Give thanks

I’ve officially reached the halfway point of my journey here in San Pedro, and I’m still in disbelief at how quickly time has flown. Week after week, I’ve confronted fears, stretched myself far beyond my comfort zone, and learned so much about this beautiful country I now call home. My community has grown tremendously over the past few weeks, and that growth has been such a deep source of joy for me. Even amidst the busyness and occasional tension at work, there has been an undeniable sense of peace and celebration in the air as the holiday season approaches.

Last week, we took the women of Mercy and their children to a baseball game for a staff bonding outing—and we had an amazing time. It felt good to relax, laugh, and unwind from the whirlwind of daily responsibilities.

Every other year, the missionaries who live in San Pedro—led by my boss and her husband—host a large Thanksgiving gathering. This year, my boss gave my coworkers and me the day off, and my roommate and I began the morning watching the Macy’s Day Parade. Although I never grew up celebrating Thanksgiving in The Bahamas, my time living in Nashville introduced me to this season of gratitude. This year, it felt especially meaningful. I found myself emotional as I reflected on how far I’ve come and how much further I hope to go. The only word that captures what this experience has been to me is everything. It has meant everything to have distractions stripped away so that I could focus entirely on the assignment God placed before me. I’ve had the privilege of being fully present and giving my best to the women of Mercy because I surrendered my yes. I don’t know if I’ll ever have another experience like this, but I do know that “grateful” doesn’t even begin to capture the depth of what I feel.

At the Thanksgiving lunch, everyone contributed a dish and the spread was incredible—so much delicious food and an array of desserts. Afterward, some of the group played flag football, which was hilarious to watch. Seeing my boss get tackled by her husband for her flag had all of us laughing from the comfort of our lawn chairs.

Now December is here, and we’re all counting down to our long-awaited break at Mercy. I’m excited to visit family and friends for the holidays. At the workshop, the women have already set up the Christmas tree with lights, ornaments, and photos of each person. We’re planning a Secret Santa gift exchange and a Christmas party, and those cheerful preparations are making these final weeks go by so quickly.

One thing I’m continuously learning is that good things come to those who wait—and that waiting must be anchored in gratitude. I won’t pretend it has always been easy, but sitting in the very experiences I once prayed for reminds me that the wait is always worth it.