…and that’s a wrap on Guatemala

When I said yes to going on a vision trip to Guatemala, I had no idea just how much I would fall in love with the country, culture, and community. My two months in Guatemala were filled with incredible learning opportunities, new friendships, more vision, adventures, and just pure joy. And to think I was just going on a simple “two-month vision trip…”

Here are a few of the many things that happened in Guatemala that I was not expecting, but that were SO needed:

1)    Insane growth and transformation. Thanks, Adventures Guatemala team, for pushing me into the uncomfortable places that I’ve been avoiding! Since Day 1 in Guatemala, the long-term staff team poured into us, spoke life, and gave helpful feedback when necessary. I felt like going to Guatemala in a sense threw me into a fire that wasn’t always easy, but I came out purified and refined. The AIM team is one that chooses to jump into the refining fire on purpose, knowing that it may hurt, but knowing even more that the end result will be one that looks more and more like Jesus. It’s AWESOME to watch!

2)    Finding incredible community. The Christian community I got to know in the Antigua area was a mix of missionaries (“gringos”) and locals, and it was one filled with immense passion, authenticity, and love. People who don’t just say they have faith, but who seek to live it out every day. People who listen to the Lord’s voice and follow it! People who walk with a fervor for the Lord to the point where they will do whatever it takes to live out their calling. I was truly amazed, humbled, and refreshed every time I entered a worship setting with these people, as I was consistently pointed back to the Lord!

3)    I found my laugh again. I love laughter—some of my happiest memories in life exist when I’m smiling and laughing with friends. Unfortunately, I feel like somewhere in 2020, my laugh became muffled, where true moments of genuine smiles and laughter were few and far between. BUT, I feel like a melting happened here in Guatemala through the people here, and as silly as it sounds, I’ve found my laugh again!

4)    Teammate #4 (and a half): I’m happy to introduce our fourth teammate joining our Middle East team: Sabrina Lengacher! When I met her a 3.5 years ago, she was working on the India base. Though her heart has been to serve in the Middle East, she’s been faithfully following the Lord’s voice and timing, which has led her to working at the Guatemala base for 2 years! When we arrived, God started to stir her heart even more, and now she’s joining our team! Yay!

ALSO, we have a current ½ teammate growing inside of Grace’s belly…Jack and Grace are pregnant!! Though it feels that so many things are changing, we believe that Gods timing is perfect, and we’re so excited to see what He does through this!

5)    More vision on the Middle East. Considering the fact that we went to Guatemala specifically on a vision trip, I’m glad that the Lord provided in bringing more vision! We now have more of a solidified plan as to what our first year will look like once we’re there. God is on the move!!

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So what’s next? Jack, Grace, and I are headed to a one-month Cross-Cultural Missionary Equipping Training in North Carolina. It’s an intensive program designed to train missionaries about what it looks like to work and live in new cultures. I’m excited–I think it will be extremely helpful as we prepare to move long-term overseas! After that, we can launch overseas once we raise all of the necessary funds! 

Thank you to everyone who has followed me in this journey thus far! I’m really excited to continue to watch what God does in these upcoming months as Jack, Grace, Sabrina, and I continue to plan and make moves towards going to the Middle East. Please reach out any time! I appreciate you all a lot!