Endings and Beginnings

Good morning!

Team 1 safely arrived in Bujumbura and today is their day of rest and reflection. During the afternoon they'll have some team time, which consists of a devotional and time to reflect on the trip.

During mission trips that I've been blessed to go on in the Amazon Jungle of Brazil, the lives of the villagers made me realize how the many choices here in the U.S. diminish the need for relationships. I would imagine Burundi would be similar in that the people probably live pretty simple lives when it comes to material things, possessions, and how they spend their time. The word “freedom” always pops back into my mind after mission trips. We can pick and choose pretty much whatever we want in life, here in the U.S. We work where we want, eat whatever we are craving, listen to our favorite music, buy from the closest grocery store, email or use cell phones to stay in touch with friends and family…and the choices go on and on. But, is life really better here because we have so much? Thinking about my grandparents life, I realized how far from relationships we have evolved. And yet, with all these choices, we still want more. (I'm guilty of this at times). We long for what we don’t have. (And this one, too) We aren’t satisfied with what we’ve got. Content, few are.

So “who is better off?” A question Tim normally asks the team. A tough question but, in many ways, I think the villagers of the Amazon are. They live life through relationships. Everyone looks out for & serves one another. They care deeply for their neighbor. They love each other unconditionally. House size, type of car, clothing, zip code, or salary doesn’t matter…it’s all about serving each other. Giving to and sharing with one another. Thinking about others first. And they truly are happy people. Simple and content with the most gentle, humble spirits and with great faith in the Lord.

And always smiling. Content with life though, in our opinion, they have so little. But do they?

What a comforting yet humbling reminder of God's provision for his children! As his Word says But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? Matthew 6:30

While this team has finished their time of service in Burundi, their mission continues as they head back to Dallas. Their mission field is all around them...at work, their neighborhood, at the gym, the cleaners, wherever they go. And while this team is wrapping up their experience in Africa, a new journey is just beginning for team 2. Team 2 should be in London right now and is expected to arrive in Bujumbura, Burundi on Sunday.

Prayer for today:

- For team 1 to be still with the Lord. Reflect upon what He is teaching them from this experience.
- Rest & preparation for the long flights home.
- That the Lord would prepare them for, oftentimes, the 'culture shock' of returning home.

- Safe travels for team 2 and that all of their luggage would arrive with them.

- For the Lord to prepare both the team, the translators and the people of Burundi for His plan.

- Praise God for a great trip for team 1. Praise God for the resources to make it possible. Praise Him for keeping everyone safe and healthy, out of harm's way. Praise Him for all of the work He is doing in that country to soften hearts and resolve years worth of conflict.

We are so thankful for you to have journeyed with us during team 1's adventure and for your prayers. We hope you'll stay with us as we 'travel' alongside team 2.

Have a blessed Saturday!

Kelli Coblentz

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:3-14