What makes a great story?
I would say the best stories come from the moments where you have to pinch yourself to make sure it's not a dream, or worse, a nightmare. Moments in which you find yourself asking, "is this really my life?"
Welcome to my month.
The title of this blog is a bit deceptive, because this month I wasn't actually in Moldova, but instead in a country within it that doesn't really exist, called Transnistria. Transnistria is considered a fake country because it isn't recognized by any other governments; financially or politically and although its located inside Moldova it is more associated with Russia.
Needless to say there is nothing normal about this place and after nine months on the world race month ten threw us quite a curve ball. All those scenarios we went through during training camp that we never thought we would actually experience in real life proved to be very useful. We became thankful for the practice in packing up our tents in the dark at 4 am and for learning how to pack with short notice due to shady government situations.
The tag line of this month was captured in the many conversations with our teams beginning with "Guess what guys, plans have changed." Everything from what ministry looked like, what time the ministry began or ended, to where we were allowed to go and where we were allowed to live.
I'll be honest, this was my hardest month as a team leader because decisions had to be made in a minutes notice that affected the whole team. Questions had to be asked and there was no time for second guessing; we just had to go with it and trust Abba along the way.
But through every change, every unknown and every late night and early morning conversation Abba was there and he was proven faithful, yet again. As I look back on the month I see his hand working things out and protecting and sending me sweet little "god-hugs" all along the way.
The thing is, it would have been so easy to miss the god-hugs if I was instead focusing and festering frustration, entitlement or confusion. I had to ask him to lift my eyes to see the bigger picture of what he was doing, and when I did he delivered every single time.
He gave me spot on encouragement through His Word, he gave me two other amazing leaders so none of us had to make these decisions alone, he gave me a Christmas tree outside my window after a long night of moving locations, and he gave me an amazing team who loved me so well through it all.
The situations may have surprised us, but they never surprised him. He had them worked out for our good before we had time to see it coming.
God wrote quite a crazy story for us this month, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
As you look at this months story through pictures I challenge you to ask Abba to lift your eyes, in the midst of whatever may be surrounding you. When you do you'll see his fingerprints all over your story and you'll be surprised at how much he delights in giving his children his perfectly catered god-hugs.
"I will lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from, my help comes from The Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." -psalm 121:1-2
