It’s been 26 days since I said goodbye to my friends, family, demanding-yet-loving cat, and spoiled dog. 26 days since I left behind my cozy bed, giant closet, car, nice shower, washer/dryer, snack-filled kitchen, a couch with my clearly marked butt indention, endless blanket supply, flatscreen TVs, and art studio. 26 days since I gave up the ability to sit on the patio with my parents and poke the firewood in the fire pit, the freedom to hangout/go places with my friends when I feel like it, and the satisfaction to work/earn an income.
While I feel like I’ve been here forever and a day, we are already preparing to say goodbye to October, to Novi Sad, to our ministry, and to the many friends we’ve made here. I feel like I’m just now settling in and getting familiar with my life this month. Yet we are just a week away from moving on to the next place, the next ministry, the next month.
I. Am. Homesick. It’s been 26 days of seeking out the comfort amidst all the strangeness and unfamiliarity.
It’s been 26 days of living without my parents- something that may sound childish, but something that I’ve never experienced.
26 days of living with a group of girls I truly do not know and yet have to put all of my trust in.
26 days of getting to know my teammates on their best and worst days and allowing them to see me on mine.
26 days filled with walking around a city that speaks, works, lives, thrives in a completely different language – though many speak broken English if necessary (Hallelujah, thank you Jesus).
26 days of doing things not because I want to, but because the Lord said, “Kristi, get up and go.”
26 days of loving and befriending people despite my desire to go to sleep or to at least be alone. (Living in constant community.)
26 days of sacrifice for the Lord’s Kingdom.
“…In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:12-13)
And it’s all worth it. Sometimes its hard to understand why we’re here. Sometimes its crystal clear. But I know it’s all worth it. It’s been 26 days of learning why the Lord has me here.
26 nights ending in long walks home with a teammate and really getting to know them.
26 days filled with mystery meat that thankfully tastes good, coffee, and laughter – lots of laughter, typically until someone pees her pants, and then more laughter.
26 days of seeing the Lord actively work in my life, my teammates’ lives, and hearing how He has/is working in the lives of those we meet.
It’s been 26 days full of life. From cloud nine, unforgettable moments to looking up how much flights home cost, and every thing in between.
It’s been 26 days of the World Race.
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
It’s been 26 days of living for the Lord and finding my purpose in Him. Just as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7:17, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him…”
This year the Lord has asked me to live my life for the purpose He created me for. To learn to depend solely on Him, to learn how to find my comfort in Him, and to find my identity in Him. So that is what I intend to do this year. Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
It’s been intense, real, and trying. And though I desire nothing more than to be back at home with my family, the Lord has provided me with a family in my team. For 26 days we have been growing, laughing, crying, complaining, struggling, loving, praying, learning, and living as one body. “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” (2 Corinthians 1:5).
Shout out to Team United!
