living life with 14 girls
dance parties
belly laughs
long conversations
tears
sharing clothes
never ending encouragement
dirty dishes
ice cream
SO many God moments
notes
endless debate
chaos
adventure
dirty feet
painting parties
dinner duty
worship sessions
What’s it like living with 14 girls? What’s it like being away for three months? What’s life like doing missions?
It’s refreshing and draining all at the same time. It’s pouring out & being poured into. It’s being loved really well all while trying your hardest to love your sisters really well. It’s breaking down while simultaneously being built up. It’s fast & slow. up & down. Being away has been a whirlwind. Some days I wanted nothing to do with missions & all I wanted was the comfort of my own home. Other days I refused to believe that going home was ever going to happen. But, here I am sitting on the beach of Jaco realizing that at this time tomorrow I will be in Atlanta, Georgia debriefing with my team before we say our final goodbyes.
It’s funny how God works. He’s a God of perfect timing. He’s a gracious God. He’s a God of truth. He’s a God that no matter the circumstance is always present & willing.
The Lord has been speaking to me a lot on this trip & in many different ways. Something He spoke over me last night in the midst of sadness was “this is not the end, it’s only the beginning”. He’s right, this is not the end for my team, instead it’s only the very beginning. This is true for anyone. No matter the circumstance you’re in, it’s not the end. Rather it’s a beginning, a season of change, of growth and of trust.
Ephesians 2:10 is a verse that I held tightly to in college & similarly has been a theme for me this trip. It says:
“For we are Gods masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”
We are Gods masterpiece.
Masterpiece is defined as “a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship; a wonder”. God is calling us a wonder, He says we are an outstanding artistry. Imagine someone coming up to you & saying “you’re a masterpiece, an outstanding wonder, when I see you I’m in awe”. What would you say, how would you feel?
Not only is this incredible but he says:
He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago”
Not only are we Gods masterpiece but we are created in Christ’s image to do the things He has planned for us long ago. This means that God not only knows our past & our present but he delights in our future for that he has planned for us.
God has a plan for me just as he has a plan for you. In order to fulfill this plan we are called to be obedient. This trip, these 3 months was a major act of obedience that the Lord called me into. It was all apart of his plan for me & the fruit that I’ve seen in myself and in my teammates is so sweet.
My team has experienced heart break, tragedy, loss, grief, and hurt. But, my team has also experienced joy, strength, righteousness, obedience, hopefulness, and authentic love. None of this could have been possible without a loving God. A God that restores, a God that brings light to the darkness, a God that brings clarity.
So, what’s it like living with 14 girls? What’s it like being away for three months? What’s life like doing missions?
It’s a gift. A gift so precious that I thank God everyday for calling me to.
To my team: thank you for loving me so well these past three months. Thank you for meeting me where I was at everyday and choosing to continually push me back toward the Lord. Thank you for the encouragement, the hugs, the endless laughs and everything in between. You’re forever my people, my family & I am so thankful for you.
Here’s to the beginning.
Carley Jo
