For years, I had prayed for the Lord to give me a “word for the year”. Year after year I didn’t hear or feel any specific word over the upcoming months. At the beginning of 2021, however, God gave me the word “Community”. This word had been spoken over me and shared with me numerous times before; a topic that continued to show up over and over in my life. Yet I felt apathetic towards it, I thought it was boring, that He should give me a “cooler” word. But still, this year when I felt Him speak it to me, I decided to embrace it. I thought to myself, Ok, I’m going on a mission trip in the summer and college in the fall - of course I will be put into two new communities so the word makes sense. What I never thought however, is that all my plans would change and even more, that in those changed plans the Lord’s hand would be over it, and I would experience community in the most beautiful and incredible way. 

When I switched to the Central America Fall 2021 Semesters trip, I could’ve never imagined how many good things the Lord had for me in this season. How He was going to use seven strangers to show me what a true Christian community is supposed to look like - what love is supposed to look like. It was wild to see Jesus take eight people who had only spoken briefly in a group chat and turn them into a family, called Team Cosecha (harvest in Spanish). 

These people love so well, so completely, not just each other, but also the Lord. They support and encourage in the sweetest ways. I’ve never met people so intentional, kind, and also hilarious (the amount of laughter we shared is truly unmatched). Serving and living alongside them for the past three months has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. We’ve been able to laugh hysterically, pray powerfully, uplift intentionally, and love deeply. 

Of course there was conflict, but we addressed it in love and were able to experience complete reconciliation and stronger friendship afterwards. We were able to recognize that people are not perfect; they will fail. But forgiveness is powerful and God reigns sovereign over our imperfections. When issues arose, we were unafraid to handle it and move forward by loving and forgiving each other as Jesus does. 

As we head home and pieces of my heart are spread out across the country, I remember the community these people showed me. I remember the way they called me higher, prayed for me, lifted me up, and laughed with (and sometimes at) me. I remember every memory, every moment, of living with and loving them for the past three months. I remember the fact that I’ve never known a love quite like this. 

What I’ve learned about community is this : community is so sweet. It’s not easy, it takes work and intention. But when you choose to love people, to pray for them, to encourage them, it’s beautiful and the Lord will use it. I encourage you to find a good community. Surround yourself with people chasing after the same goal. It doesn’t matter if you have anything in common - as long as you have the most important thing in common : a love for Jesus. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Team Cosecha - Thanks for changing my life and for loving me so well. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to live in Central America with. Y’all make me feel so a cachete and I love each one of you so much. Now let’s hang out, I miss you guys.

Here's a YouTube video I made about these sweet people :