#VivaLondon Updates – Winding Down

It’s hard to believe that we only have about 10 days left here in the UK. In some ways it seems like this journey is just beginning, and we’re only now starting to become comfortable in our surroundings. On the other hand, as we mentioned in our last post, there have been some challenging times for us, where we weren’t sure what to do.

We’ve seen some awe-inspiring things, met some truly amazing people, and have been privileged to be a part of ministries and a church that is such an inspiration to us to live a more Christ-centered life. Without question, these are relationships and memories that we’ll cherish the rest of our lives. And we can’t wait to share all of that with our American friends and family over coffee or lunch (probably Mexican or BBQ, let’s be honest).

People keep asking us how we feel about going back to the States. I wish there was a simple answer.

I wish I could just say we’re happy or sad or indifferent about the whole thing. But it’s not simple. It’s complicated. And I’m not sure we ever expected to be as emotionally disoriented as we are.

We spoke with some friends here last night and they said, “do you know what it’s like to make friends with someone, and have that friend move away, where you may or may not have all those experiences (that made you friends) again?” Do we ever! Every relationship we’ve made here feels like that right now. The truth of it is, we don’t know what’s next for us. When the idea of actually moving to the UK came up in our hearts and minds, there was a certainty about it. We had no doubts about where we were supposed to step next and what we were supposed to do. Fast forward to now, and that clearness of heart and mind is not nearly as apparent. Even that has been extremely emotional.

What I don’t want right now is to bury you underneath another heavy post, especially considering the heaviness of the last one. Truthfully, this experience has been one of the most joyous ones of our lives, and I would be doing it a serious injustice to act as if it’s just been hard. It has been, certainly, but it’s also been unbelievably beautiful. (And that’s why leaving is a mixed bag.)

There’s a sense of unfinished business back in the States that we have. We feel as though the last few years have been a rehabilitation of sorts for us (forgive the sports metaphor) – and are now ready to get back in the game after some rebuilding and recharging. We couldn’t have done that without the leadership and wholehearted support of people here in the UK and back home. Now, we want to be fully-present, fully-active in the causes, movements and ministries we feel passionate about.

I’ve been leaning on this quote from Bob Goff this morning, and I think it sums up not only what God is doing in our lives right now, but what Yvette and I want to be as parents to our son –

I think a father’s job, when it’s done best, is to get down on both knees, lean over his children’s lives, and whisper, “Where do you want to go?” Every day God invites us on the same kind of adventure. It’s not a trip where He sends us a rigid itinerary, He simply invites us. God asks what it is He’s made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made. And then, leaning over us, He whispers, “Let’s go do THAT together”.

Unquestionably, that’s a worldwide vision for our family. Our time in the UK is not finished, even though for this season it may be. And thanks to the glory of FaceTime and social media…our friends are never far away, wherever we may be. (Although my Premier League matches will be a challenging commute!) As we wind down our time here, we’re trying to take advantage of every moment, seeing and doing as many things as we can and building on the friendships we’ve discovered. We love it here, and as the season closes, we leave a piece of our hearts here – and go out to the U.S.A. as missionaries of Wellspring Church in Watford, England, and of God’s worldwide Church.

Cheers to you and yours.