Wow.... So, Its been a little over a month since I've returned from Europe on my unexpected 3 month Mission. And so much has happened that I barely know where to begin.
TOUCH DOWN LOS ANGELES
Traveling 5 flights in 4 days from Croatia to Spain, Spain to London, then London to America was surprisingly not as complicated as it sounds. Looking back, I honestly know that I wouldn't have made it to my 1st flight without God, let alone all 5. Carrying over 70lbs of luggage, and not enough money to book a room for each night, I knew it was an adventure I would always remember.
ZAGREB, CROATIA AIRPORT
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| Top Left: Daniele and I... Top Right: Zeljko and I... Bottom Left: Verni and I, Bottom Right: Kee Kee and I... |
Saying my good-bye's to my Pastor, First Lady, and friends wasn't hard, but it definitely wasn't easy. Standing in the airport, hugging my First Lady, God once again showed me his faithfulness by providing what she didn't know would be exactly what I needed to get home. One thing I am truly thankful for are the people God placed in my path in Croatia. Daniele and Andrew Vulsik, my Pastor and First Lady. Jill and her husband Gjorgji Atanasov. The twins Jovan and Josef, Dragon and Esther along with their beautiful and extremely intelligent daughter, Sarah. Zeljko, Marija, David, Kee Kee, Verni, and everyone else that took their time to be so kind and hospitable to me.
Daniele gave me a hug along with enough money to get me through my trip and sent me on my way.
MALLORCA, SPAIN MALLORCA BIBLE SCHOOL
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| Yes... I'm chilling at the beach with my UGGs on LOL |
I got the opportunity to spend the night in my old dorm, see my old classmates, and enjoy a day of church and hear a great word. It was strange being back in Spain, even though it was only for one night. I got the chance to bond with someone I was never really close with before I left for Croatia, and I got to have some in dept conversations with people I'd missed. After church, I decided to go down to the beach and worship and listen for God to give me some direction. It felt good to stand in the presence of God staring at his beautiful creations and bask in His glory. I started to feel anxious about leaving. Not Spain in particular, but Europe. Returning back to America, back to my old routine, back to nothing. The closer I got to going home, the closer I got to a panic attack. Yet, standing in front of the same Balearic Sea that I could have died in, the same Balearic Sea that I got confirmation to go to Croatia, the Same Balearic sea that God consistently met me at, I felt His peace again. I felt his comfort telling me I would be fine, like always. He would never leave me nor forsake me, and that He has a mission for me at home. So I headed back to the airport, ready for the next adventure.
MALLORCA, SPAIN AIRPORT
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| All of the luggage Luis and I had to carry across London. YIKES!!!!! |
Waiting for my flight to take off, God once again stepped in and while talking to my neighboring flight partner, Luis from Nigeria, I realized we would need each other more than our praying together before the plane took off. Speaking with Luis, I discovered that he was Christian, lived in Mallorca, and attended another church I was familiar with. I had a peace in my heart about him and knew our seat assignment was ordained by God. Our flight destination was London City, our destination after that, was Heathrow London, about 3 hours on train, and almost $200 American dollars by taxi, which neither one of us had. So Luis officially became my travel partner for the night.
LONDON CITY, LONDON AIRPORT
Landing and going through customs was the least of my troubles. With 3 hours to make it to London, Heathrow so I'd have a free place to stay the night with my old classmate, and now almost 200lbs of luggage to carry across London, the race was on. With Luis carrying all of the heavier luggage, and my God given sense of direction, we managed to find our way to Heathrow with no complications and for a total of 11 pounds, UK currency. Thanking Luis for all his help and thanking God for His grace, we parted ways and I found my way to the Holiday Inn to meet up with my classmate, Shelby from Oregon.
