There I was on the chicken bus packed with at least 500 locals and 11 gringas like me when I truly realized what I had gotten myself into again. Central America is extremely dirty. I was looking out the bus window— trash piled on the side of the road and no trashcans, mangy stray dogs, men catcalling and talking at you but you can’t even understand what they’re saying— I already had layers of sweat and dirt casing my entire body. I really didn’t want to do this again.
At the end of last year I said that 2017 was going to be “my year.” My life looked really good. I was comfortable and I was no longer living in the unknown. I thought my adult life had finally started, whatever that means. I had my fun after college but I was ready to settle down, whatever that also means. I had a savings plan dedicated to purchasing my own Corgi (because then my life would be complete, duh).
But then many of the things I had found security in were stripped away from my life. I could no longer depend on just myself. I needed others, but most importantly I needed God.
The God I serve likes to work in the unknown.
Many Christians reference the “leaps of faith” they feel led to take throughout their lifetime. How had I already forgotten what it looked like to be daring? What it felt like to be a risk-taker? What it meant to trust fully in God?
On Friday May 26th my World Race teammate posted on our Facebook group looking for anyone who could drop everything and lead a Passport trip this summer.
You know that feeling when you’re sick to your stomach because you know you’re supposed to do something you really don’t want to do?
The next day I interviewed with a girl from AIM and a few hours later knew that God wanted me to do this because of a word she gave me as she prayed over me. The following Thursday I flew to Atlanta for a few days of training before launch.
Three weeks ago my summer plans consisted of working at a job I wasn’t particularly fond of, playing softball with my friends, celebrating my grandma’s 80th birthday and binge-watching Friends on Netflix.
Now my summer plans consist of eating rice and beans everyday, struggling to learn a new language, and pleading with God that the ten girls I’m leading experience a love for the Lord and for His creation like they never have before. I’m always hot and sweaty and sunburned. They told me to be careful eating the mangoes because I might get “rash-mouth” but I didn’t listen and now I’m reaping the consequences. Totally worth it, these mangoes are divine.
I don’t know what is going to happen in the next two months and I definitely have no idea what I want to do when I come home.
I may be broken. I may be sweaty and dirty, but I am content.
Please join me in praying for this summer. Pray that I lead these girls well. Pray that we can be a blessing to our ministry. Also I would love if you prayed with me for my future.
If you would like to support me financially you can click the donate button or use Paypal. I came into the game really late but they would like it if I could raise $2000.
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