I can’t believe that we are nearing the end of this thing. I have compiled some final thoughts for those of you that have been following along (or those that want a synopsis). There’s a little bit of something for everyone: gratitude, a bit of my journey in growing in my faith, unforgettables, and even a what’s next section. Let’s kick it off with the most important part:
Thank You
-all of my supporters at home – these last 11 months literally wouldn’t have been possible without you. I have experienced more support than I ever expected. Your gratitude actually leaves me speechless.
-my family – oh, you all just love me so well. I cannot wait to feel your embrace when I run through that airport. Your thank you’s will meet you in Toronto upon my arrival.
-my O squad family (members and leadership) – you all have showed me so many different sides of what real and raw community looks like. You have shown me Jesus and pushed me to be more like him daily. I have felt the most alive and dead (in the best way possible) from being pushed/pulled/stretched by each of you. It still isn’t real that I won’t see your faces everyday (or even be in the same country). I owe so much of what I have experienced to all of you and only time will truly tell the depth of your impact on me.
-my hosts and contacts over the last year – your selflessness and obedience to the calling on your lives is inspiring and encouraging. You have shown us what bravery and courage looks like lived out. You have been tangible love even when you are empty.
Growth I Experienced
– new understandings and levels of intimacy with God
– the discipleship that I was able to be part of – learning that I need to be discipled in order to effectively disciple others and how wonderful it is to be used in the growing of others’ relationships with God
– learning what spiritual burnout feels like & that true dependence on God is the only way to avoid it
– how the smallest moments of compassion and empathy can leave the biggest footprints in your own heart
– not looking to other people for approval but within myself and reliant on my own morals and convictions
– how true community and friendships really can make or break anything – we choose to let them be positive or negative experiences – we hold that power
– I learned that people don’t need me to save them from their lives – they just need someone to show them genuine and authentic love
– realizing that even some of the poorest in the country that I call home are some of the most fortunate if placed in the countries I have served – the realness of the clash of the rich & poor
Unforgettable Moments
-my running buddies and the awesome runs we got to do all over the world
– being treated like royalty by then men on O squad with their special evening they prepared for us on Valentines Day in Haiti
-the tastes and smells of all the different cuisines
– the absolutely extraordinary performance Daniel Pedron and I put on of “A Whole New World” for our Squad in Honduras
– being privileged and humbled on so many occasions with feeding the hungry children of the nations
– all the cutest & quaintest coffee shops
– that cheesecake in Honduras with squad pod
– the joy in the widows in Guatemala regardless of their heart wrenching circumstances
– living in a homeless shelter in Malaysia
– Trash mountain and the realities of humans having homes in a dump
– the places we have lived and slept –oh the numerous and weirdest places
– I will not forget that I, in fact, do not love Thailand nor that ungodly heat
– public transportation in any country – one word: wow
– getting Dengue Fever #jointpainfordays #andsweat #inSEasia
– Africa: my World Race favorite place overall – I will not forget the people that warmed my heart – they are just as beautiful as their sunsets
– Swaziland sunsets
– South Africa & never wanting to leave – I feel at home
What’s Next
I return home on November 25th and fly into Toronto. I will be sticking around Peterborough until a day or two after Christmas. At that point I will be heading out west to Red Deer, Alberta to work for some of my favorite people at MNP once again. I am really excited for the opportunity and for the season of redemption that this will be for me. I have old community to reunite with there but also new community to seek out and build. I would love to sit down and talk more about what I have learnt and been through these last 11 months, so feel free to ask for some of my time (Ontarians – make it December) as this was really only a snippet of the vastness of it all. I will be doing a presentation on the 6th of December at Mercy of God Church (service starts at 6 PM) as well.
Once again – thank you!
