Transitioning into God’s Promises

I’ve officially been living in Guatemala for over 5 months! To put it lightly, life has picked up drastically compared to my life in 2020. I felt as if I spiritually and physically stumbled off the plane in January, after a year of fundraising during a pandemic. I did my best to hold onto hope and vision of why I’m deciding to move to Guatemala, and trying to keep my sanity like the rest of the world. 

 

My good friend and teammate, Gabe, picked me up from the Guatemala City Airport. We spent the hour ride from the airport to the town we live in (Antigua) talking about how we were about to receive the first team we’ve had since the pandemic hit. “I barely remember who I am when I’m thriving. It’s hard for me to remember what I’m good at and how I operate in my gifts. It’s been so long,” I shared with him as I looked out of the car window, admiring the colorful buildings and wild traffic in the country I have missed so much. 

 

That’s how I arrived — a mix of worn out, giddy, nervous, overwhelmed, but mostly relieved to just finally be here. There’s something special about being exactly where you know God has called you after a season of fighting for that promise to come to pass. Arriving in Guatemala felt like the fruit of trusting God and holding onto hope when it often felt hopeless. 

 

Now, it has been 5 months of living here. I’m living in a new home, working a new job with a team of people I’ve loved for years, learning a new language, and still transitioning. I’ve learned where to buy chocolate croissants on my way home. I know where and how to pay my bills. I know the best route to walk to church. I invite friends over for dinner and make pasta (of course) as we talk about life, our jobs, and new tv shows. I miss my people at home, while loving the community I have here. I have cried to friends about the frustrations of learning a new language and trying to be understood. I get excited every time I walk into our base and see gap year. I have a mango lady. I have a roommate I love. I have found comfort in the discomfort of my life on the mission field. I’ve stood on this truth in many seasons: life can be hard and holy at the same time. 

 

I remember again what I look like when I’m thriving. When I have a good community in my daily life, working a job I’m passionate about, and living in the fullness of God. And it feels GOOD. I’m so thankful for those of you who have commited to support me as I settle here and go after all is asking of me and my team. 

 

As a reminder, I work with a team of 13 people for Adventures in Missions Guatemala. We focus on serving our American and Guatemalan relationships through community development, discipleship through relationship, and mobilization of disciples locally and internationally to transform other people and nations into being children of God. To put it simply we: Serve. Disciple. Send.

 

When I think of the base, our staff, and what we do– I think of how Jesus did church, discipleship, and life. One of my favorite things about my team is we don’t just teach, we walk out what we’re about every day. We’ve seen countless healings, salvations, and hearts restored even in the 5 months I’ve been back in Guatemala. 

 

Almost all of my focus goes to World Race Gap Year. Just like I did right after high school in 2016, gap year is for 17-20 year olds who have given up 9 months to serve God overseas. When I went on gap year, God changed my life through being discipled and having leaders who saw my mess and chose to show me how to live a life like Jesus. Now, that’s what I do. I focus on pastoral care and discipleship of Gap Year. I create ministry schedules, run orientation, have one on one conversations, help teams walk through conflict, make sure team leaders are doing well, etc. I have joked for years that “people” is what I’m good at. Now, I get to be part of showing my generation what it looks like to live a life enjoying Jesus. I’m back doing what I was made to do and it’s an honor. 

 

In case no one has told you lately, Gen Z is passionately following Jesus. My heart burns for my generation to truly and actually know Jesus and be devoted to what He fought for. I’ve found my purpose in leading Gen Z.. I’m so thankful for the job I have here in Guatemala that allows me to devote everything to this and a team that does the same.