What a great God it is that we
serve. I have learned so much in the past month that I have been in Africa that
I cannot help but to stand in awe of our creator. I have been keeping a list of
some of the things that I have learned while on my adventures here. I will
share just a few with you...
1.
I live in a “God” bubble in Fargo
2.
Regardless of where you are in the world, people
are people
3.
Spending time getting to know people and build
relationships is more important than getting pety things accomplished
4.
I genuinely love people and “touching” isnt so
bad
5.
God is wonderful regardless of circumstances
6.
The people in Africa are smart in ways of the
world, rich in love, and caring
7.
Dont JUDGE people!! Stupid idea..
8.
Have faith, He will protect you
9.
The devil, witchcraft, and “medicine men” are
very real indeed
10.
People here with epilepsy are considered
“unclean”, Jesus would touch them
11.
I have SO much its actually pathetic.
12.
Tell somebody their good attributes as it makes
them stronger as a person and helps them grow
13.
God really does have a plan
14.
Life is an adventure, dont have too many
expectations
15.
Things that we say will “never happen to me,
thats somebody elses reality” actually can happen to you, we are not invinsible
16.
Let God fill you.
17.
God gives us “big dreams” and thats why we need
to go when he says to go, regardless of circumstances.
The greatest thing I have had to
learn this summer above any other lesson is trust. Many things are going on
10,000 miles away from me. Things I cannot experience, things I have no control
over, things that keep on happening whether I am there or not. These things
break my heart over and over on a daily basis, but I have learned to trust God
with all that I am. He has become my sustaining love, even more than He ever
has been. On a particular day that I was feeling sad I turned to my bible (as I
usually do) and God had just the right words to say to me. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills
be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of
peace be removed” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 God’s love is so unconditional and permanent
that I can trust him with everything that I am, my whole heart, my whole life,
and all of my troubles and pains. How incredibly gracious of Him!
These are only a few of the lessons that I have learned in my short time here. I still sometimes cannot believe that He has given me this opportunity to love on the people here and surround myself with new experiences and life. This summer God has ruined my life for his glory. This has been my prayer since I began to contemplate this trip and He has done just that. I do not know how I will use all of this information He has bestowed upon me but in giving me this experience He has instilled in me that I will not be able to stand on the sidelines. Having knowledge means having a responsibility, just as growing up comes with different responsibilities, so does having these experiences
Kayla, you are not the same person who left the comfort of your home just a month ago. Often times in life growth come in spurts, and you are in the middle of a growth spurt. This experience has changed you, and you will never be the same; you will be a person, who better than most, will understand the true Love that God has for his creation. When you get home, you will likely experience some depression, and when you do, please call me or talk to someone you trust about it and don’t bottle it up. You will have an opportunity to grow even more by talking to someone about what you are feeling and you will give them the gift of witnessing what you experienced. Remember, you are loved very much, by so many, and mostly by the One who created you.
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ReplyDeleteI am so glad that we had the chance to talk about spiritual warfare, it is all around you, and always will be no matter where you are. Pray, read, and keep your Bible with you at all times. Call upon the name of Jesus for your protection. I am praying for you and your safe delivery.
ReplyDeleteFinally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-18)