Orientation

Hola! :)

The countdown has officially begun as in 12 days I will be on a plane to Guatemala!

On Thursday I returned home after 8 days at All Nations Christian College in Hertfordshire where I had my 'orientation' or training for my time in Guatemala.

The week included a wide variety of session led by teachers at the college which covered topics such as culture shock, safety and security, the history and politics of Latin America and working in cross cultural teams, which were all very useful and beneficial as they covered practical things to know and to consider. In addition however we also had sessions on areas such as understanding ourselves and maintaining our spiritual life which benefited us all in another way.
In addition to the sessions we had lots of tea breaks with lovely selections of biscuits as well as free time in which we played games of frisbee, volleyball, or chatted to each other in.
Every morning we also had a time of devotions which was either led by a lady called Caroline or by one of the country groups. These times provided to be the most challenging to me personally, as God really used them to speak to me about various things in my life that he wants me to sort out with him before I go away. One thing that God really emphasised to me was that he really does have the best plan about everything, even if we cant see what that is, or understand why that is.

I would say that there were a few highlights to the week:
Firstly, last Sunday we visited a Kairos church in London which was Latin American - therefore all spoken in spanish and very Latin cultured in the way that everyone greeted eachother and worshipped. Although my spanish wasnt quite up to scratch to understand all that was said, I managed to get the gist of what they were preaching about, and overall felt it was a really great thing to experience to prepare me for the kind of church I might be based in whilst away!
Secondly would have to be the people I met. Not only did I get the chance to meet many previous Striders with Latin Link, including two Striders who had been to Guatemala and were therefore able to share advice specific to there; but I also got to make friends with some awesome people, some my age, some a bit older. I know that God really blessed me with the people as I have been able to connect and relate to them so well and we already have plans in place to keep in touch whilst all in different areas of Latin America.

Overall God has really used this week to encourage, equip, prepare, challenge and teach me in so many different ways. I know that this last week at orientation as well as my time at Momentum a few weeks back have really been used and blessed by God to get me in the right place for going away and now just cant wait to go!

For those who pray:
Things to be thankful for:
- That God really spoke to me over the summer
- That God got me there and home safely
- That God blessed me with so many friendships
Things to be praying for:
- For a productive time over the next 12 days as things are coming together at home ready for my departure
- For a safe flight
- That the preparations and practicalities would come together over in Guatemala ready for my arrival

Thanks for reading! :)

Dios te bendiga! (A phrase I learnt at the Latin American church meaning 'God bless')