11 days until my squad and I launch for 11 countries for 11 months.
So with that – I will give 11ish updates!
1. I am FULLY FUNDED!! Thank you to all those who helped me reach my goal of $18,017 to be able to serve God in the way He has called me to during this next year. I could not have been obedient without your obedience!
2. We have gotten our mission for Guatemala!
My team and I will be working with Los Gozosos in Chimaltenango, Guatemala: an orphanage/school for disabled children. We will be serving alongside the staff that is already there helping to train the children in ministry by doing neighborhood evangelism with them, while also instilling in the children how much Jesus loves them, feeding the poor with the children, participating in prayer time with them, helping to plan graduation, going on adventures with the kids, doing Kid’s Club and really just doing life with them everyday for the next month! I’m so excited! If you would like to check out this ministry, please visit:
http://www.losgozosos.org/Los_Gozosos/Welcome.html
(Those are really the only two updates I have, I just thought doing 11 would be cool so let’s just see where this goes)
3. I only need a few more items to be completely ready to go! -like bugspray and tiny febreeze.
4. These past few days and upcoming ones were/will be filled with excitement, fear, laughter, tears, and love because saying “goodbye” or “see you later” is hard and the trip still seems surreal.
5. Through reading the New Testament, God has been teaching me that the only real purpose I have on this earth is to bring the Kindgom of Heaven to earth and what an honor that is to be a part of!!
6. I’ve eaten ice cream every night for the past week – just in case ice cream in other countries is not as good.
7. I have not eaten anymore bugs because bugs in this country are probably not as good as bugs in other countries.
These last four updates will be new ways you can be praying while we are on this journey if we cross your mind!!
8. That we will rely on the Lord to keep us strengthened through the entirety of this first month as we love on these kids and the staff that are there.
9. That people see Jesus and only Jesus in us by the way we walk, talk, and act and for us not to be afraid to interrupt someone’s life to tell them the Gospel!
10. For the orphanage staff and children – provision, safety, and love towards them.
11. For all of us (the kids, staff, and my team) to have fun together and grow closer to one another in unity and to Christ!
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog! I look forward to keeping everyone updated while on the race and would love to answer any questions or hear any advice or comments from you!! Or even just what God has been doing in your life!
And thanks again to everyone who donated and/or has been praying for me as I prepare for this journey!!!
Monica Elder
