Just a few days ago, as I was flying into Georgia, I was crying in pain. I went to the doctors who just confirmed the previous diagnosis that I tore a ligament as well as sprained my ankle. I was informed that it would take approximately two months to no longer feel pain. But shortly after returning home to Michigan, I woke up free of pain in my ankle. I took it easy at first, walking using my crutches as support, then to just wearing a brace to nothing at all. I was confused because I woke up and everything just suddenly felt better to the point in which I could even run, hike and climb on my ankle again. I quickly began to feel frustrated wondering why I had to go through all the pain and doctor visits while I was away overseas instead of having my parents by my side to help me make medical decisions. But then I realized how I would not have leaned in on God as much as I had over the past month in the DominicaI Republic, how I would not have had to put as much trust in my team to support me as I had and how I would not have grow as much if I had not gotten injured overseas. Instead of becoming frustrated over “why did this happen to me,” I began to think about “how did God come through because of all of this.” As I began to walk in confidence that Christ brings about goodness in all circumstances I began to have flashbacks. Looking back, I began to think about the time in which I broke down to my team: admitting I felt frustrated, that I was a burden, unable to serve, and no longer had a place on the team. But that break down became the break through in which I needed. Through out my trip, I had a lot to process but instead I began to bottle up my emotions and this break down helped me grow in vulnerability helping me let go of what I needed to. Another memory came to mind, I thought back to climbing the hill. Outside our ministry site was a steep hit, but I never thought twice about it until I became injured. My team and I would go outside the gate every single day to get food, play with the children or just to go for a walk but after injuring myself I never left the gate. Though one day I was overly ambitious and maybe a little stir crazy I decided I was going to climb the hill and continued to for the rest of my time at the ministry site. Every time I climbed up the hill, it was steeper and a lot harder to get up than I remembered but I always would get up. At the very top of the hill was a retreat center with a beautiful painting of Mary and baby Jesus staring back at me. I always though of this as a constant reminder that having a relationship with the Lord requires hard work on our end, that Christ is standing there arms stretched wide waiting for us to come to Him, and once we reach Him there will be a joy like no other. Lastly, I thought of the last day I got to spend with my team. I thought about how much pain I was in, crying in the hotel lobby because of how much pain my ankle was in and how we rushed to Walmart in order to get stronger pain medicine and a better brace. Outside of Walmart ended up being a woman asking for a food. It was late and we all wanted to go home because of our flights in the morning but because of my teamleaders big heart, we stopped to have a conversation with her. After this woman got to know a little of our story and who we are she asked if we could by her a Bible. In the end, she ended up getting the last Bible in the store and it was large print which was exactly what she needed. I thought about how we were in the right time and place all because of my ankle that God was able to use my team one last time while we were together. How that little incident at Walmart continues to be a constant reminder that ministry can be everywhere, anytime and at any place as I begin to try and transition home. And come to think of it, after leaving Walmart, I do not remember feeling any more pain in my ankle or taking any of the medication that night. In fact, that is the last time I ever remember being in pain due to my ankle. On my flight from Georgia to Michigan, when previous flights and air pressure changes have caused a great amount of pain, I flew pain free. So when I could have been angry that now that I am home, I am pain free, I instead am running in complete freedom, knowing that the Lord has perfect timing, is faithful and will bring about good in all circumstances. Where we find chains, Christ calls us to run wild and free.
