So, this is a VERY popular game on the race- one that challenges your comfort zone but also makes people laugh a lot! So we play this game quiet frequently on my team and it’s usually a sign to make people feel uncomfortable because the one challenging them to do it wants to laugh (usually at them instead of with them, but it’s all in good fun).
Lately- God has been wanting to play this game with me… what are the odds..?
That I’ll go out if my comfort zone and evangelize to a population of people who don’t speak English?
That I’ll trust him with my passions and desires?
That I’ll go out of my comfort zone and share with others about my relationship with Jesus?
That I’ll share my life story with people who are going through similar situations in their own life?
That I’ll pray for healing over some members of the Zimbabwe population?
These are some practical questions God has asked me lately.. while I LOVE talking with different cultures and strangers it’s out of my comfort zone to take that next step towards sharing Jesus with them. I’m loving it though!!
Here’s a real story that happened to me yesterday– I was handing out newspapers to the Zimbabweans and I crossed the street randomly to hand one to this young one man and woman and the man asked me what it was about.. I had told him that it was a paper on how Jesus had changed people’s lives from all over the world and and he asked me to share that same thing again with the woman standing next to him. I was confused but did it regardless.. He then told me that this young woman was his neighbor and that she was trying to run away from home. She was 15, and the story she most likely would have had if she made it to a different village in Zimbabwe was that she would get pregnant at a young age and the possibility of her having HIV/AIDs was very high.
I consulted one of the other women that we had partnered with in the organization of Hope Zimbabwe, and she talked the the young woman, Alfa, in Ndebele (one of the official languages in Zimbabwe). I had the opportunity to tell her a little of my story from my childhood to try and gave her identify with my story and to let her know that I’m a safe person that understands what it’s like to live in a home that may not always be the best circumstances.
She let us know she was running from home because she had an argument with her mom and we later found out that the argument was that her mom was trying to keep her from running to boys.
We ended up talking her into going back home and seeking reconciliation from her mom, and to my surprise her mom welcomed us into her home with open arms. We were able to help them reconcile the relationship and I was able to encourage Alfa to find her worth in Jesus and not men. Also letting her know that her mom is doing the best she knows how to in order to take care of her and her younger sister. I then had the divine privilege to pray over the both of them and their relationship and man was it one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had!!
I tell you this story because God has been asking me if I will go out of my comfort zone in order to bring Kingdom wherever I am, and because I chose to have a positive attitude and be friendly towards others by saying yes to God, He used me in a way that touches my heart in such a beautiful way! He knows my desires and passions and he used me