"Return," or going back, to our homes sounds like it should be simple. However, we cannot just go back to our former lives the same as we were two weeks ago.
Something happens when we spend a week or so with a people distantly removed from our world. We end up finding more and more in common, and less and less differences between us. The common ground of love for family, our Savior, passion for future goals, and hope that our lives will somehow make a difference grow this beautiful garden of dreams and friendship that make it so hard to live separately afterward.
I saw members of our team willingly sacrifice time and resources in preparation for the trip. Humility was abundant as they asked others to support them, give them work to do, and gave of their own earnings to pay their part of expenses to travel.
I was greatly touched seeing the deep breaths, and huge steps of faith, as parents released children to travel across the world without them.
It warmed my heart when courage took over and formerly reserved folks stood up to share a lesson, or knelt to pray with, or sing a song to encourage our brothers and sisters at Lesibovu.
God was present, and actively working in so many aspects of this trip. We never doubted for long because as soon as we wondered how He would provide and if we would make it, then He answered with a resounding "Go!" and moved others to give, or to pray and tell us so, or to send a Scripture to encourage, or solved a problem we felt was impossible.
I think I speak for us all when I saw that the stretching of our faith has been the greatest gift from this experience.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
There were a lot of things we couldn't see before they happened. That is where my faith was greatly tested, as the leader of the team, I felt such a responsibility to make things fall into place smoothly and decrease stress that anyone felt. I quickly learned that is not really the right way to help others. Removing stress or controlling the environment is not only impossible, it doesn't help long-term. Faith is stretching. It requires hope. Stretching muscles is painful, but necessary for increased strength and growth! So it is with growing spiritually.
We have observed as all of our team members have been through some painful and at times, frustrating, stretching seasons but we can see how they really are blessings, because with them came an increased dependence on the Lord, and greater spiritual strength. I know that we will continue to learn from our experiences in Swaziland, and cannot wait as we share stories with you all. For now, we want to thank the literal hundreds of you who have supported us, given us strength by demonstrating YOUR faith, and who have prayed for our ministry. That has been a priceless gift, and we do not take it for granted.
With immense gratitude,
the 2014 Lesibovu team
