“How can I repay the Lord for His goodness towards me?” Psalm 116:12
Leaving home for the 2nd time was bittersweet, but much less traumatic than round one of the Race. There will always be something difficult about leaving behind people that you love, but it is much easier knowing what I am walking into. The World Race has taught me how to sleep anywhere and everywhere and I was able to sleep 11 hours of our 14 hour flight across the Pacific. We landed to quite the welcome committee here In Manila and hit the ground running.
Launch training began early the next morning and we have been non-stop all week. I have so much to blog about training and will get to it soon, I hope! For now I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on some thoughts on hitting the field again.
First off, it is absolutely amazing to be back in one of my favorite places. I truly felt like I was coming home when we pulled into the Cuatro community in Manila. We are staying in the same house at Jeff Long’s KIM ministry and enjoying the creature comforts of hot water, great food and amazing hospitality. The Longs are amazing hosts and their passion for their community and un-ending desire to serve us encourages me so much.
As I type I am sitting in the same room where just 9 months ago I had some of the best and worst days of my life. There were so many tears shed here and yet so much awesome ministry. I can look around and picture Jenny B yelling at American Idol on TV, Jessie rocking babies and Casey kicking my tail at speed scrabble. I lay in bed and remember giggling hysterically with Julie and listening to Gina re-pack her bag at 1AM. I ate dinner last night at a restaurant where I had a life-defining conversation with Jane and Sean. I ride through town and catch glimpses of places that Lauren and I had our famous adventures. I prayed today on the same curb that caught so many tears when hard decisions were made and leadership giftings were revealed and tested.
I can easily get lost in the memories. The emotion of being in the same place, but yet in a completely different place, is almost overwhelming at times. And yet the Lord pulls me forward.
There is a completely new feel to the October squad. There is a hunger that I had forgotten and a humility to be treasured. I see things with new eyes and it is beautiful. On a quick walk through the community this week I was reminded of just how precious all of God’s children are to Him. We came on a situation that in my somewhat calloused eyes we could have easily walked right past and my new teammate was moved to tears in compassion. I rode through town and new friends commented on the crazy driving and it hadn’t even crossed my mind! Those moments are priceless. Seeing old things through new eyes is a precious gift and I realize how lucky I am to be back here. My new squad is a huge encouragement to me and somehow we have this mutual appreciation that is awesome. They are thrilled to have some experience with them and I am thrilled to experience it all with them again.
