There are many things that I need to get done before I go. Assignments, passport, insurance, exams, work blah blah blah! But I know that in the end they will get done and by the 7th of November I will be as prepared as I can be(?).
A lot of you are not even aware of my summer plans so let me go back to June this year....
I was getting itchy feet and really wanted to travel abroad this summer. It would be a good point to do so as I will be in the middle of my degree and its a way to keep me going for the next 2 years.
I at first tossed around the idea of getting a nanny job somewhere. Its something I am qualified in and it would not be too hard for me to get a job either. Then I thought do I really want to be a nanny for 3 months full time? The answer was no. I really do love kids, but nannying all summer was not so inviting this time round. Then I thought I could nanny for a missionary family. So I made a few enquiries and I was looking at 4 options. Some invovled nannying, others just helping with a missionary family. All sounded exciting and different. For those that know me well, making decisions is very difficult. So when I have 4 options that all sound inviting, I have a problem.
Then it came to taking a deep breath and praying to God to guide me. Don't get me wrong, it often doesn't make me not worry but I know that this is the first step. I also got others to pray for me about this decision (thank you for those that were!). After prayer, thought and discussions I choose Guatemala! I spent time there briefly while I was in the States and really really loved everything about it! The people, the culture, the beauty and the language! I also loved the Falconers - missionaries from my home town Putaruru who have been in Guatemala for a long time!
After visiting Guatemala I knew that I wanted to return there at somestage, but I did not think it would be so soon! When I get there, it will have just been over 3 years since I was there last time.
Ok this blog entry is very long so I will get to the point. I am leaving New Zealand on the 7th of November and firstly going to Minneapolis (my American homeland!) for 10 days. I am super super excited to see my family and friends there. Thinking about it just makes me smile! I am then going onto Guatemala on the 18th of November and returning to NZ on the 3rd of February.
I will be staying with the Falconers and helping with some chlidren holiday programmes and a whole lot of other stuff (I am hoping).
So there ya have it! Those are my summer plans! I will try to keep this blog updated but as you may see, my last entry was a year ago so I can't make any promises.
I would love it if you could pray for me as I prepare to leave:
-That I will get everything done that I need to before I leave.
-That God will work in my heart now in preparation for what awaits me
-That God will open my mind and heart while in Guatemala to learn more about the great God that he is!
-Please pray for my safety.
-For my Spanish (that is going terribly)
-For the Falconers
-That my work may be fruitful there.
Thanks for sharing in this adventure with me!
Cilla x
