Working Promises

I know there are still a couple weeks until I depart for Mission to the World training, but I just couldn't wait any longer to make my first post.  I am so excited to share with you that I am nearing the end of my fundraising process, and by the end of this month will have completed training with Mission to the World and have arrived in Guanajuato, México!  It is also rather exciting to finally own my own blog, and I hope that it will be a useful tool in sharing God's goodness in my life with you.  I suppose since this is the very first entry, it might be nice to state the reasons for the creation of this colorful blog.

Who?
This blog is dedicated to our awesome God and all the wonderful friends who have already been so involved in this journey with me and have been such a huge encouragement and support to me!  And if you're interested, I'll probably go by "Mónica" down there in Mexico.

What?
I will be serving in Guanajuato, México this summer as a volunteer intern with Mission to the World, a PCA missions organization, helping coordinate short term mission teams at that site.  Possible activities include: translating, cooking/cleaning, construction work, VBS, ESL, and sports ministry.

When?
I depart for training on May 23!  Our Guanajuato team departs for México on May 28, and I will return home on July 28.

Why the title "Working Promises"?
This spring semester at Davidson, God has been challenging me to trust in His promises.  My journey with MTW has so far been another one of these challenges and a very wonderful testament to His faithfulness and graciousness to me.  In this moment, I am simply overwhelmed with joy and thanks to have this opportunity to serve God in Guanajuato.  At several points in my fundraising process, I was sure that it would never happen, and I even began to make Plan B's and Plan C's for the summer...  But His graciousness flowed out to me through amazingly generous hearts, and now I can only thank God for carrying me through the deep waters I could not wade on my own.  He has humbled me to the point where I can say with all my heart that it is truly a privilege to be a part of pushing out the reaches of God's kingdom with MTW.

My MTW journey began with God asking me to depend on and trust in His promises, and I know that He will continue to humble and break me, and when He does, I pray that the pieces of me will fall into His open, creative palms that not only make me into a beautiful art but also something lovely that reaches out and blesses others.  Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of chaos and I can't see the light at the end just yet, it's encouraging to remember that God is always faithful to His promises, and they are being carried out, even if I can't see it.

Working promises: His promises are both in the works, and they always work!

I am thrilled that you will be a part of God's work in Guanajuato with me this summer.  I hope to update this blog once every one or two weeks, if not more often, and depending on Internet accessibility there.  Please read my entries as often or as little as you would like, and I hope that whenever you do, it will be something similar to having a nibble of the most glorious-tasting apple pie.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope... When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)