What has been your greatest blessing on this journey?
– Learning how to live in community was definitely difficult at points, but I would have to say it has been the biggest blessings. With being away from family, we have truly learned what it’s like to be brothers and sisters in Christ means because we started as strangers, but now these people are my family. All my holidays this year have and will be spent with this “family” of mine. They have been my shoulder to cry on, my siblings that push each other around, and most of have have been my support system on this journey. We are all so different. I honestly don’t know how we do not kill each other, but boy did the Lord know what he was doing when he placed us together. They are truly a blessing and I’ve learned so much from them.
Worst food, best food?
– Best// Shark or Ma Willies pumpkin tart. Worst// Rice pudding (which we ate almost everyday in the DR)
Hardest place to Leave?
– Haiti. We basically lived with 4 little boys and those were the hardest goodbyes!
Knowing what you know now. Would you do it again?
– Yes yes yes. Trust me, it was terrifying at first and sometimes things get so hard that I just want to curl up in a ball and get away from everyone, but the abundant blessings that we come face to face with everyday makes it all worth it. I don’t know what life will be like when I get home, but as of now I can already see how much I’ve grown in my faith as well as outlook on life and I have high hopes for a God centered life that I can spread to overs at home. So yes, if I could go back and make the decision again, I would not change a thing!
Would you rather have toes for teeth or teeth for toes?
– Teeth for toes, no questions asked.
The love from the community that you received to get you there for your calling, do you feel that that love has overflowed from you to the kids?
– I believe it’s overflown more than any of us could imagine! The fact that I am even able to be here is a miracle on itself. The love that I have received from everyone who has fought for me being here truly shows God’s Love is real and it’s so so powerful. That same love from you guys who managed to get me here has impacted me in wild ways. In result, as soon as I came to the field, I was automatically on fire to show these children, who may have nothing at all, the love that I’ve been so graciously shown.
What has been your most meaningful moment so far?
– I can’t pick just one, but I would have to say when I witness someone who decides to give their life to Christ has to be the most impact moments of the race. Each person comes form their own backgrounds. Different cultures. Different struggles. But one thing that has brought us together is the Lord’s love and it’s such an honor to be able to be here for the beginning of their walk with Christ. It’s so moving and I thank God everyday for blessing me with these incredible people.
How old are you?
– 19.
How are the bathrooms/showers?
– Surprisingly, extremely better then I expected. We have been privileged to have ACTUALLY toilets in each country we’ve been in. Some have been outside toilets and showers and the only thing we’ve really had to deal with is huge bugs that shed their wings all over the ground, wasp nest, and thousands of hatching baby spiders:))))
How many kids are you bringing home with you?
– Truly, all of them if it were possible. This trip has shown me that I have a heart for adoption, so praying that will be an option later in life!
How has this made you grow as a person?
– I have grown so much in my person relationship with the Lord in wild ways, but something I have really grown into is being humble. I prepared my mind for what I would be living and experiencing, but actually living with people who are struggling and are desperate for help has rocked my outlook on life. We have so much and want so much, but these people that I’ve been living with have so little and are content with very little. I have been very humbled from this journey and I’m so thankful for that as I walk into my “adult life” in a few months.
Who is your fav world racers?
– Emily!
Living with the 3rd world is much different than hearing about it or reading about it. Now that you’ve experience it, what, in your opinion, is something the rest of us, here, can do to help improve their lives?
– The biggest thing is praying for them. Prayer is so powerful. Also, in my opinion, the best form of reaching these people in an impactful way is supporting ministries and churches in these counties. They have the potential of impacting so many people. One of the biggest set backs I’ve seen in ministries in these 3rd world countries is funding. Missionary host in these counties have committed their ENTIRE life’s for the Lord, but the reality is that the ministry can’t grow without proper funds. For example, our base in Dominican Republic,Hope for DR, has plans to build a safe house for sex trafficking victims and their children to stay while trying to help them develop the skills and education needed for them to hopefully start a new life. A life free from the pain and suffering they have been through. The only thing putting this on hold is the need for funding to make this happen.
When you first started out were you scared to leave home and travel to different places?
– I was so terrified! To be quite honest, before I left I cried a few times… a day. It was extremely overwhelming when I realized this was real and having to say goodbye for 9 months was so so real. It was hard to not know what this journey would be like, but the chance I took of answering my call to ministry was by far worth it. The Lord was so intentional with His plan for my life and I had to trust him with my whole heart to see the fruit that bear from it. The fear has gone away and the blessings overflown.
Watching you grow and the love you have for this mission and these children…do you think you will want to somehow make a career out of this?
– Since now being half way through the race, I have been thinking a lot about my future when I do return home. I haven’t necessarily found my answer to that yet, but with whatever I do decide I know I really want to continue ministry wherever I end up, wether it’s at home or away. I do have some “big dreams” that include tons of children’s ministry, but I’m just patiently waiting for the Lord to lead in the right direction.
Favorite country so far?
– HAITI! I don’t know if I will ever be capable of finding words that can explain my experience in Haiti. It holds such a huge place in my heart.
What’s been the hardest thing you’ve hard to deal with being away from home? How did you deal with it?
– I would have to say realizing that life still goes on without me when I’m gone. For me, it felt like my life was on pause for the next 9 months and I would come home and everything would be the same. I found out quickly that though mine is on pause, everyone else’s definitely isn’t. Also, trying to be present here on the field while things are happening at home. It really test your faith and truly makes you fully trust in the Lord with your worries.
Name one person that has made you glad you met them.
– Alex. He was one of our amazing translators in Haiti. This man had a huge impact on my spiritual journey during the month spent in Haiti and I hope to continue to carry that for the rest of my life. Alex has felt very called to his community and the youth in Haiti to try change the future for them. He shared his experiences as a teen and all the mistakes he made with drugs and alcohol and how the Lord plucked him straight out of that life and his life has never been the same since. He sees great things in the children and does not want them to get dragged down all the rides he has been down. He is very wise and is definitely someone I look up to. He is one amazing human being who is definitely not ashamed of the gospel and is truly a man of God. He trust in the Lord whole heartedly. Not just the “oh yeah, I trust Him with most things”, but he truly trusts Him with Everything. He doesn’t go worrying about what he will eat or the things he doesn’t have. He has dedicated his whole life for the Lord and He knows that he will be provided for. He’s gone days without food or water and praised the Lord in that. He’s so intentional with the Lord and the ministry he’s been called to because the Lord is so intentional with us. Alex is such an example and the Father’s love truly overflows in abundance from him.
