I love you. This is a phrase that I haven’t said much in my past. Sure I love my family, my dog, my friends, but I’ve never made it known that I truly love somebody because those deep feelings haven’t really surfaced much in my life. The race has definitely broken me. I was in a place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually the first three months that were not healthy for me or the ones around me. Something changed in Colombia. I finally got the picture. I finally realized what I was here for. I finally realized how BIG, WONDERFUL, SPECTACULAR, AMAZING, LOVING, GENEROUS, and KIND God is and started to find my identity in Him. I started looking at mundane or hard tasks not in a negative light, but rather in a Godly one. For example; walking 20 minutes to get lunch and dinner every day was no longer a burden in the heat, it became a great opportunity to talk to kids and families who always sit on their porches, and just brighten up their days a little, and they certainly brightened ours. I started delving deep into Scripture and listened to sermons and worship music instead of the newest tunes on Spotify. I started feeling truly happy, and just so joyful. It was a joy I’d never experienced and I give all credit to the Holy Spirit. This joy continued into Japan. I felt like I was walking on clouds. I could have been doing dishes and still felt that way. It was glorious. The family I was with exuded God’s radiance and it was so special to be around.
Interjection: Thanksgiving in Japan. This Thanksgiving turned out to be one of the greatest I’ve ever had. On Thanksgiving day, Kaysea, Bethany, and I started off our morning learning calligraphy with two of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. In the afternoon Kaysea and I went to a woman’s house who wanted to meet us with our host mom, Tomoko. We roasted sweet potatoes and got to make takiyaki (an octopus dish). Three generations, plus friends were there, laughing, having fun, and just enjoying each other’s company. After that we went back to our ministry contacts house (which is where our English classes were held) and had dinner with their family (Chili, yum). Afterwards, we had our farewell English class with the high school kids. Our host dad (Ando Sensei) picked us up (his son, Hiroki, is in the class) and we went home. He decided to surprise us by taking us to the onsen (Japanese bath house) at 11 pm. Quote for you: “Nobody ever remembers the nights that they got enough sleep”. Moral, say yes to the little things like that, even if you are really tired, they end up being the best memories. Saturday we had a massive Thanksgiving meal with all of the host families. The main contacts family is all American so they celebrate, so that was awesome to get to eat some green bean casserole.
That night, Ando sensei asked us to share how the Holy Spirit had moved in us throughout the month and what we had learned. My team, Ando’s family, and Peter and Wendi (the contacts), all sat around discussing and praying. I ended up getting really emotional and wasn’t able to really speak without crying. The reason for this is that I love Ando Sensei and his family so much, and I just want the best for them, and I was so sad to be leaving. I see Jesus walking in him and he is such an inspiration. He works so hard at his job, and then has all of his pastoral duties, plus being a father, and all while doing that he is so joyful, patient, and kind. He is just an amazing man and I was so honored to get to spend the month with him. I ended up sharing all of those feelings with the family and then told them, word for word, “This may sound weird but I’m going to say it anyway, I’m completely in love with you and your family.” (They reciprocated. It wasn’t too weird on my end). I love that family so much and am so glad to call them my brothers and sisters in Christ. This deep love for someone I’ve only known for a short bit is new for me, but the feelings I wouldn’t change. I started realizing that I’ve been feeling that love towards more and more people I come in contact with. I love my team members, our coaches, our contacts, etc… The feeling and joy of love is indescribable. That was one of Jesus’s greatest messages for us, “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”- Galatians 5:14. When you realize that everyone is a gift from God, that they have God in them, that they are made out of God’s image, there is no way not to love them.
“If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” 1 Corinthians 13:2-3
Also, this month we are right outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We are working at an orphanage with 13 beautiful Indian girls. The name is Grace Assembly Center, Rumah Kids (www.gracecommunityservices.my). Rachel is our new team leader, and Molly Reel (from my old team, she is now a squad leader) is back with us for the month. WAHOO!
