In the Beginning

When it was all decided, thirteen of us gathered around the table at that first meeting. Our cold sack lunches in hand, we began to discuss where the Lord would lead us. Votes were cast and the decision was made. We are to go to Chalchuapa, El Salvador. Departure date set for March 14, 2013. Monthly meetings ensued, most of them with me quietly observing the group of folks who thought it would be great and dandy to travel out of the country to a place that for all I knew could be as far-fetched as the old-town days of the 1900s. We were given books to read and papers to discuss, and in the life of a senior in high school "church homework" was as unlikely to be completed as schoolwork.

But God has a way of engaging us in tasks we'd rather forget. Unfortunately, one of our team members had to drop out of the race. Fortunately, that left an open seat. Non-refundable. Before I knew it I had my most dear friend convinced to tag along with me, a $1,000 gift given to the lucky participant. How could she possibly say no? As I worked to catch her up on all that she had missed, I was able to catch myself up too.

The night before each monthly meeting I wasn't able to sleep. I was always so nervous about being called out or feeling inadequate. Not to mention I just wanted to go home. And then the January meeting came, and we had to share our testimonies. Now, I had written a testimony out a couple years back and decided to take bits and pieces of the one already written. The easy way out.

When it came time for me to share I broke down. I could hardly get the words out I was crying so hard. Speaking about how God had changed me broke down the barriers I was holding up. When it was all said and done there was a connection I hadn't felt before. These people care about me and I care about them. There will always be obstacles, but they are the ones who will help me through it. I'm ready to learn and to grow and to share.

This blog is here to document our journey before, during, and after. I can't wait to keep you updated on all the things God is going to do in our lives and the lives of those we're going to be working with in El Salvador. I pray that through our stories you'll feel the presence of God. We thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless,
Grace