love.

I could write so much about today, but I am going to really share my heart and what has truly hit me hard today.

As a group today (the four of us) we prayed together for the first time. We sat in a circle with our trainer and prayed each aloud about our concerns, blessings, thankfulness, etc. Our trainer Daryl (what a gift from God- he is a true blessing and is in constant prayer for us) has been encouraging us all as we are standing before so much unknown. He told us that God laid a few verses on his heart today. If you have time, look them up, as they may be a source of comfort to you as well. ((1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 12:7, Luke 22:31-32)) We discussed how these verses talk about temptation, which can also be translated as testing, and how he often tests us the same way he has tested others throughout the bible. It isn't a cruel deal or anything, but it only brings us closer to him as we make it through the suffering and hard times. I believe we, as a group, will experience many difficulties along the way, but God will never leave us alone, and through him all things are possible. Always. Daryl always tells us, I don't think you can do this, I know you can do this, I KNOW it. It was an amazing time because I feel like we really came a lot closer as a group. It was beautiful.

We also had our second seminar on strengths. We all had to take a strengths finder test before coming to youth in mission, and all of your top 5 strengths have been recorded. We have be forced to spend a lot of time analyzing our strengths and understanding how they will work together. Zach, you have really helped me prepare for that as we have done so much preparation as a couple learning how to work together. So I was familiar with these things to an extent. I suggested using.. "I feel.." verses, "you did..." haha. It's fun to get to know one another and learn how God really wants us to interact with one another. We talked about how we need a mission and what that mission really is. I think as a group we have named that mission love. Simply love.

Tonight, our sermon was on love, oddly enough. No coincidences either :) But we were talking about how much time the church (meaning US, you and I) really spends so much time talking about the issues and the details of our beliefs/opinions. We are called to be the united body of Christ through our mission and purpose. We often interpret that call in such a way that we think we must have perfectly united views and opinions on everything from politics to social programs. But I don't believe God calls us to draw the lines in black and white. We are called to love. To love the republicans and the democrats, to love the laid back and the uptight, and to love the introverts and the extroverts all the SAME. To be unified in love. Regardless of race, culture, or upbringing. I am so excited to embark on this journey across the world as we minister and learn from the people of Mozambique. I don't feel we are going to force them to adopt every tradition and opinion that we have, but we are called to love them as Christ would love them, so that they may love others the same.

There is a phrase that we have heard time and time again and are forced to say at lunch and what not. "That's different, but that's okay." I don't want to leave it at that though, as my teammate Kristin put it, but I want to embrace their culture and opinions and appreciate them. We never have to agree, but we don't have to spend the time of our lives discussing our opposing views either. Our one mutual language that we can and MUST ALL SHARE is Christ's love for us. It's when we begin to burn with his love that nothing else matters. I challenge all of you as we are being challenged. That's different, but it's okay, because I appreciate your difference.. because of the love that Christ graciously shows us EVERY DAY.

What a good day.

Two funny things I learned today.
Actually not funny, but I find them funny because they will both make for such an amazing adventure! haha.
1. our plane ride that begins on Sunday consists of 5 layovers. We receive our itineraries on Saturday night, but have been told to mentally prepare for the flight, that at worst could take over 44 hours! wow. The Lord is definitely preparing us for something! :)
2. I hear that FISH is big in Mozambique. But our trainer told me the funny missionary prayer for food. "Lord, I got it down, now please, you keep it down." I will definitely be embracing this prayer as fish eyeballs could make their ways to our plates! :)

Well now that I have seriously written a novel, I guess I should bring it to a close. My fingers are numb because it's cold here in New Mexico! haha, but I know that I will not always be able to write a lot or this detailed in Mozambique, but while I have the opportunity, I wanted to share my heart with you as I am growing significantly daily. I love you all so much and appreciate all the love you show me. I am in prayer for all of you as this journey is a lot different, but just as important on the other side. Goodnight!

Love Always, Allyson