I suppose from the start of this journey, each of you and I need to be on the same page. Therefore, in this first entry (if I did figure out how to upload a post), there are a few things I should share with you. So, hi. Welcome to my blog. Now, let’s get started.
First thing’s first—I must own it—I get my technology skills from my grandparents (the ones who don’t own a computer), so hopefully I’ll be able to figure this thing out. Also, I’m incapable of keeping a daily routine; it doesn’t matter what it is. But I’m going to try my hardest to frequent this website in order to share my thoughts with you.
To start, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to go abroad this summer, and I look forward to the growth God has in store for me. A dear friend asked me a couple weeks ago what my goals were for this summer, and I simply said “to grow.” I have no clue what I’m going to learn this summer, and I’m completely unsure of how I will have changed come August. If I wanted to have rigid expectations and outlined visions, however well-intentioned, I might as well try and limit God’s sovereignty. So in other words, I’m walking, completely unsure of where I’m going, but I know it’s good.
Thankfully, I’m able to do that by the grace of God and the generous hearts of so many. More people than I ever dreamt possible offered financial support for me, and many more have extended sound advice and thoughtful encouragement. What’s more, countless friends are lifting me up in prayers, and I feel them working! Forgive me for being selfish, but please keep those prayers coming.
I leave Thursday (at approximately 1:30 p.m.) for Panamá. There, I will meet up with David and Lisa Carter, two dear friends of mine, with whom I will stay for about three weeks. During my time in El Valle (the community in which they live), I plan to spend my time working with the church there, building relationships with the locals and getting to know the hearts of the young men. I understand that quite a few teenage boys are coming to church and eagerly serving the Kingdom there. I cannot wait to meet them and hear their stories.
At the end of my stay there, (at a time which will come far too soon), I will head for Costa Rica, where I will be studying Spanish. I’ll be staying with a good friend of mine from UK with a host family, attending school at the local university. I will complete several course credit-hours, serve the community through various volunteer projects, and share the love of Christ with several American students and local “ticos.” On August 6th, I will return to the United States. Besides being darker and better at Spanish than I am now, only God knows the man I will be then.
Until then, I pray He writes my story however He desires. For the rest of my life, I hope every moment I die to Him, so that I can truly live for Him—whether I’m in a foreign country or in Lexington, Kentucky. And I pray that to be true for you, too. Take care of home for me, and I’ll let you know how our fellow believers are down south. As Luke records in the Book of Acts so many times, we must travel the nations to strengthen and encourage the church everywhere.
Lord-willing, here I go.
