the team left slidell, louisiana at 5:30 a.m. friday morning. we had scheduled to leave at 5 but gale pence snoozed through his alarm :))) back to ginghamsburg in our two vans + trailer, we experienced great weather and many more laughs and God-connections. when we pulled into ginghamsburg’s parking lot i thanked God for the beautiful green landscape, the great blue sky and the luxury of living in a clean, dry, mold-free home. we take so much for granted.
the team will gather again tonight to worship at ginghamsburg’s 5 o’clock celebration. meanwhile i’m reflecting on my God moments over the last week. here’s a few things that inspired me:
*we prepared as best we could for this trip, but God orchestrated the right church/building, the right servant team and the right skills and gifts for the mission. God specializes in what we can’t do.
*while i’ve spent a lot of time looking for people i can love, true community is waking up and realizing you’ve begun to love those God’s found. i wouldn’t trade away anyone who went on this trip. everyone was there for a unique purpose and calling.
*most people look for work that gives them joy. these servants found joy in whatever work came their way.
*people who are painfully shy and reluctant to open up somehow can’t quit talking once they have a scraper or a shovel in their hands. side by side is how we got things done and how God came near.
*when we are loved and accepted, we become our true selves. when we’re our true selves, we are a heck of a lot of fun. that’s community.