There I sat on the plane that would bring me back to Mississippi, a place that I’m native to, yet a place that feels far from home. I’ve wondered for a while why this is so. In the past week, simply seven days, God has continued to speak over my life that Mississippi…the South…America…is not my home, nor was it ever meant to be.
In the last week I’ve gotten to know not just my squad, but also my team…a team of six other people all of which are looking for a new way of life; a life far from the norm. A team of seven from three countries: America, Australia, and Northern Ireland. Not only did I began to build relationships with the six people I will be living with 24/7 come this September, I also learned two out of the three countries where I’ll be living. You see, until last Monday I didn’t know which countries my squad and I would be going to. Not knowing forced me to focus on building relationships with my squad and also come to the place where I was willing to go wherever God wanted to send me. Though, with that said, I was overcome with excitement knowing I would soon learn my countries, at least two of them. When the time came for my squad to learn, all fifty-eight of us waited in earnest hanging on to each word the speaker spoke…waiting to hear where we would be going. After several moments building up to the big reveal, they started by telling us where in Central America we are going. Screams and laughter were heard from all around the room dying away just in time to hear them voice our country in Southeast Asia. The noise resumed in full force. It was several minutes until the speaker could be heard over the celebration of us learning our countries of service.
Later that evening after diner had ended, I found myself repeating my countries over and over; excitement building each time. Reality started setting in. “I’m really going!” I told myself. I’ve never set foot in either country I’m about to go to, yet I know for the next few months I will call them home. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Central America. Life in the slums is common for thousands of kids, yet education is not as common. And the Philippines: Southeast Asia is the hub for sex trafficking which leaves thousands of women and children at risk for being sold for sex on the beaches. The most common age to be sold is 13 years old.
As I think about where I am going and what I will be doing six out of the nine-months, my heart is overwhelmed with emotions. I’m really to jump on a plane now. I’m ready to go. I’m ready for what God has in store for my squad and me in Honduras and the Philippines.
It takes me a few days to come to reality that for now, in the present, God doesn’t want me in Honduras or the Philippines; instead he is calling me to a time of rest, a time for saying my good-byes, a time to raise the remaining eight hundred dollars, and a time for Him to prepare my heart for what is to come.
I knew when I stepped of the plane the busy life I left just over a week ago would begin again. Fundraising will start again, as well as the good-byes. Returning to Mississippi from training camp makes going to Honduras and the Philippines even more of a reality. I have less than a month to raise eight hundred dollars, and thirty-eight days to say good-bye.
I enjoyed reading your article. It reminds me of my days in Honduras. Boy if i could go back in time, I probably wouldve revisited that place over and over. The people, the environment. It is totally a different world over there. I can not wait to see what God has in store for you. Good luck! I remember wanting to take every child i came in contact with home! I am following you every step of the way.