Last Time This Time

Today we had our last meeting (this trip!) with the little church from Paris with the big, loving, caring, reaching heart. We had a fun morning of singing, taking pictures, handing out certificates, and praying with our brothers and sisters in Paris. As much as we went to encourage these wonderful people, we reaped a blessing of encouragement and strength two-fold or more.

We finished the day out with a final sight-seeing trip to Versailles. Not even rain and cold wind could dampen my joy. Yes, it made it harder to walk, and we got wet transferring from the train to the subway car. But, that was just for a little while.

I pray that we made a difference for eternity this week. I pray that God will continue to send His Spirit among the believers here. They, in many ways, are already past us in living as the church Jesus wants us all to be.

Most of the team is headed back to Oklahoma tomorrow. We will hopefully be leaving behind encouragement to keep running the race and encouragement to push outside the current boundaries. I hope we left behind a portion of God's Spirit and love. I know that we are leaving this trip spent of our energy.

Aimee and I are staying a couple extra days to take in some other sights and enjoy each other, but it will probably contain a lot of rest. I praise God for giving us strength this week. Even through the last day people were up on time and ready to help. I thank God for pouring out an extra measure of patience on us this week. It would have been easy to let the little things begin to rip little tears in the group as the fatigue set it, but we still laughed together and sang even to the last moment.

I thank God for new friends and brothers and sisters. I thank God that He has done more to change my perception of His kingdom this week than I was prepared for. It's going to take a while to process all He's spoken in my heart this week, but I'm ready to obey it. Please, keep asking me about the trip, and keep me accountable to the things I tell you.

Ready to come home changed forever.

Pray that He will receive the glory His sacrifice deserves.

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith