Remembering Humanity

 

Last week Gap L had this really cool thing called The Awakening in Quito, Ecuador. This is where ministry hosts and squads who are in the region meet up for a few days to worship, have sessions and go out and tell people about Jesus together.

I am quickly learning that the countries and places I have been to are all about the people that I know there. So, Ecuador is one of my top 3 favorite countries because of the hosts I worked with there, the people I met and because of what I saw Jesus do. While I was there last year He did things like healing a blind man and helping a woman in a wheelchair walk after 52 years. Mabe and Fabi, if you’re reading this, thanks for being the best ministry hosts I know and for encouraging us to love your country and people deeply.

I wanted to go to The Awakening so bad. I tried everything that I could but plane tickets were almost $2000 and I knew that wasn’t a wise financial decision. My squad left Ecuador headed for India and on the way they had a 26ish hour layover in Chicago. I asked the Lord a big question of “can I get there without breaking the bank?”

He answered.

He not only answered by giving me a free roundtrip flight but He also answered by the squad having one extra space in the hotel that we had booked for them. He also answered by my friend Eryn living in Chicago and getting to come over. He also answered by my best friend, Bri, getting to fly over from Minnesota to spend a few days.

This weekend I was at the hotel when the squad arrived and the joy I felt in seeing them wasn’t what I expected. Sure, I was super pumped to be there and to hug their necks but I don’t know that I expected to realize that I love them as deeply as I do. I don’t think I expected to be THAT excited to see them. I didn’t realize that sitting on their bed while they packed up their stuff hearing about all that the Lord has been teaching them and all that He is about to walk them into would mean so much. I didn’t know that the squad showing me all they bought at Target and Goodwill would carry so much weight. I didn’t know that hearing about how they ate deep dish pizza would anything. I mean it’s just pizza, right?

But it all did.

It all meant more than I can put into words. The way they ran off the shuttle to hug me. The way they told me all their plans. The way they kept texting me to come to their rooms. The way they asked me a million questions and showed me their art from the last few months. The way they were excited to meet Bri and Eryn.  

I felt nothing but the kindness and goodness of the Lord this weekend while in Chicago.

These last few days weren’t about going to The Bean. They weren’t about eating all the really great food even though Chicago has a really great brunch game that gives Atlanta Sundays a run for their money. They weren’t about the Magnificent Mile.

All of those things were just added bonuses to the true gift of seeing Gap L and my wonderful Squad Leaders.

This weekend was about seeing the humanity of my squad and squad leaders.

Maybe that sounds strange.

What I mean by that is that my relationship with my squad and squad leaders is all through technology except for those few times that I am on the field with them. I email and text and Facebook message. If wifi cooperates then I also video chat with them. When someone is behind a screen it’s really easy to forget that they are on a journey with the Lord and that I am too. It’s really easy to get caught up in “just getting things done”. It’s really easy to forget that they are away from home for 9 months of their life because they wanted something more than the norm. It’s easy to forget the beautiful flock the Lord has called me to shepherd as they journey with Him to tell this world about the Gospel while looking inward at all that He has called them to be.

This weekend reminded me of why I do what I do. It reminded me that I do this because I believe in people in a way that makes them believe in themselves. It reminded me that I love 18-20 year olds with a deep kind of love because they don’t have to let their college years be the party years.

They aren’t the same people that left home 6 months ago. Gap L are men and women who walk in an honor that I could have only dreamed of at that age. They are people who live lives worthy of the calling God has placed on them. They are people who are rooted and grounded in love. They are a group of people who will be walking away from this journey confident in their identity in God and nothing else. They are a people whose words are bold and salted with grace. They are brave. They are creative. They are selfless and kind. They are a people who have broken the culture of gossip that high school ingrains in us. They are a people who stop for people on the street to pray for them and tell them about a Jesus that died for them.

Gap L are men and women who are chasing after God’s own heart and they are bringing me along with them.

I got on the plane to come home and before we even took off I was crying because of the gratefulness I have for this group of humans. I walked away from Chicago knowing that this job the Lord has called me to doesn’t feel like a job at all. I got on that plane so full of hope for Adventures in Missions and the Gap Year program that has been birthed out of it. That we can share the Gospel with the world while also raising up groups of 18-20 year olds to go back and change their worlds wherever He calls them after this journey.

 Who knew that 24 hours could mean so much? 

If you would like to partner with Adventures in Missions, me and the Lord in all that is happening through this program please consider become a monthly partner or making a one-time donation. Without you this wouldn’t be possible. Without you we wouldn’t be raising up a generation of people who just want to make Jesus known throughout the world. Without you, I can’t continue mentoring Gap L or the squad that I will get for next year!

 

Based on the currently monthly support right now, I will only be about $275 short of my deadline of $6000 in 2 weeks! Every penny makes a difference so please consider becoming a monthly partner or giving a one-time donation by clicking that “donate” button! 

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Gap L, thanks for being such a gift to me and everyone you meet.

Supporters, thanks for making this season possible.

 Here is a blog from one of my racer’s about the time they met a really cool dude in Peru! 

Click Here

Here are some pictures of the crew from my time in Chicago as they were heading out to INDIA