I leave tomorrow. I can hardly believe I'm saying those three words. It's been 10 months in the making, and it's finally coming to pass. There have been a lot of questions thrown at me over the last couple weeks, and I'd really like to just share the answers with everybody, and let you all in on how I've been feeling and what I've been doing to get ready.
1. Are you excited?
– Sure I'm excited now that it is the day before, but to be completely honest, I have not been very excited the past couple of weeks. I have been stressed and overworked, and piled too much on myself at once. I really should have stopped working a week ago instead of 2 days ago and let myself relax and unwind a little more. But now that work is over, and Launch is here, I can really say that I am ridiculously excited to get on that plane tomorrow and be back with my World Race family doing what we do best!
2. Are you ready?
– I have everything piece of equipment and clothing I need. So in that sense, I am very ready. But am I mentally or emotionally ready? I feel ready. I feel as ready as I can at this point.
3. Are you nervous?
– Nope, not nervous at all. For whatever reason, nervous is not a feeling I get very often, and I do not feel it now. I feel a little giddy though.
4. What did you do for your last few days in Canada?
– I had my last day of work on Friday. I also moved out of Vancouver and back in with my parents. I said goodbye to my friends and most of my family. I packed, unpacked, repacked, weighed my pack in at 54 pounds, unpacked, ditched stuff, repacked, and weighed in at 48 pounds… success! I had an awesome Canada Day, complete with a great dinner at the beach, and the sounds of fireworks as I write this.
5. Which country are you most excited for?
– Just in case you don't know, these are the countries I will be going to: Bulgaria, Romania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala.
And while I am excited to go to each of these countries, I am especially excited for Central America. It has had a pull on my heart for a long time, and I have no idea why but hope to find out.
6. Which country are you least excited for?
– So I am definitely not going to answer this question straight out, because I am excited for all of them. I am however, not all that excited for certain types of ministry that I will inevitably be faced with. Some of the things we are called on to do are uncomfortable, emotional, and all around difficult. No matter what country those occur in, it will be difficult and a growing experience.
7. What ministry are you looking forward to the most?
– Anything with teenagers or labour. I love working with youth…even the 'totally messed up ones' (I was heading that direction not long ago), and I love having my body put to work on projects to relieve stress and further the kingdom at the same time.
8. What's the hardest part about leaving?
– Leaving my parents and best friends for a year is pretty tough. Leaving my church for a year isn't all that awesome (non-English speaking church just doesn't feed the same way). Knowing that my hygiene is going to suck and that I won't be in cool weather for a year isn't the best either (yay for 75 degree Vancouver summers!). But the hard things are nothing compared to the good things. Living in community, gaining a new family, spending unlimited amounts of time with Jesus, seeing new places, practicing new ministries, witnessing healings… that sometimes happen through you, loving children and teens, sharing stories, not having to take a vitamin D supplement because I'll actually get enough sun, and 100 other things!
9. How is your fundraising going?
– I have $9200 raised, and $6300 to go. Most of the money has come from unexpected places, and I am very grateful for that. I wanted to know it was God's hand working, not someone slapping down a cheque and paying for it all, and not me paying for it all (not that I could). It's pretty cool to know that people who love and care for me and also for God and his work, have chosen to use their money to send me to the nations (also people I may not know… yes, I see you anonymous donors). So on that note, thank you so much to everyone who has supported me!
Hopefully I answered one or more of the questions you've had for me. Leave comments below with more and I will gladly answer them.
And thanks to all my friends and family for the outpouring of love and emotional support I've been receiving. It's really comforting to know you are there for me, and you will welcome me back with open arms (even if the Amy you know is gone, and you have to get to know me again). I also want to fuel you this year and have you feel a part of my journey through the stories, pictures, and experiences I share. So keep reading… and email me anytime.
