It’s been 4 weeks since I’ve been back in the states. A month. I’m sure like most of your summers, you can’t believe it’s already the end of July. It’s been a whirlwind; time has flown.

For months and months, I had been anticipating and planning to see so many close friends and family. And it’s here and gone. Two weddings, four birthdays, and numerous meet-ups with friends have filled the weeks. With so much activity, it’s been quite overwhelming emotionally/relationally with seemingly endless hi’s and goodbyes. These brief and intensely emotional moments subtly turned my feelings somewhat numb because I couldn’t process so fast.

However, I didn’t realize my subliminal numbness had come from guarding my heart against potentially painful situations: visiting people I care deeply about, then quickly having to part ways for an unknown amount of time. As hard as these interactions can be, they are worth it because all encounters are an opportunity to reflect Christ to others and/or see the Creator’s hand in other people’s lives. And at the end of the day, none of us really knows how long we have with each person or even on this earth. This is when I’m extra grateful for Paul’s and Jesus’s examples in their ministries:

“But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person not in heart), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:17

“Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’” Luke 9:58

With friends settling down in their lives, something I also hope to do someday, the ultimate consolation I have is found in Christ and faithful servants like Paul. These individuals felt deep longing for and separation from their loved ones in different parts of the world, but also had no permanent place to call home.  

BUT GOD continues to be gracious and I’m truly thankful for all the people I’ve encountered and gotten to reconnect with thus far. He is gracious because amidst the craziness, He had still shown me glimpses of Himself, His generosity, His love, His peace, etc. He’s blessed me through authentic, vulnerable interactions with people, his image-bearers, even when I’ve tried to stay closed off. A father/daughter dance at a wedding, an unexpected, defenses-down conversation with a friend, sincere worship with believers, a brother’s words of encouragement. I believe these raw moments draw us close to God, because Christ also chose to make himself authentic and vulnerable to us through his incarnate being and time on earth. I pray for you and myself that God would continue to warm our souls towards a genuine spirit while interacting with others by fulfilling his word in Ezekiel 36:26, which promises “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” It’s easy to become numb, let’s be awake and alive.

I will seek after and ask for this “heart of flesh” as I continue to meet with friends and family, raise support for next year, prepare for the fall, and keep an open mind to what the Lord has for me during this time.

Blessings to you and yours,

Erika Lichtfuss

Prayer Requests:

• For our students as they are out of school until August 16^th
• For our teachers to figure out what the rest of the year will look like to make up for lost time
• For God’s direction and motivation for me to use time wisely while here

Praises:

• Safe travels back to the states for myself and others on furlough
• Chickens are at the Esther School – laying their first eggs!
• So many sweet memories I’ve gotten to make with friends and family