Back when Jesus got his disciples together for a final meal together, He knew this last supper would mean so many things to so many people for millennia to come. I think He was, in everything He did, the epitome of intentional… but He was especially intentional in the way he spent his final moments with his friends…. sharing a meal. There’s something holy about sitting down with another, or a few, to nurture our bodies and souls with good food and good words. Old times are brought up and reminisced on as a hot cup of coffee steams comfort into the air, and new adventures can be discussed over big fat sandwiches of hopes, fears, and chicken salad. This is the beauty of sharing a meal…. time to laugh… time to eat…. and time to reach deep.
This is what lunch is like with Elizabeth…. or rather, Paradise, as I call her. Years ago, we met working at Forest Home and became fast friends. Through the years, she’s be such a great confidant, encourager, and joyful presence in my life…. and even though there are sometimes long pauses in between our lunches, I absolutely love how we can pick up right where we left off the last time.
This particular lunch was planned in light of a new adventure Elizabeth will be embarking on in just a few weeks. She explained, in between sips of coffee, that she will be working with an organization called Empowering Lives International, or ELI, in Kenya as a nurse practitioner. I asked how long, and with a smile on her face, she said, “6 months. But I’m really excited about it.” She would.
As long as I’ve known her, Elizabeth has been the adventurer. She was the camp nurse for forever, she took an impromtu trip to Zimbabwe with two trouble maker staffers from camp and bungee jumped off a giant waterfall. She even took her own personal trip to Africa for a few months. She run marathons, and recently finished her NP schooling with flying colors. Long story short, Elizabeth is nothing short of amazing. So amazing that her choice to spend 6 months in africa working as a nurse and doing missions doesn’t surprise me one bit. She’s gonna rock Kenya, and ELI has no idea what an amazing asset they’re getting.
I just wanted to share her story with you blog readers because she really is inspiring. As her trip approaches, I encourage you to check out her blog where you can get to know her, read her thoughts, and connect with her. Pray for her, pray for her patients, and pray for the country of Kenya. If you have the chance, send her a quick note of encouragement or leave a comment on her blog to let her know that you are with her in this chapter of life. And let’s cheer this fellow dreamer and adventurer on together…. I can’t wait to see how God uses her in mighty ways!
And Didz…. I want to share a piece of encouragement that I cling to in moments when I feel completely inadequate…. “To dream is to allow for the possibility that God can use the little bit I have to offer and move mountains with it.” Keep dreaming and I can’t wait to hear all about it over lunch when you get back.
