. Also this is really random but there are so many stray dogs (and even a few cats) all over the town, and it also seems like every night there is a few all out brawls among dogs.
Now it’s on to debrief then all squad month in Honduras
Til next time your fellow Sister in Christ,
Bonnie
Team Surrendered
P Squad
Psalms 18:2
YOLO
