Thirst by Kate Enns, 2017 Trip

John 7: 37-38
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Matthew 11:25-30 25
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

From the moment I met her, I felt she was thirsty. Thirsty for more of Him. Thirsty for fellowship. Thirsty for relationship.

I walked quietly into the back of the church. My posture prayerfully one of openness, yet quietness. As I stood quietly in the back, Gillian, the wife to Pastor Amos approached. She approached me with the posture of welcoming. Of joy.

We exchanged greetings and she grasped my hand. "Please, please, come sit! Share with me all you have taught to other pastor's wives in your travels."

Wow! What an undertaking. I shared from my heart briefly, then asked her to share hers. She shared with me stories of feeling isolated and alone. As the wife of a pastor, it is difficult to find a sister to speak with. We want to honor our husbands, but we also have questions. We have prayer requests. We have concerns we wish to lift up together. But how can we effectively do this when our husbands lead a congregation.

A few years back, I was thirsty. So very thirsty for fellowship. Thirsty for a safe haven to pray over my marriage. Pray over my family. Pray over fears, insecurities, joys and triumphs. A dear friend and fellow pastor's wife took me to a safe haven.

I was honored to help quench a small portion of her thirst. I was blessed to lay hands on my sister. To pray over her and her family. To share mutual insights with one another.

And I left thirsty. Thirsty for more fellowship with my dear sister Gillian. Her joy for the Lord. Her passion to help those in need. Her action with her tongue and her hands.

I saw her preach God's word with fervor. I saw her children, namely her son, Shamgar, honor his mother. I saw joy in her daughter Deborah. I saw a loving, caring mother. I saw an honorable wife. I was blessed with her generosity. I was encouraged by her boldness.

On our last day, my husband Ryan, my brother in law Greg, my father Carl and myself were blessed with the greatest honor in their culture. They killed a chicken for us and honored us with a meal in their home. After that, we travelled back to church. We spoke of marriage. We shared what the Lord has shown Ryan and I in our marriage.

After that, we travelled to a local village church where Gillian quickly jumped up and heaped generous portions onto plates, as myself and others served the village. What an honor to work side by side. Our thirst for the Lord and service unified for the kingdom.

May I thirst after the Lord. May I crave His abundance of grace. His wealth of freedom in His name. May I desire to serve Him in sacrificial ways. May I, a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter strive deeply to give out of a place of humbleness, no longer out of excess. To thirst more after His calling.

Blessings,

Kate Enns
2017 Neema Trip Team Member