Category: Missionary Life
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The Best Laid Plans
These past two years have not gone as I planned. You know how they say the best laid plans can fail? They definitely did. When I stepped off the plane in December 2017 after spending 3 years in the jungles of Ecuador, I had the next year planned out. I was convinced I would be…
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Among The Redwoods
My family tree is not beautiful. It’s not like the Redwoods that have roots that run deep and are as old as the earth itself. It isn’t known for its majesty or beauty. People don’t travel for miles to see it. It doesn’t have strong branches where birds can rest. It isn’t teeming with life.…
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Digging Roots
The hardest part of missions for me has always been digging roots. Heck, it’s been the hardest part of life for me. But it wasn’t always this way. When I was young friendships weren’t a problem. It was easy, even. But I got hurt many times over the years. I’ve never really had a close…
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Unlikely Roommates
This post was written the week I knew I wouldn’t be returning to Ecuador as a missionary. Even though I was overjoyed that I would be going to Brazil, my heart still ached because I didn’t know when I would see the people I fell in love with again. There’s a type of grieving that…
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Does God Like Me?
I used to ask myself a lot when I was younger if God liked me. You’re probably wondering why a kid would ask that question. Well, my mom (sorry mom I still love you) used to say something a lot: “Just because I have to love someone doesn’t mean I have to like them.” Maybe…
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Following a Ghost
For some people, change is easy. They flow like a river, taking the sudden shifts in direction smoothly. Others struggle with it. It’s a raging river they have to cross, not flow down. Usually, I’m the former. But not this time. Change is easier when emotions aren’t deeply involved. Things get hard when the smooth…
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Even If
I have a confession to make. I, Caitlin Emfinger, struggle with doubt. Yes, there it is. Written out for all the world to see. I’ve been a Christian for a long time. But that doesn’t mean I’ve figured everything out. You’re probably wondering what exactly that means. I mean, there’s a lot of things to…
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My Life & God’s Sense of Humor
I’ve always believed that God has a sense of humor. My life is proof of it. I mean, He decided to throw this girl that never even grew up camping into the middle of the jungle, right? But it seems like He always wants to surprise me. Years ago, I served as a youth leader…
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Grief As A Wave
Grief. This is always something I’ve never dealt with well. A year ago yesterday, my great granddad passed away just 3 weeks after I had returned to Ecuador. I was in Cuenca renewing my visa and wondering how on earth I was going to be moving in a couple days when I got the news.…
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Here’s To Carrying A Notebook Everywhere
Hey, can I tell you a secret? When I was 12, I started guitar lessons. I’ve recently discovered that most people don’t know this. I picked it up pretty quick and I enjoyed it. I quit playing at 14 when I couldn’t continue lessons. I still remember a couple chords, but I just haven’t…
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