Active Compassion

Otis, Keaton, Flou and Collin in Athens. Otis and Flou are from Nigeria. They moved to Greece legally ten years ago but have not been able to make a 'better' life for themselves. They want to return home but because they can only make so much money as street musicians, they do not know how long it will take them to save enough money for plane tickets.

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Returning from Greece this past month, I’ve not been able to shake what I saw and experienced. My heart has been wrecked by the bigger picture - the reality that is for so many people. From the Greeks themselves who are in fear with the current economic crisis and feeling hopeless; to Roma (gypsies) children as young as 4 wandering the streets alone working to make money; to the migrants/asylum seekers alike who regardless of their circumstances and what is legal/illegal- desire not just a better life; are escaping persecution and fearing for their lives- their reality is bleak. I have had a harder time wandering through all that I took in and what it looks like to move beyond my world of comfort.





Highlighted to me this past Easter has been that of the compassion and mercy over our lives. How do I process through the names and faces.. the stories of those who have not. As I’m reminded of the grace and mercy lavished upon my life, I’m grateful that Jesus looked upon us and had compassion and He responds to the cries of our hearts. This seemed to be the vibrant theme throughout these past weeks in Greece. The names and stories of those who lives left an impact on my heart as well as the group. On the last night of our time together, I asked the group what left the biggest impact and why. Not one of them said a place or location. Each of them shared of what God had been revealing to them in regards to having compassion; His love for us and what it looks like to love others not conditionally rather because the love of Christ compels; the stories and encounters with other people and though languages could have made for difficulties, love transcended. How deeply encouraged I was to see how God had been working .. moving and opening their hearts. To watch these students not only take in what they were experiencing, but to respond and to embrace those they encountered. My prayer for them as they returned home is that God would continue to nurture their hearts what was planted in those 11 days together, continuing to revealing Himself to them.

Bittersweet end to the season

Occasionally I lead trips to places I’ve yet to visit myself! I know you ask: How can you lead people to a place you’ve never been? You get a really good map, memorize landmarks and praise God for Google Street View!! ;) On this past trip, we spent several days in a gorgeous valley nestles between the Austria Alps. What a stunning place! I fear my photos do not begin to capture the beautiful and grandeur of this place. Waking each morning to a postcard view and each night, falling asleep to the sound of mountain water gushing through the creek below my window and the soft silhouette of the mountains in the distance. This was a piece of heaven on earth.



For three days the kids got to ski and snowboard up on the Stubaital glacier and the afternoons were spent hiking up the many trails into the mountains, running around the alpine meadow, walking into the little village of Neustif or just enjoying the wonderful hotel where we were staying. Typically my tours take me through major cities, so when I am able to venture outside major cities, it is sweet music to my heart.

This trip also marked the end of my travel for the season. Originally, I was scheduled for several more tours but came down with pneumonia once again. It was bittersweet in that I wasn't ready for this to be my last tour for the season yet at the same, I was grateful to not be crossing an ocean again for awhile. Often I am asked when speaking of my job, “ do you ever get tired of it”? If you ask me this after I’ve come off a 13+ hour flight, several airports, crossing time zones, my body aching and 30 hours of no sleep.. then yes, I do get tired- of traveling. {To the left: London's Heathrow Airport Terminal 5} Ask me when I’m sitting at dinner surrounded by several precious students sharing with me about their lives, laughing while eating in Rome.. then, no- I never tire of it! This past trip had a mix of those moments- those things which I’m happy to never have to do again- 13+ hour flights and London’s Heathrow airport at 5am to tender moments while a student open their heart to me, and in turn I’m able to love them in that place, I pray that God speaks through me and that I don’t just leave them with empty words.

Over the years, working with students, I’ve grown more and more perceptive to what resonates within them verse where I see the eyes rolls and a shutting down of their hearts. I see that more than ever their biggest struggle is trying to figure out who the heck they are let alone what a relationship with God looks like. You speak to their hearts by loving them where they are at, allowing them to just be and love them in that place.. not focusing on who they can be in the future but seeing them as they are, just as God sees us. He doesn’t look at us and say ‘I see potential in you kid’ but He loves us exactly as we are: fallen, broken, stubborn, prideful, confused.. I can go on as the list is endless! Rather He looks at us with compassion. He pleads for our hearts and He will go after them! So when I spend time with these precious students.. My desire is for them to not feel like they aren’t good kids, or the ‘beware of walking this path’ talk rather by sharing my heart, my struggles, being authentic with them- and that my life is walking in grace.. seeing the gifts God has given me to serve others, not to look to just serve myself. You invite them into this walk. It's a special moment to share in. This is why i do what I do. Not to just travel, see amazing places, etc.. but to be a part of sharing in this incredible life God has given us, to walk in grace and love with compassion.



A wonderful ministry that does this well- loving students exactly where they are and breathing life into them- Daystar Ministries in Nashville TN. I'm beyond grateful for how they loved me all those years in which I was a part of a girls group that met once a week. For the first time, I felt not only accepted but embraced in my brokenness. They loved me for me. And they were a safe place to share in this. I can't tell you how that kind of love changed me. Of course my parents did this as well- but as a pre-teen/teenage girl, the last thing you want is advice from your parents. ;) So it is for them that my heart beats for these students.. because I was so loved, I hope that God directs me in bringing encouragement and comfort. This scripture is a reminder to me: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.