You Break and You Mend

This past Spring Break was one that resulted in hearts being broken, lives being changed, hearts being restored, people's growth, and so much more.



There was not a day during this week that my heart wasn't broken for the lost. The conversations I had with people, the things I saw them do, the lack of care for anything that some of them had, their inability to comprehend, their not wanting to comprehend......was just devastating. 700 people gave up their week to spend all their abilities, resources and emotions to try and reach the some 50,000 people who were on that island. They went to great depths to share God's love and allow these people to experience it. Pouring their hearts completely, multiple times, to multiple people, who sometimes didn't care, was discouraging beyond a point of expression. But also, the fact that these 700 were able to continue to do so, without stopping, with full hearts, with full intent...was encouraging far beyond what some may comprehend.



Those 50,000 people just needed love. Some haven't experienced it. Others, don't know how to show it. It pained my heart to speak to the ones who couldn't understand why we do what we do, because they had never even thought it was possible. The stories some of them shared of their pasts, the tears brought to their eyes in speaking whatever was left in their hearts, the confidence they conveyed in some of their stories that showed a void that still dominated their life, moved me beyond a point of feeling. The power of a train meeting it's potential, the sound of a lion's constant roar, the force of tornado's wind, all combined, equal a fraction of what I felt my heart going through this week. Pouring out all I could to people, time after time, person after person, some who continued to not care, was breaking. Their worldly ideas and views of what Christians are remained the same. If they only knew the depths we would go to, the depths we have gone to, and the depths we will continue to go to in order to let them know they are loved by the One that never fails, then perhaps their eyes could be opened. And some of them were. Just in speaking, I could see the gears in their heads turning, moving, putting the pieces of their life-long puzzle together, understanding that there was so much more out there that was being offered to them. Seeing and hearing some of those accept this instilled a joy unspeakable in us. Truth.



My heart hurt not only for the lost, but for some of those who believed they were helping the lost. Yes, they had the right mindset, but the way in which the went about doing it wasn't right. It developed no growth between them and the lost. Hearing of people who did nothing but condemn the lost, without even speaking of how to be free from it, discouraged me.

Despite these people, I am fortunate to have been a part of a team whose hearts not once failed, who persevered in times of great sorrow, who continued to motivate and build each other up in times of need, who spoke nothing but Truth into those they met. These people, yes, these very people impacted lives and hearts with every person they met. They sought out the needs of others, looking away from themselves. These people I was able to grow with and witness their awesome hearts and desire to serve our God. These people are servants, examples of what the world needs to see. These people are my friends.



Just know that your prayers definitely helped us throughout this week. I could certainly feel the power that each prayer filled us with. Prayer is such a powerful weapon, one that doesn't need to be taken lightly. It should be a consistent, daily part of our lives. Things happen when we pray, that don't happen when we don't pray.



I love you all.