Who knew that my first mission trip to Esperanza Viva would have started my journey as a full time missionary in Puebla, MX. These past 6 months as a QUEST intern serving was nothing I ever imagined before. I was in the school as an English Teacher and moved into a dorm as a caretaker for 11 little girls ages 5-12.
Certainly it has not been easy but something that I learned is how to really lean into God and trust that He puts us exactly where He wants us. You see...there were times I didn't understand why I was put into the dorm when I was still just learning my spanish but in that moment I felt like God was telling me that everyone has gifts. Everyone has gifts and we are specifically chosen by Him to be where we are to use those gifts. So I focused on that. I focused on the fact that love...you know, that true, unconditional, always, para siempre kind of love. That love has no language.
I try to show the girls & the students that kind of love every day. Each night, no matter what, I make it a priority to go to every girl's bed reminding them how much I love them and goodnight. It's even gotten to the point where the girl's will remind me to come say goodnight, thinking that I forgot about them (I never do). One of my favorite nights? Hearing a girl up from bed and about to tell them to get back into bed BUT she was making her way to every bed saying goodnight to all the girls. That showed me how something so small can be so important & powerful.
God knew what He was doing when He sent me down to Esperanza Viva in 2019 on my first short term missions trip & I am so happy I answered His call.