Going Home

As I pack to return for a family visit to North Carolina after 12 weeks in Ocosingo, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment, but aware of opportunities lost too. I came to Chiapas as a servant to Hebron Foundation with three roles: communications coordinator, work group assistant and facilitator for the construction of the new medical clinic.

I feel very good about the progress made in all three areas. I have particularly enjoyed serving the four groups that have visited this spring, and I feel I have taken a burden off of Pablo both with the groups and with the communications with friends of Hebron. I am glad that we have broken ground on the medical clinic after working with church and government officials to create the new nonprofit organization that is responsible for it.

I leave Mexico knowing scarcely more Spanish than when I arrived. I am frustrated by my difficulty learning the language and seeming inability to remember simple words that I “learned” in January. Before leaving for Mexico, I resisted the idea of attending a language school because I did not think we could afford it. I now understand how wrong I was, and that Ginny was right as usual.

Spiritually, these 12 weeks have been like a roller coaster ride with amazing highs where I knew I was in the presence of the Holy Spirit, to agonizing lows filled with doubt and worry. Seminarian Keith Kaufold encouraged me to turn to Ephesians 6 and read of Paul’s description of putting on the full armor of God. I have found that comforting and encouraging too.

I anxiously await the reunion with my family on Sunday night. The thought of being in their arms has sustained me during my moments of loneliness. We have lots of conversations ahead of us as re reconnect after 3 months apart.

Thank you all for your prayers and support during my time in Mexico. I have felt your presence even though we were separated by thousands of miles.