An event and a process

As I move forward with what the Lord is asking of me, I am reminded that goodbyes are an event and a process. And that statement has certainly proven to be true over the last few weeks. Although I know the future holds great things, saying goodbye to people I love is never easy. The great thing about the Lord is that He is allowing people to come on this journey with me. No, they will not be walking by my side, but they will be in my heart, my thoughts, and in my prayers. I am leaving FULL! Friends and family gathered together for a going away shindig for me last week. It was so sweet to see different people from different chapters in my life all under one roof. Each one of them hold unique memories and I was reminded the Creator of our lives has placed wonderful people in my life.
Then there was the airport.....
What a strange, yet peaceful feeling I had on that day. My entire family was there, both biological and spiritual. There were more people there for me than there was on the plane! How stinkin' cool is that, what a send off! I even got interviewed by a local TV station about traveling during the holidays. I'm sure it was quiet the scene. And yet once again, the Lord allowed us to have moments that were pure and heart felt. You see....it does not matter where you are or where you're going....the Lord always provides in every way. Afterall, goodbyes are an event and a process.

The Greatest is LOVE

I Corinthians 13

Missionary-Style:

If I speak with the tongue of a national, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette, and if I copy mannerisms so that I could pass for a national, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor, and if I spend my energy without reserve, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, and is kind to those who mock his accent; love does not envy those who stayed home; love does not exalt his home culture, is not proud of his national reputation,

Does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek his own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of his home country, does not think evil about this culture.

Love bears all criticism about his home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails; but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will cease; where there is linguistics, it will vanish.

For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part.

But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America I spoke like an American, I understood as an American, I thought as an American; but when I left America, I became a learner of a new culture!

Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly; but He will live in it intimately; now I speak with a strange accent, but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain: cultural adaptation, language study and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Home of the Rockies.

On November 6th, I finished a three week "before you go" program called SPLICE. I must say I was reluctant to go, but the Lord was quick to show me that this is where I need to be at this time. The content was incredible. We talked about things like conflict, adversity, assumptions, and grief and loss, just to mention a few. It was heavy and eye opening stuff. But, for me, the real learning, stretching, and preparation happened outside of the classroom. The friendships that were cultivated have changed my life for sure. The Lord knew what He was doing (shocking I know!) when He allowed my path to cross with theirs. I will forever be grateful for the late night conversations. I will never forget the song from a friend and the boldness it to took to sing it. I am thankful the Lord provided a friend that thought like me and gave us an instant connection. And I will forever hold the Rumbold 7 in my heart. Now, when I look at a globe, I will not only see countries but faces. Slovakia-The Rumblolds. South Africa- Jamie, Amy, Wade and Tara, Uruguay-Rebecca,Italy-Kyle, Sudan-Ryan, The DR- Bryan, And of course, there will always be Evan! Faces with the places....Let the nations be changed forever for His Kingdom.