Last Days

Wow I can't believe I only have one more full day at home before I leave! This last week has been full of seeing people in between trying to sort out my packing. Packing, I have discovered, is like revision - anything is preferable! But I can't put it off any longer.

I've had to say a whole load of goodbyes this week which has been draining. In the end last night at cell I announced that I 'wasn't doing goodbyes'. I just couldn't cope with any more. People's support for me has been amazing - even just today two people have taken time out to pop over to see me unexpectedly. I feel really blessed to know that I have everyone behind me as I leave, encouraging me & praying for me.

It's strange - eventhough I've lived in Clarens before & know how wonderful a place it is and am going to live with friends, I still feel nervous. I guess the reality is starting to hit home. Although I have friends there, I haven't actually seen any of them for 18 months. And things at the church will have undoubtedly changed since I was there. I'm excited to see what it will be like this time, but also nervous as it's actually a big unknown.

Just before I left Clarens last time one of the elders of the church had a word for me. He said I was going to encounter a situation in which I would see God's grace in a new way which would in turn cause my faith to rise. I really feel this is the situation - God has been so gracious to me in all my planning and in His provision for this next season. Knowing all that I've walked through in the last 18 months, knowing that He has provided for me financially for this time beyond my expectations does cause my faith to rise. I know without doubt that this is God's will for me.

So eventhough I am tearful, eventhough I know I will miss people and will find it incredibly hard to actually leave on Friday, deeper than those emotions runs my conviction that God will provide all that I need to serve Him in Clarens. He will be my rock and comfort. He is able to protect me from homesickness. He will be walking with me.

A few weeks ago someone prayed out at church about Jesus knowing how we feel in any situation. And I remember that really impacting me as I thought about the cultural shock Jesus endured when He lived on the earth. When I'm frustrated with situations and the constant cry of 'but we're one new man in Christ', I can remember that Jesus understands those frustrations and is walking through them with me.

And then last week at cell we sung this song:

Into Your hands
I commit again
All I am
For You Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand
And I am Yours
Forever

Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
You're the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

I'll walk with You
Where ever You go
Through tears and joy
I'll trust in You
And I will live
In all of Your ways
And Your promises forever

I will worship
I will worship You
I will worship
I will worship You

This song sums me up at the moment. I'm moving to the other side of the world because I believe in Jesus. I belong to Him. I'm following Him, whether through tears or joy. This move is my worship to Him.

On a lighter note I thought you'd enjoy seeing where I'm hoping to spend Saturday night eating the most amazing chicken burger in the world with some old friends and maybe listening to some live music.