Fifteen days till I get
to Texas and Fifty-three days till I step back on African soil. One
Hundred Fifty-four days ago when I left the ship I would have told
you that I was really dreading my time at home, but looking back there have
been some important things that I've learned and been reminded of during this
time. Even though I feel like this has been a valley period in my
spiritual walk God has continued to teach me things.
The
number one thing I have been reminded of is that I cannot do this on my own.
God has to provide all the necessities for me to get to the ship, for
the two years I'm there and the journey afterwards. Yes, I have had dinners,
sold t-shirts and photo cards, even taught a cooking class, but without God's
direction I know that the people supporting me with the fundraisers wouldn't
have given to the cause of Mercy Ships. With my funding sitting at 80%
sometimes I forget that. With God all things are possible, I'm glad that He's
the pilot of my ship.
After
attending Festus graduation last week I was reminded of all the people that
formed me to be who I am. I believe that God designed us each with a certain
task to perform, and through my life from preschool to graduation, my college
years, and the last seven years that I've been cooking for a living He has put
people in my life to help form me to who I am today. There are so many people
that I could mention here that it would be an injustice to the people I can't
fit in. During the speeches last week they kept telling their fellow graduates
to live for their dream, push for the goal unto you get what you're aiming for.
Thankfully I have been around people that have taught me that once I reach my
dream/goal to dream even bigger and set that next goal. Life is a rotation of
setting the next goal and then working for it.
If
you haven't been around me or haven't caught some of my updates that last few
months let me just let you know now. I am really looking forward to the next
two months and next two years. Everyday will be another adventure and getting
to know great people along the journey. When I get to Texas on
the eighth I will meet around thirty people that are going to the
ship for two or more years. We will go through safety , first aid, fire
prevention, fire fighting, and water survival training. Along with that we will
have cross-cultural training, living & working in harmony, world
view, and kingdom principles sessions. The group will be spending a lot of time
together and forming a tight family bond, so I've been thinking of my time in
Texas as a family reunion of people that I don't know but will grow to love
just like my family.
Here are a few pictures
from the cooking demonstration I did last week. It was a lot of fun for me and
they enjoyed it too.
Posing for a picture while I was cooking.
The spread of Mexican / Tex-Mex food they got to enjoy.
Telling them about Mercy Ships and what I'll be doing on the ship.
