This is a blog combined with the first 3 days that we were here. Within the next few days I will be posting about the other days! Only leadership has access to the WiFi here so I’m very limited as to how much I post this month. Mom, if you’re reading this I’m going to call you tomorrow so have your phone on you!
January 8
I’m currently laying down about to go to bed as I’m typing this. We arrived earlier today at our ministry site and it’s exciting! They have many different ways they are involved with the community. They haven’t assigned ministry to us yet because they are still figuring our schedules between all 40 of us. They staff here is very nice and welcoming and are giving us a couple days to rest. Praise. I’m running on a total of about 3-4 hours sleep in the last 72 hours and I’m feeling completely drained and exhausted beyond my full capacity. I have never felt so exhausted in my entire life. (Like a little child who is just done and anything will make them cry, that’s me.) I have lost my voice completely. And your girl is struggling. I feel so alone during the start of my all squad month. This is not how I anticipated my first week let alone day of the race/ministry and I’m bummed. I haven’t had time to journal, very little alone time with God, and anytime I speak it hurts. Thankfully I don’t have a fever. I’ve been prayed over by my squad, individually by a few people, and I know that they love me. We are living in close knit quarters. I don’t have my “alone time” like I’m used to at home. I can’t go anywhere with someone without another person wanting to come. I know I signed up for this and I know that I can do it, it just slapped me real hard in the face. I just didn’t think how much of my comforts I’m leaving behind for the sake of the Gospel. And it’s worth it every time because I’m always in a state of learning. We have a rest day tomorrow. Exactly what I was praying for. A time to just lay down and rest in his presence. I’m curious to see what all I learn through this because he doesn’t do anything without a purpose.
Even though this sucks, and not what I was hoping for, I’m still choosing to trust that he has a purpose for me losing my voice. I still see his goodness through it all. And I’m trying my best not letting it distract me from the moment.
January 9-10
We have received ministry assignments and everyone is doing something different because there are many opportunities this organization has which is amazing. Men’s ministry in drug/alcohol recovery program, women’s ministry, serving the homeless and letting them sleep every night, children’s ministry, a place for the Transgender community to stay (here in the Colombian culture, they are completely cast out and it’s very dangerous for them, they are involved with a couple other villages that have refugees and displaced families. I was assigned VBS and we go out to the neighborhoods and invite children, youth, and the parents to come back to the camp. Unfortunately, I missed doing our first day of VBS with part of my squad. That was hard but I know in order for me to serve I have to take care of me first. But it’s ok I was able to sleep in until 10:30, take a shower, speak with a nurse, and have lunch. I slept from about 12:30-4 and it was glorious. I’m thankful that I got to spend some alone time with God.
Ways he has pursued me during all of this:
My entire squad landed safely in Medellin, Columbia
There is a black dachshund running around our living quarters thinking he owns the place. (Yes mom I can pet him) what you don’t know is my first overseas mission trip to the DR, I was greeted at the Ludlam home by a little black dachshund. (He knows how much I miss my poochies.)
Carly prayed over me and others gathered around when I felt like I couldn’t go further.
Laurie prayed over me during dinner when she asked me how I was doing. Reminded me why I’m here and that this is just the beginning.
Jake held his hand out and rubbed my back without saying anything.
Sarah came up to me and wanted to hear how I was feeling.
I reached out to my girl Bethany Conover back home to have our small group connections pray for me and those prayers have been felt! The encouragement she gave me was so uplifting. Love you sister!
All my squad leaders and my team leaders have checked in to see if I need anything and how I’m doing.
Shelby let me sleep all day in her bed. So so sweet.
Julie is being my mom and gave me an antibiotic and I don’t have to pay for meds.. praise.
Y’all know your girl like to talk.. he’s humbling me in this. I don’t have to be in every conversation. It’s ok to observe and not be apart of what’s going on.
There’s so much more that I can’t think off the top of my head, I do feel loved and cared for. I’m just reminding myself that even in the hard times he still is speaking to us.
Please continue to pray for us here especially for this city!! So many broken and hurting people that just need a glimpse of God’s love and mercy. I’m honored I get to be his hands and feet.
Thank you for reading,
-Lauren
