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Awkward Pacific Ocean Family Photo |
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I copied and pasted directly from my support account for the World Race. Thanks so much to all who have given. I would not be here if it wasn't for you. God had a large bill to pay, and it's almost paid up! =) There is still a need for this ministry. I have until December to raise the remaining $2,113.75, in order for me to remain on the World Race for all 11 months and experience three months of Africa and three months of Asia. Please prayerfuly consider contributing, as well as spread the news to all you know! Thank you, in advance, from the bottom of my heart!
Wow, so I've already been in Chepen, Peru for 2.5 weeks now. The time has flown by because we all love Peru so freakin much! I will be in this town for a few more days before moving on to a city called Trujillo, where I will be doing construction work of an orphanage for one week with multiple World Race teams. I hear the schedule will be to wake up super early, eat breakfast, work in the sun until lunch, eat lunch, and then work until dinner. We will have team worship, devotions, and family time in the day, as well. When the week is over, we will take a 30hr bus ride to Lake Titycaca (where the Incan civilization first started), before entering Bolivia for month three! Something tells me that this year will be the quickest year of my life! Well, the past 1.5 months has helped me to find my ministry 'niche.' Did you know that every Christian has a niche in doing God's work? That just means that God has blessed you with the talents, gifts, personality, etc. for making a difference in the Kingdom of Heaven. I never really thought I had one, considering I don't have musical or artistic skills. Everytime I'm asked to preach, I take the opportunity, but quite frankly the pulpit makes me want to pee my pants. I found myself discouraged and often asking God, "Why am I not good at anything? How am I supposed to be a missionary when you haven't given me anything to work with?" I'm preaching and painting churches with a Pre-Med. degree. Sometimes, I can just imagine God up there laughing at me because nine times out of ten, the questions I fret about are ones that are already answered…I just have my eyes closed.
I love irony. My niche is "having the eyes to see and the heart to move" In other words, the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to people and opportunities that are often overlooked. And, He places a desire in my heart to love on those people and to use those opportunities to bring Jesus into their everyday lives. I see people. I see the tired lunch ladies who work 9-5pm with rude college students, only to leave their job and begin night shift on their second job. I see the teachers who put all of their time into bettering the futures of others, yet often are disrespected and unappreciated. I see the waitress at Olive Garden who is questioning what she is supposed to do with her life and has no one to turn for the answer. I see the kids on the side of the street who just want someone to love on them. I see the man fishing on a pier, who hasn't had many words of encouragement. I see the missionaries of other religions who are living by false truths. I see the old lady who is sick and needs prayer. I see the child who has been forgotten. I want to talk to them. I want to be their friend. I want them to know that I know Jesus and that He has changed my life. I want them to have what I have. And, I'm fully aware that only Jesus can give someone the eyes to see that and to want it for other people. Because, the times when I get selfish and begin focusing on what I want and need, I begin to lose this passion. Only, when I'm emersed into Jesus Christ are my eyes opened.
During the past few months, relationship initiating and building has been my passion. It's been second nature to me. I just never realized it beforehand. So, no. My niche isn't very tangible by touch, but being tangible to my mind was all I needed for me to realize that I do have a place in this ministry, and even in life oustide of the World Race.The past 2.5 weeks have been filled with opportunities to show the love of Jesus. I made friends on the beach with missionaries from another religion, prayed with a woman on her death bed, prayed for a mentally-ill crippled boy, prayer walked around the town, stopping in hospitals and schools, encouraged believers in the church and in small group bible studies within church members' homes, organized a birthday party for a 17yr old, invited strangers to church, played games, sang songs, and taught Bible stories to children, smiled at frowning faces on the streets, and deepend relationships with my Peruvian host family and my amazing teammates.
The way that I know that Jesus, himself, has given me this niche is because by nature, I am a shy person. In school, I was always the "quiet girl." Walking up to strangers and saying "Hey, can I pray for you?" would naturally be a very embarrasing and weird concept. And to most people…it is. Thankfully, He has given us all niches. I have to wonder if you have found your niche. You don't have to be on the stage leading worship or preaching, or even have athletic or musical talents. It may be encouragement or organization or even something that may not be realized until you ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you. The Holy Spirit is alive and working in your life if you know Christ. It's a package deal. You don't just have God sitting up in heaven and Jesus by His side, you have the Holy Spirit within you, and if you press into the Spirit, you will be used in ways you never imagined.
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously…And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Romans 12:8 NLT
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 13:2 NLT
