This week has honestly not gone the way any of us thought it would. First of all, remember that snowstorm everyone was freaking out about? Yeah, it wasn't really a big deal. I mean yes it did snow but even being from Florida I could recognize that it was a let down compared to all the talk there was about it. I do think that taking the precaution of shutting things down was not a bad idea because you literally have no idea what to expect. But the night before we had watched "The Day After Tomorrow" and trust me, it was nothing like that.
Even though the snow didn't get us, the stomach flu did... The Salvation Army Core we are staying in was shut down on Tuesday which meant there were no other people in the building besides us and that turned out to be a very good thing. During the night, we had a few people that got very sick and it was convenient that there was no one here so we could quarantine them in the bathroom. I do like helping people feel better when they are sick so I was on nurse duty making sure they were comfortable and had water or anything else they needed. Ever since Monday though it's like a game of who is going to get sick next. And when you are planning to leave the country in a few days, that is really not a good thing. Plus, when everyone around you is getting sick, your body likes messing with you by telling you that you are going to get it too. I am hoping we have finally reached the end of people actually being sick and now we are just helping people get their rest, strength, and energy back.
Those of us that were not sick did get to go back to the Common Pantry again which was a good way to get us out and doing something. This time I was out front going from person to person asking them to choose which items they would like from the pantry. A lot of the people I talked to could not speak English so that was challenging but they had pictures which made it a lot easier to communicate. It was a reminder that I am about to enter a place where I am the outsider no one can communicate with. And although I am sure it will be challenging at some points, it is kind of entertaining as well.
But tomorrow is the big day! We have to leave to get on the subway at like 3am (Ew, gross!) and then we are flying straight from JFK to Haiti! It's still hard to wrap my head around it all. This week has kind of run together with all the sickness and stuff floating around so it just feels like this is surprising me how fast this is all happening. It can become easy when preparing for something crazy like going to a different country for several weeks to feel like you are not ready or able to do it. I definitely don't sleep on the ground in a bug net on a regular basis. But I know that God is pushing me outside of my comfort zone to learn more about myself and Him. I have been able to talk to people that have gone on these trips before and I am fully aware that the change is not going to be easy or pleasant at some times. God has been faithful in showing me over and over again that this trip is exactly where He wants me. So I'm just going to go for it and trust Him all the way because really it's my only option!
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Missing My Sunshine State!
The other day when I was talking to my family on the phone, they asked me if I was actually doing any work or if I was just sight seeing and exploring New York all the time. The answer is I have had plenty of time to do both. Like on Saturday, I got a chance to go to the Ground Zero memorial and museum. We spent 4 hours in the museum and still didn't see everything we could have there. It really is a beautifully done memorial to all of those that lost their lives on 9/11. It just got to the point where it was so emotionally draining and so mentally overwhelming I couldn't look at anything or read anything else. I'm definitely glad I went because even though thankfully I was not directly affected by that day, it is still a huge piece of history that I was a part of. If you do travel to New York, it is so worth spending a day to go visit there.
As far as doing the ministry work that I told everyone I was going to be doing, Friday we got the chance to help out at this really awesome food pantry called the Common Pantry near Central Park. In the training sessions we had throughout our time at Fort Wayne, we talked a lot about dignity and how to present our help and support for people who need it while keeping their dignity in tact. It can become very easy to give those who need food whatever we have that is cheap and what we don't want because at least they are getting some food. The Common Pantry takes a little bit of a different approach. They make sure to have plenty of fresh produce and healthy choices for families to have. And what is even cooler than that is that the families get to pick the items they want! It gives them a chance to feel like they get to plan a meal or two with their food options rather than just being given a bag of stuff they may not even want. It really was beautiful seeing the joy and pride on these people's faces when we were able to give them food they actually wanted.
So there are these things that apparently happen in Northern areas that we don't really experience down in Florida. They're called snowstorms. And according to the news and things I have heard from several people, this one coming up may be one of the bigger storms in NYC history! Definitely makes me wish I was back in my sunshine state. The mayor has ordered that the city be shut down tomorrow because of the weather. Thankfully, we are staying in a very safe and warm building with groceries that we have already stocked up on to get us through a day of being stuck inside. But don't worry, we have a list of projects to do tomorrow so we won't get too bored. I would ask you to pray for the people that are going to affected by the storm in any way. We are staying right next to the hospital and I always send up a little prayer whenever I hear sirens coming or going. Hopefully, there won't be a need for many sirens tomorrow.
