Aloha! Here’s an update on the most recent parts of my life leading up to now 🙂
In the last week of Granada, Nicaragua my parents along with others had the opportunity to join me in life and ministry for a week! After not seeing each other for 200 days it was so sweet to be reunited and spend time together. We did house visits praying for those around us, provided lunch to workers at “the dumb” which is a land fill where people in need of work sort through garbage to gather recyclable materials. We also took a boat tour and went zip lining! There were lots of special moments like, them getting to join in on the worship that i’ve been (co) leading while on the race. Being in their presence was refreshing and I am so extremely thankful and glad they came! I went on my first mission trip with my parents when I was 16 yrs. old for a week in Honduras. It was their second time going, they brought me along with them and now, 5 yrs. later, I got to bring them along with me!
After that final week in April my squad and I continued on to San Jose, Costa Rica! Bringing us into month 8.
We had a full debrief as a squad where we got new teams and caught vision for these next and final 4 months of the world race. This was my favorite debrief. We talked about starting healthy habits now that will set us up for success and help create a healthy transition into “normal life” in the states. I learned a lot about discipline in all facets of life and what it looks like to practically prioritize yourself and your needs while having a servants heart. I’m super thankful for my SQLs (squad leaders) and Amanda Warden who dropped a word of wisdom on this blooming flower of a 21 year old.
From tHeRe! My NEW TEAM and I traveled a few short hours and are now living in JACO!! My team leader’s name is Abby and she is a dream of a friend to have. Then there’s me, Caitlyn Casey, Cae, (both from my most previous team:). Paige, Amanda G. and Risa! After this first week of doing life and ministry with them, I can honestly say that I am so so excited that the Lord chose them to be the ones that I get to finish off this thing with. We have so much fun and each love and serve each other so naturally. We are “Team Aloha” !
We are partnered with Oceans Edge ministry which is A) ran by some amazing women and B) just 10 minutes down the road from the beach!! Every morning at 8 we have our 6 minute stretches, followed with a devo with one of the women, Steph!
Pause- I love how intentional our God is. It’s no coincidence that we talked about starting good habits at debrief and then we get to ministry where we’re poured into just as much as we’re pouring out. 6 minute stretches to wake up your mind and body?? Absolutely continuing that after this month!
Oceans Edge is really good at community outreach and being Jesus to everyone they come into contact with. They’ve built a house on the property that houses teams, squads and interns and have plans of expanding their floor plan so that they can teach English, computer, bible and sewing classes to locals! Construction starts in 2020.
They have been running a surf club for a year & a half where parents bring their kids, Hannah (the director) and her surfer friends provide lessons for an hour. Followed by a bible story, beach clean up and then a take-away bag with a treat and a craft!
I cannot say enough about this ministry and the ways that they love. My team mates and I were given mentors who are focused on investing in us during the small amount of time that we’re here :’)
Not to sound wow is me or anything but my friend Jojo put it like this “Sometimes being with a ministry for a month can begin to feel like we’re a rag that they’re squeezing every once of water out of.“.
We go and we serve and they get every last drop that they can out of us. Leaving us crawling to each sabbath day of rest or debrief around the corner. Don’t get me wrong, life on the race IS fun and it IS amazing and full of growth. It’s just not a sustainable life style. Which is kind of the whole point .. for us to cling to the only source of real sustainably that we posses.
It’s a process and a true gift to learn, grasp and SEE that play out in life this way.
Thanks for dropping by and for following along! Seriously, it means a lot. Comment ways that I can be praying for you 🙂
Ps- To Mimi, Papa and the whole Siefner/Rottenapple gang I LOVE AND MISS YOU <3
