from Carly

So… it has happened, we are here! After about 15 hours of traveling we only had one last flight in Nicaragua to the little town of Puerto Cabezas. Coming on this trip I have been feeling God truly pulling my heart to missionary work, so my pray was for the Lord to help give me a end all decision whether or not this was what He was calling for my life. As we got on the last hour flight I couldn’t have been more excited. We started singing and playing games. But then, in our 30 person little plane we hit turbulence. Everything changed for me. I was miserable. About every 5 seconds I was convinced I was going to lose my lunch. Debating in my mind whether it would be best to run to the bathroom or grab a bag was when I started the bad thoughts. I began to say to myself, “Ok, this isn’t for me.” As Jeff continued to tell stories of times its been much worse when traveling for mission trips I was determining I can not do this and the call was misunderstood. That’s when I encountered Jesus. At this moment when I thought all hope was lost Jesus spoke to me and asked, “Am I worth it?” Before I could respond He also asked me, “If I was encountering anything Paul did while he was in prison?” I love looking to Paul and being envious of the extent he went for Jesus. And finally He asked me, “Are you going through anything I have when I died on the cross for the sins you have committed?” Wow, I was convicted. At that moment the pilot announced our decent into Puerto Cabezas was beginning. Jesus never puts us through things we cannot come out of or that we cannot grow from. Still questioning if I would throw up, we got on the bus heading to the church. As we were on the road (I say road loosely) the people and surroundings started revolutionizing my mind. Such beauty in so little. This is where I belong, this is what I am supposed to be doing-I can take dramamine.

Carly Hillier