*NOTICE* IF YOU HAVENT READ MY LAST BLOG TITLED “NEXT STOP, LUBBOCK” PLEASE READ BEFORE READING THIS NEXT BLOG THANKS <3
I am currently on a plane. I have my flight from Quito to Dallas and then to Lubbock so I should be home in a couple hours after this is posted. I got robbed a couple months ago (sorry I didn’t write a blog about it, it really messed me up and if you have questions then feel free to ask in person J ) and I lost my phone (only my phone thank the lord). But to continue, I have been depending on my laptop for all communication and probably the most important thing to me… my music. It really helps me process my feelings and thoughts and it’s been quite hell not having a phone and something to help me out through the day. What I am getting to is that I have a lot of time to think and let my thoughts run wild without any help so it has been quite hectic. So with this being said I have some stuff I have come to realize and sorry that this blog is going to be long but here goes nothing.
You go on a mission trip for 9 months (keep in mind this is my FIRST mission trip) and everyone wants to know what you got out of it and through the mist of my thoughts while on this plane (and being quite hard on myself for drinking and being sent home) the lord hit me with a brick and led me to a life changing realization.
Love
Literally, that is it
I HATE that I had to be sent home for a stupid decision to understand love and how the lord loves, but sitting on this plane alone in my thoughts I finally realized what he has been showing me this whole time.
India was working with kids and preaching to new people every night and showing them how the lord and his people LOVE
Nepal was constantly praying for people, LOVING unreached people groups while hiking the Himalayas and LOVING each other through the hard times
Zimbabwe was LOVING on new kids of all age groups every day and teaching them about the lord in a way they could understand
Zambia was LOVING the people in the villages and reaching out to them with preaching, playing soccer, or just by saying hello
Malawi was LOVING the kids at the boys/girls home and teaching the after school program kids them that they are LOVED by someone who will never forsake them or do them wrong like some people in their lives had done before
Ecuador was LOVING the kids at the before and after school program and giving them attention and feeding them daily literally and spiritually
I say I hate that I had to be sent home but I also love the way the lord used this situation for the better for me in a few ways. For example
I get to see my brother who I am so proud of the man he is becoming graduate high school when I thought I wasn’t going to the whole time I was gone
I get to see my mom and dad who I miss so much and get to help out around the house
I get to meet my new adopted brother and love on him sooner than I was going to
I get to have more time to prepare for the summer like get a job, figure out school stuff and possibly move out with my brother
And I also get a bit more time to process and talk to supporters and be able to do that face to face before I go to Mexico for a week and then to Georgia and practically not be home all of June
It is crazy to me how LOVING and supportive everyone has been through the good and the bad and recent stuff going on with me going home. I have a hard time forgiving people and I cant seem to wrap my head around how LOVING everyone is but I guess that’s the kicker.
We are all from Christ
And Christ is love
We aren’t uncapable of love
Because we are creations of love
But we need to remind ourselves to love
We need to remind ourselves to use the things the lord has given us.
love can change the world,
And who doesn’t want a better world?
So to answer the question about what I got out of this crazy and exciting journey… LOVE
With this being my last blog (most likely but I might write one about being at home so stay tuned) I wanted to say thank you to everyone. It means so much to me the time and effort people put into my journey (and my rants on screen form) and I am forever grateful. It has truly been a rollercoaster and I have loved every second of it.
I would love to get to talk to people about my journey so if you want to meet up just message me in whatever way works best for you and we can get something figured out.
I get home in a couple hours and I cannot wait to see my family and friends
Thanks again
-Rodrigo AO
Somewhere in the air 1:29 am may 26th
