It always amazes me how quickly the BUMP week goes by. It was an incredible week -- all I can say is that God is so good. It was such a blessing to work with my team, but even more so to live with them for a week. We worked hard together and laughed even harder. We shared meals and bathrooms; shared in ministry and tasks and in struggles and prayer. I got to witness the growth of my team, as individuals and as a group, as they continued to learn to bring everything to God in prayer.
Its been two weeks since BUMP -- for me it takes about that long to process the week! This is an important part of the trip for two reasons: first, you get to relive and enjoy those funny moments you shared with your co-workers for the week and turn them in to 'inside jokes' that cement relationships established; second, it helps transition everything God taught you throughout the week back to your daily life in the community you live and serve in.
What I took back to my 'normal' life and my church was a prayer. After being part of a fellowship of believers dedicated to serving, loving, and regularly interceding for their community, I was equally inspired and convicted of my relationship with those living in my community (especially those far from God). My prayer for myself and my local church is that God would increase our hearts even more for the community surrounding us. I pray that God would break our hearts for what breaks His, especially in reference of our neighbors. That we would be diligent in prayer for them; and that we would be diligent in action.
May that be your prayer as well.
