When the River Flows Too Fast (Or Too Slow)

I still remember the many looks of disbelief I received when I would explain to people that I was scheduled to leave for Guatemala in January and I had yet to be released to begin fundraising in OCTOBER. I have to admit that I often shared the doubtful sentiments that I would be seeing Guatemala in January or even within the first quarter of 2016.. After all, fundraising for the mission's field can take YEARS for people to complete. Here I was expecting it to happen in less than three MONTHS.... was I CRAZY??


Yet, when I answered the phone on January 8, 2016 my coordinator, Julia, stated in a very serious voice that she had something to tell me. My mind raced.. what could it be.. she wasn't the type to be so serious.. did I lose my funding? did the project get shut down? was there a problem with my application? I slowly replied "Ok.." In the same very serious tone she replied, "You have been given the green light to purchase your plane ticket." I screamed. I screamed. Then I screamed some more. Then... I screamed some MORE.

The "sign" over my table
at Starbucks this week

In that moment, the doubts crumbled... THE TEARS FLOWED... and I felt relief. I was GOING to Guatemala in JANUARY. I spent the next few hours comparing flights, times, itineraries, and trying to schedule my farewell visits with friends and family. I finally settled on taking a train from D.C. to South Bend, IN on January 19th (my organization is headquartered in Valparaiso, IN) and then flying out of Chicago the EARLY morning of the 23rd to arrive in Guatemala City around noon the same day. IT'S HAPPENING!!!

Even though I struggled with the idea that God could get me to Guatemala in January, HE DID IT. Even though I had moments when I wanted to give up, when I was frustrated with the journey, when I didn't think the fundraising was going fast enough, when I struggled to watch the support climb by one or two percentage points at a time... HE DID IT. AND HE DID IT IN A HURRY.


What initially began as a TWO WEEK countdown has quickly rocketed into a ONE WEEK countdown, and in SEVEN DAYS I will be landing in the place I will call home for the next season of my life. When did this all happen? I have wanted to "hit the brakes" and slow down time as I quickly prepare to finish up last minute details.

My mother and I 

In the past few days, I have been saying my "goodbyes" to my immediate family. It's been tough. There have been a lot of tears, a lot of really tight hugs, and a lot of thinking about the events I will be missing in the next ten months while I am in Guatemala before I return to the U.S. on furlough. I have been encouraged as I have watched what was once fear and concern of some of my family members change into genuine excitement as I prepare to embark on this journey.


If there is one thing I have learned in this process it is that God's timing is absolutely perfect, and when you wait on His timing (no matter how fast or slow it may be) He works EVERYTHING out... including selling my temporary "beater" car in LESS THAN TWO HOURS!! So, regardless of where you are on the spectrum of waiting.. please remember.. sometimes the end is MUCH CLOSER than you ever realize in the moments of struggle. Yet, keep pressing on.. keep pressing through... the breakthrough may literally only be moments away.


I appreciate each of you who read my blog, and I am thankful for all the prayer support and financial support that has made this journey possible. 

Blessings,
Meaghen