The mission year wrapped up... and  the present

It's been quite some time since I last shared an update on my mission year and what happened after March. Let me take you through the highlights.

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During our spring break, my mission friends and I decided to visit Maui. The island was breathtakingly beautiful, and I couldn't help but marvel at God's handiwork in every aspect of nature I encountered. The sunsets were stunning, the deep valleys reminded me of God's unfathomable love, and each element of nature carried a mark of Him.

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However, our hiking trip took an unexpected turn. While we were out, my backpack was stolen. It contained some valuable possessions, including an object that had belonged to my late grandmother, my ID, and a polaroid. It was a shocking experience, and I felt violated and hurt. Despite this, I sought to find ways to praise God even in the midst of the turmoil.

I want to be honest and transparent with you all. It was a tough situation to handle, but I did not want to let it spoil my appreciation for God's magnificent creation.

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When I lost my items, it caused me so much grief that I couldn't even enjoy the rest of my stay in Maui. I began to question God, wondering why this had happened to me when I was serving Him. However, as I reflected on this experience and the book of Job, I realized that even though Job's situation was much worse, he too had questioned God about suffering. Through his story, I learned that we don't live in a world where righteousness is always rewarded and wickedness is always punished. Instead, we live in a world where the righteous sometimes suffer while the wicked often thrive. This may seem harsh, but the message that I took away from it is that true joy is found not in avoiding suffering, but in enduring it. Perhaps, God needed me to know that for that moment, or even for the future.

 

 As our time in Hilo drew to a close, the days seemed to pass by in a blur, until it was time to receive our parting gifts and attend the farewell party. It was a beautiful event full of love and appreciation. From the moment I arrived in Hilo, I was enveloped in a sense of love and belonging that has stayed with me ever since. The church, the aunts and uncles, the children, the family - they all helped shape me into the person I am today. The way they showed me God's love has inspired me to spread that love to others. Saying goodbye was difficult, and I didn't expect to have to "heal" from the heartbreak of leaving a mission trip. But even though it was painful, I felt a sense of fulfillment that I had never experienced before. I felt closer to God, and more connected to a community than ever before.

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I long for the days when I was surrounded by my students, and I find myself flipping through photos from my mission trip every single day. The lessons they taught me were invaluable, even as I was teaching them. Witnessing their effortless grace and willingness to forgive was truly humbling. I often heard them proclaim, "Jesus is my best friend!" and it filled me with immense joy. Each time I heard those words, I was reminded to prioritize my own relationship with God and to love others as He does. These children served as a constant source of inspiration, encouraging me to follow in their pure and selfless footsteps.

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Dear Anna, Angelika, Lety, and Matthias,

As I reminisce, I am overflowing with gratitude for the privilege of sharing this journey with each and every one of you. Together, we have faced challenges and triumphs, and I am so proud of the incredible individuals you have become.

Watching you all overcome your own personal struggles has been an inspiration to me, and I am in awe of your strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. Because of you all, I have since then been inspired to not look at the flaws, the past mistakes of a person, but to show how that even the broken deserves a love like how Jesus loves us. And I vow to show that through my interactions with other people by forgiveness, grace, compassion and really... just love.

As a group, you are the best people I have ever had the privilege of being surrounded by. Thank you for your unconditional love, for being there for me through thick and thin, for wiping away my tears, and for sharing endless laughter (even when it was at my expense! hahah).

The friendships we have forged will remain etched in my heart forever. Thank you for walking hand in hand with me as we journeyed through life together. Most importantly, thank you for sharing your love for Jesus with me. It has been an honor to serve Him alongside each and every one of you. I love you. 

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To my dear Hilo family,

Words cannot express the depth of gratitude I have towards each and every one of you. The spirit of Aloha is strong among you all, but it is the spirit of God that shines so brightly within your hearts.

Before I arrived in Hilo, I was lost and running away from God for nearly a year. But thanks to the unwavering love and support of this incredible community, I spent my mission year running towards Him instead.

I made a promise to myself that day - there will be no more running away from God. From this moment forward, my heart is set on running towards Him with all my being.

Thank you, Hilo family, for being the light that guided me back to God. You will forever hold a special place in my heart. I love you. 

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