As I rewatched these clips and edited this video, tears welled up in my eyes. Not because I miss my church or my home (well I do miss them but that’s not the reason I teared up) but because I forgot why I came on this mission trip.
I forgot about the excitement I had when I told people about it.
I forgot about the passion I had for building relationships.
I forgot about my longing to be in a place just like where I am now.
This month we hit the halfway point for the race. I am amazed by how quickly the time has gone by. World Race time is truly unlike any other time. The days are long but months go by like the blink of an eye. Days are jam-packed with different types of ministry, building relationships, struggling with language barriers, learning new cultural norms. Then throw in having Jesus time, team time, and then trying to squeeze in some personal time. No day looks the same, so every day takes an immeasurable amount of focus and effort. Needless to say, it can be exhausting. And therefore, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the daily struggle and forget why the heck am I doing this?
Here’s why.
I needed to step outside of my safe bubble called home.
My perspectives needed to be broadened.
I wanted to serve in a multitude of ways.
I needed to learn what it means to live like Jesus.
I wanted to experience God’s amazing creation and all of the amazing people in it.
God told me to come, so I did out of obedience.
He placed the restlessness on my heart.
He gave me a love for people and relationships.
He broke my heart for people less fortunate.
He wanted to show me that He is present in everything.
He wanted me to learn true dependence and how to trust Him.
He wanted me to know what a true relationship with Him is like.
He wanted to show me that there is more to this life than being safe and secure.
But I guess the most important reason is that
God called me to this mission.
This is why I came.
And this is why I will stay.
