Dear D Squad,
We are about to embark on one HECK of a journey and we have no idea what to expect. Sure we can probably think ahead about long travel days or bucket showers or bug bites, but NO ONE truly knows what will happen these next 11 months but God alone.
Through my time spent with the Lord the last couple of weeks, He has given me (us) a couple of New Year Resolutions:
1. Be Brave. You are all being brave by quitting your jobs, leaving your family and friends behind, taking only a backpack for an entire year, but there will be even bigger steps we need to take in bravery. Namely, listening intently to the Holy Spirit and watching where He wants us to step out of our comfort zone.
2. Let Go. We all have plans, ideas, and wishes for what this trip will be. We need to hold everything in our hands with open palms, willing to let go of everything for the sake of our King.
3. See the people before the task. Yes, we will have ministry tasks like VBS, or construction, or teaching Bible lessons that all may come with time constraints, but God wants us to see the people, the stories, His children that need to feel His love- sometimes that might mean forgoing our task and going off book for the sake of the gospel.
4. Spend time with Him every. single. day. Let’s keep each other accountable to making our time in the Word and in prayer a non-negotiable. We all know the good it has been to us, but these two things will be our lifeline, our medicine while on the field.
5. Love each other. We will undoubtedly drive each other nuts and rub each other the wrong way, but let us not give up. Let us learn to love each other despite our shortcomings and mistakes. Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit so much that when we bump into each other, the only thing that spills over is more of Him.
These are our New Years Resolutions for 2018. Together. So hold up your imaginary glasses for a toast as we toast this year to our King and all the good and bad and all the in between that will come with this year!
Love you all, See you in just THREE DAYS!
All my love,
JJ
