"It's Going to Cost You Everything...It's not a Cost for the One I Love."

In 2021, I lived on my own and was without family or friends for a year. I had always struggled with loneliness since I was a teenager. My testimony began then, and by November 2022, I had given up trying to connect with people.

I tried to join others at church or at work, but I was either too shy or just didn't quite fit in anywhere. It became a running joke in my life since I was a kid; I was always told, "I didn't belong anywhere." I didn't know how much loneliness and dissatisfaction I had accepted. Fifteen years later, and I still ached.

I told the Lord that November, "Lord, I am done searching for community. If you have anything for me, may you bring it?"

The very next day, I was invited to a party that would change my life. They invited me, and just to be polite, I asked if I could bring anything, and the person asked me to make mac n' cheese for 40 people. I was so surprised by that request that I said yes, made the food, and met 40 strangers in a random home.

They laughed, they talked, they sang songs and loved you even if they didn't know you by name. The night ended with every person taking a turn to say why they were thankful for each other. Two hours later, everyone prayed. I looked around the room at all the crying faces and the people holding hands, and I heard the words, "This is your mission field."

They called themselves Acts 2.