Im not sure how to put into words my feelings about coming home in 16 days. When I think about it, I feel joy, sadness, excitement, worry, fear, peace… My feelings are on overdrive. I have had dreams every night for a month of the reunion with my family and friends, full of tears and joy.
But I’ve also had nightmares of leaving this life that I have come to love. I know I’m going to miss the everyday life of the World Race. I’m going to miss the community that surrounds me 24/7. I am going to miss the spontaneous worship sessions in living rooms and at bus stations. I am going to miss the laughter and joy over the insane things were asked to do. I’m going to miss the late night talks about the mysteries of Jesus. I’m going to miss the vulnerability with which we all live. I’m going to miss the different cultures and languages I have experiences around the world. I can’t believe Im saying this, but Im going to miss travel days and the unexpected situations that have grown us as a church. I’m going to miss it all.
But the great thing is that the ceiling of this season becomes the floor of the next. I am going to take all of the beautiful things Wonder Church has taught me and teach my new community. I’m going to take the growth that I have walked through in this season and use it to grow those around me back home.
So THANK YOU WONDER CHURCH! Here is just a few things I appreciate about you.
Thank you to each and every one of you for being you. Thank you for embodying the aspects of a true church.
Thank you for your worship. For our last night in Vietnam, I stood in a Starbucks, in awe of Gods goodness, as we worshipped Jesus in COMMUNIST Vietnam. Worship is an amazing aspect of church. Freedom to worship in whatever way you desire. Encouragement for others to step out in faith to hear and obey God’s voice. Boldness, grace, and mercy poured out from above. As the Bible says,” where two or more are gathered, there I am.” Gathering to worship invites the presence of the Lord in. I am so thankful for our worship. I promise I won’t stop worshipping when I get home!
Thank you for your prayer. We landed bright and early at 6 am in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in late December. My team and I prepared and switched all the packs up, leaving our extra gear with all of you awesome squad mates. We took a moment to gather as Team Shema and pray before we head out for our month of UH away from you all. It began as just our team and before we ended the prayer, all of you had surrounded us in prayer. That is such a beautiful example of the church. Support, love, prayer- fighting each other’s battles through presentation to the Father. We fight for each other so well and for that I am so thankful. If someone is down or sad, we gather around them and lift them up in prayer. If a family member is sick, we stop and pray immediately. We fight the best way we know how. I promise I will continue to fight for each of you.
Thank you for your feedback. I’m not just responding as we are suppose to. Haha I am truly thankful for your feedback. I am thankful that each of you called me higher to look more like Jesus. I am thankful that you didn’t allow me to remain the same. I am thankful that when I forgot who God says I am , you reminded me. Thank you for pushing me to grow. I promise to give feedback when I get home, hopefully with grace and love, as each of you did.
Thank you for your joy. No matter where we go as a church we go in loud, abounding joy and laughter. This is by far my favorite thing about us. Walter Wangerin Jr. says, “ Joy rises from sorrow and therefore can withstand all grief. Joy, by the grace of God, is the transfiguration of suffering into endurance, and of endurance into character, and of character into hope- and the hope that has become our joy does not disappoint us.” I love that we have been through hard things together, but we know, as a church, that those hard things have shown us much joy. Those hard things have glorified God in ways we never thought possible. I am thankful to know this joy with you all, Wonder Church.
Please know that each and every one of you hold a special place in my heart. We will forever be Wonder Church and we will forever have memories around the world together. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me. Lets rock these next 16 days with all that we’ve got. Even if we don’t have it, Jesus has it!
And as for you, home, I am thankful for you. I am SO SO SO thankful for my supporters, friends, family, and community back home. You guys have been the best cheerleaders and prayer warriors I could have asked for. I promise each of you that I am going to run this race to its finish, having each of you in mind. 16 days and I will be home! I can’t wait!
Thank you again!
Love,
Gabbie
