For the last few weeks, I’ve begun to feel the wear and tear of life in long term international missions. I miss home. I miss family, friends, food, and normal everyday life stuff in the States. I love being on the field and I love living in Christian community in a way I have never experienced, but it’s hard.
As I was reading through my Lent study today, the scripture was Exodus 14:1-14, 20-23. The Israelites have been wondering through the desert. They are tired, hungry, and probably annoyed. They are now being chased by Pharaoh and his army and servants. Not only are they tired, hungry, probably annoyed, but now they are most likely fearful of what’s to come. The Israelites start to complain to Moses asking him why couldn’t they have just stayed back in Egypt as slaves because it would be better to be a slave in Egypt than to die in the wilderness. Maybe so, but that’s not what the Lord had planned for them. All they needed to do was trust God.
The Lent study ended with a few prompt questions about our own life and how it is related to the scripture. The first question was along the lines of asking yourself if there has ever been a time in your life where you had come to the end of yourself with no resources and no one to turn to, and then asking God to come into those memories.
As I began to write, I realized that I’ve been writing about the same things over and over again throughout my conversations with God. I told Him that we always talk about these things, so what is it that you want to show me about them now? He begin to remind me of His faithfulness. Over and over again, He has been faithful. He has always turned my hard seasons into good and for His glory. He reminded me of Isaiah 43:19 that He brought me to when I was in Lesotho. He will make a way in the wilderness, and He will make streams in the desert.
He kept asking me to trust Him in the hard seasons. He will work together good for those who love Him. He will make a way to come out of difficult seasons. BUT, you have to keep going. It reminds me of the blog I wrote at the very beginning of the race when I was beginning to encounter my first of difficult seasons on the race. The Lord taught me through that to keep going. As I sat and reflected on this scripture in Exodus and my own life, I realized the Israelites forgot about their third option. So the Lord gave me this vision:
I saw myself standing at the edge of the Red Sea. The water has been moved to make a pathway. The water is pushed back on both sides and have so clearly made a safe pathway for me to walk through. These are my options. I can stay right where I am, go back to where I came from, or walk through to the other side.
In staying where I am is to be stagnant, lukewarm, or to coast which leads to death. In my case, spiritual death. Option 2 is not any better. I can choose to turn around and go back to where I came from. To do that would be just like what the Israelites thought would be better, to go back to slavery, sin, and my old life of death. Or I could choose the third option which is what the Israelites failed to see. I could choose to keep going. I could choose to keep going until I reach the other side of the sea. I could walk through where the Lord has made a way. I could chose to keep pushing through the hard season(s) and to trust God. I could choose to walk over to the side of more victory, more freedom, and more growth.
In this season of feeling homesickness amongst other hard feelings, I have these three options. As much as it would almost be easier to sit, coast, or turn back around, I know the Lord has something more. I know to keep going is the better option. I see where the Lord has been there for me in the past, so why wouldn’t He be now? He continues to remind me of His past faithfulness. I pray that my trust in Him would deepen as I go through these last couple of months of the race (& life) in order to get to the other side of that sea. I don’t want to spend the next few months coasting or thinking about living in the fear of what’s to come or what has been.
I believe the next couple of months of what my squad is about to step into is going to be something big. I believe, like it says in Isaiah 43, the Lord IS about to do a new thing. I believe He has been faithful, and I believe He is going to make a way.
I would like to ask you all to partner with me and my teammates in prayer for these next couple of months as we being to see the end of the race approaching. We are getting ready to leave Rwanda very soon and head to Romania. Here we will be working with Hope Church locations to work along side them in refugee ministry for those who are fleeing Ukraine. Afterwards, the plan is to end the race with ministry in Greece before heading back to the states.
Please pray for us to stay focused to keep going and to be reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness. Pray for peace that surpasses all understanding and for hearts and minds to continue to love people well even when we don’t have all the answers. Pray for us as a squad to not coast through what’s left of this race but to make the most of every opportunity the Lord presents to us, and to lean in to all He still wants to teach us, heal us from, and for the continual growth in our faith journeys.
Thank you for all the prayers and support from each of you. I have received several messages about how you guys pray for us at home, and I, along with my teams, are so thankful for each and every prayer. We love you guys a lot, and we are very thankful for our support systems back home.
I pray for you and you team everyday! I pray you continue on the path God had put you on to bring Him honor and glory. I pray for your health and safety/protection. I know He is with you… ALWAYS!
