Summer Internship Testimony - C. McAdams
Caroline McAdams: Serving as a Foreign Missionary
Personally, deciding to serve as a missionary after graduating from college in May of 2023 was not a difficult decision. I knew that during my freshman year of college, the Lord was calling me to take time off from school to serve in some capacity. I was not sure where I was going to be sent. I looked at several different ministries several in Africa and one other in Guatemala. I feel extremely blessed the Lord chose me to serve alongside Hands of Hope International (HOHI).
I had never actually been away from my family and friends for very long. I had been to Guatemala twice before for short mission trips, but never for a couple of months. The time did not bother me. When I committed to serving with HOHI I did not fully grasp the weight of leaving my family and friends for an extended amount of time. I also most definitely did not account for spiritual battles that were going to be thrown my way. As the time to leave started to approach, I tried not to think or bring up the fact that I was leaving for the whole summer. I was very excited but also tried to suppress my thoughts and feelings of sadness. I knew I would be coming back, but it was still very hard to look at my loved ones and know I would not see them for a while. I honestly started to think about backing out of the trip, because of strong relationships at home. I fought thoughts of emailing HOHI and telling them I would not be able to come. However, I knew the Lord was calling me there and I could not ignore the calling. So, I packed what I thought I would need for the summer, which was way too much, and said goodbye to friends and family.
I try to not be an emotional person but at the airport, I could not help but cry when I was saying goodbye for a little while. I flew to a foreign country to live and serve with people I knew but did not know very well. I never imagined the impact any of the people I would meet would have on my life. The Lord showed me a side of myself that I did not believe existed.
We had the amazing opportunity to serve with many teams from the States. They were all unique in their own ways and sent for specific reasons. God used each individual person from the teams to make impactful moments during their short time with us.
These people and this place will forever hold a place in my heart. The Hands of Hope International team are some of the greatest people I have ever known, and they are family to me.
