What is the most unexpected thing that’s happened to you on the trip so far?
Not being let into Mozambique. We had everything we needed to get in and were turned away, to the stay two nights sleeping shoulder to shoulder in a school, then camping at a contacts house for the rest of the month while doing ministry in Blantyre.
What things have you learned about God?
What haven’t I learned about God? If I were to pick just one thing, I would say that God’s plan is sovereign. And you’re “Well duh, Nathan. Of course it is.” and it’s an easy thing to say you understand, and maybe you do. But seriously. You can read Jeremiah 29:11 all day, but it’s different when you experience it. I was angry when I was switched from B-squad to C-squad. I didn’t know why. But I do know that I am supposed to be here. I am supposed to see what I’ve seen and be where I’ve been. I was supposed to have a 92 hour travel day with maybe 7 hours of sleep from El Salvador to Bulgaria. I was supposed to be asked by Jon, our El Salvador contact, to get out of the truck at the old train depot to help him hand out papusas to homeless men, women and kids. The why doesn’t matter yet. He will reveal that to me in his own time. But I regret nothing, because I know that it is his plan.
Which location is your favorite? Why?
Lezhe, Albania. Seriously beautiful. Turn left at the end of the road, and there was town, epic mountains, and a castle. Turn right, walk an hour, and your swimming in the Adriatic sea. My favorite thing I’ve seen is by far Victoria Falls. If you ever get a chance, you would be a fool to pass it up.
What has been the most wonderful things and the hardest things overall?
The hardest thing is living in community. There is always things and people that will rub you the wrong way, especially when you live together 24/7. It’s especially tough when people can’t determine whether or not things are worth bringing up, or requires a change in their own hearts. Most of the time, it is the latter.
The most wonderful thing is seeing so many things, both good and bad. I have seen a lot of things that I wish I hadn’t, and that we’re difficult to take in and comprehend. But I have also seen a lot of amazing things and met amazing people. The beach in El Salvador, thanks to our friend Denise for hosting us at her beach house. We also met Ken and Michelle, a missionary couple in El Sal who focused on the upper 1% of the population. Victoria Falls was amazing.
What has grown in your faith the most?
Giving my relationships to the Lord and trusting him, even if it means not talking to your best friends back home for weeks on end, or admitting tough stuff to family and other you love. Sometimes, the worst that can happen is God says “Wait on me. Things will happen in my time.” It is real hard sometimes, but it forces me to trust in the Lord more and more.
What was the most interesting ministry you’ve done? The most challenging? The least favorite?
My favorite ministry has been in El Salvador, working with Mission to El Salvador. Their homeless ministry is called El Faro (The Lighthouse) and it happens on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s. Essentially the first forty homeless people in line are let in, and they must be sober, which was my job (the bag checking sobriety bouncer guy). When they are inside, they can get a haircut, a shower, and exchange their clothes for a clean set. They play games and chat with us gringos and other people. Then there is a devotional, followed by a hot meal. Thursday night we took Jon’s truck, filled with food out into the city, where we would bring the food to the different homeless communities. On Monday’s and Fridays, we did different projects, the biggest of which was replacing asbestos roofs at an orphanage with huge tin sheet metal.
What was the impact of having new people on your team?
It really changes team dynamic. Each time team changes roll around, you are presented with new challenges. Things that worked on your first team don’t always work on the other teams. Its about finding what works as quick as possible, so you can fully invest and pour into your team.
What are your prayer requests for the last months?
That I stay focused. As we are reaching the final stretch of the Race, it is easy to begin to think about what will come next. Pray that I stay focused on our ministry at hand, not on our ministry in the future.
