Sorry I kind of dropped off the deep end for awhile there. Totally unintentional and totally unexpected, I promise.
Long story short, when my team first got to Botswana, we were living in the capital – Gaborone – and working with a ministry known as Pula Sports Development Association. Unfortunately, our house ended up getting broken into – which was TOTALLY random and out of the blue – last Tuesday (November 28th). Adventures in Missions staff decided that it would be best for us to move in with our sister team (Kairos) until we were able to figure things out. The final decision was made on Tuesday, and we’re permanently at Kairos’ ministry until we leave Botswana in January. If you would like more details about that whole skedaddle, go read my friend, Kyla’s, blog!
We lost quite a bit of things, but some of the things we’ve been able
to recover (PRAISE GOD!). Law enforcement has played such a huge role in getting our stuff back, which is a gigantic blessing. Thank you Jesus.
Sadly, my laptop was one of the items that ended up getting snagged. Super unfortunate, and if I’m being completely honest, very inconvenient at times. But the things I’ve learned through losing my laptop make it beyond worth it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
When I first figured out that my Mac had been taken, I was pretty devastated and shaken up. Having our house get broken into is pretty frightening, and then losing something like that on top of it is kinda crazy. So, there were a lot of emotions running through my mind and body during that point in time.
I’m not telling you these things so that you pity me. I’m not telling you these things so that you can pray that my laptop gets recovered. God is in control and has been from the beginning. He allowed this to happen, and I’m convinced he had a very good reason.
My point in telling you all of this is to boast about Christ. Because, even though I lost an expensive laptop, that’s not all there is to life. I want to share some cool things the Lord has taught me through this whole situation.
After I cried about the loss of my photos and notes that I didn’t back up on my laptop, I had an urge to grab my bible. So I did. And with puffy, red eyes I opened up to a few passages through which the Lord BLEW MY MIND. As per usual.
I opened up to a passage in Matthew 6 that I had read that morning. The Lord is so intentional with everything that he does. Verses 19-21 say this: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Holy crap. Where are the desires of my heart? Where is my treasure? Is it in my precious Mac, or in my Creator, my Father, my Best Friend? I think the Lord allowed that to happen so that I could place him at the forefront of my mind and heart. He is way more valuable than a piece of metal.
Then I flipped to James 1:2-4. The Lord totally led me to read all of these specific scriptures; God is alive and active. This is what James says: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for GREAT JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (1:2-4)
Literally laughed out loud after I read this. Firstly because I could literally feel the joy – that could only have come from the Lord… because who the heck laughs after they lose a laptop – bubbling up inside of me. Secondly, before I came to Botswana, I asked the Lord what he wanted to do in me during my time here. He showed me two words along with some scriptures. The words were love (2 John 1:5-6, 1 Corinthians 13) and endurance (Hebrews 12). ENDURANCE.
Let me say it one more time: God is INTENTIONAL. He loves me more than I even know. He loves me so much that he was willing to take away something material in order for me to gain something spiritual. Insane.
Endure through circumstances that are hard. Trust the Lord. He doesn’t ever let you down.
I have nothing else to do but rejoice. Botswana stole my laptop. But the Lord replaced it with things of eternal value; things that will never spoil or fade.
– Sometimes growth can only occur when you get uprooted and moved suddenly.
– Perspective brings clarity and growth.
– Kairos is basically the best family ever.
– There’s always something to be thankful for.
– It’s possible to love those who wrong you, but only through the power of God in me.
– Material possessions are worthless.
– Don’t forget to back up that hard drive.
– Scripture brings so much clarity and perspective. Especially in super hard and confusing situations.
SO, I also moved. Last Tuesday, my team (Abundance) travelled to a city called Kumakwane (COO-MUH-KUHWAN-EE) where Kairos was staying. The ministry here is run by a sweet couple, Jeff and April. They have been nothing but hospitable and kind to my team and I since we’ve been here. I’ll talk a bit more about what my daily life now looks like in another blog!
And KAIROS. Man. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to do life with. When we got to their house in Kumakwane, they lined up outside to meet us and welcomed us into their HOME with open arms. We unexpectedly butted into their normal schedule of life, and they handled it with such grace and love. We made us a lavish dinner of spaghetti, and I kept thanking the Lord for giving me such sweet friends to live with. They stuck with us and gave us so much grace/room to process while we were still uncertain about where we would end up living.
It continually blows my mind how the Lord intentionally placed each of them on our sister team. What an awesome God I serve. Also, PRAISE GOD for letting me live with one of my best friends – Kate. Blows my mind. Her presence, life, and influence never fails to realign my heart and push me closer to Jesus.
As for the rest of Kairos, I was so not expecting to love living with them so much. But I do. Since being here (now for almost two weeks!), I’ve gotten the chance to know Kara, Alina, and Josie more. I’m honestly just super humbled to have the opportunity to live under the same roof as them for the rest of our time in Botswana. SUCH an awesome blessing. The time I’ve spent with them and the conversations that we’ve had have always left me feeling so full and so encouraged.
It’s crazy to think that none of these things would’ve ever happened had the robbery been nonexistent. The lessons I’ve learned and all of the things that have bloomed out of this crazy situation were all under the Lord’s sovereign plan — nothing is a mistake with him. And sometimes… he has to take away in order to give. But he always gives back abundantly more than what he takes away. That’s the kind of Father he is.
He didn’t just allow my team to get robbed so that we would fall into a pit of despair. NO. That’s not my God. That’s not his character. He always acts out of complete love for me; always for my good. Always for his glory. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. Because if things didn’t happen exactly the way that they did, I might not be where I am right now – spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
LAST (and pretty important) NOTE!!
Since our team got relocated to Kumakwane, I no longer have access to WiFi. So sorry! #worldracelife. If you’ve tried to get a hold of me and failed, that’s why. But coming back to the whole “God is sovereign” thing, not having WiFi has actually been super sweet. Most likely, I’ll be able to get a smidgen once a week. I’ll try to respond to people as best as I can, but it’s likely that I won’t have access for very long. SOOO KEEP PRAYING FOR ME! Please. I need it and it makes a difference.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Thanks for following along with this crazy 9 month ride. Your comments and views really do make a difference and mean a whole lot to me! Sending love and air hugs from Africa.
-Lyss
