I know I may have already told you I am so very thankful for your support, but I don’t think you could ever be too grateful. I just want you to know I am so grateful for all you’ve done for me to be able to go on the Race. I am now back home, adjusting to life in the States again, and soon college, too! It’s been an amazing nine months- sometimes hard, but amazing.
Here are little snapshots of my ministry and life from Cambodia to Guatemala…
I’ve worked at a hostel in Cambodia, where we would reach out to women in bars at night and try to show them love and we would go on prayer walks and ask-the-Lord ministry during the day. I made connections with some of the sweet women in the market and made friends with the kind women who worked at the hostel. We also worked at a school in another city for our last week there.
In Thailand, my team and I helped teach English at a government secondary school where Buddhism was very widely practiced (just as it is in much of Thailand). But we still had the amazing opportunity to tell them about Jesus and tell them about Christmas and how he was brought into the world. And one of the teachers I worked with would cut up these giant green guavas and make coffee and we would sit and talk about our families. And then she’d always send me away with some sort of treat. She was the sweetest. And another teacher and I had an interesting conversation about Buddhism. She helped me learn and understand the Thai culture a lot that day.
In Malawi, we went to different schools and spoke on goals and having a relationship with the Lord. One of my favorite days during that time was when we met a group of deaf students at a school. We were able to talk for a little while(with the help of a hearing student who helped translate for them in classes, because there were a few differences in American sign and Malawian sign) and I was so sad to have never been able to go back there. We also had the chance to visit hospitals, share the word, pray with patients and family, and we had the chance to pray with a man personally as he gave his life to Christ. At the end of our time, we went to a different city and visited the college nearby to invite people to our church. One of my favorite things about Malawi was that church. Our pastor there is one of the coolest guys around and so very wise. His passion for reaching out to young people and for making real connections with his community is beautiful. He even allowed me to lead worship one Sunday and would occasionally take us to lunch before ministry. The church is filled with college-aged people and people who are so on fire for God and for others to meet Him. What a community. Holy Spirit is so in that place.
In Guatemala, I spent two months with Morning Glory Christian Academy in San Raymundo- occasionally teaching a voice class or art class with my teammates. And when I could, I would just go sit with the sweetest 2nd grade class in the whole wide world. And our hosts and fellow missionaries working there- man, I love ’em. A few of us would have game nights every week and during the last few days, we crammed a game night in every single night (And the market there- quite possibly my very favorite). Our time there seemed to quickly come to an end and then we headed on to Chichicastenango to work with New Generation Ministries, with three other teams.
Juan Francisco(founder of New Generation and our host) is passionate about reaching children with the Gospel and is faithful to pour love into local police officers. We worked with a public school down the street from his house- teaching English and using Bible verses as a way to teach English and teach a little of God’s Word while we did it. Sometimes we had no teacher in the classroom and the children would run wild, but somehow we made it through and I think they learned some English? Another day, we hiked a little while to plant trees with the police and students from a nearby school- such a good day. We also had several other events with the police officers, including the occasional soccer game (of which I was only a spectator) and a big dinner and worship service. If you’re wanting to bless a ministry, I would recommend New Generation 10x over to you. Juan and his wife are absolutely incredible. His ministry is still somewhat new, but he is a big dreamer and has quite the vision.
Now, I have come to the end of the season that was the Race. It was quite the adventure. And all of the places I have gone to have tugged on my heartstrings in different ways, but for this next season, I feel called to go to school. In many ways, this season will be different, but my consistent and faithful God just keeps telling me to trust Him more. I’m excited and only slightly nervous to see what this next adventure will be like. Thanks for supporting me financially, loving on me through emails and Facebook messages, praying for me and my team, and following me all around the world. You’ve been the very biggest blessing to me.
Much love,
Abby <3
