A few weeks ago I made a really tough decision to move to Panama for almost 4 months (January 8- April 25) and work as a intern for a development project called Kalu Yala. I will be spending four months working in the jungle right outside Panama City to help create the world’s most sustainable village, the weather is going to be 75-80 degrees the entire time I’m there, I will be able to surf anytime I want at nearby beaches, our group takes frequent excursions to volcanoes and other exotic locations, I will hopefully have a chance to greatly improve my Spanish, and I will be working with 10 other people my age who who are completely passionate about the project. So why in the world was this a tough decision?
Around the time I applied for the internship, my Mom found out she had colon cancer. She rushed to have surgery. I quickly forgot about the internship. She found out following the surgery that the cancer had spread. I got accepted to the internship the day before leaving for Guatemala. She started chemo while I was in Guatemala City. The internship goes until the end of April. Mom’s last week of chemo is the week of April 25th.
Yeah, the timing of the internship absolutely killed me. It was an awesome opportunity for sure, but I struggled with fears that Mom wouldn’t have someone to take care of her while I was gone. Not to mention that I just wanted to be there for her through it all. Yet, for some reason I couldn’t shake the internship and the peace I felt about going. After talking with a ton of people about my thoughts, my reasons to go and my reasons to stay, and after much praying, I finally decided that I was supposed to go to Panama. And the best part? My mom is fully supporting me and so excited about my choice.
Soooo here I am. Heading to Panama in a little under a month. Common sense says that this is going to put me behind on support raising for the World Race. Yet, I know that God isn’t going to call me to do something and not provide the means to do it. There is a reason I am heading to Panama, and there is a reason I am going on the World Race. I think I tend to underestimate God and His ability to provide. I have been setting goals that I think I can tangibly reach, in essence telling God what I think He should provide based on what I think is logically possible. Its all a head game I’ve been playing. So Ive decied to jump out on a limb here and set a goal that seems impossible, one that only God could make happen.
In order to be able to launch on the race in July I must raise at least $5,000. I am setting a goal of raising $5,000 by the time I leave for Panama on January 8th. God, I am not going to sell you short by setting a goal I think I can get. If I reach this goal, it is only because of You.
Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts throughout this time as I continue to raise support for the World Race and as I prepare to head down to Central America. Also, continue to pray for my mom as she faces a battle tougher than anything I could imagine dealing with.
Cheers,
Steven
