Bryan asked me last night if I was ready for my team to leave. I said “no.” And now they’re gone. It’s a complicated emotion.
In one sense, and very much on the surface, I’m glad to have some time off. There’s still work to do to finish out Block 2, and it will be fun to remember what “sleeping in” is like. I get to see the guys now, and even most of the girls are over at the “Frat House” tonight. We successfully hosted a team, saw them learn and grow.
But we also met brothers and sisters in Christ, and became friends. And now they are on their way home. Sarah said during final debrief that while this has been an incredible experience, now God Calls them to be in Woodbury, Minnesota. And I believe that, but I’m just not good at good-byes.
To top off the fact that the group left, they left us with some very heart-felt letters, some totally unnecessary but greatly appreciated parting gifts (Sarah and I are going back to Crepes & Waffles very soon) and a lot of tears. Paul left giving his sweatshirt to Sarah and his necklace to me, and after having watched him grow so much this week and learning from him, it truly made us feel like we were a part of that. And he’s not the only one who has touched us either, and I just gave out a lot of hugs and tried not to think about it as Amy, Calley, Denise, Erik, Gary, Greg, Jenna, Katie, Lauri, Maggi, Mari Jo, Matt, Mike “Curley,” Mike “Moyer,” Natalie, Paige, Paul, Rob and Robin hugged, squeezed, besito’ed, laughed and cried their way into the airport.
More than likely, there are some in that group that I will never see face-to-face again in this life. I feel honored to have been a part of their experience and blessed to have had them be a part of mine, and thankful that God let our paths cross for nine days in Quito, Tena, Shandia, and Capricho, Ecuador. I’m anxious to see and hear about their fruit, and to be able to share mine with them, which they have definitely impacted, as a group, and as 19 amazing individuals in my life.
I talked to Heather this afternoon when I came back to the house. It was awesome to hear the voice of both someone from home, and someone who can understand this ongoing experience. I missed the “Tangent Minds” so much it hurt this afternoon, and I can’t wait for the other one in South America to make his way back to the Frat House tomorrow (I keep typing “Fart House,” which also would not be far from the truth). At any rate, we talked about being sent to do God’s work, and about (as Sarah put it, which will always stick with me) being Called to be where we are.
I’ll try to convert some of my writings from this week into pre-dated blog entries. But I also had a conversation with Matt Jenson this morning in our meeting about playing “catch up,” and I might just choose not to butcher a good chunk of it.
I love seeing new user registration notifications in my mailbox! Keep the comments coming!
Hey Danny,
It was so good to ready your entry today. I have missed feeling connected by reading about your experiences. I am so glad the time with your team went well. I know the team members were spiritually strengthened by the time they spent with you in Ecuador.
We have a team meeting tomorrow night. Please pray that we will come together as a team and that we will seek God in our work and in the people we meet in Ecuador.
It is so true that we are called to serve wherever we are. It has taken me a long time to realize it, but good work continues here and there is always so much that needs to be done. I pray that God will continue to open my eyes to the needs of the people here.
I am so excited about returning to Ecuador. It is like spiritual refueling for me. I can’t wait. I will continue to pray for you, the other team leaders, and team members as well as our dear friends in Ecuador.
Love in Christ,
Julie