Reflections from Houston
During Fall 2022, I was graced with the opportunity to move and work in Houston, Texas for four months. I got to work at a cool job that quickly became my favourite co-op by far (I get to chill on the side of buildings 150ft off the ground for a living!). Entering the term, I was excited and terrified at the same time to experience living by myself in a completely new city without knowing anyone. However, it was purely by God’s constant provision and trust in Him that got me through the term. Here are a few things I learned and experienced in Texas, including learning that this state is so much more beyond cowboys and American football.
Everything is bigger in Texas
There’s a common saying that states “Everything is bigger in Texas”. They’re absolutely right. It’s huge! Everything is bigger, from building area footprints, to the pick-up trucks, to the bell peppers I saw in grocery stores, you name it. Not only is it the second largest state in the US, but everything is also so spread out. Because of this, Houston is a big driving city and it takes at least 15 minutes to travel from one place to another. Not knowing this beforehand, I planned to take public transit everywhere, which turned out to be an experience for sure. The first question I was always asked when meeting people was “Do you have a car to get around?” and the same shock would appear on everyone’s faces when I would say no. After the first week, I figured the term was doomed because it was quite difficult to travel around the city as a pedestrian. However, as the term progressed I learned that being car-less became a blessing in disguise.
Something I was extremely grateful for were all the rides offered from friends at church and small group. Everyone was so kind and there were so many instances where they willingly went out of their way to drive me somewhere or back home. I slowly realized that those sweet and short moments during car rides became some of my favourite moments in Houston. When it takes at least 15 minutes to drive somewhere, you’re bound to have a conversation at some point. Getting a ride from someone always opened an opportunity to have intentional conversations, whether it was something simple like talking about their day or something more heartfelt that had been on their mind for a while. It was during these conversations where we could learn about how God was working in both of our lives, and figure out how to encourage and care for each other. As God’s children, we are called to bear each other’s burdens and love one another, and it was during these times where I felt challenged to do so.
Galatians 6:2 — “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Navigating the Lone Star State alone…but not really
If anyone talked to me during the spring term when I initially discovered I would be moving to Houston, then they’d know my top prayer request at the time was finding a place to live. Scrolling through Facebook marketplace, I was so convinced I’d be homeless. After moving in, episodes of home sickness, sadness, and loneliness quickly consumed my thoughts. I longed for a familiar face, someone to hug for comfort, and missed the privilege of walking down the street to a friend’s house for company. During those moments, I began questioning God and kept wondering why He had put me in this new location…alone. I simultaneously felt challenged and helpless.
However, the Lord provided ways I would have never imagined! I was connected with my roommate through a friend of my mom who had met her while they hiked Machu Picchu together and she just so happened to have a spare room in the city. It was probably the best place I could’ve ever found. It was located conveniently across from an HEB (shoutout to this W Texas grocery store), right in front of my bus stop to and from work, allowed me to live with a Christian roommate, and rent was over half below my initial budget. Truly a miracle! Trusting in God was a big thing I learned about as I navigated through the past four months. I knew it would be easy feeling lonely in a state without knowing anyone else prior to entering it and that placed fear and anxiety in my heart. During one of my devotionals reading through Joshua, I came across this verse.
Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God is always with us in the highs and lows even when we can’t see it. While experiencing a multitude of worrisome moments and loneliness, there was comfort found in knowing that God was watching His child because He loves and cares for me. God showed himself to me time and time again through His provisions. He provided a roof over my head, a job that I enjoyed working in, a church to invest in, a small group to fellowship with, rides everywhere I explored, a Christian roommate to live with, and plenty of people to get to know, love, and spend time with. Looking back at the term, I am still in complete awe of what God has done and He truly worked in ways I never expected. It was in these moments of challenges where I was placed out of my comfort zone that allowed me to grow individually as a person, and grow in my faith and trust for God.
Joy in Community
Before entering Houston, a common piece of advice I received was to join a campus fellowship. It would be a good opportunity to get plugged in, meet new people my age in the city, and walk alongside them in faith. Although I’m confident that would have been beneficial (and would also recommend this to anyone entering a new city for co-op), I made the conscious decision to invest in a church instead, mainly because I wanted to be mentored and poured into by people more mature in their faith, especially as I began thinking of navigating the concept of post-grad. When searching for a church, there was a sense of urgency because I wanted to make the most of the short four months I had there. Because of this, I made sure the church I settled down with checked my main three boxes: the preaching was solid and expositional, community and discipleship was intentional, and they had a big heart for evangelising and outreach in the city.
Choosing to get plugged into the church and joining a small group felt refreshing. From temporarily leaving CCF as one of the oldest people to entering my church’s small group as the youngest, it offered a change in perspective. I would encourage everyone to join a church small group! It was so fruitful to be poured into and have people point me back to Christ, remind me to prioritize my relationship with God, and to love Him more each day. There was so much wisdom offered from other people of different life stages and joy was found in encouraging and praying for each other despite being in different walks of life. I was able to grow so much more through small group.
A commonly asked question was if the community found in Houston was different than in Waterloo, and I’d say my answer is no.
Romans 12:4–5 — “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
Even though we may be from different cities, we are all part of this universal church consisting of all believers of Jesus. As members of the church, we are all part of one body unified in Christ. We all share the same belief, values, and the way we live and approach life. Small groups can help guide you to become who God created you to be and to mutually minister the body of Christ with our varied gifts. May we serve each other in love and glorify God together as one body.
Living in Houston taught me so many things and these were only a few of them. It was truly a privilege to explore this new city, the culture and fellowship it had to offer. It held times of joy, tears, challenges, memories to treasure forever, and a great deal of growth. As a final word, I urge you to continue trusting in God no matter what season you may be in. Even when it seems doomed, remember that we have a Father who is faithful and delivers on His promises. Put your hope in the Gospel and hold onto it steadfastly. God is by your side in each step you take and loves you as His children and creation. May you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
