Embracing the Unexpected
Students of Colegio Episcopal Niño Jesús work together on crafts
By Kristyn Lewis
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way.” —Isaiah 43:19
I read a devotional every morning, and some days, the verse I read feels almost prescient. Today was one of those days. The reading was all about embracing change, in the spirit of the verse above, and staying open to the unexpected so you can hone in on the ways God may be working in your life.
It applies to this whole mission for me, a time when I’ve been thinking a lot about how this new experience is deepening my faith. But we had lots of “unexpected” today. Think: Food poisoning, a mechanical issue with our bus, fire ants…. And that was just the morning.
But we all embraced the day and pivoted where it was necessary, and many of us got to try new things because of it. Ginger Lewis learned how to wield a machete on the landscape team. Elizabeth Keith joined the paint crew. Rusty Hazzard, Grace Willis, and I drove to a nearby church, Iglesia Santa Maria Virgen, to paint two rooms that will be used to hold English language classes.
Vacation Bible School in the afternoon was especially energetic, with over 50 children just in the classroom where I was working, but it was happy chaos. Every day during our work here, I am struck by how despite our language barrier, these kids are helping me remember how easy it is to see God in each other. Today, it was as simple as sitting on a classroom floor after our craft and handing paper towels to a crowd of students while they helped each other get blue paint off their hands. Then, later in the afternoon, kicking a soccer ball with a girl, both of us laughing when we made a bad shot, having fun together without having to actually say a word.
This mission, so full of new experiences, is reminding me that even on days that are full of unexpected turns, there is so much to be grateful for, and an abundance of joy to be found.
Today’s update comes from Kristyn Lewis. Kristyn is currently on our mission trip in the DR with her entire family: Jay, Cate, and Ginger. Kristyn also serves on the Fourth Soil parenting committee .
