My friend Dustin asked me “what has been your favorite part so far?”
This is a loaded question because there have been so many favorite moments. There is so much that has happened and so hard to capture in just a short message.
What I realized though is that my favorite parts have been in the small meaningful moments.
Colombia: It was our last day with the women in the program at the Refuge.
There were only a few of us that spent time with the women outside of seeing them in the Kitchen preparing our food. We would meet once a week and hold a bible study and do a “Beauty for Ashes” activity (interactive activities that empower women in different areas).
The women are not able to spend a lot of time outside the building because they are in a controlled rehab program and we were in a highly populated addicted area.
Our last Friday with them, Laurie McKenzie, Valerie and I were able to spend time outside with them and take them on a little outing. We decided to go for ice cream, we picked up pizza made by one of their mothers and then we headed to a nearby botanical garden.
Every moment was special getting to know these women more. I remember walking down the street holding the women’s hands and trying to speak Spanish as they tried to speak the English they knew.
We got to enjoy lots of laughs and all of us were just overflowing with joy and love. Seeing how happy they were and the smiles on their faces melted my heart.
Later that evening we were able to go to their living area and not only get our hair braided but also give them cards and these special crosses that we were given to us at Launch to hand to anyone God is calling us to.
It was really hard to say goodbye to these wonderful women but God is doing so much in them and since then, some have already graduated the program and have moved on. Praise God!
Ecuador: I have two distinct favorite memories.
One being the time I met my sweet friend Rebecca at a coffee shop. Just the way God placed us in each other’s lives is amazing and we continue to stay in touch to this day. You know when you meet those people that you are just like “Wow you are a wonderful human and give off such positive vibes and I want to know more about you”? Well she was one of those people and I will never forget the simple conversations we had at that coffee shop and how a friendship can grow through the blessings of technology.
Second one being the day at the park. If you saw my recent video in my recent blog, a lot of those clips were from the park. Just coming together with a group of college students who are hungry for the Lord was so great. It was relaxing but so much fun. We worshipped together, laughed together, played sports together, had friendly competition and got to have that time to just be people getting to know each other more on a deeper level. It was such a simple day but so meaningful and one of my favorite days.
Peru: So many moments I will cherish forever but one of my all-time favorites is being able to celebrate our new friend Fernanda’s Birthday!
Meeting her was a gift. We met Fernanda on the first night we arrived and had it on our hearts to pour more into her. We wanted to spend more time with her than just volleyball in the evenings. We started to invite her to outings, church and to our place we were living at.
When she told us her 18th Birthday was while we were there we wanted to do something for her. Celebrating people is one of my favorite things to do.
Her family actually invited us over to have dinner and celebrate Fernanda with them as well (mentioned in a Peru blog). We played games, took fun pictures, ate yummy food, enjoyed two cakes and got to shower her with our love and a new bible with cards from us all.
We have adopted her has our younger sister and continue to stay in contact with her. To say she was a blessing to us during this month would be an understatement.
India: Even though I am still here I already have favorite moments.
Our first Sunday we were able to spend time with a family. We were able to go to their house and just relax like one big family. They welcomed us into their home like we were their own children. Some of us got Henna, we took naps just sprawled out on their living room floor, we watched an Indian TV Show, danced, had Chai Time and then finished the night with a delicious dinner. I am overwhelmed with the amount of love that they pour out into us.
Also, my favorite moments are the simple moments with the people we meet in the villages.
What are some of your favorite moments from this past year/month/day? What are some simple but sweet moments you never want to forget? Message below or reach out to me in ALL the other areas 🙂
It’s in the simple, sweet moments that have such a lasting effect on my heart.
I cannot believe I am almost done with month 4! What even!?
God has been so good to me. He is revealing so much to me even through…especially through the hard times.
I am trying my best to stay present with every moment I have without letting the time go too fast. To cherish every second of this journey.
I am beyond thankful to be where I am today and for the journey that has brought me here even though it wasn’t always pretty.
Thank you so much for the encouragement and love throughout this whole process!!
Thank you for reading this!
Love you
Kristen
