June 7. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mother! So glad you were born! No seriously, really glad you were born, because if you weren’t, well, wouldn’t I be in a fix!?! J I love you a whole, whole lot.
2 days ago we arrived at the AIM base and jumped right in to all kinds of good training. We’ve talked about laying down our rights and expectations, surrendering our fears and uncertainties to God, getting the most out of community living, and interacting with other cultures.
1 day ago I watched God break barriers in our students as they began to worship freely, to open up and be vulnerable with others on the team, and begin to feel a sense of family. Only God could bring that much growth in 3 days! One girl told us last night that she’s experienced so much in the past 3 days that she feels like she could just go home now….which scared me at first but then I realized what she meant.
All of this, and I get the privilege to be a part of it. I have repeatedly felt a sense of guidance from the Father, giving us wisdom and insight, and a heart full of love for these students. Frank Laubach, one of my heroes in the faith, referred to this as being “led by an unseen hand.” I absolutely feel that way. We’ve had to make some hard calls, speak some difficult truths, and been bold in what God has called us to do, but God has faithfully shown His hand in every moment. The result has been beautiful! Nick (my co-leader) and I didn’t waste any time going deep with these guys (hey, we only have a month with them!), and in return, they have jumped into this journey themselves.
Tomorrow we head to Israel and begin our ministry there. But clearly, God doesn’t want to wait until Israel to start His activity among us. No, He started that long before we all met 4 days ago. I don’t consider these summer trips as a “break.” I believe that they are an intricate part of the journey that God has each of these students on, and their lives will be forever impacted by this time. I have full confidence that He will continue to move among us as we extend His Kingdom to the people there.
These students might have expected to go on this trip to see some cool sights and accomplish a few service projects, but I see something else. I see the greatness that God has called them to, and a large part of this trip is about what He’s going to do in them. Shhh. Don’t tell them yet. I enjoy watching their looks of amazement as God rocks their world and leaves them…forever wrecked for the ordinary.
Shaping up to be a miraculous month. J
AH I love you so much and I love what God is already doing! Praying for you and Nick as yall lead these wonderful students into the Kingdom that God has for them! I’m excited to see how lives will be changed over this next month and then every month after that because of this time! love you friend!
Becks! This is so exciting! You should blog more often because i like to read your writings. I’m so stinking excited for you and your team and i cant wait to hear some more stories throughout the trip. its going to be awesome and im writing my prayers for you in my journal right now.
you are awesome.
-Trevor Perla
Share that Greatness that is His greatness and have an amazing time in the Holy land under the Holy giudance of the invisible hand.
I sense a time of deep breaths and filling. Enjoy it. Gonna be awesome.
Praying Becca! Can’t wait to follow you on this journey!
Love to you, Nick and your team!
xoxo
Gee that shot looks familiar. 😉 I’m so excited for what God is bringing to Israel (and really all over the world) with all of you. I’ll be praying for you Becks!
Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday message. Yes, I would’ve watched your video, again and again. Once again I am so excited for you and for what God has already begun and will continue to do through each of your team. I am so often reminded how blessed we are to be a part of His team.I wish I could have 1 more hug, 1 more look in your eyes before you go, but I will be sure to get extras when I see you again in the fall. Go with God and have a wonderful time serving Him!!
My love & prayers, Mom