Today, we had many of the Hands at Work staff and community members out to our new office to help dedicate it as we begin to work out in the community. We are making ourselves more available for the different home based care members can come and get help, encouragement, and care. As I was sitting in the dedication service, I was thinking of what does this service center mean to me? Is it just an office that I simple work out of, or does it mean something much more. Often we are referred to as SC (service center), but for me it means serving in community. Our team if finally growing together as a community, as a family. It is these newly formed relationships that makes going out to the community to face challenges we are facing a little easier to carry. We are not alone as we go out and serve. It am really enjoying getting up in the mornings knowing this is the family where I belong. Yes we seem to be a dysfunctional family at times, but God has been pouring his grace on us as we learn to work together. I loving going out with my brothers to the community to serve those who are making a huge impact in their community with orphans, vulnerable children, grannies, and HIV/Aids patients. I love going out to the field with teammates and helping the different partnerships begin dreaming about what they want to do in their communities and helping to make a plan together how we can see these dreams come true. I have always loved serving people, but here in Africa I have found a new joy about serving that I have not had before. Maybe it is the broken heart that I have for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering, but praise God more in their suffering than I have ever done praising God on my best day. I am humbled by my African sisters and brothers. It is a joy to see how God is molding me to become a better foot washer. Learning more about what it means to be righteous. Learning to be more like Christ. Learning to come with no agenda, listening, and asking God to help us solve different challenges together. Finally beginning to understand a glimpse of what true community is. I know that it will be hard to leave this place, but I can't wait to see what this service center family will do when I am gone. God brought Liina and I here during a very stormy season for this team that we are on, but we are excited to see many storms pass already. God has blown us away with different miraculous interventions. At the end of this hard week, all we can say to God is "Thank You, Papa!"