Hola from Bogota, Colombia! Here we are at the top of a mountain where one wrong step sends you tumbling down a very large cliff. Our organization is called Formavida. It is a church and program to benefit and love on the children in the area. They receive a hot meal, a lesson, and time to just be a kid.
To get to the top of our hill, you take one rather humble jeep, filled with potentially 11 people, up. Straight. Up.
I now know my neighbors real well.
A squadmate had given me this title a few weeks ago and I pondered on what it meant.
One of the hardest things I have done my whole race is stay. I dislocated my knee-cap a few weeks ago rapelling down a waterfall in Ecuador. You should see the other guy/rock.
It left me home in bed-rest for 3 days. And it was one of the most difficult times I have had on this race.
Not only was I worried about the MRI and doctor’s appointments in a foreign hospital, but I was frustrated beyond a doubt that I couldn’t go to ministry.
I felt weak, useless, helpless.
My squad really stepped in when I needed them the most. I received prayers, letters of encouragement, and so many offers to simply sit with me.
At first, I pushed it away. I didn’t want help. I wanted to be strong, courageous, independent, until one of my teammates spoke life into me.
She said “When you tell me you don’t want to my help or ignore my suggestions to rest, what I hear is that you don’t care what I have to offer and that
you don’t want to get better.”
It opened my eyes to those times the Lord calls us to rest in Him and receiving what others give.
When I was called to GO on the race, I didn’t know it sometimes meant to stay.
To be fully present.
For those few days and weeks to come, I was on bed-rest in our home and was never really present in all the places I had
expected for the month.
It was a time I had to give to the Lord, because there was no other option.
To put aside my own agenda, for His.
What growth can be found in simply being still with the Lord.
What a blessing can be found in taking the time to allow others to serve you.
Although my knee is relatively healed, (minus the subtle giving out and hip thrust) I often think of that lesson.
Yesterday morning, I woke up breakfast.
We stay in the basement of a church, a tiny room with 6 bunk beds.
Each morning we arise for breakfast around 8:00am.
The kitchen is directly to the right of the kitchen table and there is an open room beside.
I walked up the stairs in my PJ’s, ready to take on our day-off with poise and success of never leaving my pajamas.
But, when I got to the top of the stairs, I could hear all the giggling children and the bang of pots and pans.I sat down and was swarmed with children-each wanting to chat, hug me, or simply sit as close as possible.
Ally before coffee in the morning…not a happy camper. I was immediately rushed with annoyance and anger.Why didn’t they know I needed some quiet time to eat my breakfast? Morning routine: coffee then children.
But, I felt the Lord asking me to be present. To be still with these children and choose some joy.
So, I did.
I turned off my BC (before coffee) brain for a second and chose to love these children.
Needless to say, my morning was better. I began laughing and playing cards with them at the table.I see so much of the Lords’ innocence and love in each of these children-and I could only find it when I sat with them without wishing to leave.
I am constantly blown away by all the Lord has for us if we just remain present in the day.
Whether than means being still on bed-rest, or being active down a waterfall.
Whether that means choosing to play with children, or taking some time away for ourselves.
Going always takes us somewhere we need to stay.
And staying means being present where we are.
Remembering that the Lord is sovereign and He has this place in store for us.
I am being constantly reminded to dive into what is right here.
I don’t want to miss out on all that He has for me.
I’m so excited to GO, but I don’t want to forget to STAY.
