Dear Miami Beaches,
Allow me to share my heart with you.
I love being from Miami!
“Born and raised,” I tell people with the biggest smile on my face.
Instantly, people paint Miami as crystal water beaches, great vacation get-aways, fashion and partying.
I never have to worry about people not knowing where Miami is, no matter where I am in the world (unlike some squad mates).
When thinking back to the reactions I have received when telling people I’m from Miami, two moments stand out to me:
- During my first month in Honduras with one of the girls I made a relationship with.
>” No way! I’m going to visit and you can show me all around!”
>> ” DUHH!!”
Or
2. During my second month at an Ice cream shop in Antigua. My team and I ran into a group of adults from Iowa.
> “Miami? I didn’t realize anything good came out of that place.”
>> …….. *silence from my end*
The first one is pretty much how all of them turn out- which is why I have people from all over the world planning to stay at my house when I return (sorry mom/dad).
But the second one was just as impactful on my life than the first, if not more. That was hard to swallow. I immediately closed up in that conversation and felt extremely defensive.
It was really hard for me to let that comment go.
I became self conscious of when I said “Miami,” after that. I caught myself constantly. I was either saying it a lot more or my eyes were oped to just how much I talked about it.
EX: Catching myself naming the city I was from in a group of squad mates who were naming their home states.
EX: Catching myself dropping “Miami” whenever I saw convenient.
“Why am I name dropping like this?”
The more I did, the more I regretted it.
I constantly shared stories about my amazing up bringing and a loving community of friends/family back home. When I’m on a roll about Miami, you usually can’t get me to stop talking.
But this is common for the whole squad to talk about it their lives back home whenever the opportunity arises. Not just me.
So why did a guilty feeling rush over me every time I mentioned Miami after Antigua?
Reflection and much time alone forced me to accept something ugly about myself.
I place a lot of my identity in this city.
I use it as a safety blanket when meeting people to instantly “bring” something to the table.
I place more value in my home than I did for the people around me.
Up until that moment in Antigua, I never heard anyone so openly dis my city. Nor did I realize just how deep this identity problem was. Not only did I feel I needed to defend Miami, I felt I needed to list all the reasons I didn’t fall into this make believe group he put me in.
I asked myself what Miami represented and if I really needed to include that detail. I knew at the end of the day my relationships with people wouldn’t change.
I sadly came to the conclusion that it wasn’t about the friendship as much as it was just to hear/see their reactions.
Well, that’s UGLY.
4 months later, I’m thankful for that conversation. YES, a lot of growth required 
It opened my eyes to the person I never wanted to come across as.
ESPECIALLY ON A MISSION TRIP.
Let’s clear the air here. There is nothing wrong with Miami.
There was something wrong with my heart behind saying it.
I realize that many of us don’t see a problem with being proud of the MIA, but having learnt the hard way, I want to encourage you to reflect on your intentions when telling people your from Miami.
WE KNOW, it is filled with so many joyful/loving people. When I think back to my beautiful home, I think of my parents delicious cooking and sharing the days adventures at the table with family; I think of nights with my friends around the couch laughing our heads off; I think of the Bouza Brownie’s homeless outreach project & my willing community who helped volunteer their time and energy for.
It’s so much more than beautiful beaches and Lebron.
Sadly, people have a twisted idea of what Miamians bring to the table. I don’t want to walk away from a conversation feeling like they don’t understand what a “Miami beach” would be doing on a backpacking-mission trip.
I understand how glamorous Miami looks like from the outside. But I also understand how many of you constantly talk about issues around Miami and the world that bother you and wish to see change in. Miami has just as many mission hearts as the rest of the country; some people just need a little more push.
I’m going to end this blog with a challenge.
A challenge to my Miami family thousands of miles away who are moved by my story.
DO A MISSIONS TRIP.
It doesn’t matter how many days long, just sign up for one! There is so much joy in choosing to sacrifice your comfort to make a difference in another human’s life.
WARNING: It’s highly addictive…
For those of you who feel like I’m speaking AT you, take this as the confirmation you needed to JUST DO IT!!
Miami will be a place where more and more missions will start, I really believe that. People all over the world will notice.
My passion is to inspire others to stop talking and start doing.
Enjoy life and Give Joy to others lives- it’s what we’re all about.
#Enjoy & #GiveJoy
P.S. Share this blog with friends and family you have talked about doing missions with. I know you have!!
X
