Alexander. Uracco. Nightly DEVO time. La Union. Brayan. Evan. Zona Guerra. Edwin. Chicken and rice and corn tortillas. Every night. "Desayuno tipico." Every morning. The daily rain shower. Alvin and Josue. Cristian. Honduras.
I can still remember the feeling in my stomach of anxiety, nerves, and excitement as we got on the bus and headed to the airport. I can remember the growing feeling of chaos as we got on our first, second, third, and fourth planes and crept closer and closer to the unknown. I remember seeing the blue water and palm trees of the touristy Roatan, and how it was quickly replaced with poverty- small, beat up houses, children playing barefoot in the streets, and women walking along dirt roads gathering food. I can remember the love I saw in the kids' eyes when we pulled up to the first church and began setting up our medical clinics. I can remember the frustration of not being able to understand the children who spoke too fast, and that one kid in each village who understood my frustration and slowly pointed out what they were saying. I remember the joy on the boys faces when they learned the rules to ultimate, the light shining in the girls eyes when we pulled out bracelets, and the excitement in the toddlers smiles when we began making balloon animals. I can remember it all so clearly, but memory isn't enough. Memory doesn't satisfy your desires to be back once again, and it sure as heck doesn't satisfy His call for you to be there. My youth pastor told me the meeting for this years trip will be next month, and my stomach lurched with that same feeling- anxiety, nerves, excitement. He will call, and I will answer.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
I echo Mallory: definitely got chills on this post. Reminded me of my own journey - my own anxiety, nerves, excitement & breaking.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Madisson. This sentence is haunting: "memory doesn't satisfy your desires to be back once again, and it sure as heck doesn't satisfy His call for you to be there."
Hearing stories like this inspires me to do whatever I can to help those in need, even if I can't hope on a plan to another country right this second. It reminds me of the reason I am here, to do His work. It puts everything about life back into perspective.
ReplyDeleteWow what a unique life experience. I have had friends that have done other such mission trips and their lives have been equially affected. It is great that even though we are not adults in control of our own lives we can still impact the lives of others.
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