Hey sweet friends,
It is 1:42 in the morning and I am sitting in the Atlanta Hilton lobby just reflecting and pondering. It feels like Christmas Eve. Tomorrow, we fly out to Panama! It is SO crazy! Jesus has been so faithful through it all. My heart is so at peace. Leaving America, saying goodbye to friends and family. It’s crazy how much you will be at complete peace when you are in God’s will.
Jesus is so good. I am praying to fall in love with him more than ever before within this season. Thank you for reading this blog. I’m just a vulnerable guy about to go out of the country for the first time ever. It’s so surreal. I’m so thankful to step out in boldness and be a man on mission. We are not meant to do life alone and I am so thankful for that simple truth.
A lot of this really just is word vomit and me somewhat verbally processing that this is happening. This time last year, I was in a neck brace, out of work and tomorrow I begin an 11 month journey around the globe to 11 different countries. In June, we headed to Gainesville for training camp. I still reflect on those ten days so much. Jesus can do so much in ten days. I am so thankful for Wayne, Allison, Kate, Hailey, Austin, Josiah, Schuyler and so many others who fought for us and to have some of them here to watch us launch means so much to me. Thank you Jesus for people who are faithful to your people and love us like you!
Tonight our squad that lives in the south went out for one last “midnight meal” in America and we took our friends from the North to Waffle House! One of our squamates even had sweet tea for the first time! Crazy, I know!!!
(Blurry but a goodie)
After that, some friends and I found access to the rooftop. I have this weird obsession with rooftops. They’re somewhat my love language. I feel liberated and free. As I was up there and wasn’t freaking out about my friends falling off I was breathing in deep that Atlanta air and it all hit me like a car (too soon?) We are leaving. The city lights make everything look so big. I often think about what other rooftop hangs are in other countries. I can’t wait to find out. That was the last rooftop hang in America for awhile.
(sorry mom!)
The guy who gigging’ ’em in a Florida shirt (sorry SEC) is ready to dance with the locals, love on orphans, preach, love my team well and see this globe with these two squinty eyes. Following Jesus is hands down the coolest thing you’ll do. I can promise you that.
“People who follow Jesus, though, are no longer typical – God is constantly inviting them into a life that moves away from typical.”
-Bob Goff
See ya in 11 America,
-Z
