For these past few years, I have been pursuing a degree in Music Ministry at Olivet Nazarene University. My time there has been incredible; each day is full of its own share of opportunities. One such opportunity led me to Africa and now has me going back in a few short months. In the transition from going on a missions trip to now being a co-leader of that same trip, I have learned a lot. I have learned more about myself, my God and my future.

There is a beauty in the past. The past is known. It happened. Sometimes to our disliking, it cannot be altered. Nonetheless, the inherent definitive nature of the past is quite appealing. It is appealing because it is comfortable.

In my preparation to lead nine other college students to another country, I cannot help but think of the team I was a part of earlier this year. There were seventeen of us all together. At first, it felt like a large group of people, but very quickly the numbers melted away as we became acquainted. How we became a familiar unit so quickly is a mystery I am still trying to unravel. I desire the team I am leading to be like the last one I was a part of. But this time, there are only twelve. No one really knows each other. Our entire purpose differs from that of the first group. How then can this team be like the last?

For some time this question troubled me. I know the love and success my last team had on this trip to Africa. Is it so bad for me to want that for this group? In pondering and praying over these queries I learned whether or not such a desire for this years team was healthy depended on my perspective. Yes I dearly love and respect those sixteen people from the first Congo team and yes I hope this years Congo team can be as close as we were and still are. However, I have learned and am still learning I need to let this years group be just that. A new group. There is an entirely different mix of people. We do not and will not have the same love of last years group.

It is this simple idea that has created both anxiety and great joy. Anxiety: because we are starting from square one and I have to open myself up to a new group of people. Great joy: because we are starting from square one and I have to open myself up to a new group of people. This Congo 2015 team will become a family in its own time, in God's time. Not in mine. What a rare and wild journey we are on. I cannot wait to see what comes of it!

Here is to hoping I will actually blog to keep you updated ;)
Lord Bless,
-Susan