Next Sunday is when we fly out to Haiti! It still kind of shocks me whenever I think about that. I do plan on putting out one more little post before we leave so be looking for that. Because after Sunday, who knows what my internet availability will look like. Can't wait to tell you all about it! :)
As far as doing the ministry work that I told everyone I was going to be doing, Friday we got the chance to help out at this really awesome food pantry called the Common Pantry near Central Park. In the training sessions we had throughout our time at Fort Wayne, we talked a lot about dignity and how to present our help and support for people who need it while keeping their dignity in tact. It can become very easy to give those who need food whatever we have that is cheap and what we don't want because at least they are getting some food. The Common Pantry takes a little bit of a different approach. They make sure to have plenty of fresh produce and healthy choices for families to have. And what is even cooler than that is that the families get to pick the items they want! It gives them a chance to feel like they get to plan a meal or two with their food options rather than just being given a bag of stuff they may not even want. It really was beautiful seeing the joy and pride on these people's faces when we were able to give them food they actually wanted.
So there are these things that apparently happen in Northern areas that we don't really experience down in Florida. They're called snowstorms. And according to the news and things I have heard from several people, this one coming up may be one of the bigger storms in NYC history! Definitely makes me wish I was back in my sunshine state. The mayor has ordered that the city be shut down tomorrow because of the weather. Thankfully, we are staying in a very safe and warm building with groceries that we have already stocked up on to get us through a day of being stuck inside. But don't worry, we have a list of projects to do tomorrow so we won't get too bored. I would ask you to pray for the people that are going to affected by the storm in any way. We are staying right next to the hospital and I always send up a little prayer whenever I hear sirens coming or going. Hopefully, there won't be a need for many sirens tomorrow.
Next Sunday is when we fly out to Haiti! It still kind of shocks me whenever I think about that. I do plan on putting out one more little post before we leave so be looking for that. Because after Sunday, who knows what my internet availability will look like. Can't wait to tell you all about it! :)
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Bright Lights in the Big City
This past week has been absolutely crazy! Between traveling to New York City and going sight seeing to getting plugged into the work we are doing here, I kind of lost track of how many days have passed... Until I got a text message from my mom this morning. She kindly reminded me that my phone does work and I do have access to a computer so I should probably take advantage of that while I can because apparently people care what I am up to. Not sure why... ;)
But we are officially in New York City staying with the Salvation Army. Now typically, when I think about the Salvation Army, I just picture the people that stand outside of buildings around Christmas ringing bells and asking for donations and you feel like a terrible person if you ignore them. But really, the Salvation Army is so much more than that. It actually started as a church and went on from there. The location where we are staying offers services like a preschool, afterschool program, a food pantry, and a daily soup kitchen. Needless to say, there is a lot of stuff to keep us busy. The building is three stories so there is always cleaning that needs to be done, food that needs to be cooked, and children that need our love and attention. Due to the size of our group, we do get to float around a lot and have an opportunity to do a little bit of everything which I love.
Both on Saturday and this past Monday, we had all day to do any sight seeing or catch up on any sleep we had missed out on. Saturday I did choose to sleep in a little bit and then went to Time Square for a major tourist moment. We didn't really necessarily do a whole lot. We just did a lot of walking around which was still really cool. I mean I have watched the ball drop in Time Square every year on New Years and it all looks big but I didn't really realize how big and bright everything actually is. Monday was a very relaxing day as well. We had read that there was an MLK day parade but it really ended up not being a thing. So instead a few of us went and saw the Statue of Liberty and did lots more walking. But honestly, walking around really is the most fun. We don't really have a plan and end up either finding really cool things we weren't expecting to or just talking and having a good time.