I continue to be so proud of your commitment in honoring Him. I love you so VERY Dearly and will be glad when you are home and I can embrace you??
Praying your last few months will be your best, especially as you serve refugees in Romania from war torn Ukraine. God has a future plan for your life, and it will revealed as you follow His calling each day. The scripture I have used all my life is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direst your paths”. I miss you each week at our weekly Bible study and look forward to seeing you later this year!
May the weariness you are feeling now be replaced with renewed energy as you and your team move on to Europe for the last two months of your journey. What a special opportunity for service, since the work you will be doing in Romania could not even be imagined when you departed last summer. But you are where God wants you to be. My prayers are with you daily as you move forward. May everything you do for the refugees from Ukraine and the people of Romania bring glory to God. Know that the love, thoughts, and prayers of Brooklet folks are always with you. God bless you!
My sweet Caroline,
This Tuesday of Holy Week, just a few days away from Easter, you are definitely on my mind and heart. Praying for you and your squad daily for safety and perseverance. Homesickness is not unexpected after being away from family, friends and your life here in the US. As you stated so perfectly, our God is faithful. He is always present for us. He will see you through this journey every step of the way. Grandbob and I send you our love. God bless and keep you in the palm of His loving hands. Grandmama ??
Caroline, you are a true disciple of God. May God continue to give you strength, peace, comfort, and safety as you continue and finish your mission. Continuous prayers for you and your team!
Hello Caroline, sounds like you have been spending a lot of time one on one with God which is a good thing. Just remember that Jesus told His Disciples that following Him would not be easy but the rewards would be like a fine jewel to be found by those who keep the focus of gratitude, faithfulness, praise, and most of all love. Our prayers are with you and the team. Watch because He is about to do a new thing. As I read your words excitement comes over me for what you guys are about to experience. Be safe out there!
Caroline I am so proud and amazed of you and your team and the work you are doing. I know you are all getting ready to be back home but just think what you all can do these last couple of months. I will be praying for you as you finish these last months, for God to give you the strength to carry on. I hope you have a blessed Easter and can’t wait to hear about your time in Romania. Love you!
Thanks for sharing what’s on your heart and mind and what the Lord is teaching you. This is really encouraging to me to keep going and to remember His Faithfulness. Miss you!
Caroline,
We are praying for you. You bring happiness to everyone around you. You are an encourager and will use that gift for others. Keep your faith and stay strong!!
My prayers continue for your health and safety. God is in charge and we just have to trust him. I envy you in so many ways. I wish I could be right there with you doing God’s work so you have to do the work of two since I can’t be there. I thank God for you and the work you are doing. I look forward to seeing you again.
Caroline, this is my third try of attempting to send this message. I’ve done it before but this time everything has been impossible. I’ve had you and your team in my prayers all along and hope things are still going good for you. God will take care of you for the rest of your journey for he has brought you this far. I’m so proud of all you have done with this mission and can’t wait to see your pictures and hear your stories. We love you and miss you so much. Take care and be safe the end is in sight. Happy Easter! Love Barbara
I think I just figured out my problem. I signed the others Bebe
Caroline,
You are right to keep going.
We are wrapping up our spring high school Bible study tomorrow night. We’ve been digging into the books of Daniel and Esther- two young people who maintained their spiritual discipline and changed their communities. We are challenged to do the same; whether young or “seasoned” to keep going with the work that makes us strong for service: prayer, scripture and fellowship.
You’ve chosen to stay strong and keep moving. Sounds like you are employing the right tools- Bible and prayer. Now to trust that He who began this good work in you will finish it to completion.
Oh the stories you will have to share!
I love you girl. Wish I was there to lend my hands. I’ll fold them in prayer; His presence is better than anything I could do!!
Do it Caroline! I am so very proud of you sugar. I am especially grateful that your team is there now and working with Ukrainian refugees at this time in history. I am so pleased and blessed as your Father, to be just a little part of the love of Jesus shared through you to these hurting people. I was so shocked at the events that have taken place in the world since you left the states. Lean in on Our Lord and his Word and He will see you through to the end! I love you very much and am so looking forward to seeing you soon! Daddy
Dear God, please call to mind the lessons learned on the WR. Bring to memory sweet time spent reading Your word, in prayer, when those prayers were answered, sponaneous times of joy and laughter. Cover every member of Rooted and Squad L with Your love! In Jesus name amen.