Well, friends, I am offically done with my little month and a half long jaunt all over the U.S. and bordering places. My time ended perfectly with a trip back to Juarez with my old alma mater, YHC. I struggled alot at the beginning of the trip, not quite sure what my role was or how I fit in with this crazy bunch. I found myself in a more behind the scenes role, which surprised me more than I realized it would. I have been used to being the one in charge, facilitating, answering questions, honestly being sought out and “needed”–and I wasn’t. I mean, I thought I would be good for at least a devo or something, but God obviously had other plans. Plus, a couple of days into the building had me realizing how much I truly do SUCK at this whole construction thing. It is definitely not where I flourish. And while I really liked all the students, I wasn’t connecting to them as well as I thought I would and found myself silent when I thought I would be more bold. I remember sitting in Brittany’s truck about halfway through the trip asking “God, what the heck am I doing here?”
Of course, as soon as I got over myself and all these little insecurities, God proved Himself faithful. Here are just a few examples:

1.) I had the privilege of reconnecting with Dan and Brittany, two of my YHC classmates. Dan is an RD at YHC and Brittany is a missionary with Casas Por Cristo, the organization that facilitated our trip. We have all been on at least two of these trips together and it was incredible to share this experience once again, as adults. Our class at YHC had this divine spark that I have yet to find in another group of people. We all just loved each other really well. Even after years of separation, that connectedness is still there and I love seeing where God has taken each of us. Brittany was able to share her testimony about how she got to Casas, and I was in awe of how God has moved so powerfully in her life and her devotion to His will. I saw so many answers to the prayers I had been praying as the Spirit touched each of these students with Britt’s words. She and I were able to encourage each other with prayer the last night in El Paso and I know a huge part of why I came on this trip was to be able to agree with my sister in prayer for these students and the plans God has for each of our lives.

2.) As I spent time in prayer before this trip for the students, God kept giving me a picture of laying hands on students and speaking life over them. I had no idea how this would happen or what kind of circumstances would lead up to it. As the week progressed, it became obvious to me that God had a different plan than the one that had formed in my mind. While there was no opportunity to do this in a mass kind of way, the last night during communion I did get the chance to pray with two precious, hungry Jesus chasers. I saw such desire for Him, for His will in their lives, to be full of Him and only Him-all else stripped away. I asked for God to continue give revelation of their identity, and the power that can be released in walking in that identity. I am thankful that He works despite my presumptions.

3 .) I was also able to reconnect with my old campus minister, Rev and Patty, who was pastor of the church that is located in front of campus. Patty was an adult leader on the trip twice when I was a student. She is now assistant campus minister at the college and teaching some courses in religion. Rev is still the same crazy, precious Jack Nicholson-leprechaun hybrid that I fell in love with back at YHC. He saw me at the beginning stages of my faith journey, he baptized me, and up until I came under Gary’s headship at Two Rivers, was the man I still considered a pastoral influence in mt life (thanks for all those letters of recc, Rev.;) I am thankful to still be in contact and be apart of each other’s lives on this “adult” level now. I was also incredibly blessed by my time with Patty this past week. I never really knew her very well before and we had some incredible conversations about prayer and the Holy Spirit. While I don’t believe we see completely eye to eye from a theological standpoint (which became clear when I was asked if I believed in a literal interpretation of scripture in that “you don’t really believe that, right?” kinda way), I appreciate her openness and desire for intimacy with Jesus. She truly loves prayer and we had some great times of intercession together. It gave me encouragement that true unity can happen despite differing theologies and paradigms.

Even last night, I received a random facebook message from a student on the trip telling me my stories from living in WV and Cairo inspired him to learn more about poverty in the U.S. and his desire to come alongside and serve this sometimes forgotten part of our nation. So, even now I praise God for blessing meager efforts, for hearing my prayers. I know that a ripe harvest will be reaped in the lives of these students as they continue to seek His face.

Now, I just need my face to stop peeling, and my busted chapped lips to heal. Yeah, guess who didn’t put on sunscreen the first day. God may love me, but my face hates me right now.

And as this one little adventure comes to a close, the big, mysterious adventure of living my life surrendered to Him continues. Right now, God only knows where that will adventure will lead. Stay tuned….