My Dear Supporters,
I made it home! We did it!
Through the Lord’s enabling, we responded to the call to proclaim the good news. We brought love to those who believed they were unlovable. We discovered greater personal freedom in the blood and resurrection of Christ. We brought hope to those without it. We yelled, whispered, and sang of His immeasurable grace. We cast out darkness with His marvelous light. We silenced demons who spoke lies and deceit. We brought joy that with last beyond the moment into eternity. We received and shared revelations of His love and truth. We received and gave forgiveness. We did dirty work, sang silly songs, and endured much pain so that some may have a glimpse of His love. We cried, prayed, and worked for justice. We stepped out in faith when logic said to stay. We risked safety and comfort in pursuit of the Kingdom. We chose less so God could give us more. We became a friend of God. We’ve had an amazing year.
I say “we” and mean “we” because I could not have done this Race without you. After this year of seeing the family of God in vastly different places and in vastly different ways, I am more convinced than ever of the need for and beauty of the body of Christ, the family of God, the Church. I am starting to understand what the quote, “One Christian is no Christian at all,” means. I hope and pray all of you seek and get to experience the family of God even just to half the extent that I have been blessed to this year.
By “My Supporters” I mean to address not only those who have supported me through financial donations and prayer. This letter is for every person that donated money to send me on my way, uttered a prayer on my behalf, spoke an encouraging word to me, challenged me, wrote me notes to open throughout the year, taught me, went to battle for me, listened to me, rebuked me, provided for me, and loved me where I was at.
I am so grateful for this 21st year of my life. This journey is a rare privilege and I am forever grateful for all I’ve seen, heard, and experienced. So to my teammates, squamates, leadership team, Adventures in Missions, hosts and churches around the world, all the fellow Christians I’ve befriended along the way, my family at home, and those I haven’t even met around the world who have been praying for workers to be sent into the harvest and praying for revival, thank you thank you thank you so stinkin’ much.
This is just the beginning of pursuing a life like Jesus, seeking God’s Kingdom and bringing it with me wherever I go, living with my hands open, choosing faith, choosing love, choosing hope, walking in step with the Spirit, learning what it means to deny myself and take up my cross, and simply receiving the love of God and loving Him back. From one degree of glory to the next we will go. I can’t wait for what more is in store for us as we seek first His kingdom.
My one regret this year is not sharing more regularly and in more detail what God has been doing. I hope I get to share with all of you at least a bit of all the many incredible things He has done and will continue to do to encourage you and spur you on in your walks. Reach out to me and I’d love to share!
Thanks a billion!
With so much love and gratitude, Ellie
Continued Prayer Requests:
1. I would learn to integrate the things I have learned abroad with my life at home.
2. I would have patience and open ears to hear the Lord’s guidance and direction for what’s next.
3. I would live with as much intentionality, grace, faith, and love as I have sought to this past year.
4. I would not succumb to striving or busyness as I always have at home.
5. I would have opportunities, occasions, and eagerness to share, remember, and rejoice in the things God has done this year.
6. My heart and head would be clear and filled with truth and light as I process many things from this year.
