“Why did you say yes?”
I’m a little sad this morning after saying goodbye to some really cool people. On Saturday I decided to host a backpacker traveling through Quito. Right before he arrived, the traveler I was supposed to host on Monday (today) messaged me he arrived earlier than planned. I decided I could host both at the same time, even though it wasn’t as I had it set in my head (I’m still not great at all the changes here, haha). When the backpacker I was supposed to host arrived on Saturday night, he had 2 friends with him he met on the way here, asking if they could possibly stay as well. So, I ended up with 4 people staying in my apartment one night and 3 the next – and all the chaos that comes with 4-5 people living in a 1 bedroom apartment. Today they all left.
Even though it was only 2 days I got to spend with them, I am always amazed at how quick we can connect with other human beings. One moment that stuck out to me was the point when they asked me point blank, “Why did you say yes to letting us all stay here?” In the moment I had no answer. It was a good question.
Today I had the chance to answer that question a little better for them before they took off. I showed them some of my manuscripts from my Inductive Bible Studies. I told them, “This, this is why I said yes. My faith calls me to help those in need, to connect and love deeply, and to have conversations like this.” I tried to explain how I can’t read such a text and remain the same and that they don’t even have to believe the same as me for me to try to care well for them.
It was a crazy weekend with many unplanned turns, but I’m grateful today. I’m sad I had to say goodbye and I’m jealous I can’t go with them. I, unfortunately, may never see them again, but I hope and pray that they saw Jesus’ love for them through me, even though I don’t always show or reflect it well. They continued to tell me how nice I am, but I have only been able to see my brokenness recently. It weighs heavy on my heart, especially since I can tend to wallow in my depression (although I wear my “I’m fine” mask really well through it all).
I have no idea of most of their spiritual backgrounds. I don’t know their whole stories. But I am so grateful that God changed my plans this weekend, challenged me to say yes to the insanity of 4 people sleeping on my floor, and continues to call me out of my comfort zone and meet me in my brokenness. I pray that they encounter Jesus in a personal way on their journey. I pray that, for both you and I, God continues to call us out of our comfort zones and that we may have the courage to say yes. I pray that Jesus would meet you in your brokenness as he continues to meet me in mine.
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