Adventures in Missions

home is wherever I’m with You

July 31, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." Psalm 84:10 Home. Home is a warm embrace Home is a sweet fluffy pup Home is laughter and cuddles Home is free laundry and hot showers Home is my own bed Home is… Home is no longer one place anymore. Home is palm trees and coconuts. The smell of tortillas and sweat. The sound of passionate worship and pouring down rain. The taste of fresh guacamole, sweet bananas, and tangy pineapple. The touch of the warm Guatemalan sun and hugs from my brothers and sisters. Long...

How Can You Not Be Changed?

Ana Tallakson, a member of the Passport team that returned from two months in Nicaragua this past weekend, tells how her experience with missions changed her forever. She tells how each experience altered her perspective, and she challenges us to let God change us too. Dear Anyone and Everyone who may be expecting me to come back the same, It’s not happening. When I got to training camp, the prayer on my heart was that God would change me. I was a girl who struggled with her identity and wanted to know the joy that was in Christ. I was so scared of being out of my comfort...

The Upper Room

July 26, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

The cool night air sweeps in through the open door as a small group of believers gather in the upper room. They have grown accustomed to drawing attention to themselves as some of the only Gringos living in that small coastal town; here, however, their presence is inconspicuous. For the first time in two months, they find themselves lost in crowds of people who look like them, some who even talk like them, in an oasis of a city known as "El Jerusalen de Guatemala". They weave in and out of cafes and gift shops, their comings and goings completely unaccounted for. Somewhere in...

This Changes Everything

Stacy Povian, a former World Racer and current Adventures staff member, attended training camp for World Race and Passport participants this past week in Toccoa, GA. She got to witness what it looks like when God transforms college students and young adults and mobilizes them to bring heaven to earth all over the world. This is Stacy’s story: Last week we had about 300 Passport and World Race participants at training camp here in Georgia. All of them are getting ready to go out onto the mission field in September. For most of us on staff, training camp is our favorite part...

The Pains of Adios…

July 25, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

I’ve been homesick. I’ve been lonely. I’ve asked God why I’m here. I’ve been joyful. I’ve been completely numb. But nothing compares to saying goodbye. In two short months I have grown a love for Guatemalan people that I did not know was possible. A love I know only Christ could have blessed me with. I ache when they ache, I laugh when they laugh, I smile at one glimpse of their face. And yesterday I had to say goodbye to that. I had to give them one last hug. One last smile. And as I sat on the bus on the way to Antigua, I drove away from...

The Jesus I Wish I’d Known

While in Swaziland, Kristen learned that Jesus transcends our culture. Many people believe they know everything about Jesus, and yet they fail to see him in everyday life. The new Way Bible, by Tyndale Publishers, helps show readers how to continually discover Christ. For more information, click here. Here is Kristen’s story: When I boarded the plane for Africa, I knew that I was going to spend my college summer break in the winter of Southern Africa. I knew I wouldn’t have electricity, my cell phone, or steady access to Internet. I knew I was...

Lost and Found

July 23, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

Following a thirty minute boat ride (the first ten of which consisted of me praying that it would not flip), Daniel, Jacob, Hilda, and myself, arrived at Livingston. Arriving an hour later that I would have liked, at 10am, we began our search before we even left the boat. Hilda, our contact's wife, was accompanying us to Livingston. She asked the captain of our boat if he recognized the photo of Justine I had put on my phone. Upon seeing the image, he seemed to know instantly who we were looking for, and how we could find her. We piled out of the boat, and made our way up the...

you only live once!

July 21, 2012
Adventures
Guatemala

For some reason, “you only live once” (YOLO) has become our catchphrase here in Guatemala…here are a few YOLO moments from the past 2 months: – Is this water safe to drink? – What is this fruit? Should we eat it? – Ice cream twice in one day! – I haven’t showered in 15 days (*cough* Jacob) … – Holding random cute animals in the dump – There’s jellyfish in the ocean? YOLO! *dives in* – (After getting stung by a jellyfish) should someone pee on it? – Taking a shower outside in a thunderstorm –...

In His Hands

I can truly say I have had an amazing last week. I can also say that my heart is breaking. I came into the centre knowing that I would be working with women who have been saved from the darkest streets- victims of human trafficking. What I didn't know was you would never be able to tell that these girls have suffered so much. They smile and it lights up the room. They laugh and it dances around the room onto everyone's faces. I also underestimated how much I would love them. I have two brothers at home( who I love dearly,) but I have no...

a variety of scrambled thoughts….or eggs. mmmm.

Greetings friends, family, and countrymen. This week I was going to write a blog about all the things I will miss when we leave Cambodia. But once I started I realized that topic entailed becoming ridiculously emotional and possibly refusing to board the plane come next week. So, in the interest of delaying balling my eyes out and not wasting a plane ticket, I decided I would stick with talking about time here in a slightly more passive and fondly memorable manner. First off, I still haven’t gotten over the fact that all the women here address me...

Only The Beginning…

I honestly don’t know how to begin with this blog. This past week was our last week with the women, and it has been one of the most bittersweet weeks of my entire life. Bitter, because the bonds I’ve formed with these women are indescribable and leaving them tomorrow will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Yet this week has been so sweet, as I’ve literally had one of the most amazing weeks of my life. Coming here to the Women’s New Development Center, I’ve witnessed and been a part of living life to the fullest...

a beautiful process

I sit here staring at a blinking cursor and wonder how I can possibly write how I'm feeling. And there's really nothing I can say. Maybe I'll just mention a few little moments I don't want to forget. Little Sam laying on me and laughing during Mary Poppins. "Following along" in the Khmai hymnal with my sista during devotions. The 3 year olds face during The Little Mermaid and Tarzan and the pure joy it brought. Slip-n-slide on the balcony. Storm watching. The girl's genuine concern, care, and hand holding when I was sick. Doing dished with the dish crew!...

Author: Adventures