Dear family and friends, I am currently lying in bed unable to sleep. Is that a surprise? No, not really. Is the termite free bunkbed a surprise? Yes, yes it is! We made it to our second location, and I have so much to say but won’t keep you too long. I apologize for not updating sooner but this trip has been nonstop and access to WiFi (that actually works) has been challenging.
Last week we traveled to Jaco for our off day and adventure day. We combined the two days and booked a hotel. The beach, shops, food and air conditioning were such a treat after surviving days of manual labor intended for 7 grown men and construction equipment but knocked out by a couple girls and our hands. We ended up staying in the city another night at a hostel due to some safety concerns (all is well). We bussed back to the farm and left the next day for the AIM base. Leaving the farm a few days early allowed us to break up our bus rides which was a blessing because we had spent countless hours traveling on buses that week.
The first day we arrived at the YWAM base was really rough and not in the way you might think. I had learned to adapt to the rugged living conditions at the farm and it started to feel like a home; a family. The farm and the people became a part of my heart, so leaving was a lot harder than I ever could’ve imagined. I never expected to make such strong connections, especially without the use of words. I am so thankful for the time we had there and for the beauty found in the midst of each day’s trials. I will never forget all we did, accomplished, and overcame. I will never forget the people who loved us as we loved them. I will never forget the small moments that proved to be the most meaningful. The jungle will forever hold a special place deep in my heart.
The work at YWAM is less physically demanding by far. We don’t have to carry cement posts up hills 3 blocks away. We don’t have to dig and pull heavy tree trunks out of the ground. We have mainly been cleaning, painting, building, and evangelizing. The base is fairly new and developing so the ministry here is much different than the farm. We are planting seeds here; helping where we can even if we do not see evident results. We are located close to the beach allowing us to pick up trash on the beach and talk/ pray for people. I have gotten to see and experience things I never have before. I have much more to share but I will close with this.
God has placed the words Worthy and Awaken on my heart. I look forward to the day of a clean me and clean clothes, but I sure will miss this place (other than the constant sweating). Thank you for your love and support. You are Worthy and God has great plans destined for you, you just have to awaken to his presence.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV)
Sincerely, One Sweaty Cydney
