Gap N,
Wow- we did it, we are going home! I can’t believe it’s been nine months. It feels like yesterday that you all poured out of the bus at training camp. You were loud and excited and jumpy on the outside, probably freaking out and wondering why you signed up for this on the inside. You looked young. So young. You were eager to learn: from God, from us, and from each other. On one of the last days we stood in a circle and held hands and said yes to a covenant relationship with each other. We said yes to choosing each other daily, but choosing Jesus first. We said yes to the messy and uncomfortable. We said yes to doing this crazy adventure together.
9 months have flown by. There were times that I prayed would slow down and times that I prayed would go by faster. We experienced freedom in Colombia. Joy in Ecuador. Refinement in Thailand. We battled our way through Cambodia together. We experienced peace and home in Albania. It was far from easy. In fact, most of the time it was so hard. But in everything, we tasted and saw that the Lord was good. And faithful.
Leading you has been the greatest honor of my life. I have felt more loved and honored and accepted than I have ever felt before. Leading you pushed me out of my comfort zone directly into the river with Jesus. It helped me to realize the importance of intimacy. You guys have changed me. You have taught me more than I leaned in 20 years of school. You’ve shown me what it looks like to dance in adversity, sing in the struggles, and ride the waves when things got rough. You allowed me to be me. You followed me, even when wildly inappropriate things came out of my mouth.
So, Gap N, thank you. Thank you for saying yes to Jesus and saying yes to me. Thank you for giving up 9 months of your life to get outside of yourself. Thank you for trusting us as your leadership even when you didn’t agree with us. Thank you for being exactly who you were designed to be. Thank you for being my friends.
To the friends and family of these humans- get ready. They have changed, in all of the best ways. They’re full of wisdom. They radiate. They are passionate. They are the embodiment of love. The look and act infinitely more mature than they did the day they got off of that bus 9 months ago. And they have so many stories to share.
Also, give us grace. The transition out of our family and back into yours is going to be difficult. Be patient and understanding. But don’t treat us like we have ebola. Let us back into your new normal and we will let you into ours. And give each of them a massive hug from me.
I love you guys so much it hurts,
Emma
