Greeting the old and embracing the new!

It’s hard to put all the emotions I feel into words.  After 2 years of travelling with Global Challenge Expeditions, seeing the most amazing views, meeting the most amazing people, getting to know myself and seeing and feeling God at work… I am back home.

The past month or so I have had all these feelings of elation to be back in the country I love with the people I love, but then I also experience the longing for the open road, adventure, the thrill of the unknown, the joys of living as a part of a tight-knit brotherhood and the closeness of God that is so easy to experience in the above mentioned circumstances.

As you can see, the past 2 years of my life were above and beyond what I could have ever imagined for me.  I always had aspirations of travelling the world and God used that desire to teach me His ways and show me His love for His people.  This journey opened my eyes to the selfish way that I had been living.  It made me not only realize the huge need for God in this world, but also forced me to act upon it.  I tell you, when you give of yourself, whether it be physically, emotionally or in prayer, to people, you cannot but start developing a heart for them.  God really came and removed my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh according to Ezek 36:26.

God also came and showed Himself to be faithful in all His promises.  Now you might ask yourself why I needed to learn that when the Bible clearly states that He is a faithful God?  Then I want to ask you, “When was the last time that you had to put your faith in God?”  By this I don’t mean the kind of faith you need when you ask for that new laptop that you “need”, I am talking about the faith you need to practice when you do not know where your next meal will come from.  When you are in a foreign country and you need to wait upon God to show you where He wants you to go.  The kind you need when you go into a country for 3 months and your first train trip uses the sum total of your budget.  The faith it takes to disciple 6 young men and bring them back home safely.  In these kind of situations He showed Himself to be faithful.
 
Although this journey was as hard as it was wonderful, the toughest part is only starting.  Having to adapt to “normal life” is very hard and will be for a while to come.  I now need to take my new God-seeking lifestyle, my new standards and values and all my knowledge of God and the Spiritual life, and adapt it to society.  It’s not been child’s play.

This however is my next challenge and I’m looking forward to learning more about myself, God and people in this new season.  Your prayers are welcome though.

On that note I would like to thank everyone that contributed to making this journey so life-changing.  To those who added to my financial need, whatever the amount, I want to thank you and bless you for making this possible.  I couldn’t have done it without the help.  Then to everyone who diligently prayed for us, it really carried us in the tough times.  There were numerous times during this year when we just experienced God’s favour over the team and we realized that there were mighty prayer warriors at work back home.  Then also to each and every one who helped us, encouraged us and followed our journey with us, we appreciate and enjoyed having the input.

It doesn’t matter what your journey looks like, everyone has one and God is with you every step of the way.  I hope the reports on my journey helped you on yours.

I want to leave you with the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: "May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.& nbsp; May the Lord show you His favour and give you His peace.”  Shalom from home.