What defines a family? I had my answer to that question, until I arrived in Peru. With a bird’s eye view, my perspective has shifted. For our first month of ministry, Team Starling was adopted by a very special family. In our host home we got to experience Kingdom living. We didn’t speak the same language, but yet we did. We spoke in gestures of love, acts of service in devotion to one another. Family… growing together because of knowing Christ better through one another! Inclusivity, vulnerability, trust, communication and love. Such a short period of time for the bonds that were made, I know I will always have a place to come home to in Peru. Home was laughter while conversating in Spanglish while clearing the table, kitchen chatter over the clatter of stacking plates, being taught how to properly hang laundry, trips to the store which always included ice cream, and the many travels by truck where iconic American music was blasting and yet barely heard over the singing from the backseat. A month of laughter! God spoiled me by blessing our team with the Morales family, He knew I needed an easy transition into the life of the World Race. I had the comfort of this family to spend my days and nights with, my first mission month had me meditating on the importance of belonging.
In between ministry in Peru and my current ministry in Quito, Ecuador there was a squad debrief in Banos, Ecuador. After one of the sessions lead by our squad mentor we were encouraged to be vulnerable and reveal to the entire group the struggles we were facing but we were also asked to declare victory over them by the power of Christ. When I stepped forward I spoke of my feelings of rejection which were rooted in the daddy issues I long struggled with. In not having a father I had been trying to manufacture my own family unit through marriage, with that being an elusive goal I carried around a burden of rejection. It’s interesting how feelings like that perpetuate the cycle. I had also been feeling rejected by my squad…so I declared that day that I am His beloved, I belong, I have things to say and I am present. I also spoke into the group that I belong with them, we are a family! We all have the same Heavenly Father, we are brothers and sisters.
In one night following one month I resolved a lot of issues. Not only did I receive the precious gift of belonging to a Peruvian family but I allowed God the father to step into His role in my life like never before, I accepted my role as bride of Christ and gained an entire group of siblings, B squad!
In Banos something else really exciting happened. I became a part of Team Undertow! Yes, the Starlings are now flying in new circles but I am glad for the month we shared. The change is good and God. I now get to belong to this other little family and belonging is really sweet.
