Over the last 9months God has taken me to incredible places. I’ve seen bat infested caves, gigantic ancient temples, incredibly beautiful mountains, beaches like none other, & crazy cool volcanoes.
I’ve been able to see and experience brokenness. I’ve lived with ex-cons as well as kids left behind by their families. I’ve witnessed families run in fear after a gun was fired. I’ve witnessed poverty in its entirety.
But there’s been a common theme wherever I’ve gone in the world, whether that be a small village in Cambodia or a house filled with 20+ people in Cape Town, South Africa. I’ve noticed that heaven is all around us, not necessarily just in the beauty of His creation, but also the people.
Genesis 2:7
“[…] and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living being.”
We, as believers, portray different characteristics of our Creator. When we received that breath, God made us in His image, thus creating in us a likeness of Him. And that’s where I’ll start, with stories of people that were once broken, but were brought into eternal communion with God.
Ratachaburi, Thailand. My team and I were living with 3 men that were recently released from prison. For different reasons, these men had become numb to everything, ultimately leading them to a life behind bars. But God saw the opportunity for something far greater. Our host at the time, P’ Noiy, had been going to prisons sharing the word of God. In a place of complete darkness there was a small candle, who’s small source of light was able to light other candles around it. God used one man’s courage to create a little piece of hope inside the walls of brokenness. God used these men to bring his kingdom to Thailand. Now these men live a life of freedom in Christ. Their chains were broken, and their walk of freedom is something so beautiful.
Placagüina, Nicaragua. A city that was once without faith. Our hosts, David and Damaris, came to this community 10years ago and were persecuted for believing in something greater. But God gave them patience, perseverance, and love. Over these last 10years they’ve been able to establish a church, feeding program, and share the Gospel with the people that once threw rocks at their roof, messed with their land, and attempted to make them leave.
“I have members in my church that once really wanted me gone. That did awful things to my family and I, but I think it’s something beautiful. To have them beside me, worshipping the same God” David once said.
God is working in and through His people. I’ve learned so much about our Creator through His creation these last 9months. So, in a condensed format, here’s what I learned and from whom:
To be relational, hardworking, and to constantly have a positive attitude no matter what. To be a man of my word, rooted in the word and in prayer. Our God is a optimistic God, so why shouldn’t we be the same? Right, Mattchew Shirey?
Our God cares for us, deeply. We are called to do the same, to care for people even if that love isn’t sometimes returned. To sit with people where they are at. It’s hard, but it represent God’s love for us incredibly. Right, Hannah Reed Esposito?
To have peace and be reassured in who we are in Christ. To carry God’s peace to the point of allowing others to feel His peace just by being. To be a light in a dark room. Right, KT Wolford?
To be bold. To listen to Gods voice and follow it, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. To have faith like no other, and completely trust in Gods plan. Right, Parks?
To carry so much joy that you can’t help but sing and dance when thinking about God’s love for us. To be a source of happiness when all else seems to tell you otherwise. To carry His joy wherever you go. Right, KJ & Claud?
To find the beauty in everything, literally. From a bird flying in the air to a mango tree in the middle of Nicaragua, Gods beauty is everywhere and we should marvel at it. Right, Jenny Jen Jen?
To love people and love them well. To always have a smile while serving others, and bring so much joy when stepping into a room. Also to have incredible handwriting. Right, Rey?
To never be too serious. Our God is a comical God that loves when we laugh and make others laugh along. To show His love by the way we make others laugh and experience happiness. Right, Syd & Vicks?
To encourage constantly. Our God is for us and is constantly encouraging us along the way, so why shouldn’t we do the same. Right, Court?
To be a powerful man of God, and know who you are in Him. To carry the wisdom He imparts and help others grow in their relationship too. Right, Rye?
To lead well and by example. To demonstrate God in so many ways that your life becomes a testimony to everyone you come in contact with. Right, Jack?
To be contemplative and love people past their circumstances. To be rooted in who you are by helping leading others into who they are meant to be. Right, Ducks?
To be a heck of a hard worker. For real. Right, Luke and Crust?
To be kindhearted. God’s heart for us is something so dang beautiful and to be able to portray that to others isn’t easy, but always worth it. Right, Randy?
To not be afraid to be “silly” for God. To dream BIG and trust that the author of your dreams is also the executer of them. Right, Christa?
To walk in the freedom provided for us in Christ. We have a God that was willing to take our burdens upon a cross, so that we may walk in freedom from all of it. So let’s start walkin’. Right, Markelle?
These last 9months have been incredible, and I would like to thank you. Thank you for the constant prayers, encouragement, and love. Thank you, who supported me financially and allowed these beautiful lessons to be learned.
So as I return home in 10 short days, my prayer is that I not only keep these lessons for life, but you who’ve stayed with me throughout this journey learned some rad things about our even more rad God. It is with an eager heart that I write these things to you.
In Christ,
Diegz
