Future Goers,
I wanted to share with you some thoughts I had on my birthday this year. As we usually tend to do on our birthdays, I was reflecting on the past year and all that God had done...
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that at 26 I'd be living in the Middle East with my husband, ministering to people from some of the most closed countries in the world.
The day after my birthday we had plans to get together with a group of our friends to co-celebrate my birthday and the birthday of one of our beloved Afghan friends we work alongside multiple times a week. Thinking of this, I was even more in awe of all that God had done. I realized that before coming here almost 2 years ago, my tapestry of life was mostly made up of soft, neutral, "safe" colors woven into neat and even rows. It was safe, plain, but there weren't any big mistakes or wild streaks that would lead it to any potential "ugly" moments. When we came here, the Lord began unweaving that tapestry. He kept certain pieces that were purposeful and founded on Him, but many he threw away. My identity felt like it was being unraveled and lost. But as I've continued on and pressed into the Lord and His faithfulness, I've discovered the reconstruction He's been working on. Now my tapestry is full of life and color, my safe familiar colors have been woven in alongside colorful strands of friends from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Canada, the US, and more. I spend my days working alongside these friends who are also seeking to further God's kingdom through loving our neighbors.
Now that our first two years have passed, we are planning to remain here indefinitely. I've never been more hopeful for the days to come, or more grateful for this beautiful, crazy, colorful life that God's given us.
My hope and prayer for you is that you will surrender to God's Spirit while overseas, and allow Him to unweave the parts of you that weren't founded on His goodness. It's only then that we can see the beauty and full joy that the Lord intended for us as we live in obedience to His guidance.
Blessings to you.