One year, plus a few days, I got off a plane in a country that was once a summer destination and was about to become my home. A lot has happened in this past year. You know when you have a birthday and everyone asks if you feel older? Well, I kind of consider July 2 my mission birthday. So if someone asked me if I feel older, I would confidently answer YES. I feel as if in the past year my ideas have matured, my thoughts have gone beyond tomorrow, my point of view crosses borders, and my walk with Christ is miles down the road from what it was a year ago.
One year the thought of college terrified me. I had no motivation to go or do anything that really involved going. I wasn't ready. In one month I am moving to OSU and rooming with three of my closest friends. I am going into school with a 4-year plan of what I want to accomplish and a scholarship to get me going. One year ago I was sending my exchange student Alba, who really become more of a sister, back to Spain after living with me and my family during our senior year. This week I got to sit by her on the beach because she came back to go one family vacation.
One year ago my mom was being released from the hospital after having her brain cancer removed and had a long road of recovery ahead of her. Yesterday we got news that she had a perfect MRI and PET scan. Even her doctor was shocked.
One year ago my sister and brother-in-law were living the newly-wed life. Today I am holding my three month old niece. I love her so much, but honestly I didn't think she would ever exist.
One year ago 20 girls sat in their mud huts in Ghana, West Africa with no hope of a real future. They were probably on the brink of having to choose to be married off or to move to Accra and find some way to send money home to their family. Now, those same 20 girls live at The Pearl House. Those girls attend school almost everyday and come home to a bed that they can call their own. The same girls that usually went to the farm everyday, can now speak English and read. They have a family they can rely on.
One year ago The Pearl House girls were being influenced by whatever religion brought a water well to their village first. Now, they are each involved in Lauren's Light House by teaching, preaching, and leading worship. They are at the point where they can go home to their families and talk to them about how God has transformed their lives.
Sure, it has been hard these past 6 months to not be at The Pearl House. I have missed them each day. Sure, I get sad sometimes that I'm not there when they a 100 on their test. Sure, I get jelouse when I see a picture of one of the interns with my girls. But, I think back on all that God has done this past year and I have so much to rejoice in.
The first six months of this past year I lived in Ghana, West Africa as an intern at The Pearl House. Being involved with starting the house from the ground up. I can confidently say that I have left my mark in the foundation of The Pearl House and life of each girl there. The second six months I worked state side with our board and founders. I was able to do a lot of speaking engagements and really tell people about my time living with the Pearl girls. I even got to go back to Ghana in April and surprise the girls.
So, yes. I do feel older on my mission birthday. I have met new people, grown closer to those I already knew, and sadly lost touch with those who simply cannot understand why I do what I do. I thank God for everything He has done in my life this past year.
For those of you reading, a majority of you probably didn't go live abroad for a majority of this past year. However, I encourage you to look back at this past year. Reflect on what you have experienced. Remember the people you have met. Learn from the things that made this past year difficult. I don't mean to sound cliché, but really, go do it.
A year ago, I was a white girl living in a black man's world. Today, I am a daughter living out my Father's will for my life.
