Rest will find you

One of the many unexpected surprises on this trip was the toll that it took on my energy level initially. The strain of deciphering accents, following non-verbal cues from other language speakers and the challenge of showing love to large groups of people often left me feeling tired.

Over the course of the trip rest found me in many unexpected places. Sometimes a fellow missionary would offer me candy which woud remind me that we are all of this journey together and to enjoy the ride. At other times, I would find the compound lizards fascinating as they scurried about. Whether we were immersed in scripture or joking on the bus, there was never a moment that I felt alone, unequipped or forgotten by God. The few moments when I did not know how to recover my focus for the rest of the day were countered by small prayers of gratitude as I remembered to care for the community.

The quiet moments when I was alone with my thoughts and prayers proved the most valuable as I realized how fortunate I was to touch the hands and faces of the people of Burkina Faso. Their joy, patience and genuine desire to learn more about Jesus pushed me to my limits when I thought I could give no more. The people of this country are often photographed out of context making it hard to see the beauty of spirit that lives in each christian of Burkina Faso.

No matter where you go, you can always find rest in Jesus and his words in Matthew 11:28.