First, if you have time I recommend you read a blog from one of my Real Life girls. Click Here.
One of the hardest things as believers in Christ is to actually live as believers in Christ…together. The Church. The Body. We really do get to do this together. Strengths covering weaknesses. Grace covering faults. Love covering all. The challenge I’ve seen in the states though is that in most circumstances we allow ourselves to have an escape. We have our own cars. Own rooms, houses, jobs, space to run to when other people are bugging the junk out of us. We’ve got that freedom…when really it’s a trap. You’re not challenged. You don’t grow. You’re not encouraged. You can’t see or practice unconditional love if you’re prone to the easy escape route – ditch when things get hard. I think a lot of how we’re shaped throughout life is by the things/people we choose into and stay committed to. No matter what.
People told me that that hardest thing on the World Race would be the community. I didn’t understand that at first but you learn to love and hate it. But the love always wins even in the bad days. True solid community is a nutrient our spirit hungers for. Whether broccoli or chocolate flavored. Whether midnight meetings or afternoon lunch. Whether hard truth or slap-happy laughter. Whether in a bar or at church. Community is the people around you all working and living and loving for the same God no matter how broken and human we are.
This is kinda scattered as I’m about to meet with my team in a few minutes before calling a good friend back home. But I simply wanted to tell you that I’ve been learning and re-learning a lot about community, reconciliation, and the love of God’s people. Like Rebekah’s blog was saying…the most productive of all ministries has been that of our own team. Learning how to work when you don’t have an easy escape route. Choosing in when you’d rather serve yourself by choosing out. We are all growing and being stretched and challenged in different ways just by living and serving together.
This past Sunday we climbed Pacaya Volcano here in Guatemala. These girls are amazingly strong and love finishing difficult tasks. They were dertermined and, I think, quite encoruaged by the end to have finished the 4 hour hike. It was memorable. Their attitudes glowed with praise for each other as we nearly passed out on the ride home. Oh, God thank You for those moments spent together! Check out our day in pictures…
Real Life Expedition Team at Pacaya Volcano
Yes, the hike was that steep.
Beautiful sight of heaven half way up our hike.
Rebekah roasting marshmallows…how cool!
Katie! And lava!
Liz and the lava!
Fearless leader looking for a good lava spot to roast the mallow!
View heading down…thank You, Lord, for Your creation!
