In my last post, almost six months ago I had written the title ' The End...Almost...' this was written with the presumption that my flight home would be the end. Well, as I have learnt over the last six months back from my trip that 'the end' of my trip has come and gone; But the end is not the appropriate expression. Yes my trip to Papua came to an end, but the work God is doing there( in Papua), and in my life, has not ended. Recently the Edelens moved into the tribe and have begun their work, as a family, to reach the Bayono people for Christ. The Edelens work has only just begun. From my experiences there I know the work will be long and hard. I take great comfort in knowing that our Lord God has sent the perfect people for the job. Please continue to pray for the Edelens, Beni & his family, and the Bayono people. Their journey is only just beginning.
As for me... well.... . Before my trip and during my trip I had a hard time feeling comfortable with other people paying for the trip. I knew that this was the way mission trips worked, but I felt guilty & somewhat under pressure to perform and maximize the benefits of such an endeavour. It wasn't until I got back that I began to see the true value in my trip. In comparison to the amount of money (approx $8,000) verses the benefit to His kingdom, it is very humbling to me. Not only have I grown in my own relationship with God, but I now feel confident in my love for our savior. Not that I didn't have a strong faith before I went, but now in my heart and mind, any time I am in need of reassurance I think back to that month I spent in the middle of the jungle with some of the most awesome people I will ever meet; and I see the true spirit of our savior at work. It leaves NO doubt in my mind that God has great things in store for those who all ready believe, and great hope fore those who do not all ready believe. All I want to do now is move on to the next chapter in my life with God, and I want to bring as many people along with me as I can!
