“How did you know you were meant to do the World Race? Were you scared when it was first in your heart?”
When I was a senior in high school, I heard about World Race Gap Year in the midst of figuring out my next step in life. I had never wanted to do missions work growing up, so when I learned of this being an option I remember thinking, “I wish that was my calling.” Through the process of researching what a year abroad would look like, the Lord gave me a deep desire to join the World Race and travel versus going to college- what everyone around me was stepping into. At the time in my life, I was fearful of choosing the “wrong” path for my life so I spent a few weeks fasting in hopes God would lead me well. One morning at church, during my fast, my pastor spoke on purpose and I heard God say “I want you to do Gap Year”. I remember my heart dropping in excitement and fear of the unknown. But, I look back and realize that God was teaching me to risk in my relationship with Him and showing me the worth of saying “yes” to Him when I don’t fully know the outcome. I’m a firm believer at this point, that unless God tells you to stay, you’re meant to go into all the world and make disciples. I now know that there’s truly not a wrong path in life if you’re choosing the heart of the Father in all aspects. Bob Goff says it best, “You don’t know what you’re made for until you leave what’s comfortable.”
“What has been one of the biggest blessings for you as an Alumni Team Leader?”
I don’t know if it’s possible to choose one. But, I have had such a sweet time being reintroduced to this life after having a year at home between my own gap year and leading now. A major blessing has been getting to fall back in love with discipleship, intentionality, and the gospel. All the beautiful things that I can find at home, but get pushed to the side in the “busyness” of life. I’m reminded here what’s truly important in everyday living. Another blessing has been the people I’m surrounded by- especially the amazing group I’m leading with. I like to think there’s nothing more special for a group to grow than leadership that is unified and led by the Spirit. I’ve been learning so much by living day to day with people who let me process, laugh, fail, ask questions, watch movies, and learn to love Jesus deeper in the midst of it all.
“What have your girls taught you about the Lord as you’ve led them?”
What a beautiful question because it’s truly abundant. My relationships with the women I’m leading has led me to excitement to be vulnerable and real about where I’m at. As much as I’ve known the fruit of sharing my life in the past, I’ve never found a lot of joy in it- it’s always been something I push myself into. Now, because I love them so much and feel so known in their presence, I think “I can’t wait to share this with them.” God told me this would happen before I came, but it’s been more beautiful than I could ever imagine. And my favorite part of vulnerability: it leads to more vulnerability and safety. Which has allowed me to share in their joy and suffering, one of the most fruitful parts of being here with them.
“What was the best part of your trip to Guatemala?”
The whole time I was on the World Race, we had set ministry in each country. We would come into a new country and our hosts would have something for us to do. It was wonderful, safe, and could lead to lonliness. But, here in Guatemala, we are living at a base with people who work here, pouring wisdom through discipleship and activating us in spiritual practices so beautifully. It has changed everything for me and the squad. Ministry has been mostly “pioneering”. This has looked like each team of 5-7 people getting a village or town of people and going in with the goal of building relationships and essentially finding their own ministry in said village. There’s been days when that has been really rough and ripping people out of their comfort zones is never fun in the beginning. But, I have seen some incredible moments that have come from it. Our teams sharing the gospel and people coming to know and accept the heart of Jesus. People in the villages getting physically healed through the Holy Spirit when our teams pray boldly over them. I’ve been able to sit at a table with families and cry with them as they share the darkness of their past. We have sat and planned women’s events and soccer games and house churches and cooking classes. It has proved that ministry is life and life is ministry. I am better for the stretching.
“Any good food?”
Let’s just say whenever we get empanadas for dinner everyone freaks out in celebration. Homemade corn tortillas are a major staple that we eat most nights for dinner. I’ve tried a lot of new fruits from people whose homes we visit- I’m not sure what most of them are called, but they’re delicious. Per usual, a lot of rice, salad, eggs, beans, and if we’re lucky at breakfast- pancakes. My favorite snacks are peanut butter and honey on a banana, granola, apples, and popcorn. My squad also loves making brownies late at night which has been the greatest.
“How has this 3 months in Guatemala differed for you personally from your first trip?”
The funny thing is I spent a lot of days before coming, being so nervous that I would be comparing everything about this trip to my last. But, that expectation has been completely shattered. Everything is different. Seriously. Maybe it’s because I had such a long stretch of time in between, but I’m so thankful. I keep telling the people around me that I’ve never written more in my life or been so dependent on the help of God. Melissa Helser says “My neediness of God is my honor, not my shame.” And that has been my anthem. It’s been a head to the heart realization for me that I’m so glad I finally grasp fully. That I can do nothing on my own- sharing the gospel, leading these people, walking through my own pain in my heart, living away from home, being shoved in the public bus on the way home, answering hard questions- all of it. I need help and I’ve sat my pride down and picked up humility to ask for help. Honestly, everything is different and it’s been a gift from God. I believe now so deeply that God takes us from Glory to Glory in life- if we’re choosing Him and saying “yes” to the adventure He longs to take me on.
“Tell me about keeping up with your favorite college football team abroad.”
GO BUCKEYES! It’s been quite the journey. Most of my leadership team are big college football fans so we spend a lot of Saturdays at a sports bar in Antigua- the local bog city. We have had a ton of fun keeping up with our teams and cheering them on from countries away! God bless people who have international plans who let us know what the scores are.
“What’s a moment you’ll never forget?”
I’m so thankful that I’ve been writing everyday since being here- jotting down the simple, yet beautiful moments and conversations because there’s so many. Moments of wild laughter like when we held the lip sync battle or the men had all the girls dress up and swing danced with all of them. Or when I watched my girl’s see a miracle for the first time- the utter excitement that God still does that. Spending afternoons watching the sunset and telling stories. Nights of worship and speaking beautiful words that God spoke to us. All the moments that make living in community so sweet and hard to describe unless you were in the midst.
