We were asked to write a blog about how we felt before leaving on this mission trip. Here is what I’m expecting…
I’ve been putting off writing this blog, but I need to get it done by the end of the week. It’s still so far away before we leave and I think I could write this blog better if it were just a month or two away. Here I am almost 9 months before we leave. Don’t get me wrong, I think about what all might happen on this trip all the time and Jared & I talk about it a lot, but it’s still all scattered in my mind. It’s hard for me to try and collect all my thoughts and write (or should I say type) them out.
The main thing I’m expecting is CHANGE!
THE END!!
Ok I guess I’ll try to elaborate:
Change spiritually– There’s no way I could go and see the things that I’m going to see and not change. I know that I will have to be continually pressing into the Lord asking Him for strength spiritually. I will have to constantly be asking the Lord, “Lord what is it that you want this person to see, hear, feel, etc” I am going to represent Christ to others. I so desire for the people we minister to (& even walk past) to see Christ and only Him. This is something I’m already praying for. They have to see Him and only Him, if not, there will be no change in them, at least not eternal! I know I will learn to rely on Christ for everything, way more than I am now.
Jared and I are reading a book that’s on our reading list for the World Race called “The Heavenly Man.” It’s about a man (Brother Yun) living in China and his story as he spreads the gospel, gets thrown in prison, is tortured, but most importantly his love for Jesus Christ! This book has encouraged me so much on how important & valuable the Word of God truly is! I believe even now that God is teaching me things and showing me things and with that comes change. He has already started getting me prepared for this upcoming year! I expect my spirit man to grow this coming year more than ever before! I expect to produce fruits of the Spirit! May the Love of Christ abound in all things!!! HALLALUJAH!
Change physically– I won’t be sitting behind a desk all day for one. I know that there will be times that I’ll be put to the test. There will be times that I will be so physically tired and won’t want to go on BUT the LORD will be my strength! I will really understand that I have no strength on my own. I will have to rely on God for everything and this excites me. I know my faith will grow!
Change emotionally– I believe that I will have a greater love for God and people. I believe God will let me feel what He feels for the little orphan child that I’ll be holding. I believe that as I’m hugging the child, the child will feel the love of His heavenly Father. As my team and I are helping the widow lady with things that she’s not able to do, that she will see the love of a heavenly Husband, she will realize she’s still a bride, a bride of Christ! I believe that expressions of the Father’s heart will be flowing through me and that He will allow me to feel as He feels. Wow, how can one not be changed after that?!?
Change mentally- As of right now, I don’t know what it’s really like for others in different countries, even the ones I’ve been to. Yeah, I’ve seen pictures and read blogs and it has changed my thinking…some. I’ve even been to Mexico and Thailand, but I didn’t spend a lot of time with the people. I spent more time working than just spending time talking and loving on them. Once I get out there for myself & having a purpose to show the love of Jesus Christ, it will make my head knowledge become heart knowledge. A father (in the Lord) once told me, “The problem with many Christians is one foot.” They have a lot of head knowledge, but until it goes down one foot into the HEART it doesn’t do them any good. It’s like knowing how to say a word, but w/o knowing the meaning, you can’t ever use it. If we as Christians never know that Jesus loves us, how can we share that love? We can say it and tell others, but w/o truly knowing it, the effect is not the same, it’s as if it’s powerless. Most all Christians will say that they know that Jesus loves them and they may even laugh at the question, but do you really know that He loves you, do you know it in your heart?
