Are you my home?

Remember that children's book, "Are You My Mother?", where the little bird hatches from his egg while his mother is out looking for food? He searches and searches for his mom, asking a dog, a hen, even a boat, but is rejected time and time again. Until finally, he lands on an earth mover which blows him back to his nest, right as his mother comes back. They are finally united and enjoy each others company. 

Now this might seem like kind of a stretch, but hang in there with me. 

A couple weeks ago, I was having a conversation with my mom. I was going through a time when I just really wanted to come home. I had hit the three month mark of being back in Paraguay since I was home for Christmas, and culture shock hit me good. She asked me, "If you came home, what does that mean? What does 'home' mean?" 

I didn't have an answer. 

What is "home" for me? Is it in my mom's house where we've lived since I was little? It is at my dad's new house in northern Escondido? Is it in La Mirada where I lived for four years in four or five different living situations? Is it in Boyle Heights, in East LA, where I lived for an incredible year after college? Or is it in Paraguay? 

Our friend Cesar, who is now a missionary in Israel, always said, "My home is where my suitcase is." But ehh... I don't really like that. There's no sense of permanency or comfort. 

Maybe I have multiple homes. Or maybe Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros got it right. 

But then, a couple days later, in my quiet time, I came across this passage: 

"Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'" Luke 9:58

I guess I don't have a "home" here on earth at all. (Now, I'm no Bible scholar, so don't take what I'm saying as exegetical commentary or anything, but just what I got out of it.) I'm not saying that I don't have a place to sleep or food to eat or a family that loves me because I follow Jesus. I have all of those things; and so much more. But rather, I need to have a change of thought. I need not to be thinking about how much I miss being with my family and friends in California. I shouldn't spend so much time dreaming about vegetables and Mexican food. It's not helpful to be desperately desiring to go on a run through the neighborhood or hang out on the beach. Those are all good things, and it's okay to miss them. But really, my mind should be set on things above. I need to be more heavenly focused. For while I am living here on this earth, my true citizenship is in heaven. 

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

I am so incredibly thankful for my time in Paraguay. The Lord is teaching me so much while I am here. I am also so thankful that I when I go back to my friends and family states-side that I will be welcome with open arms and lots of donuts. But when I find myself searching, like the little birdie, for a place to call home, I can rest in the fact that Jesus is saving the most perfect place for me in heaven.  

Maranatha Youth Trip

This might have been my favorite week in Paraguay so far. It was also one of the most exhaustingly difficult weeks. 

I had been anticipating this week ever since I came back in January. I had been preparing for it weeks ahead of time. And yet, it seemed to have flown by in a flash. Along with a ridiculous amount of selfies. 

The Maranatha Youth Group had finally arrived! I immediately felt like we had known each other for years. Each and every student was such a joy to be around. We spent the week going door to door, sharing the gospel, handing out shoes that were donated, and working around Su Refugio. 

Follow this link, for a video recap of the week. It does a much better job at depicting the week than I could ever do. Just look at the joy these kids have! As you can tell, it spread to the Paraguayans. 

One of my favorite parts of the week was walking through the barrio to share the Gospel with Bryn and Tommy. This was the first time either of them had done something like this. They were nervous. This was the first time I had ever translated. I was nervous. But the Lord calmed our nervous and brought us to talk with Ariel. Bryn and Tommy shared the story of Jesus Christ, and asked Ariel if he wanted to accept Jesus as his Savior. He said yes! We prayed with him and invited him to a Bible study in his neighborhood on Thursday nights. Before we even left Ariel's property, Bryn and Tommy turn to me and I could just see absolute joy on their faces. "That was awesome! Let's do that again!" Not only was Ariel's life changed, but so was Bryn and Tommy's. We all went from super nervous to totally excited about what God was doing. I hope I never forget the look on their faces. 

Trying to recap this incredible week seems to be impossible. I am so thankful for each of the students and leaders that came this week. For the first time in a long time, I felt that I could truly be myself. Even some of the other translators noticed that I was different. Maybe it was because I was with a group of people that shared the same language and culture. Maybe it was because God was doing a work in me to grow me as Missions Coordinator and I could see it coming together. Maybe it was because most of the students knew my brother and I loved talking about him because it was like he was there. Whatever it was, I am so thankful for such an incredible week.

Every single hug I received Saturday night as the group was about to leave was a gift in and of itself. Please join me in praying for these world changers. Pray that they would be able to share their experience. Pray that the Lord would receive all the glory and honor. Pray against sickness and thoughts from Satan as they are adjusting back to life in the States. Pray that they would continually seek what the Lord has for them. 

Bryn, Tommy, and I with Victoria and her daughter, Maria Isabella, after we gave them each a pair of shoes that were donated through Maranatha. 

The whole gang plus some kids at a school where we were able to share about Jesus!

I miss you guys!