The year of missions work around the world has come to an end.
Shepherding my flock is now over.
There’s so much to say, so many emotions, so many thoughts I have about this year.
Overall, and it might sound cliche, but the biggest aspect about this year, was GOD!
I hit the rock bottom with my beliefs in Africa. GOD WAS THERE!
I was challenged with my theology about demon manifestations and acts of the Holy Spirit. GOD WAS THERE!
I needed Him when I was at my wits end with living in community 24 hrs a day, day after day. GOD WAS THERE!
I rejoiced with him when I experienced freedom in Ireland. GOD WAS THERE!
I experienced thrills like never before: Rafting the Nile, Bunjee Jumping, Swimming a Waterfall Peak. GOD WAS THERE!
I cried, laughed, sang, and smiled with team leaders, team members, and new friends around the world. GOD WAS THERE!
I preached in Africa, held orphans in the Philippines, held the hands of the dying, planted crops, built homes. GOD WAS THERE!
I missed my family, friends, and ways of ‘home.’ GOD WAS THERE!
I walked into freedom. I walk alive. GOD IS ALWAYS THERE!
GOD WAS THERE! From country to country, church to church, bed to bed.
When I first said YES to quiting my job, leaving my SoCal lifestyle, and YES to being a missionary around the world, I was nervous, to say the least. But I knew I needed to do what was ‘hard.’ I knew I needed to face my fears straight on. And I knew I would betray myself if I said NO. And so I went. And I do not regret one moment of saying YES.
From beginning to end this has been an adventure like no other. Thank you to each and every one of you who prayed 1 prayer, or 100 prayers. Who gave $1 dollar, or $1,000 dollars. It is because of your support I was able to be a worker in the Lord’s harvest. And now I must say YES, to leaving it all behind.
It’s time to say I am finished. It is time to let go.
And so I leave you with this…a video.
I had the privilege of being the Shepherd to the flock of M Squad. A few months ago I wanted to summarize what this year meant to me for you, readers of my blog, and supports of my mission. And this is what I made for you. I did not get to do typical ‘ministry.’ Day to day I did not hold orphans, feed the elderly, preach at churches. Instead, mostly, I led the team. I visited team leaders and teams and encouraged them. I helped solve team conflicts. I prayed for breakthroughs, healings, and visions for the leaders and team members. I tried my best to lead by example. I tried my best to make wise decisions. And the results I am left with are the 51 other people of M Squad. They were my ministry. And how they have succeeded around the world is my success. How they have grown, been stretched, ministered, and loved, was my goal. And so I leave you with a video, a snapshot, of some of the flock. I am so proud of them. I am humbled to say the GOD WAS THERE as I shepherded.
GOD WAS THERE with the flock
Now GOD WILL BE THERE as we leave each other.
A reminder of His promise, for me, for you…”I will never leave you nor forsake you” -GOD
(p.s. The video is 6 minutes long. The end is 3 minutes of ‘funnies.’ They might be ‘inappropriate,’ so beware, but these are stories that living in constant 24 hour community will bring about : )
