New Year, New Adventure
I used to dislike New Years. Probably because I’ve never been old enough to join in on the fun, and because in middle school two girls had a party and I had to decide which to go to—knowing someone either way would get hurt. (Yes. I still think about this.)
This year is different.
I will be spending Dec. 28-Jan. 6 in Kingston, Jamaica serving with and for others. I’m so excited to go and share more on my experience. I’m thrilled to be getting to see more of this amazing world and love on its people.
My team consists of 12 students and 2 adults from my university. We’ve spent the semester learning about the socioeconomic, historic and political struggles Jamaica faces.
The truth is, we won’t actually "get it" until we meet Jamaica face-to-face.
Kingston is on the list for top murder rates in the world. I was told not to wear orange or green. We are taking a plane (over the ocean) to get there...
None of this scares me.
Just like in Hillsong’s song So Will I, they sing, “If the wind goes where You send it, so will I.”
And that is how I would like to live my life: unafraid and bold enough to follow a call God gives me. And once I get there, be brave enough to share and talk about the faith that brought me this far.
The truth is that a year ago I was allowing myself to be held back. Worried that if I applied to go with Ignacio Volunteers on this trip and got it, I would have half the time at home over winter break. Worried that if I applied to study abroad fall of junior year, that would be such a long time away from home and that would be selfish of me.
We can’t do this. We can’t let ourselves or anyone else stand in front of what God is calling us to do. Sometimes it takes sacrifice.
Sometimes bravery to walk away from something or someone we love. Sometimes it just takes trust—trust that He will never lead us someplace He has never stood before.
So when you ask me if I’m excited about this journey to and for Jamaica and the New Year—YES!
I feel strongly God is placing good things in my life 2018. So let us press on in positivity and fulfill the call He gives us. Be the wind. Be His love.
My prayer for myself, my team and you in the New Year:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to encounter more of my brothers and sisters in a new place. I pray Lord you watch over my team and I. Help us to be brave. Help us to know You show up most in the impossible or the uncomfortable. Help us to walk by faith and not by sight. Use our hands to help, our feet to lead, our eyes to see the beauty of everyone and every situation, the heart to love everyone we encounter and the voice to speak Your love and truth to those who need it. I thank you Lord for the people in my life who have shown me so much love and support in going on this journey. I pray as we all walk into the New Year, we can leave behind the regrets, sadness, disappointments and heartbreaks of 2017 and learn and strengthen from them. Make us whole for this New Year of opportunity, life and blessings. Help us to find hope in the new. Amen.
P.S. We appreciate your prayers while we are away. This Letter Contains Love will be silent for the time I'm gone as no electronics are allowed. I can't wait to return with stories and advice on living in the New Year!
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!””