Today marks day one of my summer in Europe! It as been quite a crazy couple of weeks for myself. I aspired to write a few posts between when I posted my last one and now; however, perpetual circumstance in this season of transition did not relent. Here are a few moments I was able to be a part of in the past couple of weeks:
- Two beautiful weddings for some of my favorite people!
- My own undergraduate commencement.
- My sister’s high school graduation (shout out to Carolyn).
- Tender coversations with friends.
- Packing up everything I own to prepare to move to Texas after my JV internship.
It feels as though my college graduation was yesterday, but at the same time, I was itching to get on the plane to Europe.
God is moving.
Although my post-grad time has been short and I have scarcely had time to process and reflect, here are some things that God has been laying on my heart:
- Suffering and joy are intuitively thought of as inversely proportional. Although suffering does not ellicit a joyful response in of itself, there is a perspective toward suffering we obtain once we are united with Christ that shows us that it is God’s workmanship perfecting us, making us whole.
- Lately, I have been learning how to grieve well!
- My missionary summer internship is so significant, but not ultimate. It is also a part of God’s greater plan to redeem and restore humanity, just like your workday, or your friendships! We have a role to play in the main story, but we are not the main story.
- This summer will be an amazing learning experience. I am so excited!
- I want to abide in Christ, as I am united with Him in His death and resurrection. Perichoresis is the theological term for how the persons of the trinity relates to each other. It is though of as a dance - I too want to dance with God in this beautiful, messy, but calculated manner, letting him lead me. My salvation is my invitation into this dance with God!
Looking Ahead
Upon touchdown in Prague I will (Lord willing) be picked up by Josh Dietz, my original connection to Josiah Venture, and I will hop on a train to Ostrava, Czechia. After spending the night with my intern director, I will head to Krakow on a bus to start the Josiah Venture Amazing Race, a part of intern training! Stay tuned for fun stories.
An Invitation to Prayer
I’d love to invite you to prayer over:
- My intern team as we learn how to encourage one another and work as a team.
- My intern director, Josh Nelson, as he will be leading us the whole summer.
- The camps ministry for Josiah Venture, and all of the students who are going to be coming to camp!
Thanks for partnering with me in my summer missionary internship!
χάριτος καἰ εἰρήνη,
(grace and peace)
- Carson