Just some honest ponderings...

Yesterday I had the blessing of meeting with Philip Serez from MBMSI and Aurora (my co-leader and friend) for coffee and conversation as to what my role really was in this trip. I walked away feeling excited, encouraged and inspired but at the same time a little nervous.

Last year I approached my trip to Taiwan with some nerves but SO much excitement. I knew God was providing for me in amazing ways and until I got to Taiwan the only other person I really needed to worry about was myself. This year heading in is a different story...

As my role is to be the encourager, relationship builder, team bonder, conflict settler I think a bit more weight falls on my shoulders. And in light of this I feel more responsibility, that everyone is doing well, finding support, feeling like they are part of the team, like they are being supported by the team. And how do I do all this? I guess the answer is that I don't, that I rely on God to give me what I need... but at times that is hard.

This year as I head off I also head of with my best friend, encourager, supporter and boyfriend (that's right 4 in 1!) and I know that this adds a little more difficulty to the situation. I have to learn to depend more on Aurora, team and God when I have learned to depend on Rob and God. As we were talking tonight my friend Rachel prayed for something that struck me. That Rob and I would use this time to grow individually in Christ. I had forgotten to look at it that way, I had begun to worry about how it would pull us apart. It just takes a little encouragement from friends to get my head back in place.

This week I have been encountered with remembering where my ultimate dependence lies, with realizing where my priorities need to be, and of knowing that I am weak and that is OK.

This summer is going to stretch me in ways I did not know I could be stretched, and I'm slowly becoming excited to be stretched! :) I will probably come back a new and improved me.

"Now presenting Alysha new and Congolese improved. "