I imagine conversations back home being something like this “You’re back! So how was it?!”
Hm. 11 months is a lot to consolidate into a sentence of answer.
“It was, uh, good?” clearly doesn’t come remotely close to accurately describing all that I’ve learned and experienced. So I thought I would make it easier for both ends and write a little bit of what I learned each month and some favorite memories to ask me more about upon my return.
Month 1- Lesotho
Ministry- Lesotho Save the Children
In month one I learned how to be vulnerable with strangers. I learned to trust my circle with my story. I learned how to pray into circumstances and that my sin habits weren’t coincidences, and how to turn to Jesus rather than settle and sit in temptation. This is the month when I started bringing things to the light.
Ask me about- Dimpo and all the other Lesotho babes, Keneuoe, travel day arrival, Malatsunyane Falls, Soul Winning church
Month 2- Swaziland
Ministry- Children’s Hope Chest
Blind spots were brought into my peripheral vision and light was shed on some unhealthy patters in my life that I had previously been completely unaware of. I learned that I have a habit of seeking affirmation and God showed me that He needs to be my constant source of affirmation.
Ask me about – My birthday, soccer tournaments, movie night, care points, all-squad festivities
Month 3- South Africa
Ministry- Global Leadership Academy
I learned that God is constantly pursuing me. He appreciates my efforts, but they’re pointless in the sense of “earning” love because I don’t do anything to earn or to deserve – He just is and He just does.
Ask me about – GLA, Lyndon & the Isaacs fam, surfing, Victory church, Capetown, Hillsong
Month 4- Vietnam
Ministry- Agape Center
I learned how to be diligent with my time and resources. This was the first month where I really dove into worship. I began seeing the importance of returning the love of the One pursuing me simply out of desire rather than a legalistic checklist.
Ask me about –Mom & Dad!, Kareoke nights, Da Nang, my scarf, Aunt Ruth, Thanksgiving
Month 5- Cambodia
Ministry- Kom Pong Speu YWAM base Youth Development
I learned how to be joyful in any circumstance. When I think back to this month, we had next to nothing. Days were long. Ministry was less planned than previous months. Yet when I reflect to this month, all I remember is laughing a lot. We made the most of what we were given and brought light to each other and the community we were involved in. We chose joy.
Ask me about – Rah & Liep, Navy, Ratana, rice picking, Pontoon, Christmas!
Month 6- Thailand
Ministry- Hmong Developing Quality of Life Foundation
This month I learned how to press in and push through difficult times. Never before in my life had I ran TO God in hard times. I usually put Him on the back burner when life got hard. But this month was one of the hardest and I pressed into prayer and the Bible despite my circumstances. So much peace was gifted in return.
Ask me about – New Years! Samboon & Milkah, Pu Chi Fah, elephant sanctuary, Korean missionaries, Bangkok
Month 7- Nicaragua
Ministry- Cicrin
In Nicaragua I learned how to pray through spiritual warfare and how to go to God with my concerns before I go to people. I learned not only how to have the hard conversations, but how valuable they are too. Both the victim and the oppressor grow through hard conversations.
Ask me about – LA layover, Helen & Cicrin history, bee stings, Joseph Anthony & all the Cicrin babes, dealing with grief, ATV adventures
Month 8- Costa Rica
Ministry- Conexion
In Costa Rica I learned that “If you love a place, you will cast a vision for it” thanks to my squad leader, Cara. God not only brought my love for Central America to life here, but showed me how to receive love too. My heart opened big here and God showed me how to dream for the home (Omaha) that I would be returning to- though up until this point I was fearful of returning.
Ask me about- The Tatums, Uncle Jherson, Talamanca, Rosalie Cathedral, USA/El Salvy/ Costa Rica soccer game, Redwoods (the beginning)
Month 9- Jamaica
Ministry- Cumberland Church
I learned that pride sucks (the life out of you.) I learned that my history of borrowing offenses was sucking the life out of me and standing in the way of giving compassion. I learned about God’s grace and that through all of my bad habits- I’m still worthy of His love because I am His beloved. Backwards as it sounds, it’s truth. And because of His grace, I learned how to be more gracious too.
Ask me about – Pastor Lloyd & Mom, Ocho Rios, sports day, Beauty for Ashes, Easter!, Moorlands Camp
Month 10- Haiti
Ministry- Supply and Multiply
This month taught me to “rise ready.” I learned that ministry is often and interruption rather than an objective. I learned more about my identity in “being a light” but also my responsibility to seek out the darkness. I learned that in order to influence your community you have to be ready for whatever opportunities might be presented.
Ask me about – Pastor Chris, Res Bob & Ephram, Jackie, Wesleyan, Mother’s Day, Makaline, Ophelia & other evangelism moments, hiking to Piatre, Matthew 25 house
Month 11- Dominican Republic
Ministry- Hope Mountain
This month I learned about discipline. I learned how important discipline is for growth. I learned about gratitude. I learned how to celebrate the hard moments and feel all the feelings despite of fear. I learned how to be fully present and dream for the future at the same time. I learned how to rest in the peace He offers despite the unknown. I learned that sadness and courage sometimes walk hand in hand and that both are strong virtues. I learned how to appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly- but that goodness can come from all three seasons.
Ask me about – THE VIEW!, Bucketlist fun, Ricardo, Kristan, ice cream adventures, waterfall fun, Nautique, the little blue Tonka truck
