You're Going Where??

First of all, I would like to ensure you that NONE of this was my idea. In fact, if I have to be honest I believe that God is playing the biggest practical joke in the history of the universe on me!! So, let me start at the beginning. I signed up to go on a mission trip to Guatemala with my church, New Life Church. I never dreamed of what was to come from this trip. I had been on the mission field before and I even spent a summer traveling with a children's ministry, but nothing prepared me for what lie ahead in Guatemala. I headed to Guatemala fully expecting to love on some children and come back home to my normal life. I got part of that right. I loved on some children, and I came back. However, while in Guatemala I fell in love with the people, the culture, and felt God pulling on my heart to return to the country long term. Wait.. wasn't this just supposed to be a short-term trip? Yeah.. I know. Upon landing in Houston, I called my mother from baggage claim and let her know that I felt that God was leading me to return to Guatemala.. for a longer term. To my shock, she was supportive. Yeah.. I know.. Can you see God smirking yet? I planned.. let me say that again.. I planned... emphasis on I.. to consider heading back to Guatemala in the summer or fall of 2016. I think God was smiling at me at this point. So, I submitted an application with Kids Alive International who runs The Oasis children's home which was one of the homes that we had visited while in Guatemala. Within an hour, they called me back. I informed Julia, who is the missions mobilization coordinator, that I was considering coming in the summer or fall of 2016, and I started what I assumed to be a lengthy application process.

During one of my many conversations with Julia over the next few days, she asked if I would be willing to consider heading to Guatemala in January 2016 to serve in a rural school called Source of Hope in Zapote. Immediately, I declined. I thought to myself, "What part of summer 2016 was unclear?". However, after sleeping on it I woke up to the realization of "why not?" What was keeping me in the U.S.? I don't have a mortgage, a career to which I am tied, or a family of my own. At this point I think God started giggling. I called Julia back the next day and let her know that I was willing to consider heading to Zapote in January. Thus began the whirlwind. I booked plane tickets to a training session before I was even formally invited on faith that the application process would go through and attended a week long training session with Kids Alive International less than a month after submitting my first email to apply. Throughout the first day of training, I asked each staff member I talked to, "Have you ever been to Zapote? Where is this place that doesn't even really exist on a map?". I had started to believe that perhaps Zapote was just an imaginary assignment and I was really going on some covert underground assignment (that's my law enforcement background sneaking in). Eventually, I was assured that Zapote did exist (maybe I can be a covert operator next time) and was shown videos, pictures, and spoke to people who had actually visited the small village. Did I mention that Zapote is in very close vicinity to El Volcan de Fuego? For those of you who don't speak Spanish, that is translated The Volcano of Fire... pause for effect. What makes it even more exciting (as if that is not enough), is that in order to get to Zapote you MUST have a four-wheel drive vehicle, because.... you have to cross four rivers.. without bridges. Yes, river crossings and volcanoes, and I am willingly agreeing to this assignment. Don't worry, as part of the application process I had an interview with a psychologist. They assured me that I passed. Honestly though, this whole situation speaks to my adventurous side. You only live once, and to live a life poured out for Christ is the ultimate life to live. So, Zapote it is!

 I returned from the training session to a full-time job, my final semester of grad school, and knowing that I had a lot of work to do before January. I was officially accepted to serve as a missionary in Guatemala and I slid into a last minute spot to attend a month long training at the Center for Intercultural Training in western North Carolina. It was then that things began to get real. I realized I would have to submit my resignation from my full-time position at work, and I would have to sell my beloved 2010 Mazda 3 to permit me to focus on Partnership Development and getting things done after returning from CIT training. Wow.. is this real life? So, I posted my car for sale on Craigslist thinking it may take a week or two to sell. It took exactly twenty hours, and God (who at this point is probably rolling with laughter at all of this) even brought me the perfect family to buy my car. It just so happens that this family was looking to replace a 1997 Honda Accord, so they not only purchased my vehicle but also supplied me with one that will get me through until I leave in January. Only God!!

So, that is the beginning of this grand adventure. I am putting together resources, working on partnership development, working full-time, and finishing the last semester of grad school. If you are reading this, I ask that you pray for me. This is a whirlwind and I am just along for the ride. God is in control, and I see this all as His perfect timing. In His wisdom He knew that if I had had time to plan it I would completely mess it up. Again, He really has the best sense of humor.

Blessings,
Meaghen