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| Finally sleeping at a hotel instead of an airport!!! Thank God!!! |
HEATHROW TO GATWICK, LONDON
Waking up at 5am to 4 degree weather, to make sure I didn't miss my shuttle to Gatwick London, I could barely feel my fingers. Everyone in London were very nice and helpful. Someone would offer to help me the minute they saw me with all my luggage. Once I was seated and secure on the shuttle, I wanted to shut my eyes and get some much needed rest during the hour drive from Heathrow to Gatwick, but the sunrise was so peaceful, I just sat and watched it, took in everything that happened the last 24 hours, and the fact that I was in London. Sitting on that shuttle, I had time to just reflect on the fact that God took me, a 23 year old black girl from the poverty stricken San Bernardino, California, and placed me in Europe, for 3 months, with no money, and yet I needed for nothing. It brings me to tears thinking about just how blessed I truly am. And to be able to share it with the world, I only pray this encourages someone, because I can tell you now, this was nothing I could have done.
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| The beautiful sunrise on my way to Gatwick... |
GATWICK, LONDON AIRPORT
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| The Police were everywhere... |
Arriving at the airport, I quickly gathered all of my belongings and headed to the check- in line. As I was waiting in line, police with large guns and search dogs came and started searching everyone. I had never witnessed this in person but of course I had nothing to worry about. Passing through security, I sat down and waited for my flight information. While waiting, I opened my bible and journal and started reading, writing, and praying. I prayed that I would get the opportunity to share the gospel with someone. It would be my first time, and I really didn't want to go back to America without sharing Jesus with someone. Immediately after I prayed, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
A man sitting behind me, asked me if I was a Christian. I smiled and answered yes I am. He told me he saw me reading my bible. I asked him if He was a Christian and he said that his mom was and that he doesn't really know if he is or isn't. We talked for a little, and I asked him if I could share something with him. He agreed, and I began to share with him the gospel. He asked me a lot of questions, and I could feel the Holy Spirit as I began getting a chill throughout my body. As I was finishing, I noticed his eyes beginning to water, and then he excused himself and went to the restroom. I began praying immediately for God to ravish his heart, and to reveal himself to him. My eyes watered with joy as I thanked God for answering my prayer. He never returned to his seat, as I assumed he wouldn't. Mainly because he was embarrassed for crying in front of me. But I knew it was all out of my hands, and God would deal with him now.
I then boarded my 13 hour flight to Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA AIRPORT
As I went through American customs, I had one more flight to catch to Los Angeles, I was tired, in pain from carrying all my luggage, and hungry. I approached a Starbucks in the airport and felt my eyes swell. Daniele had warned me about something called re-culture shock, and I honestly thought it was a little ridiculous, but I had to admit, I WAS CRYING BECAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO DRINK STARBUCKS. I felt like a child. I was really about to drop a tear over some coffee! It didn't make any sense, but I knew Daniele was right. I was almost home, and honestly felt many different emotions when I boarded my final one hour flight to Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AIRPORT
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| My view as my flight was landing!! So EXCITING!!! |
Landing seemed like it took forever! Customs even longer, and finally, as I walked to get my luggage, I heard a scream that almost caused me to pee on myself. My best friend jumped into my arms, and reminded me that my back was hurting. People watching started to clap as if we were lovers and we laughed at that foolishness. We grabbed my luggage and headed onto the freeway towards Rancho Cucamonga California, next stop. Point of Grace, our Church.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA POINT OF GRACE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
I walked in right in the middle of worship, and didn't realize how much I missed everyone and the worship. I immediately started to cry and pray and thank God for all of his faithfulness, I began worshipping and praising my Jesus for letting me make it home safe and sound, and I was so happy to be in His presence and be home, and how I missed my mom and dad. I was looking forward to seeing them and hugging them.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA MOMMA'S HOUSE
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| Waking up the day after I landed, my moms front yard and sunrise:) |
I walked up the steps, knocked on the door, my brother answered and gave me a big hug. My parents were asleep and I was excited to wake them up. I walked into my mothers room and watched them sleep. My dad and mom, married for almost 30 years. Sacrificed so much to take care of their 5 children, still slept in the bed next to each other like they were in love. I smiled and only had to say one word for them to open their eyes. "Hi" I managed to get out before letting my tears fall. My dad got up first. He hugged me and kissed me, then my mom. Gosh this felt so good, just thinking about it. I feel all warm inside. My mother's motherly instincts kicked in and I knew I was home.
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| My Fridge Magnets from London, Croatia and Spain |
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| My amazing friends and I catching up this past month! God know I love you all so much!! |
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