A bonfire of the nations...

God is good! I'm just going to start there.
So this week has been pretty tough on my heart. God keeps revealing to me the brokeness here in Brookings and my only response is to break down, cry and pray. Tonight was no exception.

Tonight we had a bonfire for ISF (International Student Fellowship). I wasn't planning on attending, but got off work early and decided to go...and I am so glad I did. On the way out there (it was at a lake about 20 minutes from Brookings) I was crying and praying through others brokeness, my own brokenness, and my own fears. Upon arriving at the bonfire, much of this began to leave. I saw people who I had not seen in awhile. There had to be about 20 people there, from at least 10 different nations (I'm pretty sure it's more... I'm pretty bad at guessing these types of things). And this was the first time I've seen a lot of them in a while... since like Jan/Feb... too long!!:) :) :)
We sat around the bonfire, roasting marshmallows, potatos, corn and steak (a student from Germany came prepared!:) ) fellowshipping, talking, and learning about each other. Then, one student from Africa began to sing. As she sang she began to sway as she was sitting, until finally it was apparent she needed to dance! After some encouragement from the crowd, she drove her car up, started playing some african music and began to dance with 4 others. Two of us were American, one German, and one from Japan, plus the african student. What a sight to see!!! Of course us whitey's have no rythm.... but we tried! :) And then somehow this turned into a huge dance around the campfire as the others began to join in, singing, laughing, and dancing, fellowshipping and just enjoying each other's company and presence.
As I reflect on this night now, it's amazing to me that this took place. How many times during your life do you get to dance around a campfire with Africans, Asians, Europeans, South Americans and North Americas? And the best part? It was praise and worship music!!!! I learned some African words for praise (which I won't attempt to butcher now), learned some dance steps (although they had to go VERY basic with me), and grew deeper in some relationships that I truly do cherish.
What started off as a night of crying was turned into a night of praise and thanksgiving. And that's where it hit me, smack in the face. THIS is who I am and what I'm made for. I'm made to praise Jesus. And for me, joy is found through learning how others do, and joining along. I love to embrace other cultures, other people, other languages....and then add Christ in there and BAM! THAT is what I want to do. I want to bring Christ and His love to others, but I also want to LEARN about Christ and His love from others because their insight, their lives, and their spirit, passion and fire has so much to offer me, you know? I know that God has me here in Brookings for a purpose and I rejoice in this, but I also look forward to the day He calls me over seas more permanantly (if He does).

To those of you who were there and part of this tonight.. THANK YOU! And to you Jesus, THANK YOU! Thank you Abba for your Spirit and for the spirit of praise and fellowship you placed in us tonight Father. Thank you for your glory, for your love and for the opportunity to get to know these people from all over the world, while being right here in Brookings. Thank you for the blessing each is to my life, and the joy and insight they bring me Father. Thank you for their willingness to share their culture and their lives, even when it may be uncomfortable. Thank you for their energy and life.
Thank you for the willingness of a certain American to plan these too, and to devote herself fulheartedly, in good and bad.
And thanks for providing. You knew what my heart needed for healing and you gave that to me tonight in the most unexpected way. Thank you! I love you God....you are good!!!!