From Dreams to Departure. From Faith to Paradise.

January 27, 2025

I’ve done a lot of traveling in my short span of 30-something years lol. But I’d still had not travel abroad. I knew one day I would, being that exploring the world had been heavy on my heart for years. It just wasn’t time yet. And if you are a fellow believer like myself, then you’ve learned early on that timing is everything with God.

Back Story: I remember feeling less than because I could never afford to go on Girl Trips with friends back in college. I’ve done one Spring Break and it traumatized me. I basically paid for the trip (bus ride, and hotel), but I had no spending money. It was my Freshman year, and my mom told me she would give me the spending money, but something came up and she couldn’t. Nothing against her, although that feeling of being not enough and always the poor friend stuck with me. I never wanted to feel like that again. So if I didn’t have it…I didn’t go. This was way before my walk with Christ of course.

Present: I will always share my testimony here and the goodness of God in my life. So about 2 weeks leading up to Cabo. I still had not brought my plane ticket. This trip in particular was a retreat for the Christian community, I’m a part of. It was called Increase 365, now it’s Favor 365. I shared with the group that I needed prayer because I wouldn’t be able to pay for my plane ticket in full until I got paid again. I needed God to do His thing. Lol. I was going to buy the ticket through the Hopper app. Just in case you’ve never heard of this app, it’s an app where you can search and find flights at a cheaper price. The app allows you to hold your seat for a small price (this small price went towards your ticket of course). 

The price of the plane ticket had increased tremendously from the last time I’d checked it. This is what led me to go with this option. But God!!! Two of my SIC (Sister(s) in Christ) reached out to me, one paid for my flight to the destination, and the other lent me the money for the return flight.

Day 1: Destination Cabo, MX 🛫🇲🇽

At the time of the trip, I was living in Phoenix, AZ and I’d met up with another SIC (@sochicchris) whose layover was in Phoenix’s airport. We grabbed some coffee and then it was lift-off. After getting my first stamp ever in my passport, and grabbing our checked bags, we headed to customs Up until this point it was a very smooth process.

The travel agency we booked provided shuttle buses for us No lie it was very overwhelming. There were so many people trying to get my SIC and I’s attention for a cab service. We made it out and met up with some other Favor 365 members as we made it to our shuttle. The weather was warm, and the music played loudly from the bar across from the airport. It definitely had me ready for the next few days.

The ride to the resort was maybe a 45 minute to an hour ride. We were staying at Riu Palace. I had never stayed at an all-inclusive hotel, so imagine my surprise after making sure I had the spending money I needed for food and excursions only to find out food and drinks were included. Talk about your God being a Redeemer. 🙌🏾

Once we arrived, we checked-in, received our wrist bands and put our things away. Our first night was our welcome dinner, and then we changed and headed to our Pink Pajama Prayer session (Pink Pajama attire of course.)

During this session the leader of this community asked us to introduce ourselves (most of us knew each other but there were some new faces). It was 15 of us total. We were also asked if we had any prayer requests and she prayed for each one of us.

Day 2: Poolside 🤽🏾‍♀️

We had a Poolside Prophetic Session that morning. Of course we all were matching in our white bathing suits. 💁🏾‍♀️ The leader of our community has a prophetic calling and God had a word for each woman attending. It was beautiful to see and hear what God was doing in my fellow sisters' lives. 

We ate lunch afterwards, and we had some free time available. There was one thing I was looking forward to in particular during this trip and that was whale watching. Some of the ladies and I booked the excursion at a very cheap price for the next day and then we spent hours at one of the many pools at the resort.

I played water volleyball with other guests, (which was not easy lol), I became a photographer for (@sochicchris) whos’s also a content creator, and we played Bingo and I won. 🎉. The fellowship with them was amazing.

Later on we had dinner and the group came together for a corporate prayer session. We partnered up in groups of twos, we each shared a prayer request and then prayed for the other.

Day 3: Whale Watching🐳

Our morning session was called Scriptures on the Sand. We met on the beach and we were tasked to walk 2 by 2 around the beach and then we chose scriptures to anchor ourselves in the upcoming season of our live. We then shared and explained why. I think one of the scriptures I chose was Job 8:7 NKJV “Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly.”

After lunch we had free time again, some attended a session for married couples, others went to ride jet skis, while a few of us prepared for the whales. The day was perfect. I am talking about clear skies and beautiful blue waters. 🤌🏾Perfecto! Humpback whales here I come! Unfortunately, for most of the boat ride we maybe saw a fin or two, water shot out from a blowhole here and there. It was very disappointing. I remember I kept praying, because I personally love whales. Still tons of fun nonetheless.

Then our booking time was about over, and the captain told us we were heading back. I put my phone away and was talking to a friend, when out of nowhere, like something right out of a movie…one whale breached with its full body, and then another, smaller in body also soared into the sky. Reminding me of a mama whale and her calf. I remember God teaching me a lesson then because I prayed and prayed, but I put my phone away. I prayed but my actions said it was over. I wasn’t in position like I was waiting on the blessing…like I didn’t believe. Lesson learned. 

Here’s the best whale breach I caught that day. Excuse the blurriness, this was taken with an iPhone 13 lol.

We the had some girl time where we played pity-pat and speed. Such good times.

That night we attended the Dress to Impress Dinner. The color theme was green.

Increase365 2024-2025

Final Thoughts

My first trip abroad was with a group of praying women, who loved Jesus just as much as me. I couldn’t have prayed for a better experience. I’m so grateful to God for redeeming all the times I ever felt I wasn’t enough for such experiences. I’d honestly forgotten how I felt in those years I couldn’t travel. But God remembers even the smallest details about you.

Until next time loves.

Be Blessed,

Z