Since we have left for the rain, we have almost all heard the same thing. “It won’t rain here”, or “It’s not even close to our rainy season” and guess what…WE’VE SEEN THE RAIN!!!!
In Costa Rica, we were in their rainy season and boy did it rain, most days and then again at night. However once we hit Nicaragua and onward I have heard hosts say no more rain. And it NEVER fails, WE BRING THE RAIN!
At first rain meant it would make everything so much more muggy, cause a lot of times in Central America it wouldn’t change the temperature it would just add humidity to the air.
Over the last 5 months I’ve grown to LOVE the rain. And I’ve come to notice, I’ve seen the rain every month. And I’m not talking about that cute little rain that comes and gets stuff a little wet, I’m talking straight downpour of cats and dogs, as soon as you step out you’re soaked to the bone kind of rain. (It’s even really good rain to play in and jump in the puddles after)!!
I didn’t quite notice how often it rained until this month. This month I lived in Changloon, Malaysia. I can say that I have met some of my favorite hosts this month!
Our ministry was very low-key. We lived in a predominantly Muslim area. We heard the call to prayer multiple times from multiple temples around our house. We had the opportunity to teach English in the cutest preschool ever!! Children who started off the month not speaking much English to leaving on our last day having full conversations with them! They totally melted my heart!!!!! We also had the opportunity to help teach conversational English to group of 12 year old students! They were so sweet and eager to learn! We taught a moral class on Monday nights to children of all ages and all backgrounds. We taught about “fruits of a good character” (see what we did there?! Hahaha!) and then we also attended a church, where we shared testimonies and worshipped alongside of other believers.
I had never truly lived in a place where we couldn’t be totally open and honest about our background and things like that. It gave me a whole new respect for missionaries who live in this area or live in more closed off countries!
But during our first week there I asked, will it rain here? And I was told “No, our rainy season isn’t for a few more months”. And guess what?! IT RAINED!! And I mean POURED RAIN!!!
One of our last church services there, Pastor was speaking on how the Lord will not leave you as orphans. And one of the scriptures he used was Isaiah 55:10-11. And this opened up a whole new perspective for me! (And lead me to writing this blog).
Isaiah 55:10-11 states: The rain and the snow comes down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. This causes the grain to grow for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my Word. I send it our and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” (MAN!! Can’t that verse preach on so much!?! WHEW!!!)
And the Lord just opened up my eyes! He spoke about how the rain (or hard times, or times of sorrow, and even times of growing pains and times of utter knock your socks off blessings) in our lives are not only for us the “farmer” but also for the world or the “hungry”.
I used to be one who HATED rainy days, I would hate leaving my house or having to deal with being wet or trying to carry anything in the rain. And you know drivers are normally worse in the rain!
Over this last season of life I’ve learned to enjoy the rain. I’m also learning to enjoy the rain in my life.
One thing I specifically remember the Lord saying before I left was “there will be a lot of puddle jumping!” I honestly had no idea what that meant, physically, emotionally, spiritually or what, however now I’m starting to see it.
There has been some tough moments since being on the race, and moments where I just don’t want to deal with life honestly. Moments where i want to throw in the towel however the great news is. I haven’t yet! There have also been moments when my jaw has dropped and I’ve seen the Lord move in INCREDIBLE ways, and where we have been blessed beyond words!
And I’ve learned SO MUCH in those moments of hard times and moments of great times. The Lord has truly taught me so much since being on this race. I’ve been pushed to limits physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and man I’m learning to love the rain!!
I have seen the growth for me the farmer and for the hungry in the world!
Although this month may not have been my favorite, it has definitely taught me the most!
I want to encourage each of you!! Those that have been going through a rainy season in your life, keep fighting through! I know things are harder to see clear, and it might even be inconvenient and you feel tired of being uncomfortable from being “Wet” all the time. I can promise you that there will be growth!!! But the coolest thing is the growth is not only for you, it’s for the world.
So don’t give up yet, rainy season will pass! But even after rainy season will pass you’ll still have moments of random drenching downpours, but guess what! It doesn’t last forever! Keep pushing on! And start to learn right in the middle of the rain to rejoice. To dance. To celebrate because even though things might suck right now…it doesn’t last forever and there are great things to come from it.
I’m excited to see how the Lord grows each of you in this season of life where you are in!
Also please always feel free to reach out to me, via iMessage or Facebook message or even leaving a comment on my blog if you ever need prayer or encouragement or you just want to give up. I would love to come alongside of you and encourage you where you are!!!
i love you guys so much, thanks for following my journey! Here we come month 6!!
I would love to share a few pics of the kiddos from this month!! You can also see more on my Facebook!
