Hello! My name is Lauren Caudill. I am SO blessed to be a full-time volunteer here at Hope of Life in Guatemala. I cannot believe it has been over two years since I decided to move to this beautiful place. But, let’s back up a little…
I first came to Hope of Life with my youth group in 2011. It’s difficult to put into words just how meaningful my first experience with overseas mission work was. While I was overwhelmed with the needs, I was also filled with peace like I had never felt before. When I reflect, every key moment in my life has been a result of my Savior’s grace—none of it has been my doing. After that first trip, I knew my life would never be the same.
I knew then, in Guatemala, that God had called me to some sort of mission work. However, unlike most stories, I was not ready when He called me…or so I thought. I graduated with a degree in Psychology from Liberty University in 2015 and immediately began Master’s classes. I’ll go once I complete this next degree, or maybe in three or four years, I would tell myself. But each day I began to feel more and more miserable. I was growing in my relationship with Christ, working hard and studying and I was also surrounded by a great group of friends. I took any service opportunity that came my way but still, I felt that something was missing and each day I found myself sinking into this sadness that I could not understand. Then God with His beautiful grace, made everything so clear. What was I waiting for?
No more excuses and no more distractions, I surrendered to God’s will, and took the leap of faith. It was time to fulfill God’s call for me to serve. Since then, I have never looked back. I currently teach a transition class at the Hope of Life preschool at the Village of Transformation. I also teach English to some of the children, serve/work in a nearby village with my church, and am currently praying about some other dreams God is placing in my heart. The beauty of His grace is that it has nothing to do with me!
‘but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,’ -Romans 5:20b