In Summary - I Am a Mess



So, we're back in Pennsylvania!

El Salvador was amazing. The land is beautiful. The Church of Faith and Worship welcomed us and made us feel like family. The children's smiles and enthusiasm were thrilling.

My mind is a tumult of emotions right now as I write this. God put love and connections into this trip in ways we didn't see coming, but were just perfect. In many ways I feel as if I have left a piece of me in El Salvador.

I can't get certain images out of my head:
- An older man missing a leg crossing the road in front of a bus on his hands and one good foot.
- The stunning palm trees blowing in the wind, the yellow hauls of the coconuts beaming like suns in between the fronds.
- A woman and a skinny dog sorting through a roadside dump.
- Children dancing, clapping, and singing with all their being in praise of God.
- Walls, metal doors, razor wire, compounds, guards with shotguns.
- Stunning vistas of beautiful, luscious jungle.
- Juan's face as he tells the story of a massacre.
- The church gathering around altogether, placing our hands on shoulders, backs, heads and arms as if we've known each other all our lives, our prayers going up to a God who speaks all languages.


The last Sunday, we shared communion with the Salvadorans. I got choked up. Two different congregations, York and Zacamil, speaking different languages, living different lives . . . there we were, unified in memorial of Christ's death and resurrection and the Salvation he offers.

"With [Christ's] blood [he] has purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9, NIV, Biblegateway.com).

As we each sort through memories and experiences from El Salvador and seek what God would have our lives look like moving forward, I ask you to do the same. Wherever you are at, whatever you are doing, whatever trials and struggles are present, take a few moments, release to God what he asks for, soften to his hand. Trust him. He is big. He is loving. He wants what is best for you and for me.

Now to the Church of Faith and Worship and to You:

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV, Biblegateway.come).


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