A Season of Firsts
Throughout this season of training, one of the biggest lessons that the Lord taught me was how to depend on him. It is a lesson that I have been learning for many years, but this season of life has been one where the Lord has deepened that level of dependence. There were a lot of hard firsts… my first time being away from home longer than 4 months, my first Christmas away from home, and my first time experiencing the loss of a close family member. But through it all, God was so evidently near. This was the first time I fully experienced the comfort of the Lord in a season of true heartache.… Read more >>
6-month Reflections
It is hard to believe it has already been about 6 months since leaving home! It has felt like an instant and a lifetime all at once. My first 3 months were spent in the United States preparing for the field. We covered a variety of topics, from the character and nature of God, spiritual warfare, missions, and sharing the gospel. We were given training for our roles on staff. The next 3 months, we spent in Papua New Guinea putting into practice the things we learned. Our team had the opportunity to minister through prayer, house visits, street evangelism, church ministry, children’s ministry,… Read more >>
A Typical Day in the Life (Training Edition!)
During this season of preparation, our schedule looks different than what it will when I am on the field in Papua New Guinea. Below is just a quick look into what a typical training day looks like, with some differences depending on the week/day! Mornings often begin early as our weekdays on base start at 6:15/7am, depending on the day. It is one of my favorite times of the day as I can spend time with the Lord, have some quietness before the busyness of the day begins, and enjoy watching the sky during sunrise when I am out on deck in time! After breakfast, we spend a few minutes caring for… Read more >>
Running the Race
I am not a runner. Like at all. I will happily agree to hike a mountain, but ask me to run a mile and I’ll decline. However, despite my personal preferences, my perspective on what it means to finish a race—and finish it well—was recently altered. During our training, we had the chance to volunteer at the Ironman World Championship. As we volunteered and watched the race, we had the opportunity to see many of the athletes at the starting line, in transition, and at the finish line. When they would pass by, the crowds would cheer loudly. Although the athletes appeared… Read more >>