Encouragement

The time for my departure is fast approaching!... I still don't have my visa or a flight, but I'm trusting that it will come in quickly and I'll still be able to leave in mid January, just a month away!

I'm very excited, but also very nervous at the same time! To tell you that I have no concerns about next year would be a straight out lie. There's about a thousand different things I could be concerned with, and I'm familiar with the stresses that come along with moving to the other side of the planet. I know I will encounter many awkward and uncomfortable situations, I'm going to be pushed to edge of my comfort zone for sure! Not only that, but I'm leaving behind all of my family and friends. Granted, there are the wonders of the internet, and I'm sure I'll get my use out of Skype next year. But, with all the available technology, you can't replace time spent in the presence of your family and friends. Simply enjoying the company of those you are around.... With all this said, I'm fairly certain that I've also been under a lot of spiritual attack lately. As soon as I go to bed I'm plagued with doubts as to whether or not I'm doing the right thing, or if I'm in any way capable of doing it. I think of the reasons why I shouldn't be going. and all the things I'm not good at and really can't do. To be totally honest, a lot of times the thought, "What the hell am I doing?!" runs through my head.

I truly believe all of this is spiritual warfare. Just this morning as I was walking out the door to go to church, my last Sunday in Manhattan before I leave, the thought "Why am I doing this?" ran through my head. I did my best to push it aside and then headed off to church. As I walked into the sanctuary I said hello to one of the lady's I know, she smiled back and kept walking. Then she stopped and came back to me. She gave me a hug and told me she wanted to say goodbye before I left. Next she said something else, something that cut right to my heart. She said, "You know Paul, right from when I very first met you I knew God had this call on your life. It's a hard call, but thank you. Amen" It's like God was speaking directly to me, it took me a few minutes to think about it and realize how blatantly God was confirming this in my life! I sat down next to some of my friends, and then one of the high-school boys come up to me and gave me a bag of chocolate covered peanuts. He said, "I just want you to know that we are praying for you and what you're doing is awesome. Merry Christmas." Again, a direct confirmation that I'm doing what God has for me. The interesting thing is that I'm not close friends with either of the people who talked to me today, which I think confirms it even more that it was God talking right to me. It was so encouraging! It lifted my spirit.

Next year will be hard, there's no doubt about that, but I also know it will be an incredible adventure. Every time I've stepped out on a limb when I felt God calling me to do something it's been very hard and very rewarding. South Africa was an adventure to say the least, and I'm guessing Europe will be as well. God doesn't change, so the way He treats His children won't change either. I've seen Him faithful through and through, so I know He will continue to be there for me!.. I'm sad to be leaving my family and friends behind, but I know that I have a new family and new friends waiting for me in Wales. Every time I've moved someplace new God's provided that for me, and I still have meaningful relationships with people from those places.

Today I was encouraged. Today God spoke right to my heart and gave me the confirmation I needed.

The next couple of days will be bittersweet. I'm excited to be moving on, but I will miss everyone here in Manhattan so much!

It's a new chapter in the journey, and I can't wait to see what happens!