Here.

Some of you may know that I was trying to go overseas on a mission trip this summer. If so, you also probably know that housing was an issue and, well, I’m still here in the US. Never left. Don't have any plans to for a while yet.



The interest in overseas mission is still there, and the desire to serve overseas is still there – if (and I think that is the important part) that is what I am called to do. I fully realize that there is no shortage of people in need of the Gospel on this side of the Atlantic.

This past spring, as I worked with kids in Sunday School and people at a free clinic, it was as if God was telling me This is your mission field, at least for now. The people at work, friends, as well as others I came into contact with - these people were the ones that God wanted me to focus on.

Looking around me at the free clinic, I saw the need that sometimes goes unacknowledged. The people working in various odd jobs who have no problems (outwardly) carrying out their tasks, walking around, living "healthy" lives. Until one day they cannot. Until their undiagnosed chronic illnesses take such a toll on their bodies that they develop serious symptoms that would have been preventable with the right care. Talking to the people, sitting down with them, building relationships with them - all of it helped me realize that right here in the community around me are people in need of help, of love, of the Gospel. And I realized that it is so important to invest in their lives - not because we're good people or because we want to do good things - rather, because our lives have been changed by Christ, and because He cares, we also ought to care.

And in Sunday School? I got to work with the kids, care about how their week went, what they learned, and what they wanted to share about. For one kid, it was the Roman Empire, which was what he was studying in history class. For another, it was a crazy love of numbers and geometry, and 86+ digits of pi. And with other children, it was just simply talking about plans to get a hamster or a bunny. Each of these children was unique and special in God’s eyes. It was really a privilege to be able to spend time with them, and now that I am hundreds of miles away, I really really miss working with them. I wonder if they've saved up enough for that bunny, what they're going to do over the summer, and if they've memorized more digits of pi. But, I digress. 

The hard lesson that I am learning ever so slowly, through the course of days and weeks and months and probably years, is that what matters is that I am in the center of God's will now. Whether I like it or not. No matter how lonely or difficult it gets. And faithfully living today is how you get to a life well lived at the end. One day at a time. Right here, right now.