It’s month 8 of my 9 month gap year. I would say there are quite a few emotions.
To catch everyone up, I am now living in Santiago, Dominican Republic. We left Costa Rica on the 26th of March and have done about 4 weeks of ministry. We are working the Mission of Hope and staying at their base here in Santiago.
I want to be honest about missions and about the reality it is to live overseas. I am tired. I haven’t slept but probably a few hours a night since we got here. It is HOT. We have had a couple of us get heat exhaustion. I have started sleeping outside due to the heat in our bedroom. I am homesick. The reality of being away from home really hit me like a ton of bricks once we left Costa Rica. It has been 4 months without seeing my family or friends. While being homesick, I’ve also started grieving the end of the race. The reality is I want both things that I can’t have. I want to be home, now. I want to be here (on the race), forever. Ministry isn’t easy. Sometimes we meet christians who fill us up, and sometimes we meet people who fear us down for our beliefs. Its not easy.
BUT…
it is so, so worth it.
While I am tried, I have seen the Lords strength in me more than ever before. We have security guards that watch over our base, so when I do sleep, I feel more than protected. We have water & ICE!! (may be little to you, but is HUGE to us). Since being in the Dominican, I have had access to wifi to communicate with family and friends more than I did in Costa Rica. Being homesick has made me truly treasure my squad because I know there will be a day when it’s reversed and I would do anything to be back here with gap D. While grieving isn’t easy, it’s allowed me to look back in see God’s hand and favor all over my squad and my time with the world race. In ministry, I have grown in ways I didn’t see coming. I have been pushed to pursue truth, speak life, and invite people to my kingdom family. I see the Lord’s heart so tangibly for these people. We have been able to go to church and make long term connections. We have become friends with people in the communities, our translators, and the mission of hope staff.
Prayer Requests!!
- that my squad would press on for these last two months.
- that we would be met with open hearts by the community
- that we would see salvations on salvations
- that we would bring restoration, renewal, and encouragement
thank you for the love & support,
kaylin 🙂
