Hey everybody! I thought it might be time for a little life update since it’s been a couple of months. As of today, I have exactly 200 days until my departure! It feels like it’s approaching so quickly, and I couldn’t be more excited! 😊
Route Change!
To start, I wanted to tell you all about a slight shift in my route next year. Due to an issue with host availability, I will now be going to BRAZIL instead of South Africa! So now my route is Guatemala, Brazil, Eswatini, and Indonesia! While I am a little disappointed that I won’t get to explore South Africa, I am still SO excited to be going to Brazil and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us there!
Brazil, from what I’ve heard, is a beautiful country with so much diversity, from its landscapes to its people. However, it does still face some tough challenges with crime, homelessness, and poverty being real problems. While we’re there, we’ll be working to help people stuck in situations that make them feel invisible and forgotten, showing them that God still sees and loves them. I’m really excited for this opportunity, especially coming from a city where we face many of the same problems, and I can really see myself getting more involved and making this kind of work a bigger part of my future.
Looking Forward…
As some of you may know, this past Christmas and winter break, my family had the privilege to go to Belize! It was truly an amazing country with such beautiful people and places to see. We got to do a lot of exploring in a local beach town and small island, San Pedro, as well as staying out in the jungle! Some highlights were swimming with sharks and manta rays, going caving in the ATM caves and seeing Mayan remains, making friends with iguanas, exploring Mayan archeological sites, and the wonderful food and people we met!
The reason I bring this up is because Belize and Guatemala share a border, and after hiking to the top of one Mayan temple, we were able to look out into the landscape of Guatemala. Standing up there, I had a powerful moment of excitement and anticipation for next year as I thought to myself, “That’s where you’ll be next year!”
As I said earlier, it’s crazy how fast this journey seems to be approaching, yet at the same time, this school year feels like it’s been going on for ages with constant things to be doing and work piling up. It’s easy for me to get overwhelmed and lost within the busy-ness of life. Looking out over Guatemala, I was filled with such joy as I was reminded of the future plans in store for me. I remembered to take a breath and to refocus on what’s important, but also to cherish every moment I have left of this last year of high school!
Thank you!!
The biggest thing I want to say is THANK YOU!! I am so endlessly grateful for all the love and support I have received! Honestly, sharing this journey with so many people has been a really new experience for me, and while it’s been a bit unfamiliar and scary at times, I am continuously reminded of how wonderful the people God has put in life are, and how blessed I am to have such an amazing community. I’m truly thankful for how everyone has encouraged and uplifted me, and your support has made this journey even more meaningful. I couldn’t be more grateful to have each of you by my side as I continue forward, and I feel so so blessed!!
I’m truly overwhelmed by all the messages, prayers, and love I’ve received from everyone following along on this journey. It’s been such an encouragement to know so many people are cheering me on. At the same time, I’m incredibly grateful for those who have gone above and beyond by donating. Your generosity has made a real impact, and I can’t thank you enough for helping me move closer to reaching my goal! I am now 22% of the way funded!! I never thought that I would be this far, but it’s been amazing to see how God has provided in ways I didn’t expect!
Anyways, I think that’s all for now! I’m excited to keep preparing and seeing everything come together, and I’ll be sure to keep you all updated as things move forward!
Much love,
Kezia
Needless to say, Aunt Bunny & I are both so excited to wait and see how The LORD leads you in this amazing journey. And we are so blessed that you would include us in this blog. As we look back over our wonderful life together, we are always amazed at the many ways God has opened and shut so many door to make sure we were following Him and NOT ourselves. The main desire on our part and in our prayers is that during this venture, you would get to know HIM more and more. It’s important to GO and DO, but more important to know Him better and better. Praying DAILY for you. Love, Uncle Jack
Its so nice to see your smiling face in the pictures! We are thinking of you from Maine! What an adventure you are about to be on!