As I sit down to share with you how I came to be a part of this team I am reminded that this is reality... It's no longer just a dream or conversation, it is a movement, a story unfolding... Six stories unfolding really, as I am sure you will see this journey will and already has begun to reach each one of us in different, yet the same ways.
Months ago I wrote in my personal blog about how lucky I realized that I am. I have been given so many opportunities to see and do some amazing things that others may only wish for. The Lord has been gracious, faithful, humorous and loving to me over the years, and for that I am so thankful.
Back in Sept I wrote:
"Recently a great friend of mine shared with me her desire to lead a Summer team to Amsterdam to minister to the women of the Red Light district. When she told me about her plan my heart started to pound with excitement!! I can’t wait to see where the Lord is going to take her on this journey and I already feel so lucky that I get to walk along with her as she goes after the burden on her heart. Stay tuned for news from Amsterdam…. "
Little did I know at that time that I would later become a part of the team with her. I will always remember that first conversation with Elisa in my office. I think I will never forget the heart pounding I felt as she shared this long held dream of hers with me.
Throughout the time that we have all spent together as a team the Lord has spoken more and more clearly to me about who I am, what my dreams are and how each one of these ladies has played a significant part in helping me to see that.
For me, when I think about Amsterdam there are two parts for me that get my heart pounding. The first for me is this team of amazing, beautiful, smart, loving, wise, loyal, faithful, POWERFUL ladies that I am getting to serve with. My heart first and foremost on this journey beats for them. I honestly don't think I can think about them and what they bring to this table without welling with tears. I am committed to this team like a family, to do all that I can to support and encourage their dreams as they too discover more and more of who they are in this process.
And secondly, but most definitely not any less important is for the city of Amsterdam and those who are already reaching out to the windows. My heartbeat is for the broken, lost, misunderstood, wrecked women who are desperately in need of Jesus. Who long to hear the words that they are worthy of love, they are beautiful beyond measure and there is someone who jealously seeks their hearts. Having the opportunity to go and refresh those who are doing what I could only dream of is such an honor.
I feel like this is a rambling of all my thoughts on our team and this trip... I can't say that Amsterdam has been a place that I always knew I'd go... but I can say that because of Elisa and Chelsea's dedication to their dream I have begun to find my own in the midst of it.
I think I can say with great certainty that not one of us will return to the states the same as when we left. I have felt the Lord greatly press upon my heart that this is a marking moment for each of us. Something that will greatly impact us for a lifetime.
So it is with great honor, humility and thankfulness that I say "Let's Go!!"
Please keep the team in your prayers. Especially for protection, both physically and mentally. The enemy in his lack of creativity has already begun to try to reach us all with the same lies that I am sure he has the ladies of the windows under. As we travel in to a country that thrives off the brokenness of women, pray that we will hold strong in who we are, and who we know God to be.
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