One year ago…
…I left America for this crazy adventure.
One year ago, I got out of bed while it was still dark out, heart pounding like crazy, ready
to face this day. I got a glimpse of what my back was going to go through as I carried my giant pack down the stairs and to the car. I proceeded to have my last taste of Wawa as we headed to the Philadelphia airport. I sat with my little princess, Rhino, all the way to the airport. I realized my back duffle was left behind at home (giant bag to hold my backpack to prevent it from getting rips and tears). I said goodbye to my Mom and youngest sister, without shedding a tear. I got lots of hugs, kisses, and tears on me from my Mom. I listened to Elissa say as many sentences as she could possibly say ending with “hoe” because she wanted that to be her last word to me. After going through security, I excitedly walked to my terminal to start this new chapter of my life.
It was so hard for me to be sad about leaving America, my friends, and my family because I love Jesus so much and I knew this is what He needed me to do. I was so excited for what my Father was going to do and I was ready to change the world with Him.
Looking back, I still think these feelings are justifiable. This trip was clearly what the Lord needed me to do. I was so wrapped up in His love that nothing mattered except following Him. I wasn’t about to walk, I was about to run after Him and win this race!
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. -Acts 20:24
One year ago, I arrived in Southern, like REALLY southern, Texas and was ready to cross over into Mexico. I saw Immigration Patrol vans all over the place. I anxiously sat in a beat up white van as we drove closer and closer to the America/Mexico border. As we neared the Rio Grande River I was convinced we were going to be thrown out of the vans with our packs and told to cross the river into Mexico…that didn’t happen.
When we crossed the border, it was drastically different. Dirt everywhere, no grass. No modern buildings, just incomplete buildings made out of cinder blocks. As we neared the Gateway, we all were in danger of bumping our heads on the ceiling of the van because of how bumpy it was. There were lots of small 1 or 2 room wood shacks scattered along the road with chipping paint, or every color you could imagine, on the walls. It seemed like there was cows, chickens, and pregnant dogs everywhere.
That night we had some amazing tacos and got settled into our dorms. We all scavenged to try to find the least itchy, smelly, and pee stained mattress to sleep on…even though we slept on top of our sleeping mats.
I then went to wash up in the bathroom, to find that we can’t flush toilet paper down the
toilet, our shower pressure was more like a dribble, the only thing protecting us from being seen going to the bathroom or showering was a too-small shower curtain, and the mirrors were more like shiny metal. Oh yeah, and the water smelled like rotten eggs.
…So this is just a glimpse of what my first day was like. This is such a landmark for me, reaching the one year anniversary of leaving for my trip. This marks when my life officially began to fall apart and reform with Christ’s. This is when my chains were broken, and I was set free. This is when true beauty and identity was released. Starting today, I plan to bounce between a series of “One year ago, today” blogs and current blogs.
One request from you…
Some of you may not know me well enough to answer this question, but if you would take the time to do this it would mean a lot to me- Could you please tell me, via blog comment, the way(s) you have seen me change since going on this trip. I can’t pinpoint certain things and would love to see what you have to say, and it would be so encouraging!
Thank you 🙂
but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize.
-1 Corinthians 9:24
Cait, first of all it seems like yesterday, it was a warm September night, that you, Cindie and myself sat at Breusters eating our ice creme. That night sticks out in my memory because the next morning we were loosing our little girl. Looking back at that night, I was scared…worried…concerned for your safety. But as the days…weeks and months went by we communicated with you by Skype and your blogs. We then knew you were being cared for by your new Leader, “GOD”.
Seeing you today and listening to you talk makes us realize you have grown in your love with Jesus. You are now aware of what your calling is. You have turned your life over to him and surrendered all your “STUFF” that you always worried about. You have become a full time worker for him. Are you going to become rich with $$ being a full time employee???? Problemly not, but you are going to be richer in your heart and sole. You cannot put a figure on your happiness.
You also have become more confident in your decisions and opinions. This is where you have really grown. You are not that little shy girl that always waited to be call on. You now have your own opinions and desire to spread the ‘Word of God”.
There is one last change that I have seen…it is a personal one. I am learning from you….its not suppose to be like that but I am not embarrassed to say that. As matter of fact, I am PROUD to say that.
LOVE,
DAD
hahahhahaha, i love the part with me calling you hoe 🙂
this was really fun to read. keeep blogging. and keep reffering to me (: and for that challenge, text me about it bc my answer is personalll! okay i love you
I laughed a lot too about the hoe thing. I’m really sorry I didn’t go with you to the airport. That was the see you at the pole day and I really wanted to go.. I’m still sorry. But I love you a lot. And you keep up the good work!! You should make refrences of me in your blogs:] haha. wubyoubigsis
Ohhhhh that day …. I know I embarrassed you to death at the airport 🙁 I couldn’t stop hugging you and kissing you and my eyes were just totally streaming. I remember my last words to you – Happy Birthday in 3 months! It was so important to me that you hear those words from me face-to-face. sigh. Yes Liss did somewhat change my mood when she called you hoe. When I spoke to her she said “But Mom, I WANTED that to be the last word Catie heard from me!”
Ok ways that you’ve changed/improved:
– You don’t worry as much as you used to.
– You automatically reach for babies 🙂
– You less often take things personally
– You have more confidence in many ways
There is more, but that’s what came to my mind first.
I love you Cait 🙂 ♥ ♥ ♥
And to JULIE LONG – Yes, Cait has been an eloquent writer since second grade 🙂
Cait
I still think you should pursue a career in Christian Journalism. You have a God given ability to convey your thoughts and observations to an audience in a very gripping manor.
Anyway, you asked for testimonies on your growth in the past year.
Like Dad mentioned when we took you to Bruesters, I remember discussing with you the Spiritual Warfare you would be encountering on your upcoming journey.
You have grown by leaps and bounds in the spiritual arena!! You now know how to equip yourself in the full Armor of God as taught in Ephessians. Your immersion into the Word of God, gaining in knowledge and discernment in my opinon is the greatest change I have observed. All the other character trait adjustments directly stem from Standing on the Authority You have in Jesus’ name, Who You are in Christ Jesus and His Love for You!!
You have always been Beautiful (inside and out!) Cait you are a treasured lampstand for Christ, His Light flows through you and touches others. I am all the more blessed with you in my life. I Love You, xoxox
Well of course you have changed. You don’t experience what you have in the past year and not change, but specifically I would say you are calmer, peaceful. I have also been surprised with the way you have return to “Life American Style” (Ok that was a show in the 70’s and now its theme song is running thru my head) How you have been remaining focus on your relationship with God. Not settling but continuing to seek God’s will in your life and your patience and faithfulness with the waiting time. (Like in the David’s life, he receives the anointing to be the next king of Israel from God’s prophet and then returns to his life as a youngest brother/shepherd.)
Yes, what Andy said 🙂
Caitlyn,
Since I firt met you last year this time I can only comment on what I have seen since then. It was a total shock to me that you had the problems in school and with depression. You always seemed confident to me. It is very clear to me that you have a beautiful relationship with our Lord God. Most people desire it but haven’t any clue how to obtain it. As your desire grew and became more clear my desire to know him more intimately grew also. I have seen all of the team grow as their relationship with God grew and as each of you in your own way have given everything over to him. I don’t know if you have always been such an eloquent writter but I have seen you grow thru your words of love and grace.
Your Friend always,
Julie Long
(Myles Mom)