Hey Friends!
It has been a minute since I have posted and it has just been a whirlwind of crazy over here. My squad and I leave for Columbia in a little over three weeks. THREE WEEKS! That sounds so much short than 23 days for some reason even though it isn’t.
For the last two months, I have been preparing by getting gear and also with my relationship with God. I have also been doing my best at plugging into a community here and being intentional with my time here before I leave for almost a year.
How does one pack for 11 months living out of a backpack?
VERY carefully. There are so many things to consider but there is also still so much unknown when it comes to where we will be and what climates we will really be in. This is scary and exciting all rolled up into one. It is scary because it makes it close to impossible to prepare for. However, the reason it is exciting is that it allows us the opportunity to trust in God to provide for us and be sovereign over what we bring. Though if I am being honest it still stresses me out if I think about it too much.
Speaking of packing! The process of ensuring I had clothes appropriate for ministry was proving to be a little difficult. That was probably because I was just not liking anything I saw in the store for myself. I also could not bring myself to buy new things knowing that there is a chance they get ruined or left behind. So I decided to make myself skirts for my trip. My grandma and Aunt have been sewing all my life and have tried several times to teach me and it never stuck. WELL after three skirts I can say that it has stuck. I am still very new at it but it is so neat to start with a piece of fabric and see it turn into something functional and cute.
In other exciting news, my mom has sold her house and we are moving into a new house soon. That gave me the opportunity to try out my sleeping pad for two weeks which has been very helpful! I know my sleeping pad will be good for 11 months of use!
At the beginning of December, I started using a new journal that I was so excited about. It is from a small business that creates these beautifully designed faith journals that are designed to write your entire year’s worth of notes in. You can do it any way that you feel lead and they are just amazing! They also have sections for faith goals, prayer requests, God’s faithfulness, book records, bible reading checklist, and a memory verse section. I have not stuck to journals in the past but praying that this journal and this next year will allow me to break that!
Lastly, I am so blown away by all the support I have received this year and through the next year. 123 people is what it took to reach the goal of $17,900 to allow me this opportunity to spread the love of God and also grow with Him. I am so excited to meet people where they are and just love them. I am also excited to see the personal growth and dependence on God through the next year. To those 123 people who graciously and sacrificially gave I thank you! Thank you for all of the love and support. I will continue to pray for you through this journey and know that you have made an imprint on my heart in a new way that I will always be grateful for.
I would love to know what ways I can specifically pray for you so never hesitate to reach out. I will also have a group chat in order to send prayer requests from the field. If you are interested in being on that please let me know!
“‘Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should. ‘” Ephesians 6:18-20
