“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the Good News of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
The beautiful Team Agape! AYE AYE AYE AGAPE!
No amount of words or pictures can capture how incredibly beautiful and transformative this month was. I learned so much from my friends, strangers, and the Lord Himself. The more that I look back on pictures and journal entries I simply sit in awe of how intentional our Heavenly Father really is.
He is just so kind.
A beautiful moment with One Way at ministry!
Bonfire for Will’s surprise birthday party! (Planning this was probably the hardest but most fun thing I did as a TL)
My beautiful friends Carolina and Abigail!
MINISTRY WEEK 3 RECAP:
On Monday, I had my last TL day with Anahbelle! This month had me questioning my every move as a leader- I was overwhelmed with decisions and so many things all at once. Anahbelle knew this and helped me out all day, just taking me to all of her favorite places in Antigua and making all the decisions for me so I didn’t have to (Praise God for that😂). We ended the day by surprising my team with a pizza! We all were humbled very early on into the trip, just simply with the overwhelming fact that being able to choose what you eat is a blessing. Then we had our feedback and team time and ended the night with some games! Anahbelle is also now coined as the “Spoon Queen! 😂
Anahbelle and I crammed in the van and she had to be half in and half out of it! 😂
At the Archhh
I ❤️ Antigua sign!
The best ice cream EVER!
THE SPOON QUEEN HERSELF!!
On Tuesday, my team was supposed to head to our ministry in Palima a few hours away- that didn’t happen unfortunately. Since most of my team was still sick and the ones that were willing and able to go were also getting over being sick, our ministry cancelled our driver and just told us to stay back and heal for another day. So then me, Kara, Will, and Zachary went to Melendrez to have an ATL day. We played games, ate good food, studied the Word, and did our blogs for a few hours. Then we got back to base to finish off the night doing feedback and team time and then listening to our mentor, Alayna’s testimony. The Lord is so evident in every day, but especially on this trip. When plans change and we have to pivot, the Lord always provides a path back to Him, allowing us to keep Him in the center within the midst of the chaos. There is nothing more beautiful to me than that.
The cutest little barista!
Will got a bit of a sunburn…
A note from my favorite kids!
More of Melendrez!
Reading in Micah 7!
On Wednesday and Thursday, you guessed it… I was sick again. It was a heartbreaking notion- knowing that there was nothing I could do and that being sick was out of my control but ministry was ending soon. The Lord just kept telling me to sit still and know that He is Lord, and truly, sitting still was one of the hardest things that I had to do during this time. And He knew that. But, through my stillness I got to see myself be slowly but surely transformed to look more like Him. I saw my patience and grace grow to be rooted even deeper into Him, and I saw myself taking in everything around me to a further extent than I could before. Being sick so much this trip humbled me and my team so much, but honestly, we all needed it in ways that we didn’t or can’t yet understand. All we know is- God is good and faithful through every circumstance, coincidences do not exist. It’s only and always God.
Wednesday was also a good day even throughout my sickness because I spent the week previous planning Will a surprise birthday party to take place that night! Although as a team we were struggling health wise, by that time of the night everyone was at least okay enough to hang out for a little bit and celebrate Will! We surprised him in the main room with us singing happy birthday, snacks, blowing out a candle in a muffin, a bonfire, and games!
Bonfire .5
Zachary’s card for Will (precious!)
Cutiesss
My girls Sophie and Julianne!
Emma taught us spicy uno! Sooo fun
Friday was our last day of ministry and I don’t think anything could have prepared us to say goodbye to One Way. This group changed my life and the lives of my teammates in ways that were beyond our own expectations. These people are constantly overflowing with the Spirit, pouring into others with all that they have, and being grateful for the little things that they do possess. The kids weren’t at the One Way base on Friday, but we went and did our last round of house visits. From the first day with One Way, we were told about certain houses and families that impact their ministry deeply. One of those families was the house visit we were going to do- a 24 year old son with schizophrenia (diagnosed at age 11), and a daughter with blood cancer. This family was still, in the midst of all the pain and darkness around them, FILLED with faith.
When we were talking to the parents, before praying for them we said the verse Psalm 30:5 (“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.”) This verse already impacts me so deeply, but there was a different connection when we shared this verse with the parents. The thing is, their situation was awful. I can’t even try to sugarcoat it- this family has been through so many hard, earth shattering events. But the joy WILL come in the morning. The morning may not be here on earth, but when they go to Heaven and see Jesus face to face- there WILL be joy.
After the house visit, we went back to the One Way base where they prayed for us all and we all shared laughter and tears. We prayed for our new dog friend from this trip, Miguela, and shared some more laughter and tears. This ministry, this trip- it changed me. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Took this at ministry in San Lorenzo!
The cow at One Way!
Miguelaaaa
The puppy we found while we were roaming the streets of San Lorenzo!
Becca, Will, and I praying for Miguela😂❤️
Our last hike in San Lorenzo!
Friday was also Will’s birthday! I planned a surprise party for him on Wednesday night, but we went out to actually celebrate him on Friday after ministry! We went back to the base to do a quick feedback time and get refreshed and ready to go and then we ubered down to Antigua! We went and walked around some of the markets for a bit and then our ministry host, Cesar, joined us! Then we went to Hectors Bistro (one the best restaurants ever in my opinion) for dinner. After that, our friends from the Prayer Mountain team booked a hostel for them to stay in for the night in Antigua, so we stopped by to say hi and hang out with them for a bit! But first- ice cream!!!! I took my team to the ice cream shop that Anahbelle introduced me to earlier in the week for my TL day and my team loved it just as much as I did! After we got our ice cream we walked down to the hostel to hang out. Then we booked an uber to start heading back! That uber ride was the most fun we have had as a team naturally, we were both physically full and mentally just joyful, the conversations that flowed from that night still bring me so much joy and laughter! I now have a newfound appreciation for the Tinker Bell Pirate Fairy movie, that thanks to Will we watched in the uber ride back! 😂
Me and my twinnn MK!!
Tinker Bell Pirate Fairy in the uber😂
Pizza from Hectors!
Ice creammm
Saturday marked the start of our squad debrief- definitely the most fun event that I experienced on the trip. We were there until Wednesday and just being able to be surrounded by everyone was such a loving experience. I sat there and watched as the connections we all made during training camp were brought into fruition this entire month, making us all more of a family than we could have ever imagined. I cannot even put into words how great this team and squad was. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside some of the most amazing people that I know.
My twinnn❤️
Caroline and I before we left the base to go to debrief! 💗
Megapaca run featuring Baden
Baden, Lily, and I being aesthetic all ordering matchas
Cambioooo
Alyssa, MK, and I looking cute for dinner😍💘
When I don’t know anything else, one thing that I’m sure of is that God is and will remain forever faithful! One month ago, I left to Guatemala with no ideas or expectations of what I would be walking into- and through every hardship, laugh, and joyful moment- God was so evident. He worked through and transformed me in ways that I didn’t know were possible. He unlocked gifts in me that I didn’t know I possessed. He gave me friendships that turned into family. He is just SO GOOD!
MK and I took Jacob along for our piercing journey… can you tell that he’s bored?
Matching piercings with twin!!!
Caroline and I’s chais for breakfast!!
A fireeee açaí bowl
Alyssa, Jacob, and I during debrief session 2!
Alyssa attempting to become an Ohioan 😂❤️
Hmmm comfortable??
Kara using her waitress skills carrying our pizza
The cutest dog who sat through our Bible study at the garden cafe!
Addi’s cutie drink at the garden cafe!
Having the opportunity to love on God’s children has wrecked me in the most beautiful way! To be the hands and feet of Jesus, to carry His love into broken places- there is nothing more profoundly fulfilling!!!! The people of Guatemala are full of grace and beauty, and the constant presence of Jesus is undeniable- He is just so beautiful. Every moment spent here drew me closer to Him. There is such beauty in obedience, and it’s here that I’ve come to understand the beauty of that truth. I will never ever be the same!!!
One of the best coffee shops in Antigua😍
Flexing the money?? 😂
Anahbelle and her criminal side eye
The piñata at squad dinner😂
Worship after squad dinner!
My girls and I at the arch! The dab pics😍
Group pic through Baden’s perspective (bro literally climbed a tree😂)
MK and I watching House of David until like 3am😂
Baden during our hike up to the cross😂
Anahbelle and I!
Team prayer!
Comfortable???
What was it all for? What’s next? How else will I be used in the Kingdom? There are so many questions that I have now, and so much that I don’t know. But that is okay because there’s one this that I do know:
I’ll always find Him faithful.
Thank you for everything Guatemala, I’ll love you forever❤️
At the Guate airport🥹
Sweet reminder of One Way ministry!
Brynn pinky promising to be my friend forever and ever😭❤️
Another absolutely fire açaí bowl
My precious friends and I!
Me and the hostel guitar!
Chicken bus viewssss
Also, a huge thank you to all of you for following along this journey with me! Walking out my calling is definitely an experience, and it just means everything to me to have supporters to help point me back to the Lord in every moment❤️ Guatemala changed me and Z squad marked me, and I just can’t wait to see what will happen next!!
Leave a Reply