Over the last few days I have been reflecting on the different ministries I have worked with, these last 7 months. Most jobs have not been glorious, and in some places my team came and went without anyone even knowing we were there. My teams have done lots of manual labor and most months the host has spoken English so I haven’t practiced Spanish as much as I thought I would. I haven’t seen anyone miraculously healed and I can’t say I have personally shared the gospel in a way that changed someone’s life before my eyes.
When I started on the World Race back in January, I’m realizing I left with certain expectations. Being on the first ever Spanish Route, I expected to speak Spanish all the time, to literally see lives changed in radical ways, and people healed. I expected to head home not smelling worse than when I left, somehow have all my clothes in good shape, and have my world turned upside down then righted again. Instead the race for me has been a much slower but steady pace than the roller coaster I expected. Though I haven’t had any crazy, life changing moments and I’m realizing how much it’s even less about me.
We all have dreams. Places we want to see, people we want to become, changes to our lives we want to make like getting married, having kids, or retiring. I believe though, that sometimes God gives us the opportunity to put our dreams on hold to help others see their dreams come to fruition. What has been your biggest dream? Now think about all the people behind the scenes who helped make that dream a reality. I am realizing that helping others see their dreams come true has been a huge part of this journey. Whether it was an extra sets of hands, verbal and emotional encouragement, or even just being someone who believed in their dream, has mattered more to the people I’ve served than I can put into words. To leave a ministry at the end of the month and see a new light, a new hope in their eyes is huge. It’s so exciting to know that I’ve gotten to not only travel to 7 different countries so far but to be a part of 7 very different visions. What can you be a part of? It’s so worth it, I promise!
Puerto Rico: Our month was filled with manual labor, from simple painting to cleaning out a widow’s entire house. Pastor Peter wanted us to also connect with the youth at church so they could carry on the work. Since we left, the youth have done amazing things in their community. Pastor Peter is now more involved in and around the church on a regular basis.
Dominican Republic: We were the first squad that the Dominguez family had had. They want to have a home for troubled youth, a pastoral retreat center and lodging for big groups. During our time there we got the process started by digging ditches, building steps, and picking up trash. Since we left, they have hosted 2 more squads who have been able to help get the family that much closer to realizing the many dreams they have for the property.
Bolivia: By far the coldest month we have encountered so far. The vision was unclear when we started since our host left on furlough 2 days after we arrived so we just decided to live life with the individuals within the drug and alcohol rehabilitation houses. Our mornings were filled with manual labor so our girls were sanding blood off walls, sanding floor wax off of doors, and painting with paint so watered down it took 5 coats to cover the walls. When it hailed harder inside the house than outside, I questioned my sanity a little while sitting with my gloves and 4 layers of clothes on to fight the chill. However, it was also where I saw God work the most, literally changing lives right before my eyes. Bolivia and Puerto Rico are the only months I cried when leaving and I’m still in regular contact with one of the couples from the program who actually just celebrated the birth of their first child, Brianna Natalia, named after my teammate Ana and myself.
Peru: Peru was a slow month for Salmo 45:11 but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we spent the time pouring into each other only to later discover team changes were to happen at the end of the month. Our host was having health issues so we were able to provide not only friendship and emotional support but were also able to watch a season of renewal in their marriage start. Guido spends hours preparing his sermons for church and loves discussing the Bible so we got to share our team Bible study time with him, encourage his learning with spiritual questions, and support him as a pastor through our presence at church.
Ecuador: Our hosts Dave and Ana definitely had their hands full as Dave was planning a trip back to England and they wanted to put on vacation bible school, get some projects done around the compound, as well as get into the local schools and teach English. Our team was able to provide them with the extra hands they needed to accomplish all they had planned for the month. Indeed we even surprised them with the creative crafts and fun games people from our new team had learned during previous months.
Panama: In Panama we were quickly adopted as children by Pastor Alex and Mimi, whose children are, for the most part, still in Costa Rica. While other teams were in and out for specific tasks such as building a church in the Comarca or providing training and music classes to indigenous pastors, we were able to complete the smaller jobs like painting and sanding. We were also able to provide extra hands for the vacation bible school led in the Comarca by David and Mau. We took time to prayer walk through the community, pick up trash as the local basketball court, and handed out fliers inviting more people to church.
Costa Rica: It is here that I can see the most how little by little I am getting to be a part of a much bigger picture. Currently we are fixing up the House of Restoration where we’re also living, battling against the termites and mold so that eventually it will be a place of rest for those seeking refuge away from addictions. We have visited 3 different local farms, all of whom want to create connections with Glenda for the future as well as provide seeds for the garden in the back yard. Our girls have helped with their website, facebook page, and logo. I have moved more rotten coconuts than I ever care to admit. We also have gotten to plant the first plants, trees, and seeds that while we may not be here to see them sprout, it’s easy to imagine future residents getting to enjoy the fruits, herbs, and vegetables.
