“Is Santa going to bring me my check?” Jose jokingly asked me as I brushed Maddie (the horse I ride).
“Well, have you been good?” I replied.
“Yeah, you?”
“Of course!” was my sarcastic reply.
“Why? What makes you good?” Jose prodded.
A wide open door. I took a deep breath before jumping in to a brief explanation of how I’m only good because of Jesus Christ. God’s been working in me to help me stay alert to opportunities. It’s amazing how God brings them right to you when you are open to being used and paying attention.
This year began with an open door for me to attend ABWE’s Storytellers Abroad workshop
in Nicaragua. (You can read more about that trip here.) God has been leading me to pursue using my photography in missions, and this trip was the first step in that journey. I learned a lot technically, and I got to see first hand how I can use the passion that God has given me for His glory. I had the opportunity to talk to some of the staff of ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) and began the process shortly after the trip to become a short-term missionary with them.
A couple months later, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic with my
church’s youth group mission trip. This trip gave me a chance to practice what I learned on the Nicaragua trip. It also was a fun time of getting to know other people in the church more and serving alongside my sister who also went on the trip.
In October, I attended Field Prep classes at ABWE’s headquarters in Pennsylvania. The classes covered a variety of topics including safety, switching cultures, support raising, sharing the Gospel, and more. It was an encouraging time!
I have had a wonderful 2016 following God through the doors He has opened for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how He leads in 2017!
May you have a wonderful holiday season and a blessed 2017!
Gloria Images 