The last week of the Race we wrote a letter to ourselves. I got my letter back this weekend. I haven’t really had time to summarize the entire 11 months for “public viewing.” This is how I rolled all the themes and memories into a note of remembrance in hopes to help and guide and encourage a continued journey in love with a Savior and His people.
Before our flight back to the US – the end of the alphabet together one last time.
Wiltjer, Woodward, Zuiderhof
7-20-08
Hey Cait –
Welcome back to the states! As I’m writing this the Nicaraguan humidity is in the air. The sun it out. You just got back from your last church service on the Race. Keep it simple and remember God’s love and intimacy with you. He loves you so much. You bring Him joy. He’s changed and healed your heart this year. Remember 1 Cor. 13:7 – I hope you keep on living this. Being near and ministering with your team the past 11 months was hard. Discouraging and stressful – BUT God loves them! He loves them. Be patient with His people and love them. Call them, but I hope you’ve already talked with them recently. They taught you a lot, were patient with you, invested in you, and loved you. Debrief is going well right now – remember to soak in the moments and the people He places you around: the solid believers, new Christians, and the poor. They are ALL the same to God. He made and dies for them just like you. Honor others, respect them, pray for them, see Christ in them, love them. Expect God to show up.
Pray, pray, pray. Listen to God’s voice and walk in obedience. You can do it by His strength – Give Him some glory, give it all back to Him. He deserves it. Give Him all control. Rest. Rest in His arms. You’re not perfect on your own. I hope you’re not pretending to be. What’s your issues now? Who are you sharing them with? Grow in the Body and bless the people around you. Cry if you need to. Grieve if you have to. Recognize and accept loss in your life. Rejoice and share in the blessings. The World Race was a awesome and hard time/year for you. Don’t forget it. Don’t belittle the miracles and roads God took you through. What’s your favorite memory today? What memories are you making? Take a walk and A.T.L. it. Have faith. It’s OK to mess up. Ask forgiveness, REPENT, accept His love and mercy and keep going. Take a break but don’t give up. Call up a friend or write an email. Share His love with someone you care about. Go shopping and buy something for someone else. Give God some opportunities to lead you.
Be Christ to your family, too. Don’t forget them. Pray for them and ask God to direct you. You can’t handle everything on your own. You can’t! Give your worries and cares to the Lord. Pause – speak them out loud and acknowledge them. He knows and cares. Christ is your lover and best friend. He wants to hold you close. He wants you to be able to cry and laugh with Him. He wants you to be comfortable sharing…trusting the depths of your heart with Him. I know you’re not all that OK with “unconditional love.” You haven’t seen or been able to experience it all that much. Christ seem to be tha only example of unconditional love. But God made you to love. He made others to love you too. Keep your eyes on Him and trust. Place your life more fully in His hands and TRUST. Say yes to love. Be willing, open, and vulnerable. Christ’s love doesn’t make sense but its there. It’s how He wants us to live. Let other people love you. God will guard your heart. Nothing is too horrible that He can’t make it good. Love, Cait. Smile!
Carry on with the Truth. Discover more of the Lord’s heart through His Word. Look at pictures from the Race and pray for the people you met. Touch base with some if the Lord asks you to. Rejoice for all He’s done. I don’t know where you are now or what you are doing but REJOICE. Dance in worship! Play music and sing. It’s great to be alive. Trust in the Lord most High. Obey His call and know you are His child set apart. Love, love, love. Serve, serve, serve. Don’t be stubborn. Listen to others and SHOW them love exactly as they need it. You are His and LOVED!
My sister-in-law, Jane, and myself a few weeks ago after an American Thanksgiving.
