The past few weeks have been very overwhelming and very stressful. Not only for me but more so my family. My parents spend hours upon hours working on paperwork, plans, and little details to make this move happen. We are still waiting for a letter from Colombia for my Visa. Insurance for while I am away is a struggle due to my existing diabetes. I am still in need of people to support and donate monthly while I am away. My departure date keeps getting pushed further and further back. All of these things piled onto the fact that I just sold everything I own is very overwhelming, discouraging, and at times too much to handle. At times I have found myself asking, "God is this Your will? Am I supposed to be in Colombia? Why are things happening this way?" He reassures me everything is okay and that the cost of following Him is very large. Its not easy, it includes things such as betrayal, persecution and even hatred. I got so caught up in leaving that I forgot what it would take to get there. I knew it wasn't going to be easy and now that my departure gets closer and closer, the waves get bigger and bigger. The tiny storm has now become a raging storm and when I ask myself, "What am I doing?" my Father replies, "Serving my Kingdom." I know once the storm has cleared it will all be worth everything done, its just getting to that point that I need strength. I know big things will be done in Colombia and that things are happening in His time, not my own. I guess this is where I learn patience. :)
Although the storm has been brutal, my plans have not changed. As one problem occurs, God gives us another way around it. My heart is still on fire and ready to serve the children of Colombia. Pastor Lance preached a message last night titled "Restart My Heart". As I listened, I realized I have already passed the point of turning back. I've gone to far and worked to hard. But all the chaos has interfered with God. The interference has caused many more frustrations and its time to just restart my heart. Its time to clear the distractions and complications and give them to God. Rather than trying to fix them, I need to lean further upon the love of my Savior. After all I have given everything, He is all I really have. Everything is in His control and when I step out of His way, when I "restart my heart" so the interference may be cleared, I am at peace. For those of you following I ask for prayer that things fall into place and the storm begins to calm, that I allow God to move things at His will and not my own.
I have given all I know and all I own to follow our Father. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. But as the enemy throws another curve ball into the game, God gives me a way to knock it out of the park. There is no turning back, no matter what is thrown at me. God has told me to serve His children in Bogota and He will find a way to get me there. God bless you all!
From His Front Lines,
Chris
