jakorte's blog

Every person on this trip brought me at least one smile or made me laugh out loud.
Even in the midst of stress and sadness. Even during the frustrations and indignations.
There was always someone offering up something to bring it around to good.

Duct tape, Scottish wisdom, sharing music, text messages from back home, things people say when fire alarms go off in the middle of the night, trying to say Wet Roof when your lips are just too tired, a perfectly misplaced puppy, a very unlucky duck, turtle soup, huge pieces of pie, fly-away napkin birdies (for lack of something better to call this amazing talent), laughter, laughter, and more laughter.

I can see GOD’s balances now.
He gave us hearts to hurt so we would be moved, and friends to heal so we could stand.

Watching the first-timers come around was hard.
There were so many times I wanted to step in:
watching the incredulous disbelief and sorrowful tears flow
watching the drive to finish the job turn into full bloom hope
watching the backward glances memorizing the scene
watching relationships grow, and mesh, and fall apart a bit

I was so busy coming around last October that I just didn’t notice if anyone else was or not.
So, there I was: wanting to fix things, wanting to make the path wider and smoother, wanting to give a comforting glimpse into the future.

I wanted to explain that things would be different back home. And, that it would be ok. But, it’s not the sort of thing I’d have believed if someone has stepped into my struggle back then.

I suppose it’s going to sound like a bit of a selfish joy, but I’m thankful for that special gift: the gift of watching others struggle. These were the times I could see GOD moving in their lives, much as he has moved through mine. Knowing how I struggled, and how it’s all turned out to be ok in most ways, gave me the strength to sit back and watch in serene peace.

When I think of all of you as a team, and each person individually, I still feel that enveloping peace. As GOD continues to move through your lives, I hope that someday you get the chance to see others struggle. I also hope you will be with them to rejoice as they move further into the LORD. jak