Just 7 weeks ago I was leaving for Europe; stressed, unsure, exhausted, confused, uncertain about where we were staying and how exactly we'd get to places, insecure my role of leading 2 dance ministries over seas and yet excited. (I mean Europe with my boyfriend and best friend...it couldn't be too bad)
First destination: Hungary (Part 1 of 3)
Musicians, technicians, dancers, evangelists, and a cinematographer/photographer. Concerts all over the country. Vaction Bible School. and a whole lot of God's love. (see previous blog for more details)
Second, Third, Fourth, etc destination: Austira, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy (Part 2 of 3)
3 friends. 15 days. 5 countries, technically 6 (Vatican City is its own country). This part of the trip was very eye opening. I learned patience, endurance (physically, spiritually, & emotionally), trust, truth and grace and much more. The sights were amazing. Most of the places were nice as were the people not located in touristy places. It's was amazing to see the vast history in all of these places.
In the beginning I could barely be feet away from a cigarette now I could cuddle someone smoking if I wanted to. I saw many more people physically injured than I usually do, a lot of canes & crutches. But we did see our receptionist's shoulder that hurt for 5 months get healed after praying for him!
I also saw many, many, beggars. It was hard, for multiple reasons. We did get to talk to & pray for a sweet guy with little use of his legs and arms selling his paintings on the street in Florence.
We saw the hurt caused by the church and were able to talk, relate, apologize and defend who Jesus really is with a woman on a train to Paris.
We walked forever. Sweated a lot. Barely made it to our trains. Gained muscle from carrying our luggage up flights of stairs. and ate a lot of bread and gelato.
We had to fight to get alone time with ourselves and with God. As I have become more introverted, this was the hardest part for me. But in this, God really created a true hunger inside of me to continue and deepen an intimate friendship with Him. It has now become a heart thing, and less of a head thing. God also confirmed my calling to intercession. He is increasingly showing me to find my value in who I am and not what I do. Also, learning that I am still in "recovery period" from past hurts, that God is mending. He is teaching me to trust Him, especially when I don't trust myself. Jesus said "Do not be anxious about anything" and he is telling me this personally. I'm understanding how to dwell with God more & that God's people are His dwelling place. That's just crazy. Last but not least, I'm learning that everyone is on a different journey with God, the important thing is to maintain a "teachable spirit."
What a journey these 15 days in itself were.
Final Destinations: Rome, Italy and Bosina (Part 3 of 3)
Finally with the body :) 450 people around the world. Going to 22 different countries. Amazing speakers, amazing stories, amazing people and amazing worship. 5 days of awesomeness, except the part where I hurt my foot and got an emotional text and questioned my being there, but God healed it like 80% and assured me that I was to be there. Dances were miraculously put together. Teams were miraculously formed and with God's help we were ready for anything.
A few of us had a 3 hr lay over in Serbia but we were happy we survived the turbulence and also made a legit short film in the airport. Finally got to Bosnia with our international art team. We started our days with prayer walks to cover all we did in prayer. We painted beautiful murals on bullet holed walls from the war, one of a fingerprint made of hand prints from us and locals and one mural of beautiful flowers growing out of the weeds in the city, Sarjevo. We brought hope in many ways, especially the idea reconciliation. We did art, dance, music workshops with kids, and roamed around the streets. We played daily with "roma or gypsy" kids and hung out with our new Bosnian friends Adela and Dado. We'll never forget them thanking us for showing us God's love, nor will we forget them. This trip was so incredible. We met amazing people, and saw God do a lot of things. He is so good. I bought a mug that say "Sarjevo in my heart forever." and it is soo true.
Getting home was delayed, crazy and interesting, but hey we eventually made it and in style too. Thanks God for the business class seats! That was one lesson in Him teaching me, that he really does have what's best for us.
The most important thing I learned because of this trip is the Jesus really is the GOOD NEWS to the WORLD.
Thanks for reading <3
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