Passport in Paris

We've arrived in Paris!!! 

We landed in Paris today, and are adjusting to being 6 hours ahead time zone wise. I've literally almost fallen asleep 3 times writing this out! 

We did get to go see some of the most stunning places in Paris due to our long layover, and that was incredible. 

We are getting ready to leave tonight for South Africa, and we will be at our ministry site by Sunday morning in Swaziland. 

I love this. 

I love traveling again. 

I love being in airports, getting lost in cities I know nothing about, searching for wi-fi, and enjoying the world around you so much more since you don't have it constantly. . . 

I love walking the streets of an unfamiliar city and be-boppin my way through traffic like a boss! 

I love talking in a british accent and getting flight attendents and anyone else who will give me the time of day to think I'm from South Africa. . . yeah. . haha . . It's fun!  

Listen, This team is hungry. 

They are eager to grow, be stretched and work, act, and do life as the body. One body. His hands, His feet. It's exciting to watch this team dive deep, and push past the "small talk" to go into the hard places of their own hearts, and deal with baggage. . . 

The Lord is at work in our hearts as we prepare to take a journey up on the mountain.

Literally. . . 

We will be tucked away on a mountain in Swaziland, and I know it's gonna stretch us. It's going to stretch me. 

Africa can be hard on the heart. Africa is not always hugging on orphans or lions and elephants despite the awesome IG pics you may see from time to time. When given the choice I chose this.

 I chose to leave at this time. I chose this way of life. I could be sitting behind a desk, or working my way through college, but I'm not. I'm not knocking any of those things because I do believe in school, and establishing yourself in whatever trade you wish to pursue, but I'll tell you why I chose this. Why I chose Africa.  I chose Africa because it terrifies me. 

I chose Africa because last time I was here it was far outside my comfort zone. Took me to higher heights and deeper depths that I just could not have reached myself without the struggle bus rolling through my life in that red clay, that my feel will again be marching on soon. 

It was a time of surrender then, and not much has changed now. . . 

I'm at another place of surrender in my life, and I'm leaning into it. . . 

I  remember the way the Lord was such a gentleman with my heart. He was so gracious, so kind. He walked me through the thicket hand in hand. . . 

A lot has happened in my heart and life to prepare me to go back out on the field. I'm incredibly grateful for this journey, even in times when I don't "feel" it. I'm being stretched, I'm growing. . . I'm in a position that allows me to learn more listening, and how to do life with people in close quarters again. I get to pour into these team members and help empower them, and boy do /I see Jesus. I see Him in them. Their hunger, their passion, their hearts. 

I'm so grateful for so many things, and so many people that I do life with. Here now, and those of you at home I love so dearly. I am grateful for this summer-realistic in my thinking that at times this will be hard, but also excited in the fact, that it's these hard times that cause the deepest change, most lasting impact in me and those I do life with, and it causes the most growth in me as I continue becoming the man I desire to be. I'm excited about being out again. Seeing the faces I'll never forget, doing life with these with me now, learning and knowing their stories to the point I feel pain when we separate. . .  I'm all in. I'm a mess, and it's perfect. 

He has gone before me, and He will be beside me. 

I'm eternally grateful for the companionship and the partnership of the Lord's heart in this season and time. 

I hope I can update you soon! Stay tuned!