Hey everyone! I know that I have been extremely inactive with my blogs for the entirety of Guatemala, and for this first week in Ecuador, I want to get into a better habit of posting them for you guys to enjoy! Time just flew by, and there were hardly any slow moments! It’s hard to try and document everything that we experience, but here I am announcing that it will happen for this last country! My truest, sincerest apologies for slacking in this area, but thank you God that shame won’t hold me back from starting again!
To somewhat summarize Guatemala, although that will be hard to do as it was an amazing season that held so much beauty and growth, I’ll share a few things that happened so you can taste the sweetness and fun as well.
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I painted a mural as my ministry! The base staff had been desiring for the main wall in the living area to be painted for some time, and in a total God-moment conversation, I mentioned I enjoy painting. They gave me the chance to come up with a concept, show them, and start right away. I jumped right into it, and I had a blast. Crazy to think that that will be there for so many future Racers and short-term mission trips to see!
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Besides painting, my team had daily ministry in a village called San Lorenzo. We helped with an organization, One Way, and assisted their after school learning program (much like tutoring). We got so close to the staff, families, and children there that parting was very bittersweet. We were welcomed into so many homes and got to build deep relationships that we will definitely cherish forever. I will never forget the soccer field where we taught, the goats that roamed through it, or the laughs and giggles of the kids. Truly a blessing!
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Our squad grew in relationship! I began diving into friendships that I didn’t have in Romania and can honestly say I am close with every single person on my squad! We all continuously chose into hard conversations because of the genuine love that we have for one another and the church body as well. These are lifelong friends and role models, and I’m so happy I have them all!
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I grew in intimacy with God. For the first time, I actually got it through my head that a relationship with the Lord is what brings fruit to lives. From that stems love for your community and love for yourself. He is the one who listens, the one who comforts, and the one who provides. You get out what you put in, and to hear His voice you must be present in His word. He delights in spending time with us and He really is full of such grace and mercy. And talking with Him doesn’t need a script! I learned that God can take it all; my anger, my confusion, and my worry. It is so healthy to wrestle with God and to bring Him all matters. It is so okay to be frustrated, but just seek clarity in Him and ask for His vision. He’s patient.
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Salmonella is a real beast. I had it way too often, and let me just say it’s not fun at all. For anyone out there deciding to travel one day to Guatemala, DON’T eat the street food. Be cautious and wash your hands!!
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My mom came! We had a week planned for our parents to come and join us in ministry and to see firsthand what our life is like. It was so amazing to see my mom; she brought home to me and I definitely needed it. She got to meet everyone, hear stories, and just delight in the goodness that is Guatemala. It was hard saying bye, but I am so glad she got to come. Just wish Jason could’ve come too!!
I wish that I could cast my experiences and memories onto you, but there really is just so much to convey fully. I will always have such fond memories of the place and the people. It was the hardest goodbye yet of the Race, but I am so glad I have that forever. The things I’ve learned there will last a lifetime, and I cannot wait to bring them back home.
We left for Ecuador Sunday, March 1st in the very early morning. We were all sad, but also too tired to dwell in it. We had a flight to Panama City for an hour and a half layover, and that was interesting. We saw Coronavirus checking stations placed around the airport, and we were also back to US currency so it felt very weird. Suddenly, everything was overpriced and shocking. After this short time, we boarded for Quito!! That flight was the most beautiful. We flew over water, which was stunning as it changed colors with the cloud’s shadows. And as soon as we got to Ecuador, all of our jaws dropped. Rolling hills of green patchwork laid the foundation of our next chapter through a dusty airplane window. The clouds wrapping the mountaintops almost kept the secret of just what was in store for us. The view was breathtaking; I simply couldn’t get enough. We landed around 5:30pm and grabbed our bags. We were then met by our ministry host, Fabi, and took a charter bus to our base, which is about thirty minutes from the central area of Quito. The house is beautiful, and there are three adorable dogs that live with us which is a huge bonus! We quickly got settled and embraced the new. Monday was a day of rest and orientation. We learned about our ministries and got the load down on chores and meals. It is so cozy there, and it feels like a true home. Our boys left this day to do ministry in a city around 5 hours away, so this first month is a girls only month! It’s actually so much fun, I almost don’t want it to be over! My team’s ministry is at a place called Camp Hope. It is a day center for children and adults with special needs. When we first heard the assignment, our hosts said that we need to get ready to lose our hearts because we will fully give them away here. We were assigned a classroom rotation schedule, and we immediately jumped into serving. We do many things: teach lessons, go on walks, feed during meal times, and a little bit of everything in between. It’s only been one week and I am seeing so much of the Lord’s heart. I have become so close already to the kids in my class, and we really are such good friends! It’s going to be an amazing experience, and possibly my favorite ministry.
That’s about all I have to update you with, sorry it is so sporadic! I can’t wait to see what else is coming from our time here!! Thank you guys for the prayers, even when I have been inactive here. I feel so blessed to have such a loving community and support system! Love you all!