In all honesty, it still hasn't really hit me exactly what I'm doing right now. It kind of feels like this is a summer camp or something and that I should be going home real soon. But um that's not really the case. In case you weren't aware, I'm going to be gone for several more months. I just like don't even know how to process that fact. It's all too weird. I mean obviously I am loving it and I'm so excited to be here but I am still having problems understanding that my reality is really my reality. I do love my team with all of my heart. They are some of the most surprisingly crazy people I have ever met. It's beautiful being around a group of people that love and support each other so much. And thank you for the support all of you are giving me. I do have my phone for about another week so if you want to text me a little love note of anything I will cherish it forever!
PS if you have never been to New York City before, it is totally appropriate to sing the chorus of the "Empire State of Mind" on repeat
But we are officially in New York City staying with the Salvation Army. Now typically, when I think about the Salvation Army, I just picture the people that stand outside of buildings around Christmas ringing bells and asking for donations and you feel like a terrible person if you ignore them. But really, the Salvation Army is so much more than that. It actually started as a church and went on from there. The location where we are staying offers services like a preschool, afterschool program, a food pantry, and a daily soup kitchen. Needless to say, there is a lot of stuff to keep us busy. The building is three stories so there is always cleaning that needs to be done, food that needs to be cooked, and children that need our love and attention. Due to the size of our group, we do get to float around a lot and have an opportunity to do a little bit of everything which I love.
Both on Saturday and this past Monday, we had all day to do any sight seeing or catch up on any sleep we had missed out on. Saturday I did choose to sleep in a little bit and then went to Time Square for a major tourist moment. We didn't really necessarily do a whole lot. We just did a lot of walking around which was still really cool. I mean I have watched the ball drop in Time Square every year on New Years and it all looks big but I didn't really realize how big and bright everything actually is. Monday was a very relaxing day as well. We had read that there was an MLK day parade but it really ended up not being a thing. So instead a few of us went and saw the Statue of Liberty and did lots more walking. But honestly, walking around really is the most fun. We don't really have a plan and end up either finding really cool things we weren't expecting to or just talking and having a good time.
In all honesty, it still hasn't really hit me exactly what I'm doing right now. It kind of feels like this is a summer camp or something and that I should be going home real soon. But um that's not really the case. In case you weren't aware, I'm going to be gone for several more months. I just like don't even know how to process that fact. It's all too weird. I mean obviously I am loving it and I'm so excited to be here but I am still having problems understanding that my reality is really my reality. I do love my team with all of my heart. They are some of the most surprisingly crazy people I have ever met. It's beautiful being around a group of people that love and support each other so much. And thank you for the support all of you are giving me. I do have my phone for about another week so if you want to text me a little love note of anything I will cherish it forever!
PS if you have never been to New York City before, it is totally appropriate to sing the chorus of the "Empire State of Mind" on repeat
Friday, January 16, 2015
Instant BFF Status
Imagine this: you haven't seen your best friend in years. Things have happened and your lives have just gone in separate directions. You had always been friends. Life just got in the way. And then all of a sudden, you see them. And it's like every thing that has separated you has melted away and suddenly it doesn't matter. You just catch up about life and what's been going on and it's as if you have been together the whole time.
That's kind of what's been happening these past few days. Both our team and the team getting sent out to Africa have all bonded so well. I mean it did help that we had all stalked each other on facebook and sometimes we surprise each other by how much knowledge we have gained from facebook. But it's okay! We are all being deep and sharing things about ourselves that you normally wouldn't tell someone you just met. It's so perfectly clear that all of the prayers for our group bonded have been hardcore answered. We have also talked about what to do when issues do come up because let's be for real, there will be some. There are days when we are going to be tired and irritable and we may accidentally drive you crazy. The important thing is that we don't let all of that get to us. Hey, maybe you can pray for that!
One thing that has been super great about our training time in Fort Wayne is the time we have taken to not only talked about our relationships with the people we will be meeting and coming in contact with but also our relationship with God. And the thing that stands out to me is that Experience Mission is not at all trying to tell us what to believe. They are just challenging us to continue to dig deep and see what God might be saying to us about different topics. So yes, we have gotten a little information about where we are going. They said we will be getting more information about that the first couple days in each location. But I love how much it shows they really do care about our relationship and our picture of God.
