For the past two summers I have led mission trips to Romania, both have been incredible trips. This most recent trip brought me renewed vision & focus. My summer in England had felt long and challenging. I was in need of the adventure when it came.
I took 15 of the students I lead. We were working with a charity seeking to see kingdom transformation in the area and country. We worked with the local gypsy communities. A people marginalised in society, scraping a living of the land. The activities we did were fun and not you’re run of the mill activities. I don’t get to throw mud (dirt & horse poo) at houses back at home. We were helping, honest. But it wasn’t this that made the experience for me.
It was the fact that God turned up. I can’t explain it but it’s as if the gap between heaven and earth is thinner. I felt his presence in ways I hadn’t in a while. I knew his love, his affirmation, his voice with so much clarity, his faithfulness to come when I ask him to show up.
In the early hours of the morning I sat in his presence looking out over stunning mountains wondering why that was. What was it about being there? What was it about that place?
The conclusion I came to was this. For me being there and being devoted to just 15 people, leading & discipling them through our time was one of the simplest expressions of what I’m called to do. At home this is a large part of what I do but often it appears clouded by responsibility and demands. There it was simple, clear like everything came into focus.
When I got home life hit again and for the first few days I barely new whether I was coming or going.
It seemed it would have been simpler to stay out there. But I knew I couldn’t. You see I am in training. My life in England is my training ground for the things that I am called to and I could focus on them again knowing that something in my heart had been reignited to go after what it is he made me to do. I had felt a glimpse of what it felt like to feel fully alive because you know you are doing the thing he made you to do.
So I am renewed in my direction and passion as I look forward.
So I ask what it is for you? What are the things that will speak to your soul again about how it was he created you and what for? It might catch you off guard in the unexpected places but God is the God of the unexpected. He has a habit of catching us off guard. For me it was a mission trip and 15 special people that I get to lead. I don’t know what it will be for you, but I do know he wants to show you. He is always wanting to call out of us the destiny he has put before us and give us renewed passion to pursue it.
By Ally Proudfoot.
