On the Race I have accomplished many things, and have checked off multiple bucket list items. The number one being Victoria Falls! And numerous others like bungee jumping and shark diving as well! One I didn’t think I would check off would be writing a book…
So, this month one of the ministries my squad and I are doing is writing a book for our host about the ministry here in the Philippines. It will be published and can be purchased! I’ll let y’all know when that happens. Completely crazy right? Trust in God and He will take you on adventures you didn’t even know could happen in the setting you are in.
Even though I didn’t write the entire book, I did write this chapter. And in doing so it honestly gave me the faith that I could actually write my own book! I have had it on my bucket list, but I have never had the faith in myself to think I could accomplish it. One of the things I have learned through this Race is to have faith in myself… And I actually enjoy writing! My blogs have been coming so easily to me and seem to just flow through my fingertips… I even feel a little bad for how MANY blogs I am posting… I at least know my parents appreciate every single one though, so that is good enough for me.
(picture: Danica and I at the festival my squad and I put on)
Chapter: Danica (don’t know the actual name the chapter will have in the book yet).
The people here in the Philippines are genuine, caring, and honestly some of the most joyful people I’ve met. I haven’t found something not to love about the culture yet. One young lady in particular stands out among the rest. I met her through the church we are working with, Moriah Baptist Bible Church, and she is exceptionally sweet. Her name is Danica, she has long black hair and a huge smile, she also is roughly around 5’2″. When I asked her if I could write about her, she replied with “WOW, I am so blessed! Yes, yes, yes!”. This is one example of how enthusiastic and joyful she is. When you are around her you can feel the joy radiating from her. We are living at the church this month of ministry, and Danica has stopped by multiple times with no other agenda but to simply see us. She has learned most of our names already (all 42 of us!), and we have only been here six days!
Two nights ago she stopped by to spend time with us, greeting me with her sweet “Ma’am Faith, how are you?” As she smiled. I talked with her telling her about my day while she intently listened, smiling the whole time, and nodding. I then asked about her day – of course she had a great day. Other racers walked into the room and she smiled and greeted Shrena and Andrea by there first names as well.
We decided to all sit and chat, and asked her to share her story. A couple others came to join, and she greeted them by their names: Felicia, Jack, and Jameson.
She laughed a nervous laugh and said she was shy. Andrea pointing out how much she talks jokingly told her she was not shy at all. She concurred and started to tell us her story. She told us how she came to this island when she was 14, how she was living with her aunt, and how she grew up Catholic. She mentioned that she has only been a “real Christian” for two years – and now she truly understands what being a Christian is about. She happily told us that she has “one fruit” and that her first time evangelizing she shared the gospel with this young woman and invited her to church. She told us how this young lady came to Christ and how she still to this day messages her every day to encourage her in the word and in prayer.
As she told us her story she lit up. A radiating glow of life surrounding her as she spoke. You could see how genuinely excited she was about this woman who now also attends the church. Her excitement overflowing because this new friend of hers now has eternal life with Christ.
As she continued to share Danica told us about how she is afraid to evangelize. She said that she knows she has a gift in evangelizing since talking with people comes so easily to her, but she is still timid. She also told us that she is the only Christian in her entire family and how she desperately wants her family to be saved.
Danica hasn’t seen her family since she moved to this island seven years ago, but she does get to talk to them on the phone. She mentioned that she is going back to see her family in December for Christmas, and is so excited! She just hopes that she will be bold enough and have the courage needed to share the gospel with them. She is already praying for their salvation daily.
Scripture says ““Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:22-24).”
At age 21 Danica has more Faith than a lot of the people I’ve seen. She recites scripture as she talks and boasts in the Lord. She didn’t share about her success in evangelism boastfully, she shared with excitement and a genuine love for the woman she brought to the Lord.
After Danica was done sharing her story with us she asked us to pray for her family. For their salvation, and that she will have the courage to share the gospel with them. We all nodded and excitedly told her we would. Shrena motioned for us to pray right then. We all bowed our heads and started lifting her up in prayer. One after another we all prayed for her and her family. At the end she lifted her head, wiping tears from her eyes. She apologized that she was crying and thanked us profusely. She told us she was so thankful for us, and that she was so blessed.
This experience with Danica made me realize just how important our Faith in the Lord is. What Danica has that I want, is Faith. She has it, she knows the importance of it, and she feels the weight of those she loves who aren’t Christians. Even though evangelism scares her, she isn’t limited by her fear. I think it is absolutely beautiful that she continues to evangelize in spite of her fear. She doesn’t let her fear control her because she knows that fear is not from the Lord. The Devil will often try to limit our God given strengths by attaching fear to it.
She is aware that her communication skills are a gift, so she prays for the confidence to continue forward in evangelism. She recognizes what is from the Lord and what is not, and she surrenders her fear to the Lord. Danica obediently moves forward in the faith that the Lord will hear her, and that He answer Her prayers. Danica recognizes the truth in the verse “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
I was reading the book “When Heaven Invades Earth” by Bill Johnson last night and the chapter I read was all about Faith. In regards to fear and faith Johnson says “Fear attacks the foundation of our relationship with God… Our faith. Fear is faith in the devil; it is also called unbelief.” (Johnson, 2003). Looking at fear in this light, I’m so glad that Danica isn’t letting it limit her. The Lord tells us “do not fear” 365 times in the bible. It is the most mentioned command in the bible.
These lessons about fear are all similar to what I learned this previous month. I had the opportunity to face multiple fears of mine while serving in Africa. The Lord really taught me through my own experience with bungee jumping for one example, to place my confidence in Him. To trust in Him completely. That it is okay to feel fear and to recognize it, as long as I don’t obey that fear by letting it control me. In my prayer up on the bridge in Zimbabwe, Africa, seconds before a group of us racers were supposed to bungee jump off – I prayed “Lord let us jump into more boldness and courage in you, let us be jumping into your hands, and into a deeper relationship with you” (Go Jump Off a Bridge, faithcraver.theworldrace.org). From my experience that freed me from fears that once limited me, I saw that it truly lead to a stronger faith and trust in God.
Another thing the Lord has been teaching me since the beginning of the World Race has been surrendering to Him. I didn’t realize just how much surrendering to the Lord requires faith. In the same book Johnson says “a surrendered heart is a heart of faith” (Johnson, 2003). The Lord has been teaching me to surrender my plans to Him and trust in His plans since before the Race! Having this devine encounter with Danica, reading this book, and multiple experiences these past few months has led me to a revelation… Faith. Not just having faith, but having a complete, tantalizing, and dependent Faith in God.
Scripture says “Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). And “Without Faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)”. Those verses being spoken over me for the past couple months, are still ringing in my ears. Yes, I believe. Yes, I will be a strong woman of faith. Yes, I will be like Danica and walk forward in my gifts and callings – even if it scares me. It may ironic that my name is Faith and that is what the Lord is teaching me about – but even so that doesn’t lighten the load of this message. Is your Faith bigger than your Fear?