Today we have the great adventure of driving 10 hours to New York in minivans. 20 people with hiking backpacks and various other bags in 3 minivans. If you do the math, there's not a lot of wiggle room. So also please pray for the drivers that they keep all of us safe. Because we are kind of very dependent on them right now. But I also have had this heart to heart with Jesus and realized He wouldn't call me to do this incredible missionary experience and then wipe me out on the way there. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Hopefully I will get to make pretty consistent posts. But depending on what we're doing, it may be kind of hard. So I'm just going to give you all the updates I can while that's an option for me. I love you all so much!
That's kind of what's been happening these past few days. Both our team and the team getting sent out to Africa have all bonded so well. I mean it did help that we had all stalked each other on facebook and sometimes we surprise each other by how much knowledge we have gained from facebook. But it's okay! We are all being deep and sharing things about ourselves that you normally wouldn't tell someone you just met. It's so perfectly clear that all of the prayers for our group bonded have been hardcore answered. We have also talked about what to do when issues do come up because let's be for real, there will be some. There are days when we are going to be tired and irritable and we may accidentally drive you crazy. The important thing is that we don't let all of that get to us. Hey, maybe you can pray for that!
One thing that has been super great about our training time in Fort Wayne is the time we have taken to not only talked about our relationships with the people we will be meeting and coming in contact with but also our relationship with God. And the thing that stands out to me is that Experience Mission is not at all trying to tell us what to believe. They are just challenging us to continue to dig deep and see what God might be saying to us about different topics. So yes, we have gotten a little information about where we are going. They said we will be getting more information about that the first couple days in each location. But I love how much it shows they really do care about our relationship and our picture of God.
Today we have the great adventure of driving 10 hours to New York in minivans. 20 people with hiking backpacks and various other bags in 3 minivans. If you do the math, there's not a lot of wiggle room. So also please pray for the drivers that they keep all of us safe. Because we are kind of very dependent on them right now. But I also have had this heart to heart with Jesus and realized He wouldn't call me to do this incredible missionary experience and then wipe me out on the way there. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Hopefully I will get to make pretty consistent posts. But depending on what we're doing, it may be kind of hard. So I'm just going to give you all the updates I can while that's an option for me. I love you all so much!
Monday, January 12, 2015
It's Game Time People!
For those of you who have never been on an extended trip before, you may not really understand what it is like to try to get ready for something like leaving home for 6 months. I mean how can you explain everything you feel that final week? Well this may not give you the clearest picture but I will try my best. That way if you are in this situation ever, you can brace yourself for it. You're welcome.
This week did not exactly start the way I thought it would. I had been bringing things in small trips to my parents' house to start working on my packing. So on Monday, I brought over everything I had up to that point. I had still had a few things to gather like toiletries and such but I wasn't convinced that what I had was going to fit in my backpack. Oh yeah, have I mentioned all my stuff had to fit into a hiking backpack? That was a challenge. Anyway, I had fit everything in there and I felt good about where I was at with the weight and everything. It was all good!
...until I ate some restaurant leftovers I had in the fridge. It was only from 2 days before so nothing about it seemed scary or anything. Apparently, I should have just eaten all the candy at the house because it would have made me feel better than that stuff did. For whatever reason, it tore up my stomach! I have never felt so sick. I lost 8 pounds overnight! I am not recommending it as the weight loss method of choice. Needless to say, getting food poisoning kind of put my schedule of things I needed to do on hold. I didn't eat any food for 2 days which left me exhausted and unable to do the things I really needed to get done. It may have been a blessing in disguise though. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my family those days.
So the rest of the week consisted of lists of stuff I needed to accomplish, items I needed to purchase, and of course plenty of stressing out. The last few nights, I kept waking up and needing to remind myself that yes I really was leaving on Monday. And no I had not dreamt up this whole thing. Thankfully when I was asleep it was peaceful and not me freaking out in my dreams. That may have been too much. But eventually everything got done. Everything was purchased. I packed and unpacked and repacked like 3 times to make sure I had everything and every time it was all there. Which was good because I also was having to get ready to move out of my apartment. I realized it was a possibility that I was going to have to but I was hoping it wouldn't happen. But it did and that's okay. My family was so helpful in getting all that done because I was too tired and stressed to have done that on my own.
