Not a Fairy Tale Beginning

It finally got me. After 2 years. I wanted to deny it so much but because of the circumstances we needed to know. We all know what I’m talking about, the dreaded ‘C’ word. The timing couldn’t have been worse in that it was right before we all needed to test negative to get into Honduras and it couldn’t have been better cause it was five days before we flew out so I was able to quarantine the required five days. But before I get into that let me rewind and catch you up to speed of what’s been going on the past four weeks of my life.

What do you get when you try and launch a group of 23 missionaries to the field?

A whole lot of complications created by the devil himself. 

When I arrived at the OKC airport on January 3rd to board my flight, I sat there for two hours on the plane while they fixed a warning light that began flashing before we taxied out. Meanwhile, my co-leader’s flight got cancelled and rescheduled for the next day. My other co-leader lost his bags on the bus he took to get to Gainesville so he had no passport, no clothes, no gear, nada. Three others from our leadership team tested positive and had to quarantine the first week of our leadership training. Two racers from my squad tested positive and had to come to launch three days late. One of the leaders from the other squad was exposed so he missed three days of training. That Sunday morning I woke up not feeling 100%. Just a little off. I laid down at one point and couldn’t keep my eyes open. They were so heavy. I had been freezing all morning so my body felt achy. I was cold one moment and then hot the next. I began to get a headache. After about three hours of laying on the couch, I got up and finished the evening knowing I should play it safe and separate myself as much as I could from the squad and yet still be as present as possible. I slept apart from the squad in our sleeping squares (which is a whole other story) just to be safe. The next morning I woke up so tired and still pretty ehh feeling. I decided to go ahead and get a rapid test just so I would know. 

The time had finally come for me to experience my first Covid test. I knew when I got my results I wouldn’t be shocked either way. It was positive. So I moved into the room where another squad leader was staying who had also tested positive the night before and we became quarantine buddies. I slept most for most of the next three days. My worst symptom was exhaustion. I’d wake up from a good nap, use the restroom and want to go back to sleep. Two days before we were to fly out we all went to go get tested. I went with them and no surprise but I tested positive again. I tried again the next morning and was still positive. So we had to get a little creative in figuring out how I was going to get into the country with a positive Covid test. Let’s just say the Lord provided a creative alternative for me to be able to still fly out with my team to Progreso, Honduras. Normally the whole squad would fly out together but because of flight complications and where the other two teams are serving in Honduras they flew out the night before we did. 

At 1am on Saturday we made it to the airport in Honduras where our host for the next two months picked us up with two little trucks for eight racers and all our packs. (Side note: we were suppose to start month one in Guatemala but at the first of January they began requiring the vaccine for entry into the country. So we will be spending the first two months in Honduras.) Our home for the next two months is a cute little house with mattresses, a shower, running water (most of the time), a kitchen, and a cute little back porch. Our host is Pastor Ronnie who is the head pastor at one of the 17 churches in this town. He has a wife, Ester, and two precious daughters, Belen and Gali. 

Here’s a summary of the ministries we have been doing the past week: painting and cleaning up around the church area, leading a weekly youth group, putting on two VBSs a week, providing worship for the three weekly church services, sharing testimonies, cleaning school classrooms before kids return to school in the next couple weeks, clearing a field where a new church will be built soon, participating in house churches, prayer walks, and eating meals at locals houses and praying for and encouraging them. It’s been a hodge-podge of a lot of things but it’s been so fun to watch the team I am with these two months use all of their gifts and abilities to pitch in and minister in each of these ways. 

So that’s a big picture update of where I am and what’s been going on since the first of January. What I really want to share with all of you is what God’s been teaching me and challenging me with. During launch back in Gainesville, words that were spoken over me and truths the Father pressed on my heart were: I would both be a blessing and bring blessings to those I’m around, people would look up to the peace and calm I bring in the midst of chaos, I have power and authority as the daughter of the King of Kings, and lastly that I am sufficient and more than enough. Even the three weeks on the field I’ve been with Team Emissary, they have encouraged me with sharing how they have seen me be patient, meek, gentle, full of grace and wisdom, and a quiet leader that leads by strong example. All of those things are awesome but you wanna know what I really thought. ‘Why can’t I be more like a bold, fierce lion.’ Then I realized it’s because He made me a lamb, not a lion. The Kingdom needs both. The ones who are bold, loud and fierce, and those who are quiet, gentle, and full of grace. Both are able to operate in the other but they each have their own natural tendencies. During leadership training I wrestled with comparing myself to the other leaders and why I wasn’t more like them. I felt insufficient and not as valuable of a leader on my squad. Then the Lord paired me with an alumni team leader who is one of the boldest, most spirit filled woman I’ve ever known. We couldn’t be more different and at first I was intimidated by her superior spiritual knowledge and experiences. But it has turned into a beautiful relationship where we are both learning things from one another and challenging each other in certain spiritual disciplines and gifts. It’s been so good!

That’s a little glimpse into what the Lord has been teaching me and challenging me with along with a lot of other things.

I want to wrap this update up with a few specific prayer requests. 

• Physical health: the intensity of the sun drains me very quickly and my stomach has not been 100% settled the past few days. Also getting eaten alive by mosquitos and “no-see-ems” (little gnats that bite). 
• Ministry in Honduras: for the Lord to use the various ministries we are doing to give Him glory and to love and to encourage His people. 
• Team Emissary: unity of heart, mind and spirit and a hunger for more of the spiritual gifts that are freely available to them. Vulnerability, willingness, obedience, and full surrender to all the Lord has for them. 
• Debrief: at the beginning of March we will be going to El Salvador (!!!) for an all squad debrief. Pray for the Lord to prepare hearts to receive from Him in that time, grow closer to Him, abandon all, receive spiritual gifts and have powerful encounters with Him. 

I apologize for the long over due update. I hope to be more consistent in the future with my updates. 

It’s still not too late to financially support me! It’s my goal to raise $1,000 each month for the next four months I’m on the field and the easiest way to give is right here on my blog site. 

I pray you and your families are well back in the States and for Covid in Jesus name to be gone! 

Many blessings and love from Honduras!