Can't wait to see these smiling faces!
I sat in my room, eyes closed, meditating on the words sung by Jonathan David Helser (if you have never heard of him, you should look him up right now). After the songs were over I said these words to Jesus: “Let me be exactly like you today. I want to walk right next to you all day, I want to be just like you. So let me do things that you would do, today.” A simple prayer indeed, but oh did He answer them.
I went to the park for potluck lunch, same as every Sunday. But the thing is, at Neal Park you NEVER know who you may meet.
I had heard about him from a few different friends. He is rather infamous around here. One of those people you hear about, and are skeptical the stories are true, only because YOU never meet these kind of people, you only see them on some television show like “Locked Up.” So when you hear about him, you come up with some incredibly stereotypical image of him. How he will carry himself, how he will look, and maybe even what he will sound like. Maybe you don’t do that, but I sure do.
“Hey, I’m Boo-Boo.” Not exactly the name you would pick for an ex-con, right? This was just the beginning of my stereotypical molds being shattered, which seems to be happening quite often in my life. Praise Jesus for that!
When potluck was over I gave Boo-Boo and his girlfriend a ride to go take care of some parole type things. I couldn’t help but think “I must look incredibly out of place walking with these two,” but I loved it! As we rode in the car, I did what I do best, ask questions! You would think someone who has a history like his, would be hesitant about sharing their story, of course I was wrong, again.
One thing I have learned in the past year is that so many more people are willing to share their stories than you would think. I have experienced so much joy and chances to show people that they are loved where they are at. They don’t have to be this ideal person they have set up in their minds to experience love. We just want to love THEM. Once I grasped the concept that so many people just want someone to talk to, I was able to show them that yes, I AM interested in who you are and where you have been!
Jesus continues to amaze me at the people He brings into my life every day. I just hope He keeps on crossing my path with them!
On a different note, I am planning my next trip back to Swaziland! I am hoping to go in July for about a month with some of the beautiful people I went with in January. WE plan on doing the same things we did last time, only now we have so many ministry contacts waiting for us and relationships that we can’t WAIT to continue investing in. I have been brainstorming on how this will all come together financially and all the other details that go into traveling across the world. I would love if you would join with me in praying for this trip. I know the people I met last year will be in my life forever, and I can’t wait to continue my ministry there.
I am so thankful that the Lord has given me something to be so passionate about. I can’t imagine my life without this country and these people. January 31st marked the 1 year anniversary of when I landed in Swazi. Obviously my heart is wanting to be there right now, but I am so looking forward to July. I’m not sure if anyone ever reads this blog, but if you are, thank you for following my journey the past year!
