As hard as it is to believe, it's still the truth: the V-Team has been in Costa Rica for almost two months. In some ways it seems like it has been a year, and in others ways it seems like yesterday since we boarded the plane and said, "Good-bye for now" to North America.
I know, and now believe more than ever before, that God has called us to San Jose, Costa Rica (for this year); more specifically, to Instituto de Lengua Espanol (Spanish Language Institute). I am truly excited and invested in this year of learning and being stretched. I also know and believe more than ever before that part of God's plan still includes Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. I am thoroughly excited about all of the possibilities that God has to use our gifts, talents and hearts in those countries.
Often times when a storm comes that produces a tornado, there is not much time for preparation. The effects of the tornado can sneak up on you and before you get a chance to get to a safe location you are experiencing the effects of the tornado winds and forces.
I have been sensing a tornado of emotions lately. I am so excited about learning Spanish. It was wonderful to be in Nicaragua for a couple of days and to dream about what the Lord may have for us there. I have fallen in love with the Latino culture, again.
However, in the process of falling in love with this culture I have been reminded of the people that I call family, the people that I call friends, the people that I call teammates, the people that I fell in love with in Guatemala...and I miss them. Yes, I deeply miss them.
In some ways I sense a grieving for those relationships and yet a strong peace that the relationships that I am building here are just as important. It seems so crazy to have these emotions that seem so opposing. It feels like a tornado of emotions raging through my life.
And yet, as the tornado of emotions is spinning around happiness, sadness, laughter, crying, joy, sorrow, grief, freedom, loneliness (and many more in my life), I am reminded of what Hebrews 13:14 says:
One day I hope to be reunited with all my family, friends, teammates and all the friends and people the Lord still plans to have join my life in the same place for one gigantic, eternal "get-together." And to think we will be joined by the one-true God...that is enough to start another tornado of emotions...
