We left Georgia on Monday the 23rd and arrived in the gorgeous place that is Black Mountain, North Carolina! We were there for domestic ministry that would last a week, a time meant to prepare us for ministry overseas and get a chance to serve a community closer to home! We pulled into a camp full of cabins, tall trees, and the sweetest people! We were there to work alongside and serve at Excel College, a small Christian school, which included landscaping, serving at the Black Mountain Children’s Home, evangelizing in Asheville, and many other random projects! The first night we arrived there, it began pouring rain but we continued on to play volleyball, gaga ball, and run around in the beautiful green space they had there. The rain made it all the more sweet, and messy!
The first day of ministry, I had the opportunity to go with some of my squadmates to Excel’s campus which was so cool to see. We basically landscaped the whole day and were, again, interrupted by a downpour of rain yet continued to work and help people affected by the rain. It was crazy because we went from raking leaves in the chilly morning weather to running to make a makeshift dam from rocks and sticks to prevent a college staff member’s house from flooding. The Lord showed me in that moment, clothes completely soaked through by the rain and ankle deep in mud, that ministry can look so completely different than I had previously expected. Learning to go with the flow and be humble in what the Lord wants me to do will be so important over these next eight months!
The next two days, my squad and I gardened, created a bulletin board, helped clean up BMH, homeschooled kids, and experienced the immense joy of the Lord! Post-ministry activities consisted of late-night gas station runs, guitar seshes, and endless conversations ending in belly laughs!! Those three days were so unpredictable yet filled with proof of God’s work in all of us– the gifts of patience, supernatural energy, and laughter during jobs that some may deem unpleasant!
On Friday the 27th, Hurricane Helene came to Black Mountain and, as a result, a mudslide occurred in the camp we were staying in. We were in a building that collapsed seconds after we ran out of it. Our whole squad was stuck on a parking pad in the pouring rain for two hours until we were able to cross a rushing river of mud to safety. Black Mountain Home took us in for the rest of the day providing warm food, clothing, and shelter. We then stayed at a hotel in the area overnight, experiencing the kindness of the Lord through the hotel staff that took us in last minute. We arrived back in Georgia the next day and spent a week doing debrief and recovering from the traumatic experience. We lost a lot due to the hurricane, including clothing, electronics, gear, and passports. Volunteers from AIM and Black Mountain staff were able to recover a lot of our belongings.
Though many of us are still recovering, the event was such a moment of learning dependence on God and strengthening of our squad’s unity. I am deeply grateful for all of the people who helped us get back to Georgia, as well as the immense amount of prayers, donations, and love that has come K squad’s way! Your prayers will always be appreciated : )
The landslide didn’t cancel out our experience in Black Mountain beforehand either! Serving there grew us all immensely and made us all the more excited to participate in ministry internationally!!
Eight of us were able to get brand new passports in time to leave with the rest of the squad. We were able to see our parents during debrief week. We were able to leave Gainesville, GA for Guatemala on time— October 7th. I write this blog from a sweet coffee shop in Antigua, Guatemala, floored by the goodness of God. I can’t wait to keep you all updated on what the Lord does here in Guatemala, as well as in the countries we have yet to go to!
All I can say is: He is faithful, He is a provider and a protector, and He is King!!
All my love, Abi : )
