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Hey Everyone,
We are back from retreat week and just finished our first full day with Hope Lutheran. Retreat week was a much needed break for the whole staff although my week was a bit different. We drove to Negril Tuesday where the team stayed until Friday. However, I had to fly to Baltimore Wednesday to attend my 19-year-old cousin's funeral services. He was killed in a four-wheeling accident early Sunday morning. It was a difficult week as I tried to grapple with the death of one of my closer cousins, while at the same time trying to help console my Aunt, Uncle and their other children. Whenever someone dies at such a young age I think it's natural to question God about his plan. Sometimes after a little while things start to piece together a little bit and you see some kind of good that has come from the tragedy, but rarely does it ever make sense completely. But that doesn't mean that we can't trust God in our failure to understand.
Flying back to Jamaica yesterday completed a whirlwind of a week, and I must admit that I haven't quite re-adjusted to life in Harmons yet. It may take some time as I continue to think about my cousin while attempting to build relationships in this community. One thing I have been reminded of through all of this is the importance of trusting God. He holds the keys to life and death-- I don't have any control over when I exit this life. I am only 20 years old but I'm already realizing how quickly life is passing. To think that I have any control over my life is ridiculous. And that has helped me to trust God more this week. I find myself worrying so much less about how I'm going to build deeper relationships with Americans and Jamaicans because I know God is in control. I am less anxious before the devotional times because I know that God will be teaching the groups much more in their hearts than my words ever could. As a Christian, my greatest desire (should be but often isn't) to see God glorified. And when I look at scripture I see that God never has much of a problem with that. God will be glorified because he is in control. So what do I need to worry about?
I hope you are all doing well!
In Him,
Adam
