Easter two weeks ago was unlike any one I’ve ever experienced in my life before.
Every other Easter in my life I have…
Been in Florida.
Wearing a new beautiful dress.
Attending Church.
Gone to my Grandma’s house after church to find an Easter basket filled with candy and money.
Eaten dinner with my family.
Two weeks ago on Easter Sunday I was…
In Latvia.
Had my first snow run ever! Brrrrrr Chili Peppers!
Didn’t know where to find a church.
Was told a crazy story of God’s provision by my friend/squadmate Shelly Manning! 1 She then invited me to a Baptist Church.
Decided to go to church 45 minutes before the service began.
Wearing workout clothes (an UnderArmor long-sleeved shirt, capri-yoga pants, a bright pink rain jacket, and yellow vibram five-finger shoes).
Was invited along with my entire F-Squad (48 people) to dinner that evening by the Pastor and family.
Was offered a white jacket and hat to protect myself from the harsh cold (What a great Easter basket!)
Worshipped the Lord with people that didn’t speak my language.
Witnessed the baptism of people who have become very dear to me over the past nine months.
Check out what Latvia looked like when we first arrived!
We arrived the day before Easter. That travel day was like none other. I almost made it 24 hours without sleeping. My squad mates gave me sympathetic glances regularly, because I looked so pathetic in my sleepless state. We left Nairobi, Kenya around 5 am Saturday, March 30th. We arrived at the airport around 12:30 am and were waiting in the check in line as they hand wrote our tickets (the computer system was down). Oh, traveling abroad!
Needless to say, after no sleep all night and a few hours on the plane, I. WAS. TIRED. And COLD.
Check out what I was wearing when I got off the plane!
I and Amanda Kerr rocking the Chacsocks and Rainsocks! 2
My bag was originally overweight due to food hoarding, so I had put the packing cube with my only pair of jeans in my squad member, Mike’s bag. Unfortunately, when we were catching our connecting flight in Istanbul, Turkey, Mike Linton and Tyler Vessels were not allowed on the flight because it was overbooked. So, my pants were somewhere in Turkey while I was freezing my tushie off!
Derek, Steph, and I made a swift decision to attend church that morning. Originally, I wasn’t planning on attending, due to all of the above that occurred. I was especially humbled at the idea of attending Easter service in my work out clothes. I had flashbacks of my mom dressing me up as a child in poofy dresses, white gloves, a hat, and lacy socks every Easter. Oh well. Off to church we went.
Finding the church was a bit of a challenge. We walked around in the snow for a little while, trying to find the public transportation that went in the direction we needed. We almost gave up. We finally found a number 3 tram, and hopped on. Once we got off, we had only a general idea of where to go. Using a map, we arrived in front of a beautiful old Baptist Church 15 minutes late for the service. The inside was even more gorgeous (and warm). Pottery Barn now does interior design for churches in Latvia.
We headed up to the balcony with our other squad mates. The Pastor’s daughter, Tabitha, was translating for us. There were musicians playing, the story of creation and Easter were being told through sand art,3 and reading from scripture in the beautiful Latvian language.
Our Easter crew.
During the service, I peeked over at my husband, Derek. Just as I thought. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, just like they were mine. I felt so moved. So loved.
I sensed my Abba saying, “Christina, the whole point of Easter is that you don’t have to make yourself presentable before coming to me. I am the One Who makes you whole. I am the One who takes your ashes and turns it into beauty. I don’t give a rip about what you are wearing. I accept you, and everyone else, just as you are.”
Wow. I sat in the pew, floored. Of course, I knew this. I have heard it all my life. My brain computes it, and I go about the rest of my life without allowing my heart to process.
Thank you, Abba for loving me enough to give your only Son. Thank you Jesus, for willingly coming here to this earth to live the life I cannot live, and die the death I deserve to die. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for whispering truth and wisdom to my heart.
Amen.
http://shelleymanning.theworldrace.org/?filename=stranded-in-latvia-part-2
2. Chacsocks=Chacos worn with socks. Rainsocks=Rainbow sandals worn with socks. Both are usually worn when one's toesies are cold and the individual does not own closed-toe shoes.
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ddueBciNvo
