Leaving Asia was a bittersweet moment for me. Although I’m very grateful for all that Asia had taught me and all the people I had the priviledge of meeting and serving, I couldn’t have been more excited to get to Central America. I had been looking forward to these last 3 countries all throughout the race. I was ready for all that God had in store for this new continent!
[As we began our longest travel day to Guatemala for month 9, we had layovers in South Korea and LA. Not only did we travel back in time, but April 28th was by far one of our longest days! During our 12-hour layover in LA, I was so fortunate enough to have one of my best friends (who was just a few weeks pregnant at the time) drive out to LA from Phoenix with her son to come hang out with me for a few hours… Now that’s what you call a best friend! She’s the best!]
Me, Tenille, and Sam at Santa Monica Beach after I stuffed my face with a Chipotle burrito! 
This was the best flight experience EVER! Me and Morgan in FIRST CLASS on our way to Guatemala! Back story: So, while waiting to board our flight to Guatemala, the Lord spoke to Morgan and told her to bless the flight attendants with some flowers after she witnessed them dealing with angry people and cancelled flights. The manager on duty found out what she had done and in return blessed her with 2-first class tickets and tons of snacks for our squad! Definitely a God story of a gift that kept giving.
Our meal during our flight. Yes, that’s a steak and a small glass of wine! WHAAAAAT!??!
Guatemala, Month 10
[When we first got to Guatemala, our whole squad stayed in Antigua for a few days before heading out to our ministry site. These are a few pictures from exploring the beautiful city of Antigua! Definitely coming back here one day.]
Parque Central, Antigua Guatemala
Our team this month stayed in San Raymundo (about a 2 hour drive from Antigua) working with Morning Glory Christian Academy, a private Christian school. Our mornings started between 6-6:30am every weekday to be ready to catch the school bus with the students by 7am. During our time with Morning Glory we helped teach English, Bible and values classes. I loved this ministry because from the beginning our hosts gave us such a welcoming presence and the freedom to do whatever the Spirit led us to do for ministry. With so much freedom, we had the opportunity to do different things around the school and for our hosts.
One of my favorite memories of this month was during one of the women’s bible study’s we got invited to. Our American host, Lori, married a local Guatemalan man, who’s also the pastor of a church in a nearby village. He invited us be a part of it by having us share our testimonies with the women. As someone who understands and speaks fluent Spanish, I thankfully didn’t have any trouble sharing my testimony in Spanish without a translator (which made a huge difference). In fact, I was able to be our teams’ translator for the month! (This also gave me the opportunity to communicate a lot better with the people around us and befriend a few of the people we came across.) So, when I had to go up and share my testimony, I had no idea what the Lord had planned during and after it. I shared my testimony and talked about Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” and how my faith God has grown. I shared how I spent many years living my life the way I wanted to live it. I told them about my walk with the Lord, how much my faith in Him has grown stronger and how God has given me faith to believe many things for my life. I told them how I have faith that one day my family will all come to know the Lord. I also said that I have faith that one day He will also give me my hearts’ desire for a husband and family and how He will continue to provide for us as long as we can have faith in Him. I never experienced so much confidence and assurance in preaching to women as God gave me that day. That alone was an incredible feeling in itself. The best part of this was what happened at the end of the study. While we waited for the pastor, he came over just as most people were gone and started telling us about one of the ladies from the service who was ready to give her life to Christ. We surrounded her and began praying for her life as she repeated the words (in Spanish), “Forgive me of my sins. I surrender my life to You, God, to be my Lord and Savior.” I can’t say what exactly convinced her to give her life over to God that day, but I can say how thankful I am to have been a witness and to pray for her. We celebrated with her, just as the angels in Heaven did that day. Thank you, Lord, for allowing our team to be a part of this amazing woman’s life changing decision!
This is Rosa and her adorable daughter, Ashley. She surrendered her life over to Christ and is now member of our family!
Samuel and Milton teaching during a bible class as we observed our first day there.
One of the cuties who loved to give hugs!
[Sadly, our month in Guatemala ended a week sooner because of PVT (parent vision trip-a week where parents get invited to do ministry with us).]
El Salvador, Country #13
As most of our squad spent their week with their parents doing ministry in Antigua, the rest of us who didn’t have our parents with us were sent to El Tunco, El Salvador to do ATL (ask the Lord). Anissa, one of my favorite first teammates, and I were asked to each lead a team during this week. When I was first told about this opportunity, in my mind I immediately said “no”. But as soon as I was asked the question, the answer out of my mouth (without hesitation) was “yes”. Clearly that was God. So, without any direct ministry or host to work with, we were told to allow the Lord to lead us into doing ministry, however that may look. A month prior to this (when I was approached about this) God had laid it upon my heart to pray for the team and for Him to allow one-on-one time with each teammate. As intimidating as it first seemed to lead a team of 8 people who for the most part I hardly knew (or never been on a team with before), I soon realized what a privilege it was getting to know each one of them and to be part of this team of people, who are so passionately pursuing the Lord. I’m so thankful that God allowed for us to spend this fun and relaxing time in such a beautiful surfing town. I feel as though He simply wanted to use this time for us to sit in His presence and allow Him to speak and reveal more of Himself to each of us.
