Who is Your Who
“We start dying the day we stop dreaming. And ironically, we start living the day we discover a dream worth dying for.”
My name is Leigh Shepherd and I had the privilege to serve in Guatemala for a second time this summer through Dirty Feet Missions. The above quote is from a book that we read together this summer called Chase the Lion by Mark Batterson. If you are reading this I’m just going to stop right here and say, GO GET THIS BOOK! Like right now. It’s been a game changer for me and I know it will have an impact on you too. I have so many stories I would like to share. I want to talk about our translator, Hilda, who has impacted my life in many ways and how she gets a complete fresh start for her future because of God’s provision. I want to share about the many moments we had with Marta, Wendy, and Sandra in their wooden shack home and all the tears, giggles, games, encouragement, hope, and love shared between us all. I could talk about the Para Servir internship and how as strangers, we become a tight knit family within six weeks and how we learned and grew so much because of the many different backgrounds and personalities we brought to the table. Or our foreman, Jorge and Lazaro, whom we absolutely love. Even our truck driver, Mynor, whom we got to provide consistent income for all summer. I want to talk about a lot of things. However, I also want to share about how God is faithful and how His timing is perfect. He has been preparing things in advance and has things in store that no one could imagine. We all have a part to play, though.
Another one of my favorite quotes from Chase the Lion is, “If you don’t have a dream, get around people who do. You might just catch what they have. Dreams are highly contagious!” If you would have asked me one year ago what I wanted to do with my life my response would have been, “I’m not sure anymore.” Because I was at a place where nothing seemed to be the right fit. My faith was shaken. I was scared to make choices. Scared of messing up and failing. I was scared of disappointing everyone who had invested in my life. My heart was a wreck and I felt like I was living in the wilderness. I was a hot mess and I am not ashamed to admit that now, because it has brought me to this season of life. A season where God has changed my heart. He has graciously opened doors that no man could open. God has given me a peace and assurance that no man could give. The above quotes are two of my favorites because I can relate to them both. The first one because last year I had stopped dreaming and therefore, was dying. My pride had dug me into an independent hole that no one could get me out of, but God himself. I relate to the second quote because until around March of 2017 I still didn’t have a dream for my life but I knew someone who had a dream, and her name is Genia (founder of DFM). After reaching out to her and committing to intern for another summer, I can confidently say that God had other things in store. They say while you’re young to find your “who” not the “what.” Once you find someone you look up to and serve them, the what will come. Well, I have found my who for this season of life. And since God has allowed me to serve under Genia, His “what” for my life came this summer. I am excited to announce that I will be moving to Guatemala to serve as a full-time volunteer under Dirty Feet Missions! I have the opportunity to be on the mission field for one year in Guatemala. Serving in another country for a longer period of time has been a dream of mine for a long time, but I let it die because I never thought it would really happen. I’ve learned that sometimes God buries your dreams and brings them back to life in His timing. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into but I know that it’s going to be the best learning experience yet. I am thankful that God has opened this door and I am excited to see where he takes it. I’m saying yes to playing my small part in His big grand plan. Thanks for reading!
My questions to you:
What dreams have you given up on?
Who is your who?
What are you doing that can only be possible is God helps?
Leigh Shepherd
Dirty Feet Missions Staff