Why I Said Yes
May 2022
My first mission trip was to Comoyagua, Honduras in May of 2022. This trip consisted of hosting sports camps where we taught kids to play basketball, volleyball, and soccer (which they needed no teaching - they kicked our butts). On this trip we also did house visits where we would sit with the people of the town and listen as they told us about their life, often, their struggles, as it was a very poor town. I wish I could describe in detail every encounter I had for I have no doubt I met saints but my writing would never end if I were to describe every interaction! Pictured below is Dona Paulita, who I hope to one day meet again in Heaven. Additionally, some of the sports camps and children are also pictured below.
The Lord spoke so clearly to my heart while on this mission. He cared for me so tenderly whether it was the delicious coffee we drank all day every day, the joy within our child-like wonder with my fellow missionaries, or the face of young child smiling back at me. The Lord captured my heart. One moment specifically stands out in my memory. It was the last day we were in Comoyagua and we were visiting the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the heart of the city. I was kneeling before our Blessed Mother in the Marian Chapel. It was such a humble and tender moment and there was no image or words spoken but simply an internally knowing that the Lord was calling me to return to Honduras. I began to cry softly to our blessed mother not out of sadness of this radical call, but rather of complete abandonment. It was a moment of genuine trust in the Lord’s plan and I felt as though my heart was bursting with joy and freedom. Coming home, I sought mission out and all thanks to God was able to go on two more mission trips in my time in college to Mexico City. I also began looking for ways to return to Honduras for a job post-graduation.
January 2023
My first time at a SEEK conference was in January of 2023. I attended this conference having no idea what to expect and little did I know, the Lord had much planned. However, it was a quite simple encounter that changed the course of my life. For those of you who don’t know, SEEK is a national conference for college students, and at this particular conference, there were 17,000 in attendance. The days consist of numerous talks to choose from and the evenings hold a variety of fun activities. One day, I was rushing to a talk and as I was walking this man, quite assertively, put a flyer in my hand. I didn’t think much of it and continued walking, wanting to get to the talk. However, then I looked at the flyer and it read “Nurses Needed in Honduras”. Quite clearly an answered prayer after 8 months of searching for a nursing job in Honduras. I proceeded to turn around and talk to the man who handed me the flyer. Kevin, I soon found out worked for Finca del Niño and they were in need of missionaries. After getting back from the conference I stayed in contact with Kevin and learned more about the organization. I soon applied for a 10-week summer program they offer between my junior and senior year. I however decided to stay in Lincoln where I attended school, for an internship that summer, but the Finca remained on my heart and in my prayers. In the Fall of my senior year, I began seriously discerning committing to the 27-month missionary program with Finca. I attended a Holy Spirit Bootcamp retreat put on by FOCUS and the Lord made it clear that this desire for mission placed on my heart, is truly from Him.
It feels surreal that I now leave a month from today to begin my journey in Antigua, Guatemala where I will attend Spanish immersion school for 6 weeks. From there, I will move to Trujillo, Honduras where the Finca del Niño is based and live there for the next 25 months. I thank God for the gift of this opportunity and my heart for mission. There is fear in this scary transition of my life so please pray for me as well as for my co-missionaries Theresa and Teddy as we continue along this journey the Lord has placed before us. I am so glad that you are following on this adventure as well and know of my prayers for all that read this!
