Wow…it’s amazing our time here in New Zealand has come to an end. As I look back at EVERYTHING that has happened in one month. I feel as if I’ve had a lifetime in just a few weeks. From the beauty in Mata Mata and spiritual growth at launch to the joy in seeing children choose to give their lives to God and want to engage in a daily relationship with Christ. We have joined with 4 other teams from the WR in serving at the New Wine Conference and truly felt we helped serve the awesome team of workers here at El Rancho. We truly have been blessed with such great place to serve. We have had the opportunity to bring God into our daily experiences with others, just by doing everyday tasks. Edifying and lifting each other up for HIS service has really been amazing. I think it has been a wonderful foundation to begin this year of service. It makes wonder what battles God is strengthening us for ahead. It amazes me how “time flies” when you really are trying to squeeze every second out of every day.
All of us have been worn out physically and emotionally. Service of different types requires different maintenance. Choosing to find time daily to nourish yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually requires balance. That balance is essential for us to not only remain healthy, but effective in our service for HIM.
Our community, team Three:Seventeen, is defining it’s boundaries and expectations of each other within our unit. The blending of 7 personalities is a lot like the blending of a family. It can be uncomfortable at times, but that is usually where growth is taking place. God had divinely placed each of us within this unit. I believe that with all my heart. I trust that He is guiding us along a course, that will grow us closer to Him. There will be uncomfortable moments, but in that we get to see God show up in big ways. When I am most uncomfortable, if I continue in my trust in Him and His purpose, that is when I am blessed and He shows up the Greatest! Only when truly seeking His will for my life does he truly begin to reveal that plan. Then the power lies within me to choose what my reaction to that revelation is going to be. I can choose Him or choose self… the choice is mine. But, honestly when I “choose” to die to self, that is when I begin to fulfill the destiny He truly has for me.
The biggest problem of community is… you have to put your own desires aside at times, to grow that community. You might have to choose to give up what YOU want so you can do what is truly best for the GROUP. I know all teams think that their team is “special”. I am biased, but I KNOW my group is special. All of us have unique and independent personalities. I don’t think you could take any one of us and say….”you have to do this alone, and somehow or someway we couldn’t rise to the challenge and complete the task”. We are all independent and stubborn! That’s probably my favorite part. I know that everyone in my group has passion for their opinions. There is respectability knowing that other people aren’t afraid to stand up for their beliefs as well. I love that we are not a passive group! But the problem comes in when I don’t share myself with others. How can they truly know me I cannot share myself completely with my family unit. That is the part that requires a leap of faith and trust. Trust that they have my best interest and spiritual growth as their focus, just as I have theirs. I love that we challenge each other to view things in different ways, that can’t help but spur us to growth in Christ. We do share a common purpose. Seeking God’s will. It’s easier to push yourself aside when you are longing to complete that will. The people on my team have an abundance of talent. I love the “uniqueness of US”. I believe the blessings and gifts of this year will begin when I realize I don’t HAVE to do it on my own, that I truly can lean upon other people, and trust them unconditionally. When we find the value in each other and blend our talents to work more effectively as a team, at that point we will truly experience COMMUNITY.
Keep our team in your prayers as we struggle to trust and seek God will for us as individuals and a team within our Community.
