Coming Home

It was around this time last year that I had just been accepted to this crazy trip where I would travel all around the world. I couldn’t imagine what I was going to experience in this short year. I was PUMPED for the thought of new adventure and the promise of knowing my God better.

 

I was scared that I didn’t have what it would take to travel for eleven months. I was afraid of living in community because I thought I would just cry all the time as a result of vulnerability. I was terrified of the impending sicknesses that I KNEW were lurking in these countries just waiting to spring on my poor weak body.

 

I was enraptured with the knowledge that the God of the Universe wanted more of me than I could give. And I was filled with faith that He would strengthen me in those times when I couldn’t give anymore to my team or those in need.

 

What I didn’t know then is…

 

– How I would be humbled beyond my own strength and learn how to apologize and forgive

 

                                    – That I am powerful and I impact others with my life

 

 

-How some days 11 months would seem like an eternity but how it would actually pass like a few moments

 

                             -That I would fall so completely in love with the Holy Spirit

 

-How often I would have to choose love for my community and yet how rewarding that choice would be.

 

                          -That God would give me new gifts that I am still learning how to use

 

– How heartbreaking it would be to see the poverty of the Philippines, the prostitutes in Thailand, and the broken homes of Africa.

 

 

              -That I would learn to fight for myself and stand on the foundation of Truth  instead of insecurities.

 

-That God would allow me give food to homeless in Ukraine, preach Good News to the hopeless Indigenous peoples of Australia, and paint a playground for orphans in Africa

 

So now… I know these things.

 

                                Plus a little more.

 

And now… I’m coming home in two months. I’m changed. And I am walking back into a place that is also changed. People have moved on in this year. You have grown, you have been changed by life and circumstances too.

 

 Some of you are engaged.

             Some of you are married.

                         Some of you got engaged and married in the time I’ve been gone

                                     Some of you graduated

                                                  Some of you have new little babies to take care of

 

It’s going to look different. I’m going to look at things in a different way. And I’m willing to bet you will too.  

 

Now don’t get me wrong, two months is still a good amount of time. So I won’t be disconnecting anytime soon, I’m just thinkin’…