As a missionary I expected to encounter certain things.
I anticipated encountering death, destruction, poverty, illness, and desperation when I left America.
But more than that, I expected to witness God’s provision and care.
The bigger the struggle the greater the triumph, right?
I imagined He would heal and reveal His love in radical ways that I had never witnessed before.
So I flew across oceans to live amongst the devastation and heartbreak.
But I never needed to.
Because on March 6th wildfires began raging across the Texas panhandle.
It was my birthday and I was celebrating in Ecuador thousands of miles away from home. Thousands of miles away from the nightmares that were only beginning.
Countless people were hurt, and lives were lost. Around 2,500 cattle died. Ranchers watched their livelihood go up in flames, and suddenly the very thing that I left for was knocking on my backdoor.
Projected losses from the fires are $21 million dollars, with the expectations to increase as more accurate valuations of loss are made.
My community and the people I love were hurting. And still are.
I came on the race in order to face the pain and hurt up close and personal.
I came on the race to bring God into brokenness and see people’s lives transformed by His goodness.
But He never needed me to.
I kept asking God, why?
Why did people die as they tried to save their animals?
Why did good hearted and hardworking people lose everything they had?
Why is there so much pain and suffering happening?
And why did you bring me to a different country just to let this happen to my people back home?
The day I arrived to Peru I stepped into a natural disaster, and the answer to my prayers.
God opened my eyes to the lesson He was trying to teach me all along.
I became a missionary because I thought God wanted me to help Him save people, and this month He reminded me that He already has.
Peru has experienced the worst heat and rain in 50 years, and they have also gotten 10 times more rainfall than usual….there is no end in sight. At least 62 people have died and more than 70,000 have become homeless due to flooding and mudslides.
My heart broke again, and my prayers quickly shifted from catastrophe to community.
3,282 miles separate Peru from the Texas panhandle, but both places were carrying the same burdens. Spanish and English speaking people alike had the same heartaches, and what I witnessed from both places was powerful enough to change my heart disposition.
I realized that God exists in the brokenness, regardless of my locality.
He brings healing no matter who is present.
I witnessed more love, hope, and courage fostered from a few days or weeks of adversity than 20 years of prosperity could ever bring.
I witnessed communities that rallied and rose from ashes and flood waters.
I witnessed a revival of reliance on God.
People in Peru and the panhandle alike began walking closer in image to Jesus than ever before.
Day in and day out I have been witnessing the generosity and hospitality of people. I have watched friends and families freely give away their resources, time, talent, and solaces to those who have lost in the Panhandle. But I have also had the privilege of being the hands and feet to prepare donations for the flood victims in Peru, and regardless of location the gesture remains the same.
Abundant love.
Through these tribulations I have witnessed more Jesus in people than ever before, and that is a beautiful thing.
Out of the fire and floods have risen communities with more determination and faith than ever before.
Through the life taking circumstances life has been given, freely.
Satan came to kill, steal and destroy but Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly.
And that is exactly what I have seen.
Abundant life, and abundant love.
