The realization of leaving the United State for 11 months doesn’t seem real in my mind or my heart. There is all the emotions and I don’t even know how to express them. When I look forward to this next year, there is excitement, there is joy, there is meaning and purpose. However, the second I look back there is more of the negative emotions. I believe the reason for this is all the emotions that come from leaving everything behind. Leaving family, friends, and the comforts and security of home.
Right now, God has been showing me how I need to keep my eyes focused on Him as Jesus did. In Hebrews 12:1-3 it says,
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”
God has shown me this week that right now is as much as I have enjoyed this last season of life, I need to focus on Jesus instead of what I am leaving behind. In order to grow and let God move in my life my eyes have to be focused on what God is dong and the joy that is in reaching the nations with the Good News.
So for me, this is my final goodbye from the United States. In less than 24 hours I will leave on a flight for Paris, France. I am going to surrender Facebook and other social media sites for this month in order to tune in more to what God is doing around me.
Update: As a squad (23 of us) we were split up into four different ministry teams. Of those teams going to France, only two teams will have guaranteed housing for the month. My team specifically will have housing for one week, but after that week, we will be in charge of finding our own housing which is in the budget of $10-12 per person per day.
So whats our plan as of right now? We are planing to use our resources and contacts who are willing to house us. Matthew 10 talks about founding a “worthy person” or “man of peace” who is willing to house us. Our goal is to build relationships with those around us through love in order to share Jesus with them.
So here it is my last goodbyes:
Dad & Mom:
Thank you for everything, you are seriously the best. Thank you for seeing the purpose of this mission and trusting God with me in this process. You know that this is going to mean so much more in all of eternity and I thank you for the faith you have in me. You both have blessed me, loved me, and sacrificed for me so well and because of that example, I am able to bring that love to others. I will be praying for you and looking forward to getting coffee and sharing all the stories of what God has done in your life as well as mine. Thank you for coming down to Atlanta to say goodbye and for all the handwritten notes and presents to open on the race. You are seriously the GOAT (greatest of all time!) Until next time, its never goodbye, just see you later! I love you so much and remember that as I’m gone to love the nations.
Brothers:
You guys are so much fun! I have never had more laughs then when we are all together. Thank you for your support and for your prayers for me in this process. I’m praying that over this next year that you will grow tremendously in your faith. That you would be activated in what the Lord is calling you to do. Thanks for teaching me a lot and I’m sorry for the pain I have caused earlier in life. I hope that as we continue to grow up we would grow closer together and continue to have the laughs and adventures together. I love you guys, please send me a message when you think of me. I’ll try to stay in touch when I can. Until next time, keep following Jesus one day at a time. I love you guys, stay strong while I’m gone!
My Game Night Family (Sam, Sarah, Hailey, Gabriel, Cassia, Micah, and Caleb):
You guys are the best! I’m so thankful for the time I have got to share with you. Thank you or the hospitality and the fun. You have become part of my family for the last year and thank you for welcoming me into your family. I look forward to more hearts games because I know it won’t be the same with out you. Thank you for the pillowcase and for loving and praying for me in this process. It is going to be great to laugh and share stories when I get back. Keep following Jesus one day at a time. I’m excited to hear the stories of growth in your lives in the next year. I’m definitely going to miss playing on the trampoline and baseball in the yard with you kids. However, in 330 days I will be back to play some more. Until next time, see you soon and I love you all so much!
Church Family
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be sent out into the world to “make disciples of all nations”. I have been dreaming of the day of going for the last 3 years of going and because of your support financially and prayerfully I am able to go and serve. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me to bring the Kingdom of God to the Nations. I’m excited to share the stories and the experiences with you when I return in 11 months. I pray that the church body would thrive and that more people would be reached in the community, especially those of different cultures and backgrounds who have never heard about Jesus. Keep pouring into the youth because that is how my life was changed. You never know who will be the next missionary to the ends of the earth or the next pastor in your church. Thank you for all your support and until next time, see you later!
To those reading this blog:
Thank you for supporting me and reading this. I’m praying that you would grow in your faith over the course of this year. Personally for me, in order to go on this trip, it has cost a lot. A lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of stuff. I have given up my family, my friends, my bed, my cloths, my favorite shoes, and even my sports equipment. The cost of leaving everything behind and follow Jesus is tough, but the reality is that it is worth it! Why? Because there is purpose in it. We will love people we don’t even know. We will share with them the GOOD NEWS that we can know where we are going when we die. Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE and no one comes to thee father but through me” (John 14:6). We get to show people who Jesus is and the joy that takes place in sharing Him is way greater than the hurts of abandonment and leaving everything behind.
Overall, this year I will be changed. I will be challenged and stretched to grow in ways that are uncomfortable. But through it all, I will grow closer to Jesus. So here is the question:
I will be challenged with more and I will come back changed, the question is will you? When I am gone will you be changed? Will you grow in your faith and your relationship with Jesus?
I want to challenge you to seek ways you can grow. Whether its simply finding a friend who is farther in your faith than you, or picking up your Bible and reading a little bit each day. Find ways you can grow this year!
I’m blessed by all of you and thankful for your supporting the process. Remember is about fixing our eyes on Jesus and whats a head. Its never Goodbye, just see you later.
