Dear Team Alabaster,
Here we are, we have finally made it to the end of our race journey, but we have come to the beginning of a new chapter. I can’t deny, It is crazy to stand face to face with the reality that just 11 months ago we were embarking on a mission to serve the nations through the gospel, our god given gifts, and the labor of our hands. I know sometimes it is very easy for us to think that because the race is over, the mission we began with is over, but that is not true. All of us are children of God & are hidden in Christ, sealed with his spirit, therefore our ministry to serve through the gospel, our gifts, and the labor of our hands will continue all the days of our life.
I do want to say from the depths of my heart that I earnestly love you all and though we’ve been challenged at times, I have enjoyed each of you in a unique and special way. I do not by any means regret the time I had to lead you. I do not by any means regret the challenges this team has had. I do not by any means regret the length of time i was able to be apart of this team because just as scripture says All things were made for Christ, by Christ and through Christ, and that doesn't exclude this team.
The one thing I do regret though as I look back on it, are the jokes I have entertained and made about this team being the team of misfit toys. “My grandfather told me once, son be careful what you say, because words are something you can never take back.” I cant take back the jokes I and others have made, but I love that God is a God of redemption & he has redeemed my vision to see what this team really was.
Nothing God joins together is a misfit because he takes that which seems to be a misfit to the world and he uses it to glorify himself. Have you ever truly pondered the thought that in all you do God is working it our for your good and his glory. This team was for our good and for his glory, let us rejoice in that!
Also, If all things were made for him, by him, and through him, this team was made for him. This team was made by him, and this team was made through him for one purpose, that is to display the glory of who he is for our joy. Not for our glory and for our grief but rather his glory & our joy & he has done it through both bitter & swwet moments. Scripture also says that in him all things hold together & here we are still together at the end. Though we may not see things from the perspective of God all the time, I encourage you all to rejoice in the fact that God put us together for himself, & that he held us together by himself.
Community has taught us all different things about others, about ourselves, about life, and about God, etc. The best thing we can do with all that we have learned for our benefit is apply it. All of us ought to take heed to the truths of the criticisms we've had, though they all may not be true, not all of them are false as they were all false toward Christ. And this is the beautiful thing, that we are covered and hidden by a savior who is perfect and who stands in our place. Also we should all eagerly take heed to the truths we have learned and not neglect the wisdom learned from our lessons and teachings of others through scripture. I encourage all of you, to not allow yourselves to go back to the U.S and forget. Be vigilant to hold on to everything you have learned and been through that has pointed you to Christ.
This year was not in Vain and as Hebrews 6:10 says "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."
This is great news because it is a promise that he will not overlook our work and this is great encouragement that the love we show is not in vain therefore let us continue to devote ourselves to good works that our fruit will adorn the gospel of Christ and he will me magnified. So do not be discouraged if you find yourself wondering what this year was all about or what the future will be about. Just abide in Christ and he promises that you will bear fruit and his joy will be in you and your joy will be full.
Ceena – I want to say thank you. I don't know if you will read this, but if you do, know that you were not forgotten. I still consider you a part of this team.The times that you were on this team physically were times that I will remember. You were a joy to us, and you were a blessing. I am grateful for the time that I did have to get to know you and serve with you. I pray and hope that wherever you are as you read this, that you are continuing to stand firm in the faith while moving forward in the things of God. I know that as you continue pursuing Christ you will be a blessing to those who you engage with and you will have an impact on their lives. I encourage you as well to sing sing sing praises to the Lord because he has gifted you in that area and I dont think you realize how much of an impact it has on others. Thank you for pulling me out of my shyness to sing lol, though I am still shy and don't think I can sing. Thank you though for all the bible talks, all the life talks, all the moments of laughter, and all the moments of encouragement. I will never forget the time we sang "i love you lord" lol and you had like the stank face on as though I was singing way out of tune lol. Be blessed sister
Johnny – I want to say Thank you, but thank you isn’t even scratching the surface to express how I feel about you and what you have been to me. Brother you are a solid piece of iron that has sharpened me to the core. You have served me well as a brother and you have truly lived out before me what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. There isnt a doubt in my mind, that when you get back to the states you wont go hard for the gospel. You being on this team, for me was a blessing and one that I have cherished. In all seriousness you are one of a kind bro and the brother that is privileged to serve along side of you will be tremendously blessed, and the woman lord willingly that serves along side of you one day as your wife will be one of the most blessed women I know.
