Wait

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

Well, I made it safely home and have finally recovered from jet lag. I’ve been spending the past few days processing our trip and everything the Lord has taught me. I had forgotten about the above verse until recently. It’s so fitting, because now I must trust that Jesus will complete what he started in Sydney. I want to wait on Him and His perfect timing.

Our team was able to go to the Soup Kitchen one last time two Mondays ago. That day was difficult for me because I was in the kitchen the whole time washing dishes. I realized how sinful I am and the pride and selfishness of wanting to either interact with the homeless people or be recognized for my “good works.” God has really been chipping off parts of me like this that are ugly and not pleasing to Him.

We had a pancake night for the SOW students last Thursday before leaving. We ate and enjoyed some great music and company. The students are so talented. It was hard saying goodbye to all of our SOW friends. I’m excited to see how the LORD uses their lives in Sydney for His glory. One of our friends, Antonia, went to the USA soccer game with us. During the first half, I enjoyed talking with her about all the LORD’s taught me over the past few years. She was such an encouragement to me.

I also got to meet up with my friend Cassi from Harbour City Church Plant. She’s an ESL teacher and missionary to China who’s getting her PhD at Sydney Uni. It was so great to get together with her and see how God’s moving in the lives of international students. We also talked a lot about human trafficking. God was really breaking my heart for this area of injustice. I really want to commit to pray and support anyone who’s fighting the fight against modern-day slavery. Cassi reminded me that it’s so great that we would want to set the slaves free, but until the Holy Spirit works in their lives and sets them free in Christ, they are still enslaved. They will not experience freedom from guilt and shame (even if it is not their faults for being enslaved) until God moves mightily in their lives. This is my prayer.

We flew out of Sydney last Friday morning. It was a bitter sweet moment. I was realizing that there is so much work to be done, and our team simply scratched the surface. Yet, I also realized that Christ is the one who is going to change lives, not Rachel or the CCP team. As I looked out of the plane, I had a flashback of the past short-term mission trips I’ve been on to Latin American countries with extreme poverty. I would look down and feel such sadness and pity for them in their poverty and distress. This time when I looked out over the harbor of Sydney, I felt sadness, but I different kind. I thought about how each person is living for success, fame, and a comfortable life. They seem to be so great and affluent, yet so dead in their spirits. I just beg that God will move and begin a revival in this city beginning with SOW and HCC.

Our trip ended off in Fort Walton Beach where we shared our experiences with the Summer Beach Project crew. It was so great to see another group of people in our own nation seeking the Lord and sharing Christ. I stayed in my friend Kathryn’s room and the girls were so welcoming. I pray that the Lord builds up more laborers to go on future CCP’s from this group. The girls from the Sydney team were able to get together at McDonalds and pray for Beach Project and also for Sydney. It was such a different feel in this McDonalds than the ones in Sydney. I guess I didn’t feel as weird praying in a booth.  Ha! Anyway, our team was able to get together one last time and say our goodbyes. It was difficult because we had become a family. I’m so thankful that the Lord has shown me what it’s like to truly have the body of Christ. Thanks for all your prayers, and please continue to pray as the Lord works in SOW, HCC, Sydney, and in our lives.