Arranger

One of the learning tools our mission uses is Strengths Finder. It helps identify the top 5 strengths a person has (from a possible 34 themes). From the two times I've taken the 'test', my strengths are: learner, harmony, input, responsibility, discipline, restorative, intellection, and developer. (It's common to have different strengths in the top 5 when taking the test multiple times--likely these 8 are all within my top 10.)

We each are image bearers of our creator, so it would seem to me that God has within himself all 34 themes and is able to use them each when needed.

Yesterday, I left Hutchinson early in the morning to drive into the Twin Cites (Minneapolis/St. Paul) to visit a church. As I drove, I waffled between continuing on to the new church or choosing to attend Trinity. I decided to proceed with attending the new church. I settled into the pew and tried to psych myself up for meeting new people and all that entails. The service started and we were given a chance to introduce ourselves. As the worship resumed, I saw some familiar faces walk in. What a fun surprise. I found myself relaxing and more able to focus.
Following the service, I was able to finally make eye contact. God has graciously arranged for a group of missionary kids attending a re-entry event to attend the same church service. I had planned to try and connect during the afternoon, but later learned I would have come up empty-handed. There were 7 teens that I knew from Romania and the Czech Republic. Many I hadn't seen in months, if not a year. It was a blessing to connect and have time to catch up with their lives and to share about my own. I'm so encouraged to hear about their hopes and plans for the future and their honesty about the struggles they're facing.

As we walked out of church, I asked if we could take a picture together and then started saying good-byes. I talked briefly with the woman in charge of the program and she invited me to join them for lunch and their activities in the afternoon. That morning, I never could have imagined that I would have the blessing of spending the afternoon with Amy, Matt, Hannah, Rob, David R, Christy, and David M. They are an amazing group of young people with hearts for God and others. I joined the group at the park for lunch and a discussion about what's important in choosing a church (what a timely discussion). We then proceeded to the apartment of one of the leaders to watch the World Cup game. I enjoyed talking with the leaders and some of the teens. Our afternoon closed with a drive back to Northwestern College where they're staying.

God truly has the gift of arranging...far beyond what I could have asked or imagined.