Transition...

How different it is waking up 'here' rather than 'there'...
From one airport to another and my whole world has changed... my bed, the weather, the culture, the friends, the pavements, the people, the food, the communication, the way people see and think of me, the expectations or lack thereof... etc. It's all different.

I have laid all that I have lived for in the last 5 years down... and I find myself  in a season of transition. How long it is going to last I don't know but I have left everything I have done in another country and I find myself with nothing except an application for the Job Center and job applications in front of my eyes. What am I supposed to be doing... What am I supposed to be doing over here... What kind of person do I have to be in order to 'fit in'.... I can only be the same person...even if that means I don't end up fitting in...
My qualifications don't fit into the normal type of work you find on the work market... I have more life experience than work experience...but life experience that would be seen as work experience had there have been a certificate involved...but there isn't so you can't only put that on paper...In my heart I am a missionary...I have experience...I don't get a degree or certificate in that nor have I received a salary or recognition...I receive other things that are not seen as job application material but are essential to my life but not in the eyes of others or to the person employing people but could possibly be just as precious or even more important than any certificate... These experiences have changed and shaped my life for the future and have equipped me so much...but that won't get me a job easily...

What are we putting all the importance on these days...
Even in the church .... what are we putting the importance on these days...
What 'qualifies' us?   What sacrifices must we make or what must we start doing in order to 'fit in'... How and why do we measure the importance of a  life..."Seeing is believing"....but what if you don't go and see...what happens then...?
How are we measuring the importance of a life....because that is what is happening isn't it...whether we admit it or not...but let's be honest it's easy to do...but it's an attitude that is possible to change...

As I look back at past uncertainties in my life and remind myself of how God was present and so faithful... I am relieved to know that there is someone out there who has my life in their hands and will provide the best for me... and will guide my steps... and who does see me for who I really am... and who loves me for who I am and who will take me to the next season because I have allowed Him to.  I have laid it in front of Him and I know that He will make it all into something beautiful...and lead me onto the next leg of the journey...

We are all on our own journeys that mix into others all the time... When that happens... are we going to prove ourselves to be a big fat obstacle on the path of another... or are we going to prove ourselves to be a fellow traveller who guides, helps, encourages and tries to make that little bit of journey easier and enjoyable and beneficial to all...

"Who we are isn't what we do, it's who we are that compels us to do what we do!"
Gary Morgan

We need to remember who we really are... wherever we are... and what and who we are living for...

Last post from Sri Lanka for this season...

This last week has been quite a quiet week.  I have spent a lot of alone time on the beach just trying to quieten my mind about what is happening and get to the point where I really am confident about my decision to move on.  It's been an interesting time trying to tell people that I feel God telling me to lay down my work here on the altar as an offering to Him....letting it go so that He can make it into what He wants... some have been very critical and others seem OK but don't really understand, which is very understandable!!

I also don't fully understand but I know that God will continue to guide my footsteps and "..Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

It's quite a journey!

I had the last meeting with the group Saturday.  It was a really powerful meeting where I 'officially' passed on the baton and it's up to them to run with it... and I know that this group really will.... and so I really am leaving encouraged that all was not in vain and with certitude that the individuals as well as the team are going to do amazing things and really reap a harvest... I am really leaving happy and excited because I know this team really wants to go after the things of God and to love people and that it's not just a sweet thought but they have really started living it out and that the church really is being transformed now with more and more people actually going out and being the light in the darkness.

New news :
 Having done a Funday in an area near where I live and having a good turn out and people who were asking if we would give English lessons we decided to accept in order to help the kids but also to have an opportunity to share the gospel with the people and get integrated in the community there.  These have been going really well since the beginning of February and we have a team of 5 people teaching up to about 30 kids. Many of the mothers come and it's been a great time of being able to encourage and share with them and love them... we are believing that they will accept Jesus very soon :)

And also, every Monday lunch time as well as giving the buns or food packets, we have started to teach the street people more about Jesus on a regular basis.  Today four more of them accepted Jesus which was amazing.  So, the team will be coming to do that in the Catholic Church garden and so far we haven't been kicked out so that is really good :)

This week has been amazing and the best way to finish my time off here strong and well.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy :)

The  new English class and teachers :)

on  the way home from Kandy

Galle Face green at night

lunch and teaching in the church garden

Street people over for lunch and the Jesus film

And not so quiet  beach!

My quiet time beach :)