As U, V, W, & X squads launch, I wanted to write a letter to my dear friend Emily who will be leaving with V squad. Consider it my 'lessons learned in three months on the field'. Praying for all of the squads leaving. It's going to be a beautiful ride.
My Beautiful Em,
In just a matter of hours your feet will walk the soil of the Philippines. You'll be greeted with smiles and laughter and all at once, you'll think your heart has never been so full. You'll look around at the six strangers that you will share everything with, and you won't even need words to explain how you'll feel. They will know. And that is the beginning of something beautiful.
I am so proud of you Em. I'm proud of your goals. I'm proud of your hopes. I'm proud of your dreams. I'm proud of the dark places you've walked through with your head and faith held high. I'm proud of your heart. I'm proud of the bare vulnerability you've displayed. I'm proud of the way you boast in your weakness to show the strength that comes from someone higher than yourself. I'm just proud of you.
I want to tell you, days will come when you will not feel equipped to do what you're asked to do. You will look at the seemingly impossible feat in front of you and compare your skills with the task at hand. Don't be so quick to hurry away from the situation. Dive into it head first. You will be equipped in ways you never thought possible. If your confidence is draped across the throne of Christ, nothing is impossible.
Sometimes you may be tempted to compare your race with someone else's. Don't. You have to hold fast to the calling that was set before you. The path is paved by Jesus. The people you meet, the experiences you experience, and the opportunities presented were uniquely designed for YOU. You have the choice to embrace them whole-heartedly and give them everything you have or you can continue to look at someone else and let bitterness grow in your heart. Bitterness makes for ineffective ministry. Keep your eyes on Jesus. As cliche as it sounds, He truly is what makes this year worthwhile.
You will have more free time than you think you will. It's easy to waste your day away. Especially if you have all of the Harry Potter books downloaded onto your kindle. Your free time is meant for spiritual rest and nourishment. Don't fall into the temptation that your free time is yours and can not be messed with. Rest is important. But my biggest regret in Cambodia is hoarding all of my free time when I could have done so much more for the people around me. Never turn ministry off from your mind. Be vigilant with your mind. The biggest tool Satan uses on the Race is distraction. Don't let him distract you from the reason you're here.
Love your teammates. Pursue them individually. Bare your heart to them. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Care for them, even when you're tired. Prefer them over yourself. Call them up when they need to be called up. Dance with them when they need to smile. Scratch their backs when they get car sick from a tuk tuk ride. Let your speech toward them be full of kindness and not cutting remarks. Let them teach you things. Let them re-teach you things you already knew. Rejoice with them. Pray over them. Pray for them everyday, individually. Your team is your family now. They will come as close as you let them come. Allow them to tell you where you need improvement. Know it's showered in love. Don't fear constructive feedback. It makes you more like Jesus. Trust the people God's handpicked for you to adventure with.
Lastly, know you're loved. Know you're covered in prayer. Know I miss you so much and believe in you even more than I miss you. Know that you're beautiful, even when you haven't showered for a week. Know that you're cherished. I can't wait to watch God grow and shape you. I can't wait to see who you become. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Sincerely,
Karah
