Now: In my own apartment, with all the necessary amenities, as well as even some "unnecessary" ones. My apartment has become a place of refreshment to me, as well as hospitality towards others.
Then: No Internet.
Now: Still no Internet sometimes... ;-) Much better, though!
Then: No phone or way to communicate with the outside world.
Now: Well connected with my friends and family both here and in the States. Y'all, if you don't have it, get WhatsApp! We can text!
Then: Didn't even know how to get to church my first Sunday, and we ended up being 40 minutes late!
Now: I am happily plugged into church, Sunday school, and a really great Bible study on Monday nights.
Then: Starting to get the hang of my role as Avance Program Coordinator (for more info on what that looks like, see my previous post).
Now: Feeling much more confident in the role -- and loving it!
Then: I was six weeks out of my latest surgery and nervous to do too much strenuous activity.
Now: I was able to be part of a very intense choreography routine over the fall, and also enjoy jumping on my mini trampoline and doing strength training for exercise.
Some things haven't changed:
I am happy to say that I was able to "hit the ground running" in many ways a year ago. Because I was familiar with the city and fluent in Spanish, I was able to jump into ministry and life here much faster and with not nearly as steep of a learning curve. I am also so blessed to have my host family, wonderful fellow staff members, and a community of Mexican friends, as well. They helped me to avoid the "transition deficit" of missing community that so many experience when moving to a new country and leaving their former support structures behind.
You all haven't changed, either!! I am so blessed to have you on my team, supporting me personally and the work that I am doing here! As I remember the love, prayers, and gifts with which you sent me off last year, I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness.
I'm looking forward to what God has in store for the upcoming years! :-)
