By now you may have heard my big news: I’m moving to Guatemala! I know this may be confusing, because I’ve already been in Guatemala for the last five months. Really all that I’m doing is re-extending my time commitment. But this time its different. In the past, I had an exit strategy. I held the titles of ‘apprentice’ and ‘intern,’ and those titles come with a Get Out Of Jail Free Card. Yeah, I’d made a commitment, but I only held so much weight, and my commitment only ran so deep. If I really wanted out, I could leave.
This time, things are different. I’m beginning to lay down roots. My time in Guatemala isn’t just for some program that I will complete and then move on. Its my home. I’m moving here. I’m looking into getting an extended visa or a missionary residency. I’m bringing my favorite clothes down here, and a couple of my instruments, and maybe eventually, I’ll buy a car. I’m learning a foreign language and immersing myself in a foreign culture.
I’m committing.
When the going gets rough at home, you can’t just leave. When things are hard at your job, you can’t just leave. My workplace and my home happen to be one in the same, so I really can’t just leave. I’ve decided that this is the place I want to invest. As most people my age are settling into life and careers, I’m essentially doing the same thing. I’m just doing it in a different country.
As I transition into a staff position, I want to provide some clarity as to what that means. Because honestly, being on staff with a missions organization is a lot different than being on staff most places.
I will have a real job with real expectations.
I think that sometimes, there is this idea as a missionary, I’m out ‘living the dream.’ This life really is a dream, but it isn’t a vacation. We work 9-5, Monday through Friday. I have a job title, Operations Assistant, and a lot of responsibility that comes with it. I currently help manage our finances, keep our house in running order, and help to manage teams that come through. Like any job, I have expectations and performance reviews. I love the normalcy that this brings and the way it pushes me to work to the best of my ability!
I will get paid.
I haven’t received a paycheck since the beginning of this year, and honestly, that really isn’t sustainable. I’ve been living off of savings, which is fine short-term, but savings only lasts so long. As a staff member at Adventures Guatemala, I will go on payroll and receive a paycheck on a regular basis. I will have monthly expenses like everyone: food, rent, transportation costs, cell phone bills, student loans, etc. I have to have a way to pay for those things.
I will still be support raising.
This may seem surprising, considering that I will be receiving a paycheck. But the thing is, Adventures in Missions is a not-for-profit organization, so without donations, they have no way to pay any of their staff. So that said, a requirement of my job will be to support-raise on behalf of Adventures in Missions. I will have a support-raising goal just like I have in the past, and I will be seeking out financial partners to commit to monthly donations. It is through this support goal that Adventures in Missions is able to employ myself and other long-term missionaries.
Will you serve Guatemala alongside me?
As I transition into this staff position, I am looking to build a monthly support family, including prayer and financial supporters. This team is absolutely vital to me in my service in Guatemala! I’m specifically looking for dedicated monthly financial supporters to help me reach my goal of approximately $1,500 a month. If you are interested in joining this team, please contact me! Truly any amount helps.
I’m so excited for this new season ahead and would love for you to be a part of it! If you have any questions, please contact me.
