I wanted to share a little bit of the story that got me to this point. After talking with a bunch of people, I've realized they only know the little piece of the story that they've been a part of! :) I wish I could tell every detail of the journey thus far, because God has done so many amazing things...but I'll try not to make it a book. :)
I took a short term mission trip when I was about 16 with one of my best friends. We went to Apizaco, Mexico for about a week to do a VBS for the local children. It was an amazing experience, and I fell in love with the culture, language, food, and most of all the kids. I could tell a thousand stories from my time there, but the one that stuck with me most was the day I came across a little girl sitting away from the others, crying. I knew very little Spanish, so I brought a translator over to help. He explained to me that the child hadn't had anything to eat in days, and was starving. He went in to get her something, and I sat with her and comforted her as she cried. From hunger. I overuse the phrase, "I'm STARVING!" I cannot even fathom being so overwhelmed with hunger that I am brought to tears. It still sticks with me. God planted the seed that day in my heart for the orphan and the children He loves so dearly.
I wanted to go back desperately. I had prayed and prayed about becoming a missionary. I attempted to find my own way, looking into organizations, meeting up with people who have already answered their calling. I did whatever I could to go back. My heart was in Mexico, and I knew God had put this desire in my heart for these kids. I was doing anything I could to get there, but each door was being closed, and each plan had fallen through.
After roughly ten years of praying for God to open doors, I started to doubt. (Can I just repeat that? Ten. Years.) Maybe I heard God wrong? Maybe I was just supposed to go once. Maybe I misunderstood what God was doing with all of this. I was discouraged, and I didn't know what else to do.
I distinctly remember the night I laid down and prayed one of the hardest prayers I have ever had to utter. "God, I trust you. I know you want what's best for me. I want to be wherever you want me, doing whatever you want me to do. I will scrub toilets in the dirtiest bathrooms if it will bring you glory. Please, just show me what to do. I'll stop trying to force my own agenda. I won't move until you move me."
Guys, this is where it gets extra awesome. After praying that prayer, letting go of control and trusting God's got this, God showed up. Big time. At church that Sunday, a guy (who I did not know at the time) got up on stage and spoke. He talked about this organization that he had been working with called Back2Back Ministries, and how they do orphan care in Mexico! He was wondering if anyone in our church would like to go as a group! I was so excited I could barely sit still!
I went with a small group last September. I saw things that blew me away. I would love to tell the 1,000 stories that touched my heart during my week there. I saw poverty in ways that were hard to process. I saw families struggling in ways I couldn't conceive. But mostly, I saw an organization coming along side the orphan, widow, and homeless. I saw lives being rebuilt with a hope that only comes from a savior. I saw children feeling accepted and loved and brokenness being made whole by an organization that strives to be an advocate for those who can not stand up for themselves. I felt encouraged, excited, heartbroken... I felt like this is exactly where I belonged. I felt purpose.
I applied soon after to become an intern with Back2Back, and was SO excited to get accepted to work for an entire month with them! In June I worked harder than I ever had before. Physically, mentally, spiritually... I was just so excited to get to be a part of such a bigger story! I got to work along side of people who, whether it was their first month or fifth year with Back2Back, were so passionate about what they do! I got to know some of the children Back2Back serves better, including two of the little girls I sponsored. It was such a gift working with the interns and staff. The whole time I was there, I just had this feeling. "This is it- THIS is what I was made for!"
While there, I spoke with some of the staff about what I was feeling. I told them I wasn't sure my parents would be ok with anything in Mexico longer than a month, I didn't have a vehicle to get me all the way to Mexico... I was scared! Even still, I couldn't shake this feeling. I belonged there. And God made it happen! He gave me the support of my parents, GAVE me a truck, blew every obstacle I stuck in the way out of the water! :)
So- I took the leap of faith of a lifetime! (for me :)) I applied to become staff alongside Back2Back Ministries for three years! :) This experience has been so surreal, and have brought me so much closer to God than I have ever imagined! I am so incredibly blessed. For all of those who have come along side me through prayer, through sponsorship, through pep talks and encouragement, THANK YOU!! You mean more to me than words can describe. :) If you're interested in how you can become a part of a bigger story in helping the orphan and homeless, let me know! :)
This is an extremely basic, bare bones version of a much bigger story. :) I'd love to give every little detail and get to share all of the stories of my heart with each of you. Hopefully through this blog, I can begin to do just that!
