And So It Begins...

After spending almost 9 weeks in Guatemala last summer, my heart was hooked. I had fallen in love with the people, the place, the culture, the climate...you name it, I loved it. But I still had another year of college to complete before I could even consider returnign to the country that God had so clearly called me to.

Shortly after returning to the U.S. and starting my senior year at Asbury, I received an encouraging note from a dear friend who had spent the previous summer in Nicaragua. I found that note again when I was packing up to move out of the apartment this May. God spoke clearly to me and encouraged me through one particular line in the note: "Your time in guatemala has prepared you for what God has awaiting for you." Re-reading those words at the end of the year assured me Guatemala is exactly where I'm supposed to be next year.

I have now purchased a one-way plane ticket to Guatemala City, leaving on August 1st. I will be living in Quetzaltenango (also known as Xela--pronounced Shay-la) and teaching first grade at the Inter-American School of Quetzaltenango (www.ias-xela.org). I also hope to be doing some more mission work at New Life Children's Home in Villa Nueva (www.nlch.net) during my school breaks.

I am starting this blog in order that you might remain informed of what is happening in my  life while I am in Guatemala. I'll e-mail or post other contact information in the near future. Thank you for prayers that have already been prayed during the process of seeking and finding this job!