I didn’t always think I was going to take a gap year. It was not even a consideration I had until maybe march or april of last year, my senior year of high school. For me gap years were for people who are bold and adventurous. I saw things about people who backpacked through Europe and went on crazy trips, which seemed cool, but again it didn’t even seem like a possibility to me.
Then one day last year I got a random text from my older sister who at the time was a freshman in college. She told me she regretted not taking a gap year and doing mission work. She also told me about Adventures in Missions (which I had already heard about). After that I kept thinking about it, and I did my own research. After much thought and prayer, taking a gap year and doing mission work seemed more and more like a possibility. I would always try to reason with myself and make a list of pros and cons, but deep down I just knew it was something I wanted to do. The thought of doing something different from most of the 600 + people I graduated high school with scared me. But it did not scare me as much as saying no to something I felt like God was calling me to do.
Now I am very excited to say that I am going to Costa Rica and Nicaragua at the end of January for 3 months!! I do not have much experience with travelling. Growing up I rarely even went out of the state, and if I did, I stayed in the south. My only time out of the country has been on a mission trip to Haiti my sophomore year of high school. I loved everything about it, from going on a plane for the first time, and experiencing the new culture, but it was a short 5 day trip.
I am thankful that I am going to be gone for enough time that I can hopefully build relationships and completely immerse myself in the culture and communities of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. I also want to connect with kids, because I have a huge heart for them, and become better at speaking spanish (my 4 years of spanish has not helped much). Most importantly I want to be put in uncomfortable situations that will help me grow closer to God and cling to his truth.
Currently while being at home I am spending my time working at a preschool/daycare and babysitting. I’m also trying to spend more time with my family, since I have this extra time before going to college.
If you would like to support me on my trip please click the link up top!! Also feel free to contact me with questions/comments!!