Mark – I want to say thank you as well. Brother the lord has used you to hit a place in my heart that caused me to never be the same & as much as we joke about your singing it is through your singing he has done it. Idc what anyone tells you, when you sing to and for the glory of the lord it has power and you are anointed. My most memorable time with you were two days. One in india where we wept together on our knees in prayer and number two is in romania where we sang it is well together. That day you lifted up your voice to the heavens and I think I heard you sing like you’ve never sang before at least in my opinion, and though i’ve heard it is well many times, that is the day that the lord used the passion in your voice to really write those words across my heart. Everytime I think of the words it is well I will think of you. Oh yea also the words muevethe muevethe lol
Lindsey – I want to say thank you as well. Ever since I have known you, you have been one that talked so much about the freedom of the lord. What that looks like, how that feels, etc. and you have not fallen short of truly walking in the freedom of the lord. You have faith like a child, and it is admirable, and you have freedom like a soaring eagle and that is compelling. It is compelling because just like when I see an eagle soar through the sky and it looks so free, I look up and say God I want soar in the things of God like that. I don't want to be hindered by anything and at times I see that in you and I see the joy that comes with it. I encourage you to continue to walk in such childlike faith and freedom, and dependency on the lord. I have enjoyed seeing you come alive as well. My most memorable moment with you was in China when I found out you did art and you began drawing, and i was in awe of the beauty of your gift. Sense then you have left a piece of art in every place we have Gone. I love seeing you use your gift like that and the uniqueness of the colors, and meanings that the lord lays on your heart. It has been a blessing. But the blessing doesn’t stop here. I want a large piece of art for my wedding gifts :), so when you go embark on your mission trip dont forget about me.
April – I want to say thank you. I feel like the lord has used you mightily to push me to a higher depth of godliness, honesty with myself, and becoming a better man. You may not feel this way, but I have always felt our relationship was like a big sister who is open and real, and a little brother who is a bit sensitive. But as a big sister, your openess and realness helped me see flaw in myself that I do not think I would have seen. Out of everyone on the team, it is you that I have had to say the heart wrenching words “its hard for me to love you” but it is also through you the lord gave me a taste of reconciliation and a revelation of what true love looks like. I am extremely appreciative for you. You have served me well as a sister and you are never hesitant to put other first in regards to anything. I have always admired your servants heart and I have also begin to notice more and more that when you utter the words “oh jesus” you do so because you are dependent on him in that time in that moment and when I hear you say it I think that is a woman who knows what it is like to look to Christ. Thank you for your example.
Keyasha – I want to say thank you. Something I have come to appreciate more and more is a good conversation with you. There isnt one conversation I have had with you that I walk away saying that was boring, or confusing, etc. You are a very down to earth, laid back, casual, but fun person to be around. I always have a good clean solid laugh with you, and I always have a chance to talk real life with you about community, church, being black, culture, christianity, relationships etc. Something you probably dont realize when i do talk to you is I often times ask you how am I doing in a certain area, and you give me your honest opinion in a way that it always hits home with me and cause me to ponder and to seek for a way to get better in that area. I think because you are so observant and are not on the forefront of things you have a chance to see things that others do not and apart from people like you those who are on the forefront will eventually make shipwreck because they never see. Thank you for helping me in my preaching, thank you for helping me in my actions toward women, thank you for helping me in community, thank you for being a great sister. Your opinion matters to me a lot and It is the small things like the convos, and laughs, corrections and genuine talks I will always appreciate and remember. It is those moments that last. Oh yea and the starburst too 🙂
Becky – I want to say thank you. It is you out of everyone on this team that I have served the full 11 months with. I have seen you cry, I have seen you laugh, I have seen you share your last, I have seen you pray, I have seen you study, I have seen you hurt, I have seen your hair nappy ;), I have seen you labor, I have seen you teach,I have seen you frustrated, I have seen your facial expressions, I have seen you think I have seen you do the main things a blood brother would see you do growing up with a sister. And this is what makes our time together special, because we have grown to the point of living and being like blood family. but as you have heard me say before, people say that blood is thicker than water, the response to that is the spirit is thicker than blood therefore it is the spirit of christ we possess that has even allowed us to be as close as we are within 11 months. I am thankful for this. You have always been there for me & being with you, I have never lacked anything and this I will always appreciate. At times I would feel bad because you would give so much without me asking and I felt i didnt have much to give in return. Thank you for being a great sister, and for being a light of joy when I needed to hear a loud giggle and a big smile. Thank you for always encouraging me in my giftings and edifying me and pushing me to fear not but to walk in what the lord has called me to. You have been a big help these past 11 months.
