Beautiful Journey

Yesterday's thing of beauty has really been a 7 year process rather than a 1 day event.

I first met Kayla Koontz her seventh grade year. I was teaching the 7th Grade Girls Youth Class at the time. My first introduction to her was brief, yet I remember walking out of class that day thinking "what a cool girl". From the start, there was something about Kayla that made her kind of stand out among her peers, in a good way. She was one of the most sweet, encouraging, & genuine junior highers I had ever met, incredibly mature and absolutely in love with her Savior.

I reconnected with Kayla her ninth grade year and got the opportunity to invest in her from 9th-11th grade as her Small Group Leader. Without a doubt, Kayla was a leader among not only our small group but among her peers in Student Ministries. Even as a freshman in high school, it was clear that God's plan for Kayla's life was bigger than even she could imagine at the time.

Over the years, I have seen her heart truly break for the things that break God's heart. I've seen a passion grow in her to reach out to the least, the lost, & the lonely. And I've seen her focus broaden from her small neighborhood to across the seas.

Now, as a 19 year old high school grad, Kayla is stepping out on an incredible journey into the unknown. After a trip to Kenya in 2010, God truly broke Kayla's heart for the people there. And now, not quite a year later, Kayla is returning to the place God has prepared for her to go!
Today, Kayla starts her journey toward Kenya. She heads out this afternoon to make a quick visit to family & then head down to Georgia for 4 days of training camp & meeting up with her team who she's never met! On Wednesday of next week, her & her team will fly out & will spend the next 4 months serving as Jesus' hands & feet to the people of Kenya.

I've had multiple conversations with Kayla leading up to this point, but last night as I stood there talking with her, there was such an excitement and anticipation in her eyes. She's nervous, of course, but she knows that God has called her, has equipped her, and is preparing the way for her as she steps out in faith and obedience.

And that is a thing of beauty.