Day 2 | Ada rejoins the team!

I made it! I have never thought that it would be so difficult for me to get here.

A month ago, I went to the Guatemala Embassy in San Francisco to apply for a visa, and the lady there said that I would not need one as long as I have a USA visa, and so she sent me away. But yesterday morning, when everyone else in the group has checked in already, I was still stuck at the check in counter. The agent at the counter said that I must have a visa in order to come here. Anyway, at last, it was decided that I had to stay behind and get my visa done in Chicago. The agent was actually very helpful. She changed my tickets to the next morning without any charges. And so, I said goodbye to the group and began an adventure I hadn’t expected.

Sitting at the airport alone, I was really upset. And I really hate being alone. I didn’t know why God would let such thing happen. I’ve been expecting this trip so much, but now… I was not angry with God, but I was just so frustrated. I know all I could do is to pray. A friend of Karen’s picked me up at the airport a while later, and Luke’s dad took me to the embassy in the afternoon. I am so grateful that the whole process went so smoothly. The staff at the embassy was so friendly and helpful. With my Guatemala visa, I took a really early flight this morning to come here. But then… I got stuck again! This time was at the immigration. The officer looked at my passport again and again, and then asked me questions in Spanish! I was totally freaked out! It finally took me 10 minutes to get past the immigration.

A missionary couple picked me up at the airport. On the way to the place we stay, I couldn’t help thinking through what had happened in the past 24 hours with gratefulness, wondering God’s plan in each of our lives in this trip, wondering what God wants to do here, wondering how I could be used by God here.

I was SO happy to see the group again! They all gave me a warm welcome. Though I still can’t understand why God would let such circumstance happened to me, I’m grateful that throughout the whole process, God has put many “angels” around me to help me. (I know the situation could have been worse than that.) I’m thankful for the peace and joy God put in my heart in the midst of difficulties and the courage and strength He’s given me to face these circumstances alone. After all, it’s a journey of faith. I knew that it’s what God wanted me to learn at the very beginning when I signed up for this trip by faith, looking upon God’s provision only. I know that God is teaching me not to count on others, but to Him alone. I’ve no doubts that God reigns in everything. Even when I couldn’t understand, I’ll still trust in Him. I’m looking forward to the great work God will do on the lives of the people here and how He’s going to change our lives with this trip. I pray that as we share about God with the people here, God would renew our passion toward people around us as well as our passion toward Him. Praise be to God!

Ada Leung