However, it was during that week I started bonding with 20 people who would forever be etched in my heart, in my mind, and in my life. It was during that week that I would bond so quickly and so uniquely to people I would otherwise not spend time with. It was that week I learned what it meant to be a BODY of Christ, each having their own role and their own place. It was that week that I learned deep truths about myself in Christ.
Throughout today, from the moment I woke up, I have been having "flashbacks" of what I was doing a year ago today, what I was feeling, what I was thinking; and remembering the good and the bad of this summer. I have cried tears of sorrow, tears of joy, and tears of pain as I remember those I love and care about. I remember not only my beautiful team, but of my "family" and dear friends who are Swazi's who took me in as one of their own and loved me uniquely. People who accepted me for the sweetly broken person I am, made me feel loved beyond words, and help instill in me beautiful truths of Christ. I have hurt for those I can not see and those an hour and a half away. I long to be with them, I long for them to know how deeply I love them.
God has brought great victories in my life this past year. He has taught me significantly more than I could have imagined. He has brought me to a deeper understanding, a deeper hunger, and a deeper passion for Him than I knew I could have. He has placed me in situations that I never dreamed of being in. He has brought me through sickness with his powerful, supernatural healing. I feel this past year is the first time I have known what following Christ looks like for Amber. I feel like this past year was just a glimpse into what God has laid out for my life. It was because of this past year, that I am excited to step out in faith and go back to Africa with another team. I feel better equipped, better prepared spiritually, and better informed of what lies ahead. As I look on this past year through tear drenched eyes, I look forward to what this next year brings. I remember what did, didn't, and could have been with great joy and press on towards what lies ahead.
Philippians 3:12 - 14: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
To my Real Life Swazi '08 team. I love you with all of my heart and am honored and blessed to know you! You have forever changed my life and I praise God for you daily!!
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