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Kayla’s expression wasn’t encouraging.
The server appeared with our drinks and a mutter about food coming soon. She was gone before I could do much more than say thanks.
“What?”
Kayla frowned. “What what?”
“Judging from your facial expression, I get the feeling you don’t agree with my first spiritual takeaway.”
She sighed. “It’s not that. It’s just that there are plenty of opportunities for kids to see and serve the disadvantaged right here. There’s an enormous homeless population in downtown DC and several fantastic organizations that could use volunteers. And then you have the low-income families who have homes, but still struggle to scrape by. If the kids aren’t grateful for their blessings when they drive past the needs here at home, how is flying to Mexico going to change anything?”
I didn’t bother to sigh. It was an objection a few parents had floated as well. And she wasn’t wrong, necessarily. “I think we all have snow blindness when it comes to the people and problems we see on a daily basis. Sometimes getting out of our usual routine and location can open our eyes so wedosee the problems when we return home.”
Kayla gave a grudging nod. “All right.”
“Beyond that, it gives kids a chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus. These families in Mexico need help rebuilding. And sure, there are people around home who probably need help with construction projects, too, but are the local needs more important somehow than those in Mexico?”
“No. I didn’t mean to imply that.”
I shrugged. “It wasn’t an implication. You basically said it straight out.”
Kayla winced. “Do I need to apologize?”
“No, it’s fine. You’re not alone in feeling this way. I got an earful from the senior pastor about how kids didn’t need to go off on tropical vacations in the guise of service. But it’s not like we’re going to be near the beach or partying. Or even sightseeing. We’re literally building houses and other buildings the whole time. We won’t see any tourist destinations other than the Mexico City airport. It’s not exactly going to be a trip packed with fun.” And I’d gotten plenty of lectures in theotherear from parents who didn’t want to send their kids to Mexico and have them miss out on all the cultural and touring opportunities available. I was beginning to think it was going to be impossible to win.
“Well. I apologize, anyway. It sounds like a good thing to do. How do you know the Garcias?”
It took a moment for me to shift gears. There were other potential areas for spiritual growth that went with the trip, but I guessed she didn’t want to hear about them. And that was fine. I was certainly getting tired of justifying my decisions. “You know the big church in Springfield? Grace?”
“Sure. Pastor Brown is a legend.”
I laughed. He’d hate that. He’d also argue with anyone who tried to say it when he was nearby. “I grew up there. Jason and Karin have always been supported by the church. There was a time I wasn’t sure if God was calling me to overseas ministry instead of the local mission field. Jason went out of his way to talk to me, answer my questions, and pray with me. I’ve kept in touch.”
“That’s cool. I don’t think I know any missionaries personally.”
“I guess it depends on how you define the term.”
She cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged. “Every believer is a missionary. We’re all supposed to live out the Great Commission. That’s all a missionary does. You’re a missionary to kids at your high school. I’m one to the kids who come to our church and our outreach activities. The believer who works the register at the grocery store is a missionary to the shoppers. Missionaries aren’t just people who go live in foreign countries.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
Kayla might have said more, but the server finally appeared with our food.
“Do you mind if I pray?” I looked up from the plate of steaming tacos in front of me and met Kayla’s gaze.
“Of course not.” She slid her hand across the table.
I took her fingers and waited a beat. Wasn’t there supposed to be electricity? Lightning bolts? Something that went beyond the recognition that yes, I was holding someone’s hand? I bowed my head and asked a blessing on the food and our time together, adding a silent plea that I’d get a clue about dating. How to date.Whomto date.
Because I really didn’t want to waste more time if Kayla wasn’t the one. And I had zero idea how to tell if that was the case.
6
KAYLA
Iignored my buzzing phone as I unlocked the door to my apartment. Ada and Charles came running, and their chatty meows lightened the heavy weight that had been pressing down on me since Luke dropped me back at the church parking lot.
