A Joyous Reunion!

 Fifteen months ago I left apiece of my heart there when I was blessed to be part of a mission trip with our church. I spent my time building relationships with a beautiful group of young men and women with developmental disabilities. I expected it to be hard. I expected it to be sad. I expected to leave there feeling that what I had done was not enough, that the need would outweigh anything I could accomplish in my short time there. What I did not expect to find was joy, hope and unconditional love overflowing all around me! I was a guest in there home and they were the most gracious hosts. In my short time there I fell in love with this beautiful country but more importantly I fell in love with these beautiful souls with the purest hearts. Yes there is poverty, yes they lack resources but they love with wild abandon. They love each other, they love life and most of all they love the Lord. What began as me getting to know them and learning about their individual lives, continued upon my return to the United States. I am blessed to be part of a group here with similar disabilities. Although we live almost 8000 miles apart, we have deepened our relationship through our shared love of Jesus and the humble ways he teaches us to live. We are on a journey together with Christ as our guide. We share stories, we cry, we laugh, we connect through technology and most of all we pray for one another. Soon I will make the journey back there bringing handmade cards, little gifts and well wishes from our group here in the US. I am counting the days when I see them again and can hug them in person. The joy I feel is indescribable and often brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. It brought to mind another joyous reunion, one I have yet to experience. The day when we will  be reunited in heaven with all those we love and hold dear. If I am this excited to see my earthly friends, one can only imagine what that heavenly reunion will be like! Trumpets will sound, cheers of great joy will ring out and there will be much hugging and singing! As I prepare for my upcoming trip with much anticipation, my heart sings as I think not only of seeing them again soon, but of one day meeting Jesus, my heavenly host, and that will indeed be the most joyous reunion of all!