How Did I Get Here?

"Maybe before you travel the world looking for answers, you should figure out what your question is"

-FC

As I stood in the Finca's medical clinic I happened to lock eyes with S, one of the Finca’s youngest residents. I had briefly met S the previous day upon arrival at the Finca. After recognizing me, S ran and jumped into my arms with no hesitation. In passing, the nurse commented something along the lines of how S ‘usually gravitates to male missionaries as father figures’. The simple, matter-of-fact way in which this child's heartbreaking reality was communicated through the words of the nurse hit me like a brick wall.

I immediately thought of my own father, my mother, my brothers and sisters, and how the man I see in the mirror has largely been formed by their continued care, guidance and companionship. Even with the constant loving support I received throughout my formative years, like anyone else, I certainly still struggled at times. How much more would I have struggled had my family, friends and mentors not been there to pick me up every time I fell?

The fact that this young child and all the others living at the Finca, for whatever reason, could not receive that same care and support from their own families broke my heart. That moment in the clinic was the first instance in which I strongly felt the Lord’s invitation to serve at the Finca. I often look back fondly on that memory as I sit in rural Honduras today, living alongside S and the rest of the Finca family.

For a year after graduating in May of ’24, I worked a great job, was surrounded by family and friends, and began to settle into life as a young adult. Although there was objectively so much more good than bad throughout that year, I knew in my heart I was not fulfilled. Without having anything more than vague fantasies of international travel in mind as I said it, I repeated to myself and others the sentiment that ‘I just want to go on adventures’. This general desire for adventure reminded me of an organization that I had learned of during my senior year at Notre Dame - the Finca.

On what felt at the time like somewhat of a whim (for sure the Boss Man giving me a nudge), I decided to apply to visit the Finca del Niño on a week-long immersion trip. With no grand aspirations of extended service, I set off for my first Finca stay in March of ’25. On the second day of that immersion trip, I had the aforementioned interaction with S and the missionary nurse. This was just one of many moments during that week during which the Lord spoke directly to my heart.

The thrill of experiencing a new culture, the powerful example of holiness displayed by the missionaries, the pure love of Christ overflowing from the entire Finca staff, and the draw of being a big brother to the Finca’s residents were all ways in which the Lord spoke to me. I returned from that short trip knowing without a doubt that I wanted to return in some fashion. My options to return were either for two months over the summer or two years. Although I did feel the invitation to long term service, I simply could not bring myself to make the commitment. An adventure was really all I was looking for, right? Two years would be a long time just for an adventure, and I decided a summer of service should scratch the itch.

Halfway through the summer, I realized that simply was not true. Jesus took my desire for an adventure and, as He tends to do, transformed it into something much more. This mission is truly what my soul desires: the simplicity, the ministry of presence, the unpredictability, the natural beauty, and ultimately the opportunity to walk as a member of this community, are what give life to the 'adventure' that I knew I desired but could not define.

At that midway point of the summer the Lord revealed to me my question: What would I do if I was not afraid of anything? The answer, without a doubt, was to become a full time missionary at the Finca. I am alive here in a way that I have never before experienced. I am closer to God in prayer here than I ever have been before. Difficult as it may have been to commit, saying no to staying for two years was something I knew I would regret for the rest of my life.

Per usual, the Lord not only gave me the grace to accept His invitation, but also opened various doors for me to return to the Finca. After returning home briefly following the summer, I am now beginning a 27 month commitment to be a full time missionary. I look forward to sharing updates with you on the joys and struggles of this mission.

I hope future posts on my life at the Finca will speak more to why I could not stay away. Please pray for all of us here at the Finca, and know that I am praying for you!

Paz y bien,

Emmet