Ephesians 3:17-19 - "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
When Dave and I started talking about the possibility of one or both of us taking a mission trip to Kenya, he said, "Tiffany, I know you... you will fall in love with the kids there. You will leave part of your heart behind." He was right, of course. I knew I would get attached to the kids. I knew previous team members talked about being changed by the experience. However, I didn't grasp the extent to which my heart would stretch.
I've seen many orphans in my life. I've seen poverty first-hand. However, this experience was different. I believe the fundamental reason why this trip was different was because of the love of Christ. You could feel God's presence when you walked onto the campus of Point of Grace, talked with the staff, and hugged the children. They are among the poorest people in the world and yet, they have JOY. Their JOY is so much more than happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances. Their JOY is full because they have Jesus. They are baptized children of God and he consumes their being. They are still imperfect humans, as we all are, but they are examples of what contentment in Christ is all about. They ministered to my soul. I went to serve. I was served. The whole trip was filled with extraordinary moments, but when I think back, a couple moments stand out to me.
* Worshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ and taking communion with them was a highlight. We were all orphans, desperate for adoption as sons and daughters of Christ. God in his mercy sent Jesus to mend our broken relationship. We are his children, bought with the highest price. We are no longer orphans. We are part of the family of God. I felt privileged to take Christ's body and blood with my brothers and sisters, looking forward to the feast to come in heaven.
* As we walked along the dirt roads to visit people in their homes, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, I had a thought. God is even here. There is no place on the earth that he does not know intimately. Sometimes I can feel like I am an island unto myself. That my problems are mine alone. But God sees all the corners of the earth - the paralyzed young mother living in a hut made of mud, the child who can't go home from school during breaks because of the hunger that awaits them there, and me with a broken heart from shattered dreams. We have a God of love. His love surpasses this life. He promises us an eternity free from pain, hunger, and paralyzing fear.
* Seeing my fellow team members blossom inspired me. I traveled with 10 other people from our church. We have created a bond through our shared experiences. I learned that all of them have had crosses to bear. In some cases, their crosses were similar to my own. Seeing Christ mend hearts and refocus their mission and purpose gives me hope. We are not meant to travel through life alone. We are so blessed to be a family and share each other's burdens. I want to help shoulder those burdens in the future.
* Every single moment I spent with the kids was a treasure. They sing from the deepest part of their heart. Their hugs are genuine and they are grateful. They kept saying, "Thank you or your hands of mercy." My hands have no power on their own, I have no special credentials that make my hands any different from everyone else. Despite my flawed hands, God shows mercy. The truth is that I often doubt my work, my talents, the gifts that I can offer. God can use us even in our insecurity. It seems simple to say, but all that's needed is a willingness to love and let God do the rest.
I could share so many more memorable moments. Each part of the trip was filled with moments of grace, and areas to stretch. I am thankful for the opportunity I was given, the people I met, and the feeling that will last with me forever. To say I am changed, is an understatement. Will I continue my bad habits? Yes. Will I still have insecurities? Absolutely. I am still wrestling with my sinful nature daily. But, I'm not struggling alone. We are bound will all the Saints to carry our crosses daily with a view of heaven. As pastor stressed many times, "We must have a heavenly perspective, while enduring the pain in our side." The pain in my side may seem different than the paralyzed young mother or the hungry orphan, but the view is the same. And let me tell you... it's an amazing view! We've had a glimpse of the feast we will have together forever. It surpasses our knowledge, but contains the fullness of God!
