Each night in Nepal, we walked to and from dinner, about 10 minutes. I don’t know if it was because I always ate too much rice or if I’m just slow (probably a combination), but I always seemed to be trailing in the back of the group with my host, Gresom. We used these precious moments to talk about how the day went, exchange feedback, and establish expectations for the next day. Sometimes (most times), we would tease each other or talk about music or our dreams for ministry.
A few days before we left, we had a conversation that will impact my life forever.
Briskly walking back in the bitter chill of the night, Gresom said to me, “I was thinking about how you lost your brother and praying this morning. I really feel like God gave me to you… I am your brother now and forever…. you are my good sister.”
This touched my heart and ushered in healing I desperately needed.
Just last month, I walked through an inner-healing session called “Soul Care”. This is a time guided and interceded by two leaders who help you ask the Lord to reveal past memories to seek the Lord’s presence and healing in those moments. In my session, the Lord revealed himself on the day my brother was killed. He showed me snapshots of that day…. receiving the phone call, waking up my mother, crying on the carpet with my dad, holding my sister… and He was right there with me, weeping with me. At one point, I saw my brother walk into the room and hold us.
When Gresom spoke the words, “I am your brother now and forever” I heard the Lord say, “This is my gift to you. He is your brother for life.”
Gresom is just a couple years older than William (still younger than me). The Lord knit us together this month. He’s not my host, he’s my brother. And his mother is my Mommy! And he father is my Papa. His brother and sisters and Aunty and Uncle are all mine too. Because that’s how the family of God works! We belong to God and we belong to each other. Different cultures, same God.
In the last days, Papa prophesied that one person from our team would return to Nepal. We’re praying it’s me… 😉
In honor of my sweet brother, I will record some fun quotes from him this month. I’ll take them out of context, because that’s way more fun!
“Other people have talent, but you have the Talent Maker.”
“I’m going to buy you a chocolate. Good job.”
“We so enjoy.”
“PAIGE! YOU NEED TO PRACTICE. WHY DIDN’T YOU PRACTICE?”
“Stop making faces. Play with confidence!”
“I don’t know about these things.”
“Ok. Sure. (*head wobble*)”
“100 percent??”
Where are we going? “There.” Where’s there? “THERE!”
“You need to know about these important things.
“Don’t worry.”
“ATTACK!”
“OK, girls. Time to move.”
“We have ministry program… after that, visiting program… dinner program…”
“We’re gospeling these people…”
“Take a rest. No more than 30 minutes.”
“It’s so good for health…”
“ALL THE TIME, I’M GOOOOD!”
I LOVE YOU, GRESOM GRACE. SEE YOU SOON, BROTHER!
