hopping from place to place...

.....Which seems to be the trend in my life right now and over the past three years, and I am wondering if I need to fully accept that this will be life or if I will plant my roots deep somewhere in the near-ish future. Only God knows! 

     Anyway, after my return from Guatemala, I was extremely fortunate to see many of my close friends and family in a small two week time-frame. I was home in Gladwyne and Bear Creek to see my family, cousins, and also family visiting from Missouri whom I rarely get to see!! I also went to Danville and Hershey to see family/friends that I only see maybe once a year. The timing working out so well being able to see so many people at once between my international travel was a surprise that I am really thankful for. 

     I have been learning these past few weeks that when I stress and try to make everything happen that I want to happen, it usually doesn't work out, but when I have peace knowing that God is in control and give him my desires, everything works out better, and whether it's what I want or not at that moment, I can have peace knowing that God always knows what is best.

     I am now in to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, for the month. It is always such a joy for my to go back to my other home and spend time with my friends and be a part of life there. 

AND... my brother Andrew came down here with a few of his friends, and we overlapped for a day and get to hang out! I was so happy to be able to show him around the city and country that I love so much, even if briefly. Neither of us knew the timing that the other would be there so it's very happy for me that this worked out.

     Since moving back to the U.S., I have only been able to go back for one or two week trips at a time, so I am glad to have a bit more time there now, although I wish I could stay longer (remember how hopping from place to place seems to be the trend for me right now? Yikes... summer is a busy time! Though a lot of aspects of hopping around is difficult, I consider it a huge privilege and blessing to be able to spend time in these places with these people who are so dear to me).

     The hospital I worked at in San Pedro Sula has since closed, but I have so many friends there doing great work who always love to have volunteers. 

     Shari and Terry have had a ministry for the homeless in SPS for years now, and it is awesome to spend time with them in their outreach. This past December I got to be a part of their Christmas celebration, and a lot of people donated to me new or gently used t-shirts which we were able to put in the gift bags, and it was a huge blessing for the people who come to the ministry. For more information, check out their ministry is MANOS UNIDOS EN CRISTO (Hands United in Christ), and follow them on Facebook!

   My friend Tara and her husband Jorge operate the ministry they started, Identity Mission, which works with the orphans in Honduras. It is awesome to see how this ministry is expanding and how many children are being placed in loving foster and forever families. For those who are not, IM works on supporting the orphanages to the best of their ability so that the children's needs are met as much as possible. They also work with special needs orphans; many need physical therapy, surgery, or other types of treatment, and they are faithfully helping each child who they come into contact with who needs any kind of health care. You can also follow them on Facebook.

   The third ministry which I was most involved with while living in Honduras and am still most involved with is Juventud Para Cristo Honduras (Youth for Christ). This is a huge international organization that works in many countries around the world, including the U.S., as many of you may know. The director of JPC/YFC Honduras, Mauricio (and wife Ana), is a dear friend of mine and his family has become like family to me. I love helping out at weekend and summer camps, and traveling around the country to help with programs in the schools, orphanages, homeless shelters, churches, and the like. Through this program I have met some of my dearest friends and have blessed in huge ways by this ministry over the past four years.

   For those of you who read my blog, follow me on Insta and/or Facebook, thank you for your support and prayers and for being a part of my life in the grand story that God is writing.