How this all started...

I've decided to commit the next 4 months (at least) of my life to working in missions in Pinalito, Guatemala (and/or other remote mountain villages in the Zacapa region), and I guess you might want to know how I ended up at this point...

About a year ago, in my last semester of undergrad, I decided not to go directly into a graduate program, because I didn't really know what I specifically wanted to study or do with my life. I had decided that I would get a job after college and learn/progress from that point on, and maybe get in to a graduate program later, if the mood struck me.
Well, that's all good and fine if you get a job, but I didn't. I got some offers, but turned them down because the jobs did not really fit well with my 'career plan' or they would have had me working on Sundays, which I choose not to do. Rather, keeping the Sabbath Holy is a gift to us from God that allows us to get a break from our busy lives and remember all God has done for us and that we belong to Him, which is a good thing. But that's another topic...

Around November of 2006, just around the time I was beginning to get frustrated with the whole job search/part time work deal, I started reading the blog of Sarah Ruzic (Teaching in Guatemala) She is a member of my church (Christ Church United Methodist, Louisville KY) and had gone through almost the exact same struggle as I had. Got out of college, didn't find a true niche or purpose, and then heard God calling her to Pinalito. I started conversing with her through email,because it's always cool to converse with others about how they are doing God's work, and draw inspiration from their testimony. Little did I know that I would end up 'called to action' in the process. Sarah came home for Christmas and we got together, and after talking with her on several occasions, I felt that now was the time that I was being 'called'. No fancy ringtone or anything, and no lightning bolts or flames, just a gradual realization that the last few months have been a waste of time and that there were better things I could do with my life for God. There are needs in Pinalito that I can support and it would definitely be a better way of spending my time than sitting at home and simply having a job.

God places people and events in our lives that can lead us to do His work, and the last 1/2 year has been especially full of them for me. Everything begins to fall in to place, and suddenly you're at a point where you are ~2 weeks away from departure, with still loads to do, and knowing that the next few months could be overwhelming. But, The LORD will provide, as he already has, and continues to, which gives us a tremendous boost in confidence. All we need to do is hang on to the controls...and enjoy the ride.