So this weekend I got to come home to NY and be with family and friends for Christmas. For a long while I didnt think i was going to be able to because of my work schedule, but everything worked out and I actually get to stay a couple days extra! Its good to be home, and relax and not think about anything to do with work, or with most of my responsibilities. I got to see Tristan, my 4 year old brother, for the first time in about 8 months, and the kid is crazy! the smartest kid I know, but soooo stinkin hyper. He can wear me out in a couple hours. He keeps asking if i am staying forever, and its sad to tell him I’m not, but he seems to understand. I get to see my sister, Danielle, a little here and there. Its good to be able to here whats going on with her, and see all her photography work she is working hard at here at school. My parents are amazing as well, working like crazy as usual to keep up with everything and to keep up with all the wrecks Tristan leaves behind, and believe me, there are a lot of them.
A couple weeks before I came home, I emailed the church I grew up in and asked if I could do a presentation about the trip, and whats been going on in my life. At first I was hesitant because I didnt want to think I only wanted to come back home and ask for money, but God calmed my spirit and helped me remember I need to ask someone for help, because He has called me to this, and it does cost money. Well anyway, the church said yes, so I put together a presentation, last minute of course, and gave it in Sunday school this morning. Well first let me tell you about the events leading up to church! I got to bed late, had to wake up early, and was exhausted with everything going on, and driving through the night a couple days before to get home. I was irritable for sure! And did I tell you this house is crazy?? It is! Tristan lives by the mine is yours policy, which for the most part, a lot of us struggle with, especially me. I love the kid, but Im a single guy who is used to living in a house with a bunch of guys and we all keep to our own space. Well I woke up this morning, and with the tiredness, and craziness going on, it all started to pile up. My dad got home from work about 20 minutes before church and wanted to shower, when I still hadnt showered yet(we live next door to the church, so it takes us no time to get there), so needless to say, I knew I was going to be late so I couldnt make an announcement before church about my presentation.
Next, I get out of the shower, and Tristan apparently decided to wear some of my clothes and my glasses. While he does look good in my clothes and glasses, I did need them. So this made me even more late and irritated than I was before. Eventually I had to just go without my glasses and wear my contacts, which my tired eyes didnt appreciate! At this point I was 20 minutes late for church, which is embarassing when you live next door haha. But as I was about to walk out the door, and my sister was honking the car horn to tell me to hurry my butt up, God whispered to me and told me to sit down, and relax before I did anything else.
So I took a seat at the dining room table, and began to pray and ask God to work through me and help me to forget about myself, my problems, my focuses, and realize that He has called me to this trip, and I need to be focused on Him and not all these silly problems!
It was a blessed moment! I sat and had a still and quiet moment in a hectic and loud house. For the first time in a while it seems I realized God’s purpose is way more important than my comforts, even be it these little ones. So it was an amazing moment for me to hear God (even though its hard to hear over the car horn, Danielle) and prepare myself for my presentation.
So I finally got to church, which I was half expecting people to be putting their coats on and heading back home, but it wasnt that late yet haha. I walked through the door, and the sound guy got me all set up in the gym for the presentation. Throughout the entire service, I began to think of all thats going on with this trip, and what God is actually going to do with me. You ever have one of those moments where everything finally become more clear than its ever been?? Thats what happened to me during the entire service. Sorry Pastor John, I didnt hear too much of what was said, but I had to listen to what God was saying. So the service ended, and my heart began to race and the time came for me to give my presentation. I was not expecting a big turnout, because it was announced the week before that there would be no sunday school. So heading out to the gym, I was surprised to see how many people stuck around and listened to what “the young guy” had to say. Pastor John introduced me and I began my presentation. It started out kinda rough. I stuttered a lot, and had a lot of ums going on. Miss Carver my speech teacher would not be proud, but I pushed through. I got through what I have been up to and what God has been teaching me, and it came time for me to show the DVD. The waterworks began…I am a pretty emotional guy anyway, but when I watched this video again, God opened my eyes, and broke my heart unlike any other time I have watched this DVD. I finally saw how much we have here in America, and how little these kids and how little the women who are sold in to sex slavery have. And we as Americans have the right to complain about a waiter who didnt do everything exactly right, how we have a dent in the hood of our cars from some idiot who did something, or people who fight over what possessions from their dead parents they have a right to! but anyway, I started balling and stood there for what seemed like an eternity not being able to say anything. When I finally did speak, it had to be God because I didnt think I could do it. God got me through the rest of the presentation, and I stood as Pastor John closed, and just prayed that I touched one persons heart. I didnt even care if I got money, but just that God opened the eyes of these people to how much God wants us to reach the world, and how much hurt and injustice goes on!
God definitely worked! I told them the financial cost, just so people would know, and I said that if 10 people/familes donate $150/month for 10 months, I would have the money I need to go. I wasnt expecting it to be considered by most, because of economical times, but God worked, and 3 familes committed to to $150 for 10 months! And many people took the paperwork you have to mail in home with them, and told me they wanted to sponsor! I was so thankful that God worked in the hearts of these people, and in mine, and is preparing the way for HIS will to be done through this trip! God truly is so much bigger than I understand sometimes!
