On January 4th, 2010 I am leaving Nashville for South America. I have been accepted into Harvard University's International Development program WorldTeach. When the plane touches down my life will have come full circle to which it began. I am part of a team who has committed to teach English among various regions throughout Colombia. Having been adopted from Bogota, words cannot express how special it will be for me to do this. I am committed for one year at La Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar in Cartagena.
Earlier this spring I was visiting my best friend Kendall in San Juan del Obispo, Guatemala. She was there studying Spanish as part of her missionary training with the International Missi
on Board. One morning I walked her to school and than made my way back to the family I was staying with. These wonderful people also ran a small school for local children out of their home and I was excited to help. As I walked back down the few blocks to their home, it was hard to ignore the poverty and oppression these people were in. A couple Guatemalan children run by me and I find myself looking through their eyes imaging what life could be in such a scenario. Its something God has done before to me in Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and many instances in the United States. He simply reminds me of who I am, where I came from, and His desire for my life. Yet, unlike the other experiences, this one hit home. This one affirmed the others and brought it to another level.
Being born an orphan in Bogota, Colombia, it is hard to think about what my life would have been like if I was not adopted. Yet, God had plans for me and it started with my amazing parents who traveled from New Hampshire to take me as their own. They afforded me a real opportunity to live, dream, and hope. They provided a safe and supportive environment held together by unconditional love! They lived out their faith in an amazing God and by their example I came to my own understanding of Him. My adoption was certainly a gift but it was part of the plan. It was my beginning but never the end. I see myself in these children because I know He has called me to work with them. To humbly be His hands and feet among the nations.
This next year will be the start of an awesome journey! I will be teaching English to underprivileged children and adults within a University placement in Cartagena, Colombia. We will be involved in cultivating multiple community projects to which I have plans around a sports league and a possible swim team. Lastly, I am hopeful that on the weekends I will be involved in a kids sports ministry and church planting efforts that are directed by the International Mission Board. I certainly feel blessed to be able to do this and am excited to share these adventures with everyone!
Already there are many people who have supported this journey in so many ways. For those interested in joining these efforts, I first ask for your prayers and thoughts. Going from my comfortable surroundings of Franklin, TN to a foreign country like Colombia will certainly be challenging. Yet, I am excited to get there among these people, and this beautiful culture. I will also be doing a variety of community and missions-based projects that need support. For those interested in helping financially with these efforts, my church has created an opportunity to send tax-deductible support to a designated account there. All support will be used to help fund my community projects and missions! Thank you to all who have supported me and this endeavor. I'm excited to share this experience!
Grassland Heights Baptist Church
2316 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-6220
Memo Line: Eric Seguin- Colombia
Earlier this spring I was visiting my best friend Kendall in San Juan del Obispo, Guatemala. She was there studying Spanish as part of her missionary training with the International Missi
on Board. One morning I walked her to school and than made my way back to the family I was staying with. These wonderful people also ran a small school for local children out of their home and I was excited to help. As I walked back down the few blocks to their home, it was hard to ignore the poverty and oppression these people were in. A couple Guatemalan children run by me and I find myself looking through their eyes imaging what life could be in such a scenario. Its something God has done before to me in Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and many instances in the United States. He simply reminds me of who I am, where I came from, and His desire for my life. Yet, unlike the other experiences, this one hit home. This one affirmed the others and brought it to another level.Being born an orphan in Bogota, Colombia, it is hard to think about what my life would have been like if I was not adopted. Yet, God had plans for me and it started with my amazing parents who traveled from New Hampshire to take me as their own. They afforded me a real opportunity to live, dream, and hope. They provided a safe and supportive environment held together by unconditional love! They lived out their faith in an amazing God and by their example I came to my own understanding of Him. My adoption was certainly a gift but it was part of the plan. It was my beginning but never the end. I see myself in these children because I know He has called me to work with them. To humbly be His hands and feet among the nations.
This next year will be the start of an awesome journey! I will be teaching English to underprivileged children and adults within a University placement in Cartagena, Colombia. We will be involved in cultivating multiple community projects to which I have plans around a sports league and a possible swim team. Lastly, I am hopeful that on the weekends I will be involved in a kids sports ministry and church planting efforts that are directed by the International Mission Board. I certainly feel blessed to be able to do this and am excited to share these adventures with everyone!
Already there are many people who have supported this journey in so many ways. For those interested in joining these efforts, I first ask for your prayers and thoughts. Going from my comfortable surroundings of Franklin, TN to a foreign country like Colombia will certainly be challenging. Yet, I am excited to get there among these people, and this beautiful culture. I will also be doing a variety of community and missions-based projects that need support. For those interested in helping financially with these efforts, my church has created an opportunity to send tax-deductible support to a designated account there. All support will be used to help fund my community projects and missions! Thank you to all who have supported me and this endeavor. I'm excited to share this experience!
Grassland Heights Baptist Church
2316 Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-6220
Memo Line: Eric Seguin- Colombia
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI am really proud of you. I know you have been seeking God's plan in all of this, and it will totally bless you as much as it will the lives you will touch. Always praying for you and I look forward to taking the journey with you through your updates.
Take care....and congrats on the new adventure!!
April
Hey YOU!!
ReplyDeleteI am also proud of you and am happy that you have the courage to listen and accept a new and different path. One that is sure to be very exciting. I hope you are able to continue to share with us your adventures and thoughts as you go along. :))
Love, Laurie
Eric, wishing you a blessed 2010!!! So excited for you and our prayers are going up daily for your guidance, strength and good health!!!! What an awesome journey is in store for you......again, blessings on you!! luv from us, Brenda and Charles S.
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