Derek and Shea in SA

This is the day! Kinda….

Today was bittersweet. What an amazing journey that God has us on, but it was really hard to leave behind our friends and family. Really hard. Didn't expect it to be really hard, but it was. I'm thinking that is a good thing though. If I wasn't sad I think that would be a bad thing. I think that would mean that we didn't have a community and family around us that we love more than anything. We have been so overwhelmingly blessed by many of your encouraging words, gifts, and prayers.

I read Matthew 5 today on the flight from Kansas City to Chicago.  It was crazy how much we felt like this reading was meant for us today...even crazier that I don't even think it was supposed to be our reading for today with Shoal Creek's 7 Journeys.

Matthew 5:3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. (The Message Version)

Jesus brought a different Gospel. One that was counter-intuitive...one that said that those who are poor in spirit will be blessed. One that had a heart for those who had nothing...for the poor. Today we feel like we are at the end of our rope. There is nothing left to put our hope in...and I am pretty sure that is where He wants us. Today we lost all that was dear to us. Our community, family, and friends. I say we lost all that was dear to us, but we truly didn't lose ALL that was dear to us. Africa is very dear to our hearts and we are about to embrace that!

So this is where we find ourselves. A place that only a Father can take us in His chest and hold us close as we leave those we love and hold dear to us. A place where little orphan children may have a hope, a meal, a future. A place where indiginous leaders can emerge and radically change the Transkei for Jesus. A place where mama's and papa's can feel like someone cares about the fact that they are caring for 21+ children.

This isn't for everyone. I didn't think it was for me and I now feel incredibly blessed and humbled tonow  be a part of this whole thing. Jesus had a counter-intuitive way of doing life when he walked this earth and related to those around Him. He loved BIG and left the rest to the Father. Where is God calling you to move? It may not be half way around the world, but it may be the cubicle next to you. The single mother caring for all of her children on your block all alone. The homeless guy you see on your way to work every day. I don't know...I'm not trying to say that I have any clue, I just feel like He moves in our uncomfortability. When we go to the end of our rope and have nothing else to rely on but Him.

This is the day! Kinda.....I've been building up this countdown for our leave, but we don't leave the US until the 17th. We are in Buffalo visiting Shea's family and then we will be off. Soooo.... 5 more days!