Cuba Letter
Hello Friend,
My prayer is that this letter finds you well; that when you read it, you have a moment of still and the opportunity to read it completely for what it is. If this is not that moment, I understand. It’ll be waiting here for you when it is. I believe evidence of God’s faithfulness is found on this page and it’s worth your full attention.
Admittedly, brevity is not my strength - that said, I want to honor your time and I’m going to attempt to string together close to 28 years on one page (with adjusted margins) in an effort to get to the point.
When I was five (or so) my parents found a stock pile of canned goods under my bed. When they asked me why they were there, I’ve been told, I answered back saying that I was saving them to send to the kids I saw on TV. I saw they were hungry and I wanted to do something about it.
At twelve years old, at a church camp in Louisville Kentucky, I felt in my heart a call to international missions. Isaiah 6:8 was the verse I wanted to lead everything I did.
Six years later, I was given the opportunity to see that call come to life. By way of prayer, sacrificial giving from family and friends (read: you), and a little help from United Airlines, I was on my way to my first international mission trip to Cote d'Ivoire, Africa. The following summer, I was able to return.
The summer of 2015 is where things changed. I said “no” to a third trip back to Cote d'Ivoire. I said no to God and I let the “busy” of life justify my disobedience. The truth was I was in what would be the beginning of a season of hidden shame and depression that made me feel like I didn’t deserve to be on that trip. I believed the lie that I couldn't be used for God’s kingdom anymore and I said no.
I don’t know where my life would be now had I chosen to say yes then. But God. But God in His faithfulness has remained in me - even when I wasn’t making the effort to remain in Him. And because of His never ending pursuit of His people, I do know where I’m heading now. Now, more specifically in June, I am heading to Cuba.
This past summer, on my birthday to be exact, I stepped back into church for the first time in a long time with the intention to stay, to heal, and to grow. This step has been honored. I am now a part of the Young Adult ministry at my church, New Life Church: Greater Little Rock campus (in Little Rock, AR). It is with this group that I get the opportunity to step back into obedience and return to international missions.
This isn’t the traditional support letter we’re advised to write. Knowing that, something about this feels more honest to where I am now and that’s what I care the most about sharing. Simply, my ask is this, pray for me. Pray for my trip to be funded - either by the help of your hand or someone else’s. Pray for my health - asthma and allergies make for quite the combo overseas. Lastly, pray for my faithfulness and discipline on this journey.
Well, I did it. One page. Thank you for your time and prayers. Attached you’ll find a prayer card with additional information on it and a return envelope if you are interested in supporting financially. Please feel free to message or call if you’d like to know more. I’d love to talk to you about any and all of it.
