Another Group Forever Changed

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”-Colossians 2:2-3

Last Tuesday night, a few of us from the office loaded up and headed to Atlanta to meet with about 40 young people who had just landed from spending time in different countries around the world. The groups were coming back from Kenya, Swaziland and India. These amazing people had just spent 3 months being Christ to the poorest of the poor and will be forever changed from the time they spent in these countries. We arrived at the hotel by the airport and set up lots of food for the teams to eat. While we were waiting for the pizza to come we were able to spend time with the different teams and hear about all that God has been doing over the last 3 months. Each team experienced ups and downs, but it was obvious that because of everything they had been through, God had changed their lives forever. It was exciting for me because I got to see some of the people I had gotten to know at training camp back in September. It was the most amazing thing to get to see them pre-trip and then see them post-trip after God had “wrecked” them for Him. What an amazing thing to see and be a part of.

After everyone was finished eating, it was time for the teams to share different stories from their time in their respective ministry location. Each team stood up and shared different stories of how they had seen Christ and experienced Him on their trips. The Kenya team recounted the time God had literally stopped the rain just long enough for them to minister out on the street. The Swaziland team spoke of how God had used them to help bring a young girl out of prostitution and the India team spoke of how Christ had allowed them to impact a leper colony despite not knowing the language. These were just three of the amazing ways God spoke through them and used them to impact the nations for Him. They shared many more and also had a time where their leaders spoke about what each person brought to their team. I just sat their completely enthralled. Just seeing God change and forever impact these lives for Him put me in awe.

It was then my turn to get up and share a little bit about what my role will be in their lives now that they are back from the field. It is funny because one of my strong points has always been my public speaking abilities. I always did well at this in college and elsewhere, but as I stood in front of these 40 young people something changed. All I could think was that I wanted them to see “me”…not someone who was trying to speak perfectly. As I left I looked back and realized that it wasn’t the best public speaking I had ever done, and I wasn’t flawless by any means, but I did show them my heart. God has been teaching me a lot about humility and selflessness lately, and as I sat in the car I realized that it wasn’t about being perfect. It wasn’t about being a great public speaker. It was about showing them how much I truly love them and yearn to serve them. I then realized that if that is all I do than I have accomplished the purpose for which that God has sent me here.

It was a beautiful time to share community, show God’s majesty and love on God’s children. It was a night I wont forget and one I look forward to having after the next group returns from their life changing trips. Praise Him that He is strong in our weakness and that His glory is being proclaimed in all nations!

For His Glory,

Caroline 🙂

Ps. 56:3