Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.... “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

Friday, December 10, 2010

Heaven

I have lived a large portion of my life in 3 countries...

18 years in Kenya...
8 years in the USA...
5 years in Bolivia...

It's a good thing that God makes our hearts with a large capacity to love...
because I feel like I have left a part of my heart planted in each place.

Bolivia will always hold a special place in my heart...
Here is where 2 of my children have been born...
Where I will treasure the babyhood memories.
The only 'home' they have known.
Where we have developed our family.

We have experienced a lifetime with our brothers and sisters here.
As I sat in our farewell dinner last night and looked with love at the faces around the room...
It was a joy to see how far we have walked together.

We have overcome obstacles.... and stumbled.
We have grown in faith.... and learned lessons... sometimes the hard way.
We have loved and fellowshipped... and had to resolve conflict.
We have learned and studied the Word together.... encouraged and rebuked one another.
We have experienced births and baptisms, birthdays, holidays, retreats, graduations, farewells and hellos, sickness...
even deaths.

I have been honored to share these experiences with my beautiful Bolivian family.

When people think of heaven, different images come to mind.
Angels, a golden city, the throne of God...
When I think of heaven, I think of faces.
I see the faces of my beloved brothers and sisters that I have been privileged to know from around the world...
Together at last in one place...
Surrounding the throne of God...
Praising Him with one voice.

Where there will be no more tears...
No more death...
No more pain...
No more goodbyes.

Home at last.
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3 comments:

@ngie said...

Julie this is beautiful, and heart wrenching and true.

9:16 AM
Jaime Portugal said...

What more can I say abouth the beautiful words that Julie expresed in her comments living in Cochabamba. We will miss you guys, especially my ex-rotarian friend Josue.
You have chosen to spread the teachings of the Lord in another country and the Portugal family would like to wish you the Best and keep the good work you have done in Bolivia.You will be missed and you can be sure you will never be forgotten by us.
That God Bless you and your Family.
Jaime and Pat

10:56 PM
The Team said...

Love you guys! I'm sure all these trials have been difficult.. but just know that God is going before you guys as your "gran Gigante" because that is my prayer for you. Obviously something beautiful and wonderful is happening, because Satan is throwing some hard passes, but God has the victory. love Jenny

2:47 AM

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