This morning I had the privilege of listening to Corinth Reformed Church’s Kenya team share about their trip this past June. I looked forward to hearing from them because I am so excited about going to Africa for three months next summer (May-July)! Listening about the kids that were woven into the hearts of the team in the two weeks they were there made me all the more excited and terrified of the all the men, women, and children I’m going to learn to love and leave next year.
Shannon Hart shared something with the group that blew my mind. She talked about how she had to speak about widows and orphans TO widows and orphans. She connected the dots and realized that the Bible’s message is the same for them as it is for us because we are all the church and we are all one family. They must follow God’s purpose and will with their resources just as we must with ours. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. How exciting that I have so many brothers and sisters I have yet to meet that I am going to have the privilege of knowing. And even more so, how cool is it that people may become brothers and sisters because our team meets them and answer the Spirit’s call to tell them about our family and the work Jesus did to allow them to join. WOAH! It got me more in mind to start praying for those sisters and brothers, both currently part of the church and those to become part of the church next year.
This morning was one of the first times I’ve felt at home at church in a long time. That comfortable feeling that I belong. It was refreshing, especially since I am not feeling 100% today with my allergies and sinuses. I realized that this family here is full of so many wonderful people who love me and like me and that I hope to make them proud by representing them in the field next year. Thanks Corinth for sponsoring me and for feeding my soul for the last 10 years. 🙂
So in the weeks to come, I pray God starts softening my heart to be on the look out for new brothers and sisters next year. I want to listen to the Spirit and be willing to have conversations that are uncomfortable because who knows what seeds you are planting other than God himself. I want the people we meet next year (and even ones I meet before I leave) to appear to me like looking into the faces of orphans who deeply desire to be loved and accepted and to know that I have that knowledge to give them. That I get to be a child of God that says, YOU belong in my family and you can. What an honor and responsibility.
