In the book of Hebrews, there is a verse (13:8) that reads, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Simple enough, yet a wildly true concept to wrap your mind around. I’ve clung to this verse for years now, not fully grasping what this really means. But I know it’s truth, so I don’t need to fully understand it. I think that’s what I started with before this trip. And I know that I’m back here, in my hometown, still with the same promise that no matter what changes in myself or in the world around me, my God; my Savior, and my Helper remain the same.
This will be my final blog concluding this trip. It will live on in my mind and in the minds of my friends but the journey itself has come to a close. There is so much to reflect on that I can think of no better way to end this than with a poem. So enjoy this small bit of reflection I’d like to share with you.
P.s. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read these blogs, supported, and prayed for me throughout the past 3 months. I couldn’t have done this without you.
P.p.s. Read through the poem to see a picture of my wonderful squad at the bottom!
What I’ve Seen
I saw something
Something out where
Your skin isn’t its shade
It’s of a thick dust
I saw the sun
Beat down and kiss my shoulders,
And rise up
To wake an already moving body
I saw a stranger
But for a second
Before they looked familiar
And then were close
I saw a warm welcome
To then see an
Unexpected one,
One that couldn’t compare
I saw a season
Of heat
A season of growth and life
In a dried-up land
I saw a community
Knit together by the same road
Until that could be no more,
Only Love could mend
I saw a still river
But unable to see its inhabitants
Or anything under its dark covering
And yet there was an echo of laughter floating atop
I saw a shallow hole
Known how to be dug
Yet nearly unable to refill
With what keeps it living
I saw a shift
In a direction of peace
A place of stillness
A healing; spiritual space
I saw an unusual cloud
Illuminated by the rising
Of Christ
On a mount of celebration
I saw people before me
That became a part of me;
That became something
I simply cannot describe
And then I saw myself leaving them
What I saw would have been clear
If it weren’t for the flood in my
Eyes
Then I saw my home
I saw myself
And I saw that my home is within
And it remained the same the whole way through
Our last picture together as a whole squad!
(Top) Team Sal y Luz: Lucy, Will, Me, Daegan, Raquel, Levi, and Catherine
(Bottom) Team Hineni: Dailey, Jessica, Victoria, Abigail, Courtney, and Kara
I’ve been praying for you during your trip and would love to get together to hear about it.
Love
Cathy
Hope I’m honored to call you my friend. You inspire me to be more creative and free as I worship the Lord
The river with laughter floating atop is my favorite. I saw it too!! Cahuuute
Love you a lot!!! And I’m so proud of you and your heart to love and see unconditionally,
I saw
I saw Jesus
With bangs and tropical sunglasses
And a guitar in a cardboard box
This poem is the perfect way to leave it. My heart is happy you saw the dream God put on your heart so long ago and that you pursued it. The friendships you made will go on because that is how you love- forever! But, I am sooooo glad you are home. I missed you??
Hope, I’m so proud of you and grateful for the Jesus I see in you. You were missed very much while you were away, but I knew God had you in His arms and had a plan and still does. I love you very much and look forward to where the Lord leads you next. Thankful you’re home again for now, keep being you sweet girl. You have so much to give others around you, I know that from experience. Love You – DAD