Sunday was the first day the reality of having to say bye to everyone really set in. Mainly because I was having to bye to everyone. My church is very missioned focused which I absolutely love. I mean obviously it means a lot to me too. So I was given the opportunity to come up during both services and tell all of my church family what I was getting ready to do and they all prayed for me which was amazing. It's almost like I could feel the hugs and love all around me. And then I got real hugs and words of encouragement from people coming up to me saying how they will be praying for me. And then I started to having say goodbye to people. Until then, I had been mostly able to keep my emotions inside like a warrior but it was a serious struggle at that point. How do you fit 6 months worth of love into such a brief amount of time?! But I treasured every one of them. And I will continuously remind myself of all the love I have back home.
Today is officially flight day. My family all drove me to Jacksonville (oh they also took me to Melting Pot for dinner last night.. Holla!!). Anyway, it was nice to have them there while I got checked in and everything. And then we reached the security gate and it was like the gates that were holding my emotions together just gave out. It's hard to keep it in like a warrior when I just love them so much!! But I had to put my gameface on and face it like a boss!! And then walk through security like an awkward middle schooler... but I successfully made it on my first flight and now I am waiting for my second one and then somehow finding a group of people who I have never met before. I'm hoping the giant backpacks will be a big clue I'm in the right spot.
Thank you so much for all the love, prayer, and support all of you have given me! I hope to be updating my blog pretty regularly but I really have no idea what to expect. You can always ask my family for any news if it's been awhile since I have been able to post. I'm sure they will love your prayers and support almost as much as I do!
Ps. Did I mention the low tomorrow night in Indiana is -6?!! I'm literally going to freeze my face off!
This week did not exactly start the way I thought it would. I had been bringing things in small trips to my parents' house to start working on my packing. So on Monday, I brought over everything I had up to that point. I had still had a few things to gather like toiletries and such but I wasn't convinced that what I had was going to fit in my backpack. Oh yeah, have I mentioned all my stuff had to fit into a hiking backpack? That was a challenge. Anyway, I had fit everything in there and I felt good about where I was at with the weight and everything. It was all good!
...until I ate some restaurant leftovers I had in the fridge. It was only from 2 days before so nothing about it seemed scary or anything. Apparently, I should have just eaten all the candy at the house because it would have made me feel better than that stuff did. For whatever reason, it tore up my stomach! I have never felt so sick. I lost 8 pounds overnight! I am not recommending it as the weight loss method of choice. Needless to say, getting food poisoning kind of put my schedule of things I needed to do on hold. I didn't eat any food for 2 days which left me exhausted and unable to do the things I really needed to get done. It may have been a blessing in disguise though. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my family those days.
So the rest of the week consisted of lists of stuff I needed to accomplish, items I needed to purchase, and of course plenty of stressing out. The last few nights, I kept waking up and needing to remind myself that yes I really was leaving on Monday. And no I had not dreamt up this whole thing. Thankfully when I was asleep it was peaceful and not me freaking out in my dreams. That may have been too much. But eventually everything got done. Everything was purchased. I packed and unpacked and repacked like 3 times to make sure I had everything and every time it was all there. Which was good because I also was having to get ready to move out of my apartment. I realized it was a possibility that I was going to have to but I was hoping it wouldn't happen. But it did and that's okay. My family was so helpful in getting all that done because I was too tired and stressed to have done that on my own.
Sunday was the first day the reality of having to say bye to everyone really set in. Mainly because I was having to bye to everyone. My church is very missioned focused which I absolutely love. I mean obviously it means a lot to me too. So I was given the opportunity to come up during both services and tell all of my church family what I was getting ready to do and they all prayed for me which was amazing. It's almost like I could feel the hugs and love all around me. And then I got real hugs and words of encouragement from people coming up to me saying how they will be praying for me. And then I started to having say goodbye to people. Until then, I had been mostly able to keep my emotions inside like a warrior but it was a serious struggle at that point. How do you fit 6 months worth of love into such a brief amount of time?! But I treasured every one of them. And I will continuously remind myself of all the love I have back home.
