I was tired-spent really. I had been pleading with a gate agent in English, Spanish and charades for 3 hours trying to get on a flight to the States. I had carried my two bags around the airport 5 times being pointed every which way. My phone was dying and the wi-Fi wouldn’t connect. None of this worked as I watched the only two flights that night fly away without me. As I sobbed my way through every part of the airport I felt alone. I broke down ugly. I couldn’t stand up with the shaking tears. People looked at me, but didn’t know how to react. Bless the kind man that looked at me and only said, “I’m sorry.” I was sweaty, blotchy and pitiful and all I was looking for was help. As I sat in my pity party I pondered what The Lord was trying to teach me in this. I wasn’t going to feel this terrible without letting him teach me something. All I wanted was to go to my friends’ wedding and celebrate with all the people who were counting on me. Why couldn’t I get a ticket? Why did I always have to miss my friends weddings?! “Always a racer never a bridesmaid” was the joke I made to myself.
I stopped, opened my Bible and a note fell out labeled, “for when you don’t feel that brave.” It led me to Luke 1:45, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise to her.” What has the Lord promised me? That I’d make every flight I wanted? No. He promises the things of Psalm 16.
He will guide me.
He will always be with me.
He will show me the way of life.
Joy will come from his presence.
I will dwell his house forever.
He promises himself. I wasn’t alone.
When I finally calmed down and settled into a flight to the States it hit me; I had a tiny taste of what the Syrian refugees are feeling everyday. They are tired. They don’t know where to go. They are carrying their lives on their backs trying to find somewhere to rest or someone to say, “let me help you”. I’m sure they feel alone and scared. I couldn’t keep it together for one day under much milder terms, but this is the reality of their “new” daily lives.
In April, B-Squad and I are traveling to Greece and Macedonia to be the people standing in the gap. We want to be there to say, “I’m sorry.” and “Can I help you?” Also to be the people spreading the hope of Psalm 16. To give them the message that they aren’t alone. To tell them God is bigger than their situation. And He cares deeply for them.
I’d love for you to join me in praying that the gospel would be modeled in our words and actions. Pray that the fragrance of the Holy Spirit is heavy on us and that the aroma is sweet with hope to those in need.
Some Updates:
1. I did eventually make it to Kansas City to celebrate with my friends. It was a wonderful time.
2. February (month 2) was spent in Quito, Ecuador. The whole squad was together. I’ll post some highlights from that month soon.
2. March (month 3) B-Squad has taken on Colombia. My first week I served alongside Team Willing Wanderers at Ciudad Refugio in Medellin. I took a four days off the field to go to the wedding. Now, I am in Bogota with Team Hope Ignited and my co-leader Cali. This week we are putting on a VBS.
