July 27th, 2023
It is hard to believe that I have now spent just over three weeks in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. I have had many different emotions not only traveling to Mexico, but also after I arrived. My travel plans didn’t go how I expected them to go. I was supposed to leave home early in the morning of July 5th and get to Puerto Escondido around three in the afternoon. My flight ended up getting delayed five hours, which would cause me to miss my connection in Mexico City. Thankfully, my mom was with me at the airport as I checked my bags in and the guy at the ticketing counter was so helpful and helped me to rebook my flight for a red eye later that evening. I felt a bit frazzled as the plans had changed but, through God’s grace, I was resting in the confidence of knowing that the Lord had this planned out specifically for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28 & 11:36). My parents took me back home, and I then had time to sleep longer and spend some more time with my family! Thinking my goodbye (or “see you later”) to them was in the morning, made the actual parting a little easier that afternoon, since I had already gone through some of those emotions that morning. God was preparing my heart and gave me extra time with them that I didn’t think I would have! He is so awesome.
As I traveled through Mexico City I had this feeling on my next flight of “what am I even doing?!?” I realized I was about to step off the plane into a completely different life with different foods, different culture, different climate, different language, different people, different everything… As I listened to my worship music on the short plane ride, the Lord reminded me that I was (and am) called to go according to His purpose for my life (Matthew 28:19-20). My ultimate purpose is to glorify the One who created me and chose me for His glory (Isaiah 43:6-7, Ephesians 1:4-6). When Jesus eternally saved me in 2020, my life became submitted to Christ and His purpose for it. Whatever He has planned for my time in Mexico has been perfectly planned out by the One that loves me and completely knows me like no other (Psalm 139).
God has been using the last few months of constantly switching where I’ve been sleeping (different beds, air mattresses, etc) to prepare me for adapting well as I sleep here in Mexico! I used to not be able to sleep in rooms that weren’t pitch black and had AC and now I am sleeping where it’s not completely dark and does not have AC! So cool to look back at how God used even something as seemingly small as sleeping arrangements as a means to prepare me for life in Mexico! Thank you, God! It has definitely been an adjustment to get used to the food. The food is so good here and I love trying new dishes!! They’re usually a little heavier than what I’m used to and my stomach is still adjusting; some of my favorites so far are chilaquiles, sopa de fideo, and gorditos. My host mom and now friend, makes some of the best food I’ve ever had. We have a good time cooking and sweating together in the kitchen. I have learned so much about the culture even just through learning about how to cook the food. We even have made some things that are normal for me, like Chicken Alfredo and zucchini brownies! The fruit is extremely fresh here, and I’ve tried a lot of new ones. My host family also loves to exercise, which has been very fun for me to have built in workout partners! It’s so awesome to work out and encourage each other as we steward our bodies for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
One of the biggest ways I’ve seen the Lord working in my heart is through showing me my selfishness and want for control. He has been teaching me how to be flexible and give up my desire for a strict routine. He has planned out my days (Psalm 139) with the perfect amount of grace and mercy for each of them (Lamentations 3:22-24). He’s been teaching me how to hold my day with open hands, eager for whatever He has planned for me that day. I have a sinful desire to clench my fist on what I think my day should look like, what I want to get done, and how I want it to be done. I’m trying to control my schedule and my time, which is actually the Lord’s because I am His creation (Colossians 1:15-17). The Lord has been so gracious in revealing this to me and sanctifying me through the trials!
I’m so grateful for the continuous training that GEM has given me and for all of the love, support, and prayers of all of my partners! Thank you all for being a part of this ministry!
– Shelby Haines, GEM Missionary
