Across the Caribbean and Back
Driving around with confidence in a familiar area and searching for furniture at familiar stores feels like an out of body experience. Did the last 3 years really happen? Did we move to the Dominican Republic? Did we sell our house and almost everything we owned in order to serve God in another country? Or did we have a really long, detailed dream of “going” and have just woken up?
Leaving a place where Hubs was doing good work, leading an amazing staff, and walking alongside leaders, encouraging and equipping them.
Leaving a group of women where I tried so very much to create opportunities for them to speak and share their stories - a group of women that slowly became my purpose and a way to serve.
Leaving a school filled with boys and girls whose lives were different than Zoey, yet she was discovering that in so many ways they were actually the same. Kids wanting to laugh with friends and go home to a safe, loving family.
Leaving a home in a community that understands what it means to be a community and loves and serves its neighbors so well.
Did we leave our ministry behind on that Caribbean island?
Having lunch with a recent college graduate who is headed to another city to begin her new job. Listening to her excitement and processing this next phase in her life. Speaking words of encouragement over her. (Oh sweet friend, live your life boldly and remember that I am cheering for you!)
Sitting in our new family room, listening to another recent college graduate share about her dreams of teaching English in Japan. Hubs and I wanting her to chase her dreams, cheering for her, and offering her all that we have to offer - encouraging words and promises of prayer.
Texting with a dear friend who is in a season of grief…trying to find ways to love and serve her in the place that she is in while encouraging her to reach towards the One who loves her the most.
Gathering around a table with friends. The dinner invite where we spent time catching up with the entire family. Feeling known and seen because of a shared history. While we unpack, friends who bring lunch to our house and sit around our table offering to help any way they can. A friend bringing dinner to our house, so we don’t have to cook that night (or the next because leftovers are the best!). Community stepping in to love and serve us because we have a history of loving and knowing one another. Friends connected through shared experiences.
Seeing family. Family helping us, shopping with Sister, sharing meals with our parents, sisters, and families.
Being with Emma Grace. Everyday moments and activities highlight what it means to be present. And thankful for the little moments because so many of those little moments were missed for 3 years.
Our community is not confined to one country any more. It has been expanded.
Our ministry did not end when we left the Dominican Republic. It expanded.
Our opportunities to serve and live communally are available wherever our feet are located, if we just look up and see it.
How lucky are we to have our community and ministry expanded across the Caribbean water? How lucky are we to be loved and be able to love our neighbors - here and there? How lucky are we that there are God opportunities when we completely surrender to the opportunities God is placing in front of us? How lucky are we - really how lucky are we???