Okay, it’s month 11, I come home in 11 days, and I have a lot to catch up on, so let me start with this…
Month 9 – Chile…After another nearly 30 hours on a bus, my team made it to Antofagasta, Chile, where we partnered with a community center to help them around their facility, cleaning up outside (is it weird to sweep dirt off of dirt?) and lots of painting. Antofagasta quickly won me over…the gorgeous blue ocean, the mountains, our sweet host who loved so well. We served alongside of a team from South Africa, who were on their own version of the race. We got to share stories and testimonies of God’s love, worship together, and pray for each other, laugh and play games together, and it was just such a blessing to come alongside of strangers who felt more like family. We didn’t realize how long it had been since we were able to speak to other believers in English, and to share life together, and it was refreshing and encouraging and a glimpse of what I believe heaven will be like, to meet other brothers and sisters from around the world from all generations, but to have the bond of Christ, and to share stories and testimonies of His faithfulness.
Aside from ministry, God taught me a lot personally, too. He revealed the lies that I have let myself believe for too long…lies like I’m not enough, not good enough, not worthy of forgiveness, that I have to do something…and a lot more, but He reminded me that I am already forgiven because of what Christ did for me on the cross, that I can’t ever earn His love or grace or anyone else’s, but that He thinks I am enough to die for, not because of anything that I’ve done or could ever do. These are things that I have to keep reminding myself, but He is patient with me and will continue reminding me as long as I need Him to…like how He showed His love for me through the mountains and the ocean around me, through my sweet teammates that laugh and cry with me, through shooting stars and butterflies that cross my path, through reading His Word, just to name a few.
Month 10 – Bolivia…after a few more long bus rides, we made it to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where my team partnered with a YWAM base. This month was one of my favorite ministry months, and even though sometimes I try to deny it, it reminded me that I am definitely a social worker at heart. Our first week, we served at a home for kids with special needs, and gosh, they filled my heart with SO. MUCH. JOY. We got to laugh and play with them, hold them and love them, and they were just the sweetest, and I learned so much from them. The second week we taught in a school, sharing about God’s love, singing songs, and playing games with the kids. And our last week we had the opportunity to go to a girls’ home, where six teenage girls currently live. They have the freedom to choose if they want to stay there or not, or to go back to their families on the streets. We got to just do life with them, hang out and laugh and play games, we made crafts together, shared testimonies, and once again these girls just brought my heart so much joy. And yet my heart breaks for them at the same time, at the brokenness of this world, at the things they’ve had to go through, and yet how strong they are, how they’re still smiling, how they welcomed us into their lives, how much I hope they come to truly know how much they are loved and how worthy they are.
Month 11 – Peru…some more long bus rides (are you noticing a trend?), and we made it to Cusco, Peru, where we had a few days together as the entire squad. We got to go to Machu Picchu, and once again I was left in awe of God’s beauty and power and majesty at the sight His creation, at the mountains surrounding us, as I have felt so many times this year. Then, we split up into new teams, and I was a part of a team that went to Chuquibambilla, Peru…the jungle. And I know I keep saying this, but this month has been one of my favorites, too. We partnered with the sweetest couple there, doing construction around the missionary base where they live and kids’ ministry in the community, and it was just refreshing and fun and such a good ending to this year. Gosh, just saying that, tears are coming to my eyes, because I can’t believe it’s almost over. If you’re still reading this, bless you, because I know it’s long, so I’ll save all the mushy it’s been such an amazing year and I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity stuff for the next one.
But on that note, I’ll be home in 11 days. Please pray for me as I wrap up this season and transition home. And if you ever wanna grab coffee and hear more about it, just let me know : )
