It’s Month 11. Wow. I’ll be home in 20 days. Wow. As I was sitting in my bed thinking about this blog, the song above came on my Itunes. Obviously, this song is about the Lord and salvation, but with the thoughts of home in the back of my mind, it’s all I could think about as the song played on.
This year has changed me. I’ve grown and learned so many things that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t responded to the call the Lord placed on my life to come on the race. I’ve learned how to truly abandon things to the Lord, like expectations, and walk in freedom of control, trusting Poppa to be my guide. I’ve learned more than anything the importance of communication and “how to” communicate effectively. It’s definitely not a process I have nailed down 100% yet, but the Lord is continuously refining my tongue. I’ve learned about the power of prayer and the voice the Lord has placed inside me to pray passionately for his people. I’ve learned how to hear the voice of God and live more spiritually inclined. I’ve learned how to love people better and invite them into my life. I’ve learned how important it truly is to be in God’s word daily because the devil really is lurking to steal our joy and simply, our lives. I’ve learned that the world really isn’t as big as we think it is and we’re often a more broken people than we think. I’ve truly seen how little I need to survive on, and how much I take advantage of that because I live in the “land of the free” – the land of surplus, where I’m able to buy whatever I want, even if I don’t need it. I’ve experienced heartbreak in more surreal ways than I ever have before in my life. I’ve been forever changed.
And as I look towards home with anticipation in seeing the ones that I love most dearly, it’s my biggest prayer that the Lord will continue to change my heart. That I won’t leave one ounce of what the Lord has done in my heart or my life on the field, but I truly will take it all home with me. That I will be an integrator when I go home, not an assimilator or an alienator, but I will truly be able to invite those back home into this journey I’ve been on throughout this year while continuing to love them and their own experiences. But, that I will also continue to allow the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His in my own country.
Soon this season will be ending. I’ll be waking up in the same place every day. I won’t have to pack up all my belongings and move every month. I’ll be able to see my family and Tyler in real life instead of my computer screen. And many more blessings that I am SO excited about. It’s being surreal. As for now the Lord has me in Panama, and for the next 14 days, this is my reality. These people need to hear about Poppa’s love. I’m excited about the ways the Kingdom will rejoice when these souls become His this month.
The chorus of the song that I mentioned at the beginning goes like this:
– "Welcome Home" – Ben Littrell
I can’t deny the excitement that resides inside me that soon I will hear my Momma say these words as she tackles me in the airport. But apart from that, the Lord will be rejoicing this month when the precious children at the orphanage bow their heads to open the door of their hearts to him. And when the students at the schools we visit feel His presence through worship. Or even when the prisoners at the jails hear the gospel for the first time.
Soon I’ll be hearing, “Welcome Home You”, but God is daily saying, “Welcome Home You” as we continue to be His hands and feet and mouthpieces to share His gospel. Legoooo, we’ve got work to do! Keep praying for our teams!
Side note: I arrived in Panama with this guy.
That’s an amoeba if you can’t tell. PTL, I donated some of my own “goods” if you catch my drift and found out what was having a party in my stomach. I’m on some goods meds and am slowly recovering! Praying for full health before heading home!
Still alive!
