I’ve been in Nicaragua now for about a week and half now. So much has happened already. I felt my first earthquake and even saw a volcano erupt. We were unaffected though. No worries. I have fallen in love with the people and the culture. The kids are so much fun. The first day walking through the village, children came running up to us yelling “GRINGOS!” Gringo means a foreigner from the States. They immediately hugged us and just wanted to play. They make loving them so easy. We have also done some manual labor too. We went to an orphanage that had an organic farm. I got to help plant mango, avocado, and plantain trees. The people are all so nice and appreciative. Also my team and squad are amazing. Below is a picture of my crazy team/family for the next 9 months. I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity of a lifetime.

Lately two songs have been placed on my heart. The first is an Avett Brothers song called Weight of Lies. The lyrics say “When you run make sure you run to something and not away from.” I was instantly reminded what my father said to me quite a while back. He told me that he would never let me run away, I had to run towards something.  Going on a long-term mission trip has been a desire of mine ever since I went to Mozambique back in 2007. I wanted to take a year off before I went to college, it didn’t happen. I didn’t feel qualified or worthy enough to even look into it. After every semester of college for three years, I constantly felt unsatisfied. I wanted to leave and do something, but I wasn’t sure what my options were and if I had any. So I continued to stay and struggle. I knew there had to be something more out there for me.  This is when my dad would tell me I couldn’t just run away. This past semester I finally decided to really take action. With my parents blessing, I decided to find a mission trip to Africa. I first found the World Race and started to apply but didn’t really focus on it too much. Then, I found the Passport: Immersion and knew that this was the trip for me. This past semester turned out to be great. I found the best of friends and an awesome support system. My relationship with my family was also the best it’s been in years. It was definitely not easy to leave them all. I finally understood what my dad was saying. I wasn’t running away anymore. I wasn’t unhappy and wanted to leave. I loved my friends and family but still knew I needed something more. 

Finally, I’m here in a different country with no air conditioner, no knowledge of the language, nothing but rice and beans for food and nothing but cold showers. I couldn’t be happier. I found something to run to. The other song that has been stuck in my head is Forever Reign. The lyrics say “I’m running to your arms, the riches of your love will always be enough.” That completely describes how I feel. I am running towards Him, not looking back like an Olympic runner about to cross the finish line. I have realized that even though I may stray off the path at times, God is always there with open arms. He will always be enough. Even when we physically have nothing, we have Him. And He is more than enough. 

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne”

-Hebrews 12:1-2