We are here!
It has been an insane trip across the country, an exciting fire few days, and an overwhelming journey to get here. But we are here.
Trying to figure out exactly where here is has been the most challenging part of the transition.
Looking at the map on our old wall in our old room showed a location, but never gave even a glimpse into the lifestyle, the culture, or the history of here.
Everything here is different than at home. Literally.
You name it, and I will tell you how it is different.
I miss home. A lot.
Everyone says different doesnt mean worse.
I naturally see things in black and white, and here is definitely not better, so I instinctively see all the different as worse.
But different does NOT mean worse, or better, it just means different.
I am fighting to think outside of my black and white box.
The old church we are working for is so great, with so much history, so much love, so much passion.
Yesterday the pastor, Fitz, showed me around telling me the story of how our offices used to be where all the pastors lived together, part of their compensation from the congregation was to cover their cost of living, so they lived in this house right next to the sanctuary. Walking through the house there is a closet that was the "butlers closet" which were the black servants of the white pastors who lived there. Through the kitchen is a door that leads to an outside porch where you can find an old bathroom, the bathroom where the blacks did their business, because they couldn't share with the whites.
I cried after Fitz showed me around. My heart breaks for the parts of the culture here that are still very much affected by the past of slavery in the south.
Ironic that I am fighting to see all the differences here as equal.
Ironic that I am hopeful to be challenged out of my black and white thought process.
We work in South Tampa. South Tampa is mostly white. South Tampa is mostly rich.
We have only barely seen North Tampa. North Tampa is mostly black. North Tampa is mostly poor.
I look forward to hearing stories of the history of this place, and how it has changed over the years.
I look forward to partnering with my husband to love on kids here regardless of color or class.
I look forward to watching as God continues to unite His children here.
Praying that Here is Where He makes His move in this generation.
Hoping to be used to play a part in the movement.
Crying as He continues to share His heart for these youth with me.