Worshipping our Creator at the beach!
Taking surfing lessons with these friends, Coche and Pirri, who also became part of our ministry (along with many other locals)!
Team No Name – I love these peeps!
Honduras, Month 10
[After months of changes throughout the World Race, God has given me a very much adapting life to all the changes that have come my way. I now take everything as a learning opportunity rather than a challenging obstacle. Because our squad has gone through a lot of changes with people either being sent home or leaving by choice, there were yet more changes in teams. With one of my best friends leaving the Race after Guatemala, I was approached and asked if I was willing to move to yet another team (that’s team change number 5!!). Thankfully, I was actually excited for this team change as not only were two of my favorite first teammates on this team, but it would also be my last team change!haha]
Team No Regrats was in Siguatepeque, about 2 hours from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. While there, we worked with an awesome ministry called Ignite Ministries. Their focus is on equipping and building up community by uniting action in the Word. Through this ministry, there were many different ministry opportunities from teaching guitar, voice, health and nutritional classes to their Colegio Ignite students, to manual labor, helping with a girl’s youth camp, and even taking urine samples on our first night, haha! Through Ignite Ministry, not only did we get to serve alongside other Spirit-led missionaries, but we got to make lifelong friendships with them (God has definitely given me heart for this ministry and this country and I know I will be returning some day). Our host, Melissa, and her family were amazing and so much fun! She set a great example of being a disciple for Christ and God-centered relationships. They are currently funding to provide a water well for their community. If you’d like to consider donating, please click on this link to give what God puts on your heart: https://www.gofundme.com/ignitewaterwell.
One of the best memories of this month was during the girl’s youth camp. The overnight camp only lasted one night and included about fifteen 13-15 year olds girls from their school. During the camp, our host along with some of the other leaders were able to share their testimonies and prayed that this time would be used for God to open their hearts and allow God to bring some peace. That Saturday night, one by one, almost each girl there opened their hearts and shared about what hardships they were going through. Although it was good to see them open up about things, it was sad to hear all the brokenness they were experiencing at home. Sadly, having broken relationships with your parents is a common thing in Siguatepeque. Before closing out this time, our host allowed for some time for us to pray for them. It was an unforgettable night as the Holy Spirit filled the room and we knew that this was just the beginning of a big change in each of these girls’ life. It’s moments like these that I thank God that He’s brought me onto a journey like this to see His hands at work.
Some of the students from Colegio Ignite, who were tons of fun and I loved playing soccer with!
The girls’ youth camp also included a night of making pizza for dinner…so fun!
Nancy, one of the awesome missionaries I met, who not only has a big heart but is also a great workout partner!
Nicaragua, Month 11
During our month in Nicaragua, our team stayed in Esteli and worked with a pastor and his church called Tercera Iglesia Quadrangular. Although this month wasn’t as busy with ministry as most months, we still had fun on the days we did have those opportunities to serve. We got to help students with conversational English, crafts and gardening at Sunrise Bilingual School. While we didn’t have much opportunities to go out and do ministry, we knew that God wanted part of our ministry this month to be our hosts’ family. As he was traveling out of town to take care of some things with his wife, who was in Costa Rica receiving chemo therapy, we were not left with much things to do. With that, it gave us the opportunity to hang out and get to know his family! Thank you, Jealy, Jockson, Famita, and Silvio for all the love, help and support during our time in Esteli. We miss you and will continue to pray for you all!
The adorable students at Sunrise Bilingual school on our last day with them.
Fatima and Jaley, part of our ministry, who are a big part of the church and great at soccer!
Morgan and I at Zona Verde on our last day of ministry. Tons of laughter, deep conversations and a whole lot of fun were had! (Thank God for her!!)
As my race comes to an end, I can’t help but be so thankful for you (my supporters) for all the support you’ve provided to me throughout this year-long journey! I wouldn’t be here and have had all these adventures and have met so many amazing people who have made my heart grow so much more if it weren’t for your support and your trust in me that I could do this! So, THANK YOU!!!
With only a few days left on the race, this will be my last blog update while on my World Race journey. I’m currently working on another blog about where I’m at about coming home and what God has been speaking to my heart lately. Thank you so much for your prayers, love and encouragement! I will see you all so soon!!
