summary.

Driving past the old stomping grounds of high school, driving towards a familiar home, driving by buildings that have only become older since I've left, I find myself wondering where the past five months have all went. Are they stored in the logic of my brain? Are they wrapped as treasures in my heart? Are they mere memories I dreamed up? I find myself wondering how I'm not exploding because to fit all those faces in the compartments of my understanding would be an overload. But somehow, God has done it. 

He has etched the joy of Chepo, a village in Panama, throughout my veins.

He has carved the features of the Ngobe people into my mind. 

He has encouraged me through pastors who have nothing, yet willing to give everything.

He has continually moved my spirit to prayer for the lost of San Jose; the kids with drug addicted parents, the prostitutes with lies being their truth, the onlookers with helplessness, the foreigners trying to bring Jesus.

He has placed a longing to fulfill the simple gestures; a hug, prayer, laugh.

He has weighted me down with a compassion for every life I meet.

It was my PRIVILEGE to live out of a backpack for the cause of Christ, with limited clothes, and comforts. It was an HONOR to eat rice and beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was a JOY to walk miles throughout a jungle proclaiming the good news, in 80 degree weather. It was a BLESSING to be peed on by a baby and to lose sleep because of roosters and late nights of praying. It was a PRIVILEGE to lead 50 rowdy kids. It was a JOY to learn a new cultural, not doing things the I thought they should be done. It was a BLESSING to leave my phone, car, house behind. Many would say I sacrificed so much in the past five months, I would say I gained far more in the past five months. And would you actually believe I miss it?

    

"Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?"

Thank you, God that your kingdom is a kingdom upside down. Thank you, God that you are everywhere, all the time. Thank you that it's not up to me to save the world. Thank you that I can lose all things and still have everything I need. Thank you for teaching me, loving me, growing me. Fill the void in my heart for the places I'm no longer at; I ask for wisdom in the coming steps. May I bring your name glory.