Monday 24 June 2013

The Beginning of a Journey Together

Twenty-seven strangers from all over the globe have made the decision to obey. They have made the decision to embark together on a journey with one purpose; to discover how they may best glorify Jesus Christ with their lives. Each member, as you will discover over the course of this 6-week journey, is different. They each bring their own preconceptions and cultural baggage. Each one seeking to discover how they can glorify the Lord. These are our stories, from our perspectives.

Though the journey began several days ago for most of the interns, today marked our first scheduled meeting. We each started the day with breakfast as we discovered whom among us were morning people and who needed a few cups of tea or coffee before communicating with anyone. Following breakfast was thirty minutes of quality time with our Father. This time was to worship God alone with no distraction and no task at hand. Each of us had the opportunity to escape our world as we cleared our minds and focused on Christ. We then, as a group, joined together to worship the Lord. As I looked around the room while each person sang the words “Holy, Holy, Holy” I could not help but be filled with joy. This is it; this is the church. The church is filled with people from every nation and every tongue; each one crying out to the Father; each one crying out in worship. I have been so moved lately by how God has reminded me of the diversion of His church. As an American, I so easily become ethnocentric in my thinking. It’s great to be reminded that there is no partiality when in comes to Christ and His Kingdom.

Rod Story, a tremendous teacher with a heart of service, lead us in lecture. He gave us the opportunity to discover who God has made us to be. We each took the MBTI test to discover more about our personality. What makes us energized and what drains us. Are we more likely to follow our minds or our hearts? Each of us gaining knowledge of who we are and how we can better relate to one another with kindness and respect. Though tiring at times the lecture today proved to many of how important this time here in Fiji will be.

As the day ends we each seek to know one another better as we play games, fellowship and eat together. Though this journey has just begun we have already seen God move in amazing ways.

-Garrett Grindstaff



1 comment:

  1. So exciting. Thanks for the news. Will be praying for you all and for unity in the team.

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