Dear Bumpa,
I am now in Bolivia, the month you were so excited to hear about. Before I left you told me how you had worked on a project down here and you were so anxious to read my blog and hear all about the country you had traveled to so many years ago.
So hear it is. This blog is specifically for you. Before I left, I knew in my heart there was a chance you were never going to get to read this blog on this side of heaven and sadly, I was right. But I know that you are with Jesus now and you get to see the incredible things he is doing here from that side of heaven. That is pretty amazing.
So you probably know more than me all of the awesome ways God is moving in Bolivia this month, but I want to tell you anyway.
This month we have been placed with an incredible host who is on fire for the Lord. You would have really liked him. He wants to share Jesus with anyone he encounters and encourages us to do the same. His energy is infectious and we are in a lot of need of that being in month 10 of the race. Because to be honest Bumps, I am tired. This year has taken a bigger toll on me emotionally and physically than I had imagined. I am sure this comes as no surprise to you, you spent your life working incredibly hard all the way up until the end. I wish I could call you and ask for advice. I imagine you telling me something so simple yet so wise about how to depend on the Lord with everything I have. Thanks, Bumpa, I really needed to hear that.
Well we have been doing all sorts of ministries this month. We are working with the church and helping them to plant other churches. This usually consists of a lot of leading worship, and sharing a word, or preaching at each service. It has been awesome! The calluses are really building up on my fingers from playing guitar so much, and as painful as it is some days, I love it! We also have done several outreach programs, one of which is soccer ministry, which you already know I love so much. Yes these kids are pretty good at it, and give me a run for my money! It brings so much joy to both of us. It is such a treasure to be able to share the love of Jesus while doing what I love.
We also have done crosswalk ministry where we run out into the crosswalk during red lights, holding signs telling people that Jesus loves them and we invite them to church! I think you would have gotten a big kick out of watching us do this. Actually, I can hear you giggling up in heaven as I am sure you were watching us. This place is filled with so much love and so much family, I can’t help but think of you. More than ever I realize how important family is, and I can’t help but sit and reflect on the legacy you left us.
I should have told you more how important you are to me. I should have thanked you more for putting so much effort and love into creating an amazing, ginormous family. I should have thanked you more for working so hard to set an incredible foundation that we all have benefitted from. Without you, I wouldn’t be here on this earth. I wouldn’t have been able to travel the world seeing all of these incredible places and people. I wouldn’t know God’s love the way I do now.
So thank you Bumpa. Thank you for the life you led, for your countless wisdom, and for supporting me and loving me my whole life.
I imagine heaven has all the best donut holes, hopefully your favorite ones. Maybe you can ask Jesus to throw me down a few, I could really go for some right now…
I love you Bumpa, and I miss you dearly.
Save me a seat, will you?
Love,
Jordan
