This last week in Colombia we went to La Boquilla a community that lived on the beach. Of course their living situation compared nothing to the fancy beach homes in the U.S or exotic islands. It was honestly like the slums of the beach. Evangelism had to be one of my favorite things we had the opportunity to do. There is a blessing in knowing that you don’t rely on your own strength and words. You surrender the uncomfortable feelings and fear and watch God remove band aids and heal people’s hearts. The pastor was so gracious to us because the church had been praying for people to come and bless the community. Of course some people refused letting us come into their home and the local church member would say, “Well they just missed their blessing!” So next time a believer come knocking at your door or walk up to you…don’t miss out on your blessing lol.
Then there was beach ministry. We were working with a organization called Amigos del Mar. This organization is located on a island called Bocachica. The founder Pedro has spent the last 6 years working with a children who’s dreams were lost in the expectation of continuing the generational cycle of having kids at 15, abandoning their family, and selling drugs. Going to school wasn’t a requirement so Pedro rewards kids who go to school everyday by taking them to the beach, learning water sports, and feeding them a grand meal in the eyes of kids who knew what it was like to not eat for days.
My squad mates were really excited about beach ministry and I was too until they said water sports. My thoughts, “Now Jesus you and Peter the only ones that know how to walk on water while I barely know how to save my own life. I should’ve taken those swim lessons in college when it was offered as a class.” Here I am 27 yrs old and these 10 year olds look like a pro in the water compared to my attempt of a doggie paddle. I’m sure Jesus and the boys were was laughing at me. So embarrassing lol. (Shout out to the college students…take the swim class while it’s covered in that tuition.)
We were obviously paddle racing so I’m already convinced I’ll be the bag lady and take pictures because I want to live to see the next 11 months and I don’t need anyone calling my mom telling her I drowned. I knew my limits. The set up was real! Jesus you not right for this one. Pedro asks, “How many of you have never paddled before?” Extra confident in the answer I raise my hand swiftly along with a couple of others. He responds, ” Great come with me.” He grabs a board and paddle and I’m like what did I just do? Noooooo, I’m not ready!!! Pineapples. Pineapples. Pineapples!
We get into the water and the first person goes and looks like he has been doing it for years. I slowly start backing up out of the water because I’m just like I can’t do this. ( Never let intimidation and someone else gift stop you from what God is calling you do to.) I am freaking out internally but I have my poker face on.
“Who’s next?”
“Candace!” Well how nice of them to volunteer my life lol.
Like a good soldier I walk up and the first thing he says,” You’re going to fall but it’s okay. Everybody falls.” I’m like no, no, no, no Jesus not today. I can’t go out like this. And I hear a still voice say, ” I got you.” I get on the board but I’m holding on to Pedro hand for dear life. He is encouraging me and asks can he let go of my hand. As I was about to let go one of the little boys run into my board with his board and I clinch on to Pedro hand like a woman in labor pains. I finally let go and Pedro hands me the paddle. I’m standing and I start paddling. All I see is water and the background of people encouraging me. I start to loose my balance but it’s okay cause the hard part is over. I fall and I feel victorious like Balboa making it to the top of the steps.
I thought that was the end. Pedro says, “Alright, are you going to go out in the water?” Okay Jesus there is a thing called baby steps that I’m taking. Of course everyone is like “Go Candace. You can do it.” Faced with all eyes on me again. I get on the board with one of the 10yr old boys. I’m thinking to myself, “I’m about to trust this little boy to take me to the deep. Who am I?” As we get farther away I don’t have anything to grab on to except the water. No crutch. The little boy can’t save me if we both fall. He is skin and bones and I’m a good solid 150. The little boy is getting tired and the board is beginning to wobble and I can’t help but to picture how this is going down. He doesn’t know English and I can’t tell him in Spanish let’s go back so I’m playing charades while he huffing and puffing all out of breath. Well I’m alive to write this blog and we made it safely back to the shore. God got me!
Why am I telling you this? Sometimes in life God calls us to do things outside of our comfort zone. He calls us to do things we know we can’t do in our own strength. In our heart we’re just like Peter, “Lord if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” And Jesus is replying, “Yes, come.” Instead of focusing and placing your faith on the wind and waves in life remember His still small voice that says, “Yes, come.” When you feel like you’re falling Jesus has His hands ready to grab you.
Sometime’s you won’t have a crutch to hold on to. All you have is your faith to guide your feet. There will be times where God won’t give you baby steps to take because God knows you better than you know yourself. He has already written the book to your story and knows what you can and will do. Even when you feel like you are sinking God won’t let you drown. He got you!
