1-10-07
Journal Entry from the beginning of the Race.
I want my inheritance. All of it! Each and every corner. Each and every person. Lord, I see a house of LOVE. A house of hospitality. A house with open doors that are never shut. A house where all that I have is yours. A house that is truly your house. A refuge, a safe place open to everyone. A place of refreshment! I smile as I think about it. A home, not a house. A house is a building while a home is a heart – a living, breathing, sharing, loving community of hope!
I want the fatherless. I want the homeless. I want the prostitutes. I want the refugees. I want the outcasts. I want the sick. I want the missionaries. I want the seekers. I want the hippies. I want the elderly. I want the nations. I want my children – natural, adopted and foster. I want all of God’s children to feel welcome. I want to love them and open up my home, my very life and dwelling place to the children of God.
I feel my heart opening. I want to serve them all. To “wash their feet”. I want to cook for them and to feed them. I want a huge kitchen. I want a huge dining room with one long wooden table with benches. I want to encourage them. I want to empower them. I want to educate them. I want to send them out into the community to serve and love those around them. I want to shepherd them and pour all of God’s love, hope and truth into them. I want God to bring them to complete restoration. I want God to heal them and strengthen them. I want to provide a refreshing retreat for those needing a place to put their head at night.
I forgot that I had written this. Exactly 6 months later, here in Nelspruit, South Africa, this desire is confirmed through the blessing of Emkhe Street Hospitality house (shown below) – where we have been staying for the last month. A few days ago, I was challenged with this question, “If you were given $99 million dollars today, what would you do tomorrow?” I also think back to what Seth challenged us at debrief halfway through the race, “What is my dream? Voice it and focus on it! When did I start to come alive? How did I ‘get’ my dream/vision? What lead me to that spot?”
Here is my journal entry from July, 6th (shortly after arriving at Emkhe House)
So, we are staying at a house that “provides rest” for weary missionaries. It is a home that has coffee and a cat. To experience the healing touch of this ministry – hospitality – has been a Godsend! Hospitality is the call of my heart ‘at rest’. I find shear delight in it…lavishing the Lord’s love upon people by serving.
And to see how the Lord has specifically prepared me for this ministry. I grew up in a real home with loving parents. Then, all throughout college and beyond, I have had jobs that have prepare me with practical, hands on skills. Cleaning the student union at my college. Working at a nursery for many years (learning about plants, flowers and gardening). Working at a Bed and Breakfast – trying my hand at innkeeper, housekeeper and cook. Working for Jean (an amazing women of God who has lived half her life as a quadriplegic) I learned about the privilege of personally being the hands of feet for another individual, along with housekeeping/cooking/gardening/laundry duties.
Because of living with Jean and experiencing the amazing ministry of ‘open doors’ all over the US (Latreia) and the world (WR), I have personally been impacted by the healing that comes from the ministry of hospitality. Travel and being involved in compassion ministry has brought me face to face with different individuals in different situations – the orphan, the widow, the sick, the cripple, the weary missionary, the seeker, the prostitute, the traveler…The Lord has broken my heart for them and giving me a heart of unconditional love.
All this travel has also taught me the importance of fluidity. Being flexible is not enough, because you can still break. When I asked Kent and Shay (the couple who are our ‘house parents’ here at Emkhe House – above) to give me some advice about this ministry, they replied, “Unconditional love and fluidity”.
And, in God’s sovereignty, one of my passions is cooking. Come hungry and leave full. (Nothing is wasted in our journey to discovery!)
And, I realize that the gift and passion of “establishing a vision” will help get this home off the ground. Lord, thank you for this reawakening and help it become a reality in your timing.
Our journey is not aimless if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and on maturing in our relationship with him. Everything that happens – good and bad – happened for a reason. Part of being a teachable disciple is to be enrolled in the ‘school of life’. Try to see things through God’s eyes – see how you can grow from the experience and how you can apply it to your life. Who ever thought that cleaning toilets in college was part of my training for a call later on in life?
As I move along on my journey, my focus is not the end, but it is in becoming more and more mature in Christ/ resembling him more everyday. As this faith journey takes place, the Lord will take you on an adventure of the heart. Each day you will become more and more awake to the kingdom, the place you hold in His heart, and your unique design and purpose in the kingdom!