Today is officially flight day. My family all drove me to Jacksonville (oh they also took me to Melting Pot for dinner last night.. Holla!!). Anyway, it was nice to have them there while I got checked in and everything. And then we reached the security gate and it was like the gates that were holding my emotions together just gave out. It's hard to keep it in like a warrior when I just love them so much!! But I had to put my gameface on and face it like a boss!! And then walk through security like an awkward middle schooler... but I successfully made it on my first flight and now I am waiting for my second one and then somehow finding a group of people who I have never met before. I'm hoping the giant backpacks will be a big clue I'm in the right spot.
Thank you so much for all the love, prayer, and support all of you have given me! I hope to be updating my blog pretty regularly but I really have no idea what to expect. You can always ask my family for any news if it's been awhile since I have been able to post. I'm sure they will love your prayers and support almost as much as I do!
Ps. Did I mention the low tomorrow night in Indiana is -6?!! I'm literally going to freeze my face off!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Yeah, This Is Not A Mistake
Have you ever been at a church service somewhere or was talking to someone or read something that you knew without a doubt was God speaking through someone else to you? Well, if you haven't I will explain because it happened today! Today at church one of the songs we sang is called "Oceans" by Hillsong which I absolutely love. I had heard it before I signed myself up for this trip but hadn't really related to it in the way I can now. One of the lines in the song says "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the water wherever you would call me." The first sentence should be tattooed on every foreign missionary's body because when you do foreign missions you are literally sharing God's love across borders. That seems like a pretty obvious explanation to me. The other one takes a little more thought...
So not only did we sing this song that totally related to me but you know God's sending you a message when He uses the Bible story you are teaching to your kindergarten kids. Today we talked about the story when Jesus walks on water. If you are unfamiliar with this story, Jesus has sent His disciples on ahead of Him in a boat and while they were out there this huge storm just kind of pops out of nowhere. Then, all of a sudden, they look out and see this thing that they think is a ghost but it's actually just Jesus walking on water. So Peter (who is known for being the bold one) tells Jesus if it really is Him to tell Peter to come join Him. Jesus was like "Come on over!" But while Peter is walking on water (which lets be for reals is the coolest thing that ever happens to him), he gets freaked out by the waves and calls on Jesus to pick him up. And Jesus does!
All of that to say, when that song talks about being called upon the water wherever God leading you, that is straight up where I'm at. Like I'm Peter and I saw Jesus doing cool things in people's lives and I was like "I want to do that too!" and Jesus was like "Come on over girl! You won't be disappointed." And trust me, I haven't been. Yeah it's dramatically changed my life. Like for what other reason would you get a bug net and a sleeping pad for Christmas?? I also am completely freaking out in the best way possible about everything because I have no idea what to expect but I love it too! I am so thankful that this is what God wants me to do. It's not a mistake.
Days Left: 8! SO CLOSE!!
So not only did we sing this song that totally related to me but you know God's sending you a message when He uses the Bible story you are teaching to your kindergarten kids. Today we talked about the story when Jesus walks on water. If you are unfamiliar with this story, Jesus has sent His disciples on ahead of Him in a boat and while they were out there this huge storm just kind of pops out of nowhere. Then, all of a sudden, they look out and see this thing that they think is a ghost but it's actually just Jesus walking on water. So Peter (who is known for being the bold one) tells Jesus if it really is Him to tell Peter to come join Him. Jesus was like "Come on over!" But while Peter is walking on water (which lets be for reals is the coolest thing that ever happens to him), he gets freaked out by the waves and calls on Jesus to pick him up. And Jesus does!
All of that to say, when that song talks about being called upon the water wherever God leading you, that is straight up where I'm at. Like I'm Peter and I saw Jesus doing cool things in people's lives and I was like "I want to do that too!" and Jesus was like "Come on over girl! You won't be disappointed." And trust me, I haven't been. Yeah it's dramatically changed my life. Like for what other reason would you get a bug net and a sleeping pad for Christmas?? I also am completely freaking out in the best way possible about everything because I have no idea what to expect but I love it too! I am so thankful that this is what God wants me to do. It's not a mistake.
Days Left: 8! SO CLOSE!!
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