elisadorman - Moving On without Letting Go

There have been some toughThere have been some tough moments on this trip. Pride-swallowing, heart-breaking and spiritually-stretching hours and days. But I know that the hardest minute will be tommorrow. Harder than dancing in bars, harder than singing on stage or preaching to 300, harder than seeing death in hospitals or kids abandoned on the street. Tomorrow I have to say goodbye to my team, my family. Unless you have experienced a similar community, you cannot understand the bond that we have together. I can't count how many times I've held a crying sister or sobbed on a shoulder. We have gone through tough days and come out better people, more reliant and in love with our Father. We have established a unique blend of humour that I don't think anyone else could appreciate. We've learned to live in small spaces, cook, shop, clean, pray, worship, farm, do all sorts of ministry, study the word and grow up together. We spill our guts and pour out our hearts as a part of our daily routine and my idea of what a relationship can look like has been blown out of the water. We can do anything together be it plan an entire church service ten minutes before it's start or split two bus seats five ways.

There have been some tough moments on this trip. Pride-swallowing, heart-breaking and spiritually-stretching hours and days. But I know that the hardest minute will be tommorrow. Harder than dancing in bars, harder than singing on stage or preaching to 300, harder than seeing death in hospitals or kids abandoned on the street. Tomorrow I have to say goodbye to my team, my family. Unless you have experienced a similar community, you cannot understand the bond that we have together. I can't count how many times I've held a crying sister or sobbed on a shoulder. We have gone through tough days and come out better people, more reliant and in love with our Father. We have established a unique blend of humour that I don't think anyone else could appreciate. We've learned to live in small spaces, cook, shop, clean, pray, worship, farm, do all sorts of ministry, study the word and grow up together. We spill our guts and pour out our hearts as a part of our daily routine and my idea of what a relationship can look like has been blown out of the water. We can do anything together be it plan an entire church service ten minutes before it's start or split two bus seats five ways.

I wish I could explain how proud I was of Michaela, Anna, Haden and Jake and if I had a way to articulate my love for them properly I would.

I can only thank God for them and for the miraculous way that God took 19 teenagers and college students (our leaders were 21 and 18) and used us to bring light to into the dark all around the world and to change ourselves from kids into men and women of God. 19 ordinary people who stared with a little bit of longing are going home prophet and warriors, persuers and persrverers. I was so blessed to have this incredible oppurtunity over the last year. God seriously planned everything that happened perfectly and He has been SO GOOD to us! Thank you for your prayers!

And although I think that this is the hardest time, it is also truly a time of rejoicing, as God is bringing me into new seasons. My next mission field will be a Toronto summer camp where I am working this summer, then the University of Ottawa in September. I left with sincere intentions but began ministry out of obligation because of the purpose of the trip. However, I've become aware recently that God has effectively transformed me into one of those crazy Christian people. And as a result, although ministry isn't on the schedule, I'm obliged by the purpose of this life to share hope and spread love for the glory of God.

After my church sees it, I will be posting a video I made about my entire trip with some pictures to go along with it. There might be a blog or two more, but for now, my adventures in blogging are finished. Thanks for reading and for your support. :) moments on this trip. Pride-swallowing, heart-breaking and spiritually-stretching hours and days. But I know that the hardest minute will be tommorrow. Harder than dancing in bars, harder than singing on stage or preaching to 300, harder than seeing death in hospitals or kids abandoned on the street. Tomorrow I have to say goodbye to my team, my family. Unless you have experienced a similar community, you cannot understand the bond that we have together. I can't count how many times I've held a crying sister or sobbed on a shoulder. We have gone through tough days and come out better people, more reliant and in love with our Father. We have established a unique blend of humour that I don't think anyone else could appreciate. We've learned to live in small spaces, cook, shop, clean, pray, worship, farm, do all sorts of ministry, study the word and grow up together. We spill our guts and pour out our hearts as a part of our daily routine and my idea of what a relationship can look like has been blown out of the water. We can do anything together be it plan an entire church service ten minutes before it's start or split two bus seats five ways.

I wish I could explain how proud I was of Michaela, Anna, Haden and Jake and if I had a way to articulate my love for them properly I would.