Dear Griever, You Are Not Alone
Dear Fellow Griever, I am naturally terrible at change. From childhood, I’ve avoided or fought against the unexpected, the unknown, and the new. I find it ironic that God has led me to cross-cultural missions, because missionaries constantly have to deal with all of these things, and even embrace them! Over time I’ve grown in my willingness to adapt. I lived in Nicaragua for three months, Uganda for ten weeks, and moved here to Mexico last year, expecting to stay two years. Because I’ve had all this past experience with cross-cultural ministry, I didn’t expect to struggle with the change... Read more
A Love That is Undeserved
In the fall of last year, I was still in full-time language school – the main focus of my ministry. What was unique about this month though was that I was basically studying one-on-one with my teacher, since my other classmates never came to class. This gave me the unique opportunity to get to know her really well. Since the first day I met her, I knew there was something different about her. She had a curious spirit. Since the day we met, I hadn't been able to get her out of my head. I'd been thinking about her and her heart every day, praying that the Lord would continue to reveal Himself... Read more
All the Feels.
13 days. I am moving to the Middle East in just thirteen short days, God willing. I have a lot of feelings about this. It seems like each day brings a new emotion or feeling. Somedays I am so ready and just absolutely stoked to be moving overseas, while other days I get teary thinking about saying goodbye to so many people I love. I am already a pretty emotional, so I have found it challenging to balance my feelings and thoughts. In all of this emotional mess, God has really been teaching me about His character and His love for me. I remember early in the support raising journey, a GoCorps... Read more
2/14
Hello and Happy Valentine's Day! 1 John 4:19 (ESV), We love because he first loved us. I learned a bit about penance today in a church sermon so this Valentine's Day, both love and works based faith are on my mind. I am unsure of many things, but I know that God is good, that he forgives me continually, and that he loves me no matter what. We often sin against others and without realizing any offense. Knowing this, guilt and worry still have no place because God forgives us freely and every time. There is freedom without shame in God's continued love and forgiveness. I am pleased to share... Read more
How Did I Get Here?
A global pandemic. A time of political unrest in the last country I ever thought I would want to serve in. A God whose plan is WAY bigger than mine. These factors play into where I am, but they don't answer the question of how I got to the point of serving in America in the midst of it all. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Originally, my placement with GoCorps was in another country. My plan was to go to the nations, but through a series of events, I ended up feeling called to serve those coming FROM the nations to our... Read moreAdvent Reflections
The observance of Advent, a time of heart preparation for the celebration of Jesus Christ becoming flesh, is not something I’ve been very aware of or focused on in past years. This year I am seeking to more fully engage in anticipation and longing for the coming of Jesus into our weakness and need as Savior, Counselor, Healer, and Prince of Peace. What a gracious and loving God who would humble Himself in this way to restore to us the relationship with Him that we had rejected! I’m enjoying a weekly advent devotional with the church plant team in Mexico City, and also going through this free... Read more