We are a truly mobile churchlife--wherever the saints are, home is. Thus, leaving Toledo wasn't really leaving home, but rather taking home with us. We gathered at Brothers' House at 10:30am, waiting outside with luggage, passports, and excitement in tow. The heat was intense (little did we know "intense" would take on a whole new meaning in Taiwan), the space limited, and the air thick, but each saint's face showed nothing but joy and excitement. Not one saint was late or cranky--a real feat for nearly 40 people. As we awaited the bus that would take us to Detroit Airport, our everyday churchlife did not cease its activity. Saints fellowshipped, took pictures of each smiling face, and cared for every member. Last minute reminders and forgotten items were quickly taken care of. As the bus finally pulled up (on time, nonetheless), we quickly realized that if the churchlife was real, it had to be real now. Saying goodbye to our four dear moms and children was perhaps one of the hardest moments of our journey. We said many times it was not really "goodbye"--the churchlife really is where the saints are--but leaving these beloved saints in Toledo for two weeks was easier said than done. We boarded the bus after each departing saint individually hugged each child and each mom, but as soon as we boarded we couldn't help but keep our eyes glued to the window--the children were ecstatically waving, blowing kisses, and shaping hearts with their hands. Shortly after, they all invaded the bus to go down the rows hugging all the saints just one more time . . . What a sight. Although emotionally it was hard to leave, our spirits were strong. When the Lord is moving, we have no choice but to follow. The saints, including the ones staying in Toledo, were very clear: the churchlife is real, whether we are in Toledo, in the air, or halfway across the world. The ones in Toledo promised us they would stand firm for the testimony in Toledo as the rest of us went to bring that same testimony to Taiwan. The bus ride was a mere hour long, but the spirit of the saints could have filled several. Joyous songs and prayers filled every ear: Lord, thank You for this journey! We give each moment to You. Where You move, we follow. We are overwhelmed with gratitude to be a part of Your moving, and we only ask that on this journey we gain You and gain more reality, depth, and vision. Keep our condition to be one of life so that we may impart life to anyone we touch! We arrived on time to the airport, made a few stops for restroom or coffee before our flight left at 3:34pm, and waited next to a fountain flowing clear water in synchronized streams. Behind the fountain, through a window, planes were taking off. Our thoughts were only: Lord, can we be that simple and pure! What a privilege to drink of Your sweet streams and be in the flow of life. We then began to leave to our gate to board, and I think it was then that we realized that boarding our plane was only the beginning of a long journey with our 32 saints--and that in Toledo, in the airport, on the plane, or in Taiwan, the saints are truly our home. -Logan S
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