It felt like the last two days of camp (Sunday and Monday) really felt like they went by quickly, it felt like it was time for us to go.  We went to seminars for most of the day on Sunday.  We talked about ways to talk and share our testimonies and give a short sermon.  Then we talked about our countries and what will be some things to expect there.  That night we all got together to pray for each other.  It was a great experience.  Then on Monday we finished our paintings and had some time to journal and set up our...

With All Creation I Sing                   Wednesday was our first church service. It was our very first day here and I was expecting a look around, get to know the place day, BUT it was church day. I was a little rattled/frayed because I wasn’t sure how I was going to fit in/how to get meet the people or what to say. As church started, they started singing songs that we knew. Of course it was in Spanish, but they were song I’d heard and grown up to. It was a little calming to be able to at least...

I played soccer. That’s right me running and kicking a ball.  Yes I actually kicked the ball….twice.  The kids on my team and on the opposing team kept pointing and laughing saying “the woman”.  Apparently they weren’t impressed with my soccer skills.  Oh well.  I shall be a pro by the time I go home. We have gone into the slums which are called the barrios, twice now.  The people that live in the barrios have shockingly little, yet they are still so happy. They invite us into their small homes,  most of which are just a few...

…and what an adventure it has already been! The past four days of training camp in Tennessee have been a whirlwind of new faces, teaching sessions, team activities and reflection on God and his awesome purpose for these next two months. I’ve heard more southern accents, sighted more fireflies and seen more people wearing Chacos, Tevas and Toms in one place than I ever have in my life. I’ve worn two shirts and taken one shower since my family dropped me off at the airport Thursday night (don’t judge me—I’m surprisingly one of the cleaner people here). I...

This is the tenth airplane I've ever been on. Along side me are two delta planes and one ahead getting ready to take off. Between the three planes, I'm sure one carries Leigha, one Wendi, and one Jennifer. Why do I assume this? Simply because we all had similar departure times and they are all flying Delta. Going the opposite way to take off is an Air Tran Airplane probably carrying Calah. All of us leaving each other for the first time in four months. Behind me a woman speaks and I think it's Britt, I hear a unmistakable ounce of laughter and I look quickly beside me to...

A couple of weeks ago, Calah and myself stayed with the Perez family in the barrios. At the house lives the momma, her daughter (Yuri), her son (Jorge), and Yuri's two sons (Jimmy and Byron). We stayed with this family for five days, and in that time many things happened but one event impacted me in such a way that I have to share right now. It was April 26th when a neighbor, Carlos and his daughter, came over to visit Momma. His daughter, Carolina, is five years old. Something that plays a big part in this story is my fish dance. I showed it to momma one day and the whole family...