I fell IN LOVE in Atlanta GA. . .

It is times like this when blogs become a burden to me . . . it’s when life gets hectic and  I get behind and then I get so overwhelmed by the lack of things I have blogged, but feel I need to blog, that I end up putting it off and putting it off even farther. But I realize the importance of blogging so eventually I relent . . . this is where I am now, relenting. Giving in and hopefully and getting something out . . . 

The World Race: anti-Human Trafficking Edition ended on May 18th. 

We finished by coming back to the USA and working in Atlanta, GA to combat human trafficking on the home front. I fell in love with my team from the first day I met them, but something happened in ATL that absolutely took me to a deeper level of love for them. We shared so much that month. We fought, we laughed, we cried, our hot tempers flared, we loved well, so so well . . . and we loved not so well. We communicated well . . . and not so well also. We honored each other well . . . and we honored each other not so well. But I wouldn’t trade a minute of it because in Atlanta we became family and when it was over, I lamented that I didn’t have 7 more months on the field with them.

That month we learned so much like: 

within 48 hours  of running away from home a teenage girl will be approached, pimped, and trafficked into USA’s domestic sex trade. 

or 

80% of teenagers trafficked in ATL have grown up through the foster care system. 

The last month on the WR a-HTE my team found ourselves on the prevention side of the issue as we worked at a homeless shelter for women and children. We built relationships with so many precious people that month and really poured ourselves out relationally. Through this ministry we would venture into the streets of ATL 3-4 times a week to do homeless ministry and through love and prayer were able to see the lives of many homeless people changed forever. 

I  learned incredible lessons that month:

1. When I closed my mouth for three days, my eyes were opened. I was able to really see my team and hear them. I was able to really see and hear others. My eyes were opened to the extent to which we (humanity) use our words to justify ourselves, try to make ourselves seem more desirable to others, and fill space. My eyes were opened to just how telling our words are. They reveal what we think of ourselves- they give us away- how we see others, how we view our world, what we place value in and what we don’t. My eyes were opened to just how often the important things are left unsaid, while fluff fills the air in abundance. 
2. I learned a hard lesson about leadership. I learned what it means to cover those that are in leadership above me and I learned first-hand the consequences of what happens when I don’t do that well. I learned as a leader I am am the tone setter for the body I am leading. MY attitudes filter all the way down to the bottom. If I sow sour fruit my team will reap sour fruit in their words, actions, and attitudes. If I sow good fruit, my team will reap good fruit. 
3. I learned that sometimes my team’s unity depends on my vulnerability. The team becomes a safe place as I share my heart and set the example. I am not an island. I need them just as much as they need me. I need their love, encouragement, exhortation and correction as much as they need mine. I need to open my mouth and let them know if I am doing well or if I am submarining!! 
4. Listening is an act of Love. One woman I had met, seemingly randomly began pouring out her heart to me one day about a week after I had met her about how much she loved me because of the impact I had made on her life. She wanted to be just like me and have faith just like me. She felt so loved by me. I was literally surprised, almost dumb-founded as I sat listening to her with tears streaming down her face. I had done nothing, I mean nothing for this woman. I had no idea what I had done to make such an impact on her. But as I went home and thought about it I realized that I had spent the week that I had known her listening to her. Listening to her story, her life, her trials, her joys, her sorrows, her pain. I listened. I didn’t interrupt and then when given the opportunity to speak, I spoke only those words, I heard the Lord saying. I was probably one of the only people who had ever taken the time to truly listen to her heart.
5. My prayers are powerful and effective. God led me to undertake a 40 day prayer vigil for one of my teammates. Throughout the course of that time I saw strongholds fall and love permeate. I saw declarations come to pass and freedom gained. I learned what it means to persevere in fighting on behalf of someone else. 
6. And I learned that even after all these heartaches and boy problems, I AM STILL CAPABLE OF FALLING IN LOVE . . . his name is Christian . . . .