I first want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for me this week. It’s been a pretty tough week with Grandpa Schmitz passing away. We’ve been taking a team debrief so that is a blessing. I was able to talk to family and because of amazing technology these days I sat right in between Hannah and Jono at the memorial service yesterday. :)

Hearing that my Grandpa’s last words being “Hasta la vista,” (see you later) it brought tears of joy to my eyes. I love that he died so sure that he was a conqueror in Jesus. I couldn’t be there to see him in his last days on earth, but I can grieve with hope knowing I will see him again some day. These words of a song by Sidewalk Prophets keeps coming to mind:

“I can see it in your eyes that you are restless,

                        the time has come for you to leave.

            It’s so hard to let you go, but in this life I know,

                                    you have to be where you were made to be.”

He was so ready to be out of this world and to go home. He had to go where he was made to be, with Jesus. It's hard to know I coudn't be with you in those last days, but I know this is not goodbye, it's see you later!

Hearing from family and the pastor at the memorial service I know that in his last days he was looking toward Jesus. He wasn’t worrying, thinking about everything he wish he could have done, or dwelling on unimportant things. He was looking at Jesus. That’s what I want to do in this last month. I want to look at Jesus, not be anxious about going home or try to think of everything I wish I could do for the community. I’m going to love people with no agenda, be drained and empty to be filled with Jesus, seek the Kingdom, and eat lots of chapati. Keeping my eyes on Jesus and seeking His righteousness. In the words of my cousin, Dan, “Hey! Keep reppin’ da JC. Enjoy every second of it.”

In light of this difficult week, I have had a great week hanging with my team and swimming. We went on a safari and saw lots of elephants, baboons, giraffes, zebras, LIONS, warthogs, buffalos, and beautiful birds. It was pretty awesome. Check out pictures on Facebook!

Thanks again for the prayers, encouragement and support! Love you all so much and see you real soon.