Welcome Home - A Letter to Marissa

Marissa,

Hi. First of all, I need to say I've never written an open letter to anyone before...especially someone I've never met. But here goes anyway. I'm definitely not trying to embarrass you in any way (of course, we only have about 141 readers), and I really am hoping it's OK to share a little bit of your story with the world.

As you know by now, this whole "me finding out about you thing" started a few weeks ago after CT and I led a night of worship to open Chick-fil-A's corporate seminar in Orlando. Afterwards, I was hanging out backstage when your mom and dad made a beeline for me. Though it was a little dark backstage, their faces were radiant as your mom began to tell me your story.

I was instantly glued as she told me how He spoke so powerfully to you during one of the night sessions at Passion 07, moving you so strongly that you walked out after the talk determined to touch the peoples of the world. I don't know for sure, but by what she was saying I'm guessing it was the message "An After Party For All Nations." The whole point of what God was saying to us in that message was that the good news we are carrying is for the whole world, yet most will never know it until some of us cash in the "normal" American life and head their way. I'm guessing a bunch of people agreed with the talk, but you decided to go...right then and there.

I don't know for sure, but something tells me you could walk back into Philips Arena (or the GWCC, I don't know which venue you were in that night) and walk right to the seat you were sitting in when His call on your heart met a resounding, "I will go, God. And I want to go right now."

As your mom's talking, I have this incredible picture of a 19 year old KSU student leaving this session with something burning inside that could not be quenched. The way I heard it, you came to Passion 07 with questions already stirring in your heart. Not sure of your academic path, you were feeling like you wanted more clarity before enrolling in another set of classes, plunking your money (or your parent's) down for another semester and buying a new set of textbooks for another round of classes. Seems like you were unsure of some things, yet pretty confident you didn't want to waste time when the whole world was experiencing an emergency on an epic scale.

Pretty soon you found yourself kicking around in the Go Center, checking out opportunities to engage in God's purposes around the globe. Human sex trade caught your heart and soon Thailand came into focus. Before long you were back home telling your parents what many dread, "Mom, dad...I'm dropping out of college for a while and running after this passion I have to extend rescue and repair to people I have never met. I'm not sure where I'm going or exactly what I'm going to do when I get there, but God willing, I'm going. I know Jesus is going...and I'm going with Him."

At this point I was trying pretty hard to read your mom's face, wondering how she was going to respond. If she had had issues with it, I would have understood. Passion is not about being hasty or neglecting commitments. That's not God's way and often leads to people jumping at opportunities that are not well thought through, not supported by those that matter most in their lives or, in the end, not that helpful to those who are the intended recipients of the effort. But you did something that showed so much maturity and wisdom. You downloaded the talk and had your whole family listen to it...and by doing so you gave them all the chance to come around what had arrested you. That was a very cool thing to do, and I know went a long way with your mom and dad.

Well, at this point I'm REALLY glad we came to the CFA seminar (the seminar was amazing, but this little God-connection made the night even more special). Your mom told me how you started searching the Internet looking for a way to turn your Thailand dream into reality. In time, you came across a place called Home of Joy, a small orphanage in Chang Mai that was looking for six-month volunteers. By summer you were on a plane with your dad to the other side of the globe. As he told it, the moment he had to say goodbye and get on the flight back to the States was one of the hardest of his life. But then he said something potent happened. He said you put your hand on his shoulder and prayed over him. I got chills. He told me how your prayer for him blew him away and gave him the strength to leave his daughter in a far away place and head for home. He said it was one of the most amazing things that has ever happened in his life.

The flight departed and soon you were alone with your new family at HOJ, loving precious little Thai children in Jesus' name...investing in the future of little lives and a needy nation. I've been to Chang Mai a few times, and while it certainly has a sense of charm and appeal (from time to time I still crave a banana and condensed milk Roti from the street vendors), I really am not sure I could get fired up about staying there for six months. That's a lot of tuk-tuks! But you did. You stayed. And served. And prayed. And fought through the struggles. And though you wondered. And missed home so much. You kept going. And made it to the finish. In by doing so, you changed the world.

Now the tables are turned, and you find yourself back in the US, probably laying awake at night with those children's beautiful faces in your mind. I'm guessing you find your thoughts always drifting their way...wondering how they are, and if they miss you, and if it mattered and if they will one day become all God has always dreamed they will be. And you've probably wondered if someone else somewhere in the world is feeling that explosion in their chest you felt that night in Atlanta, and hoping their "Yes" to God will eventually lead them to Chang Mai to take your place.

Your mom said you weren't sure what the next part of the story looked like yet, but that you're looking to get back into school and taking steps toward playing a more permanent role in God's global story. I have no doubt His voice will be clear, and the days ahead will be purpose-filled vs. just more "college days" squandered as many often are.

Well, somehow this letter has become quite lengthy (no surprise to those who know me), but all I really wanted to say is that you have become a huge inspiration to Shelley and me and our Passion team. I scribbled a quick note in my semi-illegible handwriting for your mom to pass on to you that night, but I wanted another chance to tell you how much your story means to us.

I know there are countless others like you, students propelled to the far corners of the world as a result of God's call at a Passion gathering. That's so humbling...and what the whole Movement is all about. Marissa, you are what Passion is all about. And you put a brilliant face on everything we do. We are honored to be in this crazy God-adventure with you and are believing greater things are yet to come in your life!

Welcome home,
Louie