“What has been your favorite ministry moment(s) so far?”
This is such a hard one. Each ministry has been so different.
In Haiti I loved working with the children and in the garden. Getting as dirty as possible in the morning and then cleaning up and going to the orphanage was the best combination. The best day was when Frantzo and Klimarco were asking about and playing with my purity ring. I was able to tell them that God has plans for their lives.
In Bolivia I actually enjoyed being in the river and moving rocks, but my favourite moments there were the one on one times that I was able to minister to my squad mates. Also cooking for 42 people.
Peru had to be the times we spent with the youth, asking questions, building relationships, and letting them ask about us. Also cooking again, especially since we had a real kitchen.
Ecuador was a little different, because we were doing Unsung Heroes (not sure what that is; check this post). I would have to say the ministry in Cuenca was my favourite. I absolutely loved Bob and Lori Leek and their ministry, and Dayana with Young Life. It was a blast and spiritually filling. Getting to visit the Nate Saint house in Shell was also great!
In Malawi I so enjoyed being with the people in the bush. My favourite day was the day we had nothing all afternoon, and I was able to sing and dance with the children. So much fun!
“…What has been your most touching experience?”
The day I found out Umpa had died my squad surrounded me with so much love and support. It was a hard time but having a family to lean on made it so much easier.
Again when my uncle Charlie died a month later one of the girls from the church in Peru made me a card when she found out. It was so sweet.
I know these are not ministry moments, but they were the moments that reminded me that God is still with me and He will use His people to help me remember that.
Two ministry moments are again getting to talk to the two boys in Haiti and dancing with the children in Malawi.
“What was your hardest experience, and most memorable moment?”
Goodbyes are always the worst. A month is just enough time to begin getting close to people and then you have to leave. It’s hard but such is the nature of the Race. Now I can say I have “family” all over the world.
Memorable…well there was the one time team ROAR did door to door visitation in Peru, and at the last house were invited to stay for tea/coffee and fruitcake (Not like ours, this stuff is fluffy and yummy). We ate so much fruitcake trying to not be rude and the girls embarrassed the daylights out of me. That was fun.
All of Ecuador was great too! Every moment and contact was a reminder of how God leads and provides!
“Which country out of these 5 is your favorite one?”
I loved Ecuador. It was possibly the hardest month for me, but also so lovely. The country was beautiful, and the people and ministries we met were wonderful.
I also really like Peru. Most of that, though, had to do with the relationships I was able to form. I miss the people very much!
Last, for my cousin, Connor, I will be home in five and a half months! Yesterday marked halfway through the Race. Can you believe it?
It is so odd to think that over a year and a half ago I applied to this crazy thing called the World Race. And now I’m halfway through it. I’m still learning this whole adventure, missions, community living thing, and God is still teaching me new and even old things!
