1. That 'calling' thing ;)
I've been thinking about that famous word so often heard in the Christian world... Calling. What is that?? I guess I realise that for me it has definitely been a process. I never had a lightning-flash moment where I just knew that I had to go to Guatemala. Rather, it has been a series of events and circumstances that have woken up a longing in me. Let me try to summarize them:
- Growing up hearing stories about my Grandparents as missionaries in Peru and stories of relatives in Brazil - and being totally fascinated.
- Hearing about a cousin´s gap year in Uganda - and being totally inspired.
- A sudden urge to want to study Spanish, so that I could one day travel to Latin America - and just knowing that I needed to learn the language.
- Having my first taste of short term missions on visits to Moldova - and my eyes being opened WIDE to a whole other world and level of poverty.
- Getting that one line from a song we sang in Moldova stuck in my head - 'til this very day... "Let me comfort those who suffer with the comfort you have given" - and somehow knowing that was one of my goals in life.
- Dipping my toes in the water when I visited Peru and Ecuador for 4.5 months - then coming home and dreaming night after night about returning during the following year.
- Going to Latin Link events, hearing about people's experiences in Latin America - and just feeling like a little (but hugely important) bit of me came to life!
- Studying nursing, qualifying as a nurse - but having very little desire to nurse in the UK.
- Finishing at nursing school and the very next day jumping on a plane to my first nursing job, in a Patzún, Guatemala, as a volunteer/short term missionary - and absolutely loving it.
- That moment on the camioneta ('chicken bus') when I somehow felt more at home in Guatemala than I ever had anywhere else.
- That smile from ear-to-ear that Guatemala brings out in me :)
- Ok, sure - meeting my man, who is Guatemalan! - and sharing his same heart to help the people in his country through health care.
- Spending 6 years living in Spain - and the whole time feeling that it was a lead-up and preparation time for our return to Guatemala.
And there are probably way more things that I could add to the list... but you get the idea, right?
2. This one's shorter:
"Not a sacrifice, yet a privilege".
See, I've naturally had quite a few moments where I start to think about all the family, friends, places and things - food even! - that I'll be leaving behind, both in England and Spain. But I read on a friend's blog some months ago, that it really isn't a sacrifice stepping into God's calling, even if it will undoubtedly involve uncomfortable, or culturally difficult moments at some points. Its a privilege.
privilege
advantage, benefit, birthright, claim, concession, due, entitlement, franchise, freedom, immunity, liberty, prerogative, right, sanction
- www.collinsdictionary.com (thesaurus definition)
Its a massive privilege for this little family to be used as a teeny part of the huge plans that God has for that little town of Canillá, Guatemala.
Right, time to sleep!
Hugs,
Naomi.
