One More Week

I'm moving overseas next week. Multiple thoughts and emotions follow in the footsteps of those words (I don't know if words have footsteps but it sounded good). For real though, I have daydreamed of this event in my life for almost 2 decades now. Most of my life I had absolutely no clue I would end up in Germany specifically, or that I would have the joy of mentoring teens as a resident assistant at a boarding school. Now in 7 days I get to enter into the work at BFA that has been happening for many years now. Although some aspects of this journey are very different than what I may have thought when I was a kid, I am excited and humbled that God is leading me to serve him at Black Forest. 

The word transition has been ringing in my ears for months. Some of the transitions are heavy, such as having to say goodbye to special people. I've said real goodbyes and I've already had a dream filled with goodbyes. Then there is saying goodbye to special places, a familiar culture, and way of doing things. I won't even know some of the things that have been ingrained in me my whole life until I dive into a place where life is different, people think differently, and where people do things for reasons that are completely unfamiliar to me. Some of the transitions are lighter and involve wondering how much peanut butter I should pack and discovering the dangers of going to garage sales right before leaving (I may have bought a few things wondering how they would fit in my luggage). Also, answering questions is a struggle. For example, when asked when I am leaving, I get confused if I'm being asked when I'm leaving for Walmart to get chicken or when I'm leaving the country. Lots of clarifying is necessary.

I'm not always good at transitions, for example, transitions between two paragraphs. But thats ok, this is a crazy time and things can't be perfect. I want to thank everyone who has been walking with me. God has used you in so many ways. You've invited me into your houses, let me share about BFA over meals, had Skype and phone conversations, surprised me with gifts, challenged me to be disciplined in the Word, given financially, prayed with me, and been patient as I ran around everywhere this summer.

Thank you for your care. 

Thank you for your passion for the Gospel to be proclaimed among the nations.

During all of this, I am also thankful for God's presence and that I can stop and remember that I can rest in him during whatever is going on. He is my provider and sustainer and he remains the same. His promises don't get cut off when our logic tries to tell us that a situation is too big or overwhelming for him. I don't want to "do ministry" without relying on the One who enables me to even lift a finger or take a breath. I don't want to do the tasks and forget the Creator.

Part of my preparation for living in the German culture has included listening to some German worship songs. This is one of my favorites, written by Rend Collective (performed by someone else). The lyrics are posted below and I would encourage you to listen to this version and the English version, they are both wonderful. 

🎵 By grace alone somehow I stand 

Where even angels fear to tread

Invited by redeeming love

Before the throne of God above 

He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands

Into His everlasting arms

When condemnation grips my heart

And satan tempts me to despair

I hear the voice that scatters fear

The Great I Am The Lord is here

Oh praise the One who fights for me

And shields my soul eternally

Boldly I approach your throne

Blameless now I’m running home

By your blood I come

Welcomed as your own

Into the arms of majesty

Behold the bright and risen Son

More beauty than this world has known

I’m face to face with love Himself

His perfect spotless righteousness

A thousand years, a thousand tongues

Are not enough to sing His praise

This is the art of celebration,

Knowing we’re free from condemnation.

O praise the One, praise the One

Who made an end to all my sin 🎵

I want to invite you to turn this song into a prayer. For me, that I would enter this time constantly approaching the throne of the risen Son, recognizing that I am helpless without him. That I would look at others through his eyes and that I would have wisdom as I learn a new culture and a new ministry. Also, for yourselves, that God would continue to teach you the joy of drawing near to Him wherever you are however He is asking you to serve Him. 

Feel free to contact me with prayer requests you have, encouragements, or anything else on your mind.

Thanks for reading guys!