So. I am going to France.
Wut. Yeah. That's a thing. I still find it hard to believe myself. The Eastman family asked me to be their nanny in France for a while to help them settle in. I met Nate and Rachel and their six kids at the end of May this year during workshop at Camp Barakel. Nate filled in this summer as the head cook on the east side of camp while their family continued to raise support and prepared to leave for Basque country. I, being a west-sider, was not expecting to be working with Nate in the east side kitchen when I began training, and honestly I wasn't too excited initially about my sudden move over there. But God. His plan was and is far better that my own, and after a few weeks working alongside Nate as his kitchen assistant, I'm admit, I was gradually converted... I loved working east side. #eastisbeast. I wouldn't change a thing and am blown away at God's goodness and His kindness in His perfect plan. He used this summer at camp in so many ways... and in an even bigger way than I was able to initially see.
Even though I didn't give myself a whole lot of time to make the decision [let's just say my life has been a whirlwind], it became clear that this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up . At the beginning of this year I had been praying for a short-term mission trip for this fall, and I never never would have expected to be blessed with one on this scale. Three months is just a tad [!] longer than I could have dreamed. I had been planning on working this fall to save up for college next year. So the fact that I had no commitments set in stone was also a huge blessing and is simply further testament to God in his orchestration of this trip. I honestly could not have planned this mission trip on my best day with the way that everything has fallen into place so perfectly.
In six days, I will be walking on French soil, breathing in French air, hearing the chatter of French-speaking people, eating French food, and sleeping in a French bed with a French pillow. Can beds and pillows even be considered "French" you ask? Yes. Yes they can.
It still hasn't fully hit me. The reality of me leaving won't set in until I'm on the plane and in the air. I am going to help and serve the Eastman family and, Lord willing, be a blessing to them. But really I don't know if they truly realize how grateful I am for them giving me the most amazing opportunity. I'll give me such an awesome chance to serve my Savior in a big way while being able to get a feel for the mission field. I'm totally getting the better end of the deal here! I could not be more grateful to the Eastmans, my parents, the boy, :) and all the people who have rallied around me and supported me financially and emotionally as I prepare for this trip. It has been such a crazy and humbling journey so far. I'm eager to see the rest of this story unfold and can't wait to share it with you.
Praise be to God!
xo,
colette
//ALL PICTURES TAKEN AT CAMP BARAKEL THIS SUMMER, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN//
