Justin Chandler: EIGHT YEARS LATER

EIGHT YEARS LATER

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Recently, my friend Mike McGarvey, shared in his newsletter a thought that both of us reflected upon while serving together.

Just over 8 years ago, Mike and I traveled on our first Missions Trip together to Mazatlan, Mexico.

2 months ago, Mike and I lead our first Missions Trip (and the first for the youth ministry) together to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

There was a moment where grace hit me hard. Ask either of us 10 years ago if August 2-9 would have happened and we would have laughed at you. Ask us 10 years ago if 8 years ago would have happened and we would have laughed at you. Ask either us prior to accepting Christ if that would have happened and we would have laughed at you.

Enter from stage right, the proclaimed "wigger" (thanks Frontline youth ministry).

Enter from stage left, the one who laughed in the back at all things Christianity.

10 years ago, we experienced grace. 8 years ago, we traveled to offer grace. 2 months ago, we lead other to do the same.

When we reflect on who we are and where we've come from, grace has a way of hitting us hard. But many of us don't reflect upon grace because time has a way of making us oblivious to it. Nearly every day I have opportunity to see a student where I was and involved with what I was involved in. It makes grace my reprise. Today, it's a newsletter with "That's right" scribbled in the margins of a newsletter detailing our journeys "Ankle deep in crack-cocaine, curry chicken, and the Great Commission."

May grace be our reprise.