Ain't it funny? (part 3 of 3)

"Well hello there, my it's been a long, long time"
I had planned on writing this back in February with the other two "parts". Life has surely been busy since then! I've been so blessed to have some amazing groups to serve with this spring! The work that these teams did can't be measured against the amount of joy they brought into so many lives! There were great things built and good things done, but they don't compare to the relationships that were made! I was back "home" to the US for about 3 weeks and it felt weird. Interesting...

"How's your new love? I hope he's doing fine"
In the first part of this three-part series I talked about my broken heart. God has surely brought me through this time and showed me His will. At this point I still don't know what the future holds but I have a trust that God has His timing. The comforting part about this whole journey is really that I have committed myself to it and I've accepted it. It's not like times past where I've been trying to live two separate lives. Whether it be good or bad, I've basically committed to just my life here (in Jamaica). Of course I miss friends and family, but it's not like I saw them much in years past during this time of year anyways. Mentally it's been good. Emotionally it's been good. In the long run I trust it will be good!

"Well I got to go now, and I guess I'll see you 'round"
"Pelican summer" for almost 800 people starts here in Jamaica next weekend! Up to a year or more of planning all comes to fruition starting May 30. There's definitely not enough time in the day to prepare for everything that will go on in the next almost 3 months, but the reassuring part is that God is in control of what will happen. I've said it multiple times, but I know that God is in control and there's only so much I can prepare for. He will handle the details. That's comforting to know at this point!

"Sittin' at the dock of the bay..."
So for the next almost three months pray for the 9 teams that I'll be leading! I have put plans in place but only God knows what is truly in store for them. For some of them it will be their first time out of the country...for some their first time to Jamaica...for some they will REALLY hear God speak to them for the first time...for ALL it will be a life-changing experience! Pray that I get out of the way and let God work!

"Ain't it funny?"
I started this 6 month journey a little over 3 months ago. So I'm about half-way through and I'm still listening to what God wants to tell me. Knowing the way God works in me, in August I'll look back over the past six months and really start to comprehend what He's been trying to teach me. The people I've met, the places I've been, the amazing experiences I've had! Whatever it is, I know I'll look back and wonder how the time slipped away...

You Might Die Trying

Merry Christmas to everyone! My family had our Christmas this past weekend and it was great to have family around and laugh at each other and celebrate. We had to celebrate early as I have a journey to make today. The great thing is that our family doesn't have any deeply herald traditions. With family being spread all over the world we are just grateful to get (mostly) everyone together at ANY time.

So, I sit here in the Jamaica feeling so very blessed to be able to go to Jamaica today! I realize I often take for granted the fact that I get to spend a couple weeks out of the winter in a tropical paradise. I also am blessed to LOVE what I do and I get paid to do it! I realize that not everyone has that as their lot in life. And most of all I am blessed to be doing all this to serve God and to love His created people...they just happen to live where it's warm. ;)

I've also realized over the past month or so that I've been holding back. I feel like I'm missing out on my full potential and everything that God wants for me.

One of my favorite Dave Matthews songs is called...you guessed it, "You Might Die Trying". Metaphorically speaking, (duh, that's what songs do!) a verse says: 

If you close your eyes
Because the house is on fire
You think you couldn't move
Not until the fire dies
The things you never did
Cause you might die trying

Well...my metaphorical house has been on fire for some time now. I can't really say how long or even what it is that's been burning, but I've suddenly started feeling the heat and smelling the smoke. I've been afraid to move forward in life; held back by something, waiting for it to be fulfilled before I can move on. I really have been feeling like it's time to move forward, trusting that it is God's will and the right direction for my life.

So starting in early February I will basically move to Jamaica for about 6 months. I don't know what God has in store for my life during this time but I have a feeling it's something huge! During this time I will get to work very closely with our Jamaican church partners and really get to know the communities and pastors better. I'll be able to solidify the already established relationships with our pastors, staff, orphanages, infirmaries and various other ministries. I'll be able to identify the deeper needs that are hard to identify via email and phone calls. Overall this time will only strengthen the ministry that Praying Pelican has already established.

Follow this link as I serve with 9 others in Hopewell, Hanover, Jamaica this week. Our primary goal is to build and stock a chicken coop for 200 chickens. This will provide an individual and/or the community income, food, and stability for many years.

So during the next two weeks while I'm in Jamaica and during the next month as I prepare to go, please pray for strength, wisdom and clarity. Pray that I'll be able to use this experience to live life more fully and not live with fear of what the future holds. The only sure thing is that I'm not going to die in this burning house. I'm going to take the risk of living.

"You'd be as good as dead, cause you might die trying"