Safe & Sound
What a change from this year to last!
In perspective.
In emotions.
In team.
In climate.
Last year, I stepped off the plane in Santo Domingo amid the heat and the smells and the tumultuous noise from the streets, and my senses were overpowered by the sheer unfamiliarity of my surroundings. I remember the sinking feeling in my bones as if this was the last place in the world I should be.
And looking back now, in the same apartment, in that same city, the view from where I sit has changed. The heat is the same, but not unbearable. The smells are the same, but not as foul. The noise is the same, but somehow not as loud.
Not because my nose is less sensitive to smell. Not because I'm becoming deaf. Nor because I'm more holy so that the slimy aspects of living in a city just serenely roll off my back.
Wrong, wrong and definitely wrong.
But, because this year, it felt like a small piece of myself was returning home. Instead of that sinking feeling, I felt joy. Instead of fear and loneliness, hope and unity.
Probably because I wouldn't exactly label myself as a very confident person. In fact, I tend to be more timid when I first meet someone.
It struck me that confidence here wasn't coming from my person-ability nor my affability nor any kind of ability, really. Paul is explaining that he is confident because of Jesus and His ability to work in our lives. I was really convicted by this idea because it's so easy for me to find confidence in my past experiences or in my people skills or lo que sea. I like to think, oh I know how to do this or how to get there or what to say, and it hit me that Paul knew all this and more. Yet, his confidence came from who Christ is rather than who he, Paul, is or does.
Sweet, sweet conviction.
Even though this city and this ministry is familiar, I'm learning the tough lesson of disciplining my mind to think with an eternal perspective, training my ears to listen for new soul-cries, readjusting my eyes to look anew even as I sit from different point of view.
Thank you for all your love, prayers and support this past year and next!
xoxo,
kme
In perspective.
In emotions.
In team.
In climate.
Last year, I stepped off the plane in Santo Domingo amid the heat and the smells and the tumultuous noise from the streets, and my senses were overpowered by the sheer unfamiliarity of my surroundings. I remember the sinking feeling in my bones as if this was the last place in the world I should be.
And looking back now, in the same apartment, in that same city, the view from where I sit has changed. The heat is the same, but not unbearable. The smells are the same, but not as foul. The noise is the same, but somehow not as loud.
Not because my nose is less sensitive to smell. Not because I'm becoming deaf. Nor because I'm more holy so that the slimy aspects of living in a city just serenely roll off my back.
Wrong, wrong and definitely wrong.
But, because this year, it felt like a small piece of myself was returning home. Instead of that sinking feeling, I felt joy. Instead of fear and loneliness, hope and unity.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6Two weeks ago, I went to Chicago to attend CRU's national STINT Briefing and conference for all the teams that are being sent to college campuses throughout the world. (See photos below.) Aside from all of the instruction and information that I received ("Don't be afraid to be a fool. Don't be afraid to be yourself"), I was drawn over and over again to the verse above. Most especially, the part about confidence.
Probably because I wouldn't exactly label myself as a very confident person. In fact, I tend to be more timid when I first meet someone.
It struck me that confidence here wasn't coming from my person-ability nor my affability nor any kind of ability, really. Paul is explaining that he is confident because of Jesus and His ability to work in our lives. I was really convicted by this idea because it's so easy for me to find confidence in my past experiences or in my people skills or lo que sea. I like to think, oh I know how to do this or how to get there or what to say, and it hit me that Paul knew all this and more. Yet, his confidence came from who Christ is rather than who he, Paul, is or does.
Sweet, sweet conviction.
Even though this city and this ministry is familiar, I'm learning the tough lesson of disciplining my mind to think with an eternal perspective, training my ears to listen for new soul-cries, readjusting my eyes to look anew even as I sit from different point of view.
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| A quick view of half of the conference room |
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| Day-trip to Chicago |
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| The Cubs versus the Cardinals |
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| I love this city. Have I mentioned that before? |
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| One half of my team. Precious. |
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| Another team picture. |
Thank you for all your love, prayers and support this past year and next!
xoxo,
kme
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