Leaving Home - Mark 10:28-30

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 

Mark 10:28-30 (ESV)

My first day here in Costa Rica I came across this verse during my morning devotion. How appropriate it was considering I had just left my family (again) to venture to a foreign country that wasn't of my choosing. Upon arriving, to be completely honest, I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to handle the heat, humidity, and insane amount of bugs. Luckily, I had something with me that couldn't be packed in a suitcase: the full knowledge that where Jesus guides he provides. Somehow, someway, he would show me in these six months how to love this place and even more importantly, why he wants me here. Just like he did in Guatemala. 
I know in the coming months there will be days that are difficult. There will be moments that I want to pack my suitcase and get on the next available flight. There will be mornings that I can't get my shirt on right because my back is so sticky with sweat and I'll just want to scream. I know all this is promised, but I also know because of verses like Mark 10:28-30, that Jesus has me here so I can bless others and he in turn, will bless me as well.
And oh, are there blessings! Although I have left my friends and family behind, he has made sure that I am surrounded by people who love me here. The kids are absolutely amazing. I have never seen a more perfect example of Christ's love than the love these kids have shown for Whitney and me from the moment we arrived. It's unconditional, without reason, and crosses the barriers of language. It brings tears to my eyes just writing of this kind of love. Blessings like these are a constant reminder that Jesus doesn't take us from what is comfortable to make us miserable, he takes us from what is comfortable so we can experience new kinds of blessings that cannot be found within the walls of our own desires.