It’s taken me a little bit to be able to write this post, and even now I haven’t really processed the situation. But that’s okay! Because I don’t have to fully understand.
A week ago from yesterday, my squad – which was stationed in Medellin, Colombia and almost ready to move onto our next location in Ecuador – was told we were being pulled off the field and brought back to the States. This decision was made through hours of prayer, lots of research, and with our best interests at heart. With the world changing by the hour these days, (literally by the hour – we were told we were in the clear only five hours before we got the news about leaving) Adventures in Missions made the difficult decision to bring us home before the countries’ boarders closed. We then had one day to say our goodbyes, pack up everything we’d intended for six months, and try to process the realization that our time had come to an abrupt end, not only with our ministries, but with our team.
It’s been a long week to say the least.
But in that week, three of my teammates got baptized. One of my teammates decided to stay in Colombia (!!!) and we’re all so proud of her. We were some of the lucky few that got to debrief in person before the recommendation changed to gatherings less than 10. We got to cook together, rest together, worship and grieve together. We got to compare plans, bounce ideas off of each other about what to do with the time we’ve just been given.
As far as what I’m up to now, I feel the call of God so strongly that my time in ministry is not done. When I went on this trip, I was prepared for six months of ministry. In my mind, I am still doing six months of ministry. (And then some! Because life is ministry and ministry is life.) God brought 550+ of his missionaries back to the States right in the middle of a pandemic of fear. If that’s not a call to action, I don’t know what is. My team and I are prepared to be the salt and light, a new wave of peace and hope during this time of uncertainty. Honestly, I’m excited to see what’s in store for us back on U.S soil.
To my supporters, I am eternally grateful for you. I wouldn’t have traded the experience of those eight weeks for the world, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. It is because of you my heart was molded and altered in so many ways in Medellin, and it is because of you I come back home a changed person.
