Watermelon Picking and Intercultural Training

With the world feeling like it’s been shining more light on the craziness day by day, the last month has been the most refreshing to my soul. So much so, when this song came on as I was getting ready last week, I may have got tears in my eyes. I felt like for the first time this year, I am truly rested. And funny enough, there’s a lot going on right now. 

 I’m currently in North Carolina at CIT (Center for Intercultural Training) to take a month of classes with other missionaries becoming more equipped to enter better cross-culturally. After 5 months of quarantine at home, I was a little nervous to come and get back into “real life” with new people. But, spending the last 3 weeks simply learning and enjoying my time with an array of people who “get it”, I feel rested and have clearer vision (and excitement) for heading to Guatemala. 

 As someone who has spent over a year on the mission field, I’ve learned a lot from trial and error. Which has given me enough to get by well as a leader and a missionary. But, sitting in classes here has given me so many words and “AHA moments” to place a finger on what I’ve experienced overseas. 

 The days are filled with sitting in a classroom learning about ethnocentrism, spiritual warfare, cultural relativism, the heart of God, team dynamics, etc. I am being taught by a team of facilitators who have all spent years as missionaries, full of stories and experience. I’ve done my best to soak it all up and ask ALL the questions I have. 

 We’re in the middle of nowhere out in the mountains and at lunch I walk over to my teachers house to pick the newly ripe watermelon in his yard. I sit on the porch and talk to my friends here. We spend the weekends hiking and watching movies. We tell stories of times in Indian villages and what it’s like to return home to family. My heart needed this in a year of fundraising, not having anything for the future clear, and quarantine. As someone who thrives living in community, it’s been so good for me. 

 So for those who have become monthly supporters in the last few months, all the money has gone towards my training here— THANK YOU! I continue to be amazed by those who want to see God glorified in the Nations through what I get to join in Guatemala. 

 I still don’t have a specific time I’ll be back in Guatemala because borders are still closed and I’m still fundraising. But, my goal at this point is November— prayers appreciated! 

Prayer requests — 

Though I’m so glad to be here, I’ve missed big things back home. The tension of loving where I’m at/what I do, but wishing I was with the people I love at home feels like a thread throughout the last few years. It’s hard. 

I’m still in the midst of talking to people about becoming monthly partners with me for Guatemala. Please pray for fruitful conversation as I start again after taking a month off while at CIT. 

An amazing last week of classes and time with my class.

A safe drive back home from North Carolina on Friday (September 4th)