Saturday, June 29, 2013

Coming to Cancun :)

Who am I? What am I good at? What do I love? Where do I fit in the world? Will anyone hire me? Where will I live?

These are just a few of the many questions that have been swimming through my mind for the past year. Goodbyes and new beginnings will do that to you--up until about 6 months ago, I had no idea what life would look like after graduating from Taylor University. Ironically, I did not feel anxious about it. To me, life after college was a world of opportuntities. I knew that God was sovereign and that he promised that I was, in some way, a part of his plan. I just didn't know how I fit into that plan yet.

I'm an ecclectic person and couldn't see how all of my passions and talents and loves and experiences could all fit together. I love people. I studied social work at Taylor University, love working with families, and children, and have volunteered at just about every children's ministry at my church. I can't help but smile at every chance I get to speak Spanish, spent time studying and volunteering abroad in Ecuador, and would probably retire in a quaint seaside town baking and making pottery if given the chance.

I didn't know how all of these things could best go together to serve God, and still don't; however, I began to get a shadow of an idea during class one day when my professor told us about an opportunity working with a non-profit in Mexico, providing care to orphans and possibly doing some policy work to help the country transition from a orphanage system to a foster care system. I got so excited while she was describing the opportunity that I began fidgeting in my chair. As I began to wonder if this could be a place where I could use my gifts and grow at the same time, my professor caused my heart to skip a beat by looking me directly in the eyes and saying "Sarah, I think you should look into working with Back2Back Ministries" in front of the entire class.

I was floored, and like all good college students, hurried home to do my research (aka looking Back2Back up on google and setting up a time to skype with the Taylor alumnus working with them). After many skype calls, applications, prayers, and conversations, I will be headed to Cancun, Mexico to work with Back2Back in January 2014. While things may change, it looks like I will spend a year working with Rossy, a Mexican woman who runs a community center for children and families. I will help plan and run groups at this community center and do some work with individual families to help link them with services and resources that they need.

I am beyond excited and feel utterly blessed. God is good, and I am excited to learn to trust and know him better as I walk with him on this incredible adventure. I'm excited for you to be a part of this ministry and story, as well! So it begins... :)