I just returned from a journey. 
It was halfway around the world.  
I met people for the first time and even on our first encounter it was like coming home. What a beautiful thing we have in the family of Christ. Distance, language, and culture can't come between the shared stake we have in being committed the the same cause, which is Christ. 

Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Psalm 119:63-64 says:
"I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes."

These two verses together offer not only an entrance into the kingdom of God to dwell with Him forever through the acceptance of His son, Jesus, but also a welcoming into a family. We are adopted sons and daughters of Christ as believers, but that is a joy that is present with us now, not one that is reserved only for glory. 

As Christians we have a common salvation in Jesus, a common goal of spreading the word and making disciples, and a common ability to serve and be served through the body of believers. 

What a comfort we have in knowing that we are not alone in our current journey, be it struggle or rejoicing.

Ephesians 4:1-6 Speaks of Unity in the body of Christ
1 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. "

Feeling and experiencing this unity has been such an encouragement to my soul. Bless the Lord for his forethought and steadfast love that he would be willing to commune with us individually and also give us a community. I thank the believers we worked with for all of their continuous effort to build the kingdom and even though we are not with them in body, we are one in spirit.