If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. – I Corinthians 12:17-18

The rest of the group started arriving.

We Wrights, already seeing God’s hand in our timely arrival, were not nervous…just excited.  We knew He had it.

And He did.

Each group arrived, as eager as we were.  As open as we were.  As full of God’s spirit as we were.

We started becoming friends in the first minutes, the first hours.

It was a glorious thing!

God took 60 people…from 8 different states…and made us a cohesive, loving family and team.

We laughed together, cried together, worked together.

A body of believers, separate from our own bodies of believers at home.

A body using its different pieces and skills and talents to make the work go well, the planning go well, the worship go well, the fellowship go well.

None of us, except our leaders, had been on an AIM trip before.  Yet, by the end of the week, we were talking about coming again next year, visiting each other in our respective states, and keeping in touch via Facebook, email, and letters.

They say that tragedy can bring people together, and I know from my own widows’ ministry work that it is true.

But so can work for the Lord!

Perhaps our trip is not unique in the way we bonded.  Perhaps others have been blessed, as we were, to walk away not as individuals any longer, but as a group.

But I glory in the fact that we were together.  I know I have made friends for life…for eternity.

As we were leaving the area, my little boys said, “Go back, Mom.  Go back to the ranch!”

I answered, “It wouldn’t be the same.  Everyone has gone home.”

And, while that makes me sad for the now, I know I will keep in touch with these people for the rest of the time we have here on earth.

And then starts our heavenly work in eternity!

How sweet it will be to get the team together there!