finally here.

AHHH!

I have officially lived in Gainesville, GA  for ten days. Now you may be thinking “Sarah, I thought you were leaving the country, not going two hours down the road”. Well, me too. But Coronavirus had other plans so now I will be spending the first three months of this adventure living in a tent here at the Adventures in Missions campus. A little less glamorous than hopping on a plane to Costa Rica but SO AMAZING. I have spent the last ten days with some of the most amazing people, learning great lessons, and doing INSANE things. 

Now I would love to give you a window into life here at AIM. We live in tents. No, not big tents with air mattresses. Think more like a two-person tent with a sleeping pad about an inch thick. What do we do for bathrooms you ask? Well, let me tell you: PORTA POTTIES (everybody’s favorite). Washing our clothes? Two buckets of water, a pump of soap, and a clothesline. Showers? A bucket of chilly hose water and a measuring cup used to pour the water over ourselves. Food? Crickets and worms. Kidding, there is indeed a full-time kitchen staff who works TIRELESSLY to make us some of the best food I have ever eaten. I know you’re thinking this probably all sounds AWFUL as you’re reading this in your air-conditioned living room where the only worry is if college football is really going to happen but honestly it’s some of the most fun I have had in my life.

I can see the sunrise every single morning from my campsite. Not to mention I can also see every star for miles and miles at night. I can spend every moment of the day with thirty of my best friends and when I grow tired of that GUESS WHAT? I can take a walk into the woods and sit by the pond by myself to recharge. I get to wash clothes while dancing to music in the sun. I eat meals with my team of five SWEET AS CAN BE women who never fail to make me laugh. I shower listening to Queen blast over a speaker knowing each person is having their own personal dance party in their stall. I fall asleep to the sounds of nature, no not playing on my phone, the ACTUAL NATURE. I pick flowers and go on walks through the campus each and every day. But yeah, you’re right, the porta-potties stink and I am indeed counting down the days until I get to see a real porcelain throne again. 

In case that didn’t give you a clear enough picture of what my life is like now let me tell you some stories.

• Yesterday, I went for a walk down to the pond. Peaceful, right? Well, it was until I was face to face with Mr. Snake. Three feet long and slithering into the showers which were indeed occupied. I can’t lie to you I thought it was fake for a solid ten seconds before it moved and I quickly scurried the other direction.

• I did a two-mile hike with a forty-five-pound pack on my back…UPHILL. That day I stared death right in the face and said, “ take me”. Death politely declined and I climbed the hill to victory instead. (I’m still sore and that was almost a week ago)

• It rained for the first time today. My tent stayed dry but I definitely did not. Instead, I found the most fun activity here. Diving down a hill face-first in the mud with five other people. Instead of rain dampening the mood here it just adds a little bit of spice our day. I will admit it might not have been my best idea seeing as I took a shower an hour before and I don’t get to again until tomorrow night, but that’s what hoses are for, isn’t it?

• We have had more dance parties than I can count. These people dance more than any others that I have met. Are they good? Uhhhh, Payton definitely is but the rest of us are up for debate. We do have fun I can say that. Also, Cotton Eye Joe is a fan FAVORITE with this group.

Each of these moments and these people already hold such a special place in my heart and I am so glad I am able to share it with you! Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It means the absolute WORLD to me!

all the love,

sarah hicks