Where do I begin? The past two years have flown by, and it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting down and meeting with potential supporters, inviting them to join me on this journey. This season has held so many unexpected trials and blessings, namely getting evacuated from my original country of service (Nicaragua), getting married, and starting all over in Honduras as I continue working with my sending org, One Collective.
Thinking back on the past 734 days of life(!), here are my thoughts for you, future goer!
1. Allow yourself to be lead by the Holy Spirit. You’ll probably be really surprised all the places you will go and people He will put in your path. Some of my most sacred relationships I had in Nicaragua are people God literally brought to my doorstep.
2. This one is a tough one. Let go of the death-grip of control that we as Americans hold on our time. There were times in Nicaragua when someone would come over and pour out their heart for three or four hours. In those moments, I felt exhausted, but also the joy and satisfaction of knowing God was using me. As an introvert, I do not love having people creep in on my time and space, but God really stretched me in this area.
3. You will see a lot of need, and you simply cannot and should not help with everything. Continually ask God what is YOURS to help with. Who are the people He is calling YOU to care for? There will be constant needs, constant sicknesses, constant money shortages, but in the same way God doesn’t lay the burdens that are on your heart on others’ hearts, there will be people that God will use others to bless, and that’s okay. To put it simply, if you don’t feel peace about something, it is most likely not from God.
4. If your team does not have a strong place for/focus on prayer and relational ministry, don’t be afraid to create that space. Anything God will do in and through you in your community must be born out of community and time with Him, so this time and space is absolutely essential.
5. Your family loves you deeply, and though they won’t always “get it,” they truly want to be a part of this journey. They just might not know how. This week I realized I hadn’t called my paternal grandparents in months. Living abroad is normal for me, but for them, I am their first grandchild to live overseas. Don’t put all of the burden on your family to keep up with you. Reach out to them, and teach them what ways you can stay in touch. If you don’t have a PO box, get one! Also, Google Voice/Hangouts offers a one-time number porting service, so I actually got the rights for my AT&T number transferred to Google, allowing me to call my internet-less grandparents free of charge! Show your family the ropes on continuing your relationship from afar.
6. Be mindful of the ways you respond, react, and present yourself in times of challenge and struggle. The world is watching, and your example can positively reflect the Gospel or negatively reflect the world. Share your struggle, be transparent and honest, but point to Jesus in all of it and share how HE is getting you through.
7. Fess up when you mess up. In one situation on my team last year, I realized I had been a voice of division, negativity, and bitterness. Pride is one of our greatest struggles, so if you come clean and share when you have been in the wrong, it can give others the courage to do so, too.
8. Respect your leaders, even when you disagree with their decisions (obviously within reason!). There were moments when I was frustrated with decisions made for me, but ultimately leadership and authority is GOOD, and there are good reasons there are people over you. Submitting to authority is a hard lesson, but something I believe to be close to the heart of Jesus. Even when opinions differ (especially as a young, single woman on the field!), know that your leadership loves you, cares for you, and truly desires the best for you!
9. If there is room for two plates, there is room for three. If there is room for three plates, there is room for four. A Nicaraguan friend taught me, and I have carried it with me.
10. Become part of a church community, find your “people,” and find your place to serve. Both before coming on the field and during my first two years of service, I loved Jesus but wrestled with a lot of bitterness towards the church. The reality, though, is that the church is God’s main hope for people on Earth, AND God desires for you to be in a healthy, Christian community where you can grow! Seek out a church home where you feel peace and his presence.
11. If you want to learn how to be better at something, draw close to those who are already really good at it! Joining a prayer group lead by a spiritual warrior in my community was one of the best decisions I ever made. Sometimes, fear keeps us from approaching those older and wiser than us, but in reality, those people are life’s best teachers!
12. When possible, start your time on the field with a couple months in a host family. It goes a long way in helping you learn cultural nuances and rhythms… even if you selfishly come in thinking you already know a lot! Then, when possible, live with a roommate or in community, and work together to love one another and open your home to those who desperately need a safe place. Both of these seasons are great prep for the rest of your life!
13. You will witness God provide in the least expected ways, through the least expected people, at the least expected times.
14. Do not live as if you have forever in your country. So many wishes and desires, I kept in my mind for “someday,” not knowing my country would experience crisis and I would have to leave unexpectedly. Live your life with purpose and urgency. If God puts something on your heart, do it!
15. Never take for granted the incredible privilege it is to work alongside local leaders! Some of my most treasured memories involve working alongside local doctors, pastors, and community leaders. Take advantage of time with these people to soak up some of their wisdom and life experience! No one will ever serve the community better than they are able to.
16. Thank God for good neighbors. Find them, love them, and be one yourself! Three families who we shared day-to-day life with will forever be some of the sweetest parts of my time on the field. They are treasures you should invest in and care for deeply.
17. Know that after this experience, your life will never be the same. Yes, you will experience the temptation of comparison as you watch friends get masters degrees and promotions a bit before you, but nothing will ever compare to using your first two years out of college to serve the least-reached and global poor. You may feel a lot of things at the end of your two years of service, but regret will not be one of them!