Saturday, March 31, 2012

It's all so real!

It's a little hard to imagine that in just 38 days I will be going to Paraguay! Or that in 77 I'll be in Honduras! But that is what is so cool about this summer!

I am so excited for these trips, but in such different ways! It's really neat to interact with my different teams and learn about what we'll be doing in each country.

I am excited to go to Paraguay...
- to serve in a country I've never been before
- to meet new people
- to build relationships 
- to grow a church
- to teach others about Jesus
- to serve with a wonderful team from three different universities
- to serve with ONU students I've never served with before
- to serve with Kelsey and Drew again
- to speak Spanish with the locals
- to see God in new things and places
- to learn more about myself and the world
- to get to know my friends on a whole new level
- to be a puppetmaster
- to worship
- to invite people to church
- to visit the markets
- to eat new food
- to experience new things
... and more!

Please don't misunderstand my list of excitement as simply a to-do list or superficial reasons I'm going on the trip. I am wholeheartedly ready to dive into ministry and be Jesus with skin on in AsunciĆ³n, but it I am excited for the little things as well.

I am excited to go to Honduras...
- to return to the country where I left my heart
- to see "my kids" again
- to continue the relationships I began last year
- to develop new relationships 
- to meet all of the new kids 
- to pour into their lives
- to teach ESL
- to sing "O Mango Tree" again
- to eat Isela's cooking again... mmmm
- to stay in the place I love for SIX WEEKS
- to teach the children more about Jesus
- to do devotionals with the staff
- to develop relationships with the moms 
- to learn how to adapt.... aka get used to icy cold showers 
.... okay maybe I'm not so excited about that last one...
- to get to know Bekka, Katie, and Lanae better
- to meet other teams from all over
- to facilitate and lead others
- to visit new places
And so much more! 

After our training last week with the Paraguay team and now the Footsteps meeting today, both trips are beginning to seem more real - They're ACTUALLY happening!!
Getting flight itineraries and tentative schedules, and more information helps my brain realize that it's not just this far-off thing anymore. It's coming. SOON!

I am just so, so excited. These trips are in God's hands and I CANNOT wait to go and let Him work through my hands and feet! If I could, I'd just quit school for now and hop on a plane tonight! ....oh, if only!

I am just so amazed at how God has been providing for me in so many unique ways. I have raised over $2,800 leaving me with under $2,000 to go! He is so good.

Before I know it I'll be on a plane to AsunciĆ³n for the first leg of my adventure. 
And I couldn't be happier.

THIS IS REAL!

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