Saying Goodbye to some and Hello to others!
Phew, the first month in Colombia was such an amazing month: to be stepping into this journey with God and a team you hardly know, to grow into relationships with a group of people where you slowly start to see them as family more than anything, building relationships with people you can’t even have a normal conversation with because of different languages. I was continually finding ways to have conversations with those same people and build relationships so meaningful and God-filled. I spent a lot of time learning to step out of my comforts and follow God into the unknown. I am finding those areas where I am lacking in my faith and learning how to grow. This trip is about putting things you want to hold onto aside so that God can grab ahold of your whole heart and attention It is about taking steps to not letting emotions from the devil effect your life- emotions such as fear, anxieties and worries for these are not of the Lord but things we let sneak into our lives. Knowing and acknowledging those is necessary to then take that step to change them. This past month was dedicated to opening your heart to others not knowing what may come out of it. Sometimes you just love on a child that you may never see again but still have faith that your little time with them has impacted their lives as much as it has impacted your own.
Let me tell ya, this past month had its challenges but it has stretched me in ways I needed to grow. It’s through the difficulties that we truly seek and find God. He gives us so much freedom to make our own choices because of His love for us. He allows hard things to happen to us, not because He wants to see us facing those challenges, but because He loves us enough to give us those freedoms. When we’re going through struggles is when we truly turn to God in our time of need. God wants this deep relationship with us and He wants us to need Him. Psalm 117:2 says, “For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD”. His love for us is so great and unfailing. His love for us will last forever, even in the times we mess up. There had been struggles in our first month but I really found a lot of time of growth for me. I’m learning to have faith in Him with everything- to hit my knees and pray in every situation. Its about surrendering all your hurts, desires, confusion, anxieties and everything else over to God and know that He will be there to step in to take care of you. He is a good, good father and I wouldn’t want to live a life apart from Him. Our first month in Colombia was an awesome experience and we built awesome relationships. But there were times that hurt. There were opportunities that came up where we had to learn to be vulnerable with our team. There were times when doubt and fear would try to creep in. We had to start to learn how to come together as a team and work on things, to take things to God first and our team second. I am blessed to have these six other women on my team and they have each individually helped me in their own specific way.
I’m beyond blessed that God used the first month in Colombia to work in my life. The ministry we got the opportunity to work with was so amazing. The women had so much to offer in wisdom and just life in general. Their smiles and the sound of laughter carried through the building on a regular basis. Like us, they to had struggles and hard times. On a hard day, you could still see God in them in so many ways. They were so in love with the daddy that took them out of a bad place to show them his unfailing love for them. These women are so strong and have such a heart for giving back after God helped them in a way so similar. I was blessed to hear some of their stories and will cherish all the time I got to spend with them. We also got to work with the children in a nearby village. Oh the kids, how they made my face just light up. Even though I may or may not ever see them again, they will have a special place in my heart always. A simple hug and smile not only made my day but I know I was able to show God’s love to them through such a simple act. God is here and God is good. He wants nothing but the best for His children. If I’m able to step out and be that little light in their life or a chance to make them smile and laugh than I know my time spent here was well worth it.
Leaving Colombia was not an easy thing for anyone on my team. We all had some kind of connection with the women, a few of the men and the children we encountered. Some connected deeper than others but I feel like we all found at least a little part of something or someone there that was hard to leave. Even though we are no longer there I know they will always have a small part of my heart. Who knows maybe some of us will go back to visit one day. I’m happy God placed us where he did the first month because it definitely impacted me in its own way.
Here we are at the beginning of our second month in Ecuador. I know God has big things planned this month and I’m excited to see what he does and how he moves in our team and in our squad since this is an all squad month! Stay tuned to keep updated. 🙂 We don’t have wifi unless were able to find it on off days so some may take longer to upload. I can’t wait to share all the stories with you. 🙂
I also want to thank everyone for everything you have done for me. For the constant prayers, love, and support that I have received recently and from the beginning of this journey. My fundraising isn’t completely done yet but I am getting closer. If you would like to partner with me, you can subscribe for blog updates or donate to my trip. Thank you all for your support. I love you and appreciate you all. Love Always, Paxtyn.
