My life looks very different than my life in the states but feels very familiar. For my senior year of high school I was a Wyldlife leader (basically a ministry reaching out to middle schoolers and building relationships with them). Now, at least for this week, I am working on a One Hope Africa farm.
Today, my friend Grace and I lead a Bible study with some of the workers on the farm we are living on. Despite that these workers are grown adults, I’m seas away from home, and that some of them did not speak English it felt so similar to Thursday morning campaigners (bible study at the middle school). As we asked questions their eyes awkwardly darted to their friends for comfort. As we read scripture aloud they listened in awkward stillness. And as we asked for prayer requests their hurts, their hopes, and their answers were so similar to the girls at home.
It felt like an I told you so from God. I walked into the Bible study feeling hesitant, and the Lord brought me people who remind me of my friends from home. He allowed me to see the tenderness and hopefilledness of their hearts so I could feel a touch of comfort in the most uncomfortable of places. He allowed me to see how universal what we feel is. The heartbreaks, the rough times at home, and friendships ending happen in the States and in a rural African community. They happen to all God’s people and what I have learned is He loves being with His kids through it. He loves when we lay our crap at His feet. He loves when we turn to Him while wrestling with hurts. He just loves when we give Him the chance to be our comforter.
To middle schoolers, if you’re reading this I love you guys. I love the hard crap you’re going through, the lessons you teach me, and the fun you’ve brought me. To everybody else, if you get a chance take a page from their book because they know how to live with their hearts on their sleeve.
With love,
Soph
