Thursday, March 4, 2010
My Big Exciting Announcement
It's been a long couple of months.
It's been a frustrating couple of weeks.
But that is all behind me now, because I finally got the news I have been praying to hear.
I'm going to Paraguay.
All right, I guess I should probably back up a little bit.
You all remember back in the fall when I most unfortunately had to cancel my Habitat for Humanity trip to Papua New Guinea when I fell short of the necessary funds.
(I'm still getting over that disappointment.)
Well, on the very day I broke the news to my team leader, I began the search for another trip.
It's been quite the process.
Apparently, I'm slightly delusional. Because I really thought I would just apply for another team, chat with the leader, and get right in. That's not exactly how it happened.
After you all voted, I decided to go for the trip to Egypt, but was never able to connect via telephone with the leader, and she filled the trip pretty quickly. It was interesting because I really wanted to go to Egypt. I REALLY want to go to Egypt. You have no idea. But when I looked at the details of the trip, I started to feel like it just wasn't quite the right fit.
And so, the search continued.
I found some really exciting opportunities in Eastern Europe and Africa, but felt a little bit hesitant because of the cost. I didn't want to have to worry about finding myself in the same situation I was back in October, after all.
I ended up on three waiting lists before I ever looked at South America. I was wait-listed a fourth time and felt so frustrated I wanted to scream. I know this is a worthy cause and I know I'm supposed to do it, but it got to the point where it didn't matter how much I told myself that it would all be worth it in the end. I was going crazy NOW. I wanted to be on a team NOW.
Last week, I clicked on the link for Paraguay. I know very little about Paraguay, and knew even less a week ago. But I read the page and I had found IT.
Refusing to get too excited after three months of setbacks and letdowns, I emailed a pithy message to the team leader asking if he had any space on his team for a thirty-something woman from Southern California. His quick reply said he had one spot left in his group of twelve. We arranged a time to speak by phone and he called Friday morning.
As we talked, I just KNEW I wanted this trip. So many others were in these exotic and exciting locations and had all sorts of cultural and touristy adventures built into the itinerary. While that seemed cool and all, my main goal is to spend my vacation time carrying out the mission of Habitat for Humanity. So many trips felt like they were mingling Habitat's work into a vacation instead.
Anyway, the team leader said he thought I'd be a good addition to the team, but still had a few others to speak with. So, again, I didn't get my hopes up. It's hard to hear someone tell you no when you feel in your heart that it's the place you need to be.
I spent the weekend praying and pondering and trying not to spend too much time focusing on it.
But Tuesday, I still hadn't heard back. The frustration returned, full force.
At the urging of a friend, I emailed the leader to just remind him that I'm interested and also that I just need to know if I should look for something else.
Yesterday morning when I got to work, there was an email in my inbox officially inviting me to be a part of the Paraguay team.
I'm absolutely THRILLED. I can't wait to get down there and get to work this July. The time will pass quickly, but not right now it feels like it's not fast enough.
The great news is that, because of YOUR generosity, I've already collected the funds for the cost of the trip. All I have to worry about now is airfare. Which is not going to be cheap, but I know things will work out this time. They just have to, right?
So thank you all for your patience and support. It's going to be so much fun to prepare for this adventure and I'm ready to get started!
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I am so glad you found your spot.. May God provide the funds you need for the airfare..
ReplyDeletesooooo happy for you Karen!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Looking forward to hearing more and seeing the photos eventually!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you! I can't wait to hear all about it. I know the work you will undertake there will be so rewarding and worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteYAAAAAAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting news indeed!!!
I can't wait to hear all abou tit- I know you will take oodles of pics, right??
Oh, Kar! I'm so happy that you get to take this trip and serve the people of Paraguay! It's going to be such an adventure! Sometimes life throws us such curveballs but it's always best to "forget yourself and go to work." And yes, the pictures are going to ROCK! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great opportunity to do some good!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting in!! I bet it'll be a great experience.
ReplyDeleteYayayayayayayay! That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations you found your trip!! that is a great thing you are doing, Good Luck! I would love to hear how things go!
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting! Glad everything worked out.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Congrats again. Where in Paraguay? I have a friend of a friend there...it would be awesome if you got to work together or something
ReplyDeleteThat is SOOO awesome! I desperately want to go to South America. Mainly Belize, but anywhere. It would be awesome. Your trip is going to be GREAT. I can't wait to read the posts.
ReplyDeleteThere is a program where you can go work on small farms in South Amer and Africa that MacGyver and I wanted to look into.
So happy for you!! A friend of mine served his mission in Paraguay and completely adored it there. Hope it will be the same for you. Can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait to hear all about the trip when you get back.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. I am so happy that it worked out in your favor. Maybe one day you will go to Egypt on a real vacation, or for a completely different purpose.
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy and excited for you! What an amazing adventure and experience!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. Congralations! As with everyone else, I am so excited to hear all about it and see the pictures that I'm sure you will take. What a wonderful experience you will have. I also had a friend serve a mission there and really loved it. Yahoo!
ReplyDeleteYay! That is so exciting! I'm glad it is all working out for you and I hope your trip is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWow! Congrats! That is great news. And I'm with you on Egypt. Visiting Egypt is on my bucket list. I simply must get there someday.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! This is such an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteHubster started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity a couple of months ago, and he id doing his first build locally in May. I can't wait until we get to go to a third world country to help out.
Congratulations! That is so cool. While you are not looking to make this trip a vacation, I'm sure you will be able to soak up lost of culture. I hope to visit South America in the next few years. I'll be curious to hear what you think of Paraguay.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! Paraguay! Embrace it baby!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you are living my dream.
ReplyDeleteGo forth and do much good!
Congrats, Karen. I'm really happy for you. You're going to do a great job. Good luck with the airfare. Save, save, save! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you are going.
ReplyDelete