Toddler, Trips, & Track
7 years ago
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Community
Before leaving for Chile, quite a few people asked me how they could be praying for me. Of course there are lots of things that I could use prayer for, but the one thing that was at the forefront of my mind was community. I was realizing that by leaving Michigan and heading to a completely new country, I was also leaving behind my support system - my friends, family, church, everything that was comfortable and safe to me - and this was definitely the thing that I was most nervous about.
And now, here I am almost a month into my trip and feeling incredibly blessed because of that very community that I thought I was going to miss so much. Don't get me wrong, I miss you all like crazy, but it's been amazing to me to see how even when I am 5 thousand miles away God has allowed me to be in community with people from home. On top of that, I've been able to realize once again how blessed I am to have found such a great community. I'm also learning that community means more than just being in the same room as another person. It's so much more than that, and sometimes doesn't even require that you are in the same country (although this certainly helps). There's no formula for community, and it's not an easy thing to do in the least bit, but when it's done right it is incredibly rewarding.
For example, I was on facebook the other day and noticed that a friend from Central was on so I decided to say Hi for a minute and hear about her recent spring break trip. We've known each other since freshmen year but didn't really get to know each other well until last spring break when we went on the same trip through His House. We spent a lot of time together on that trip and shared a lot, especially in regard to relationships. We both realized that we were at very similar spots in regards to dating, and finding each other was an answer to prayer for both of us at the time. We were able to be honest with each other about a lot of different things, and it was so great to have someone who understood because she was going through the same things. Since then, we try to get together occasionally but unfortunately we both tend to lead very busy lives so it doesn't happen all that often. As we were able to catch up again via facebook chat though, sharing recent stories and thoughts, it struck me that even though I don't talk to her regularly, I still feel safe opening up to her about what I'm struggling with. To me, this is community. We were thousands of miles apart but we were still able to lift each other up in prayer, to share in each other's joys and failures, and to be encouraged by each other. And this is only one of many examples. So thank you to those who I have been able to facebook and skype with over the past few weeks; I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of your life, even while I'm here in Chile.
As for an update on my life in Chile. I'm still wanting and waiting to find my community here, but I'm not worried about finding it. I know that I can trust God to provide me with the community I need - whether that be in the form of my Bible, my friends and family from the states, or new friends here in Chile. And He knows what I need better than I do, so that's pretty reassuring. My God is my Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer and has shown Himself to be faithful time and again. And this is a promise that I can take with me wherever I go (and so can you!).
Joshua 1:9 "For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
P.S. There are some new pictures in the Valdivia album of my University if you want to take a look!
And now, here I am almost a month into my trip and feeling incredibly blessed because of that very community that I thought I was going to miss so much. Don't get me wrong, I miss you all like crazy, but it's been amazing to me to see how even when I am 5 thousand miles away God has allowed me to be in community with people from home. On top of that, I've been able to realize once again how blessed I am to have found such a great community. I'm also learning that community means more than just being in the same room as another person. It's so much more than that, and sometimes doesn't even require that you are in the same country (although this certainly helps). There's no formula for community, and it's not an easy thing to do in the least bit, but when it's done right it is incredibly rewarding.
For example, I was on facebook the other day and noticed that a friend from Central was on so I decided to say Hi for a minute and hear about her recent spring break trip. We've known each other since freshmen year but didn't really get to know each other well until last spring break when we went on the same trip through His House. We spent a lot of time together on that trip and shared a lot, especially in regard to relationships. We both realized that we were at very similar spots in regards to dating, and finding each other was an answer to prayer for both of us at the time. We were able to be honest with each other about a lot of different things, and it was so great to have someone who understood because she was going through the same things. Since then, we try to get together occasionally but unfortunately we both tend to lead very busy lives so it doesn't happen all that often. As we were able to catch up again via facebook chat though, sharing recent stories and thoughts, it struck me that even though I don't talk to her regularly, I still feel safe opening up to her about what I'm struggling with. To me, this is community. We were thousands of miles apart but we were still able to lift each other up in prayer, to share in each other's joys and failures, and to be encouraged by each other. And this is only one of many examples. So thank you to those who I have been able to facebook and skype with over the past few weeks; I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of your life, even while I'm here in Chile.
As for an update on my life in Chile. I'm still wanting and waiting to find my community here, but I'm not worried about finding it. I know that I can trust God to provide me with the community I need - whether that be in the form of my Bible, my friends and family from the states, or new friends here in Chile. And He knows what I need better than I do, so that's pretty reassuring. My God is my Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer and has shown Himself to be faithful time and again. And this is a promise that I can take with me wherever I go (and so can you!).
Joshua 1:9 "For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
P.S. There are some new pictures in the Valdivia album of my University if you want to take a look!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
I love reading your updates and thoughts as you explore life in Chile. You have a wonderful testimony to share. I also enjoy looking at the pictures you post. A rodeo . . . fun! See you next week. :)
Post a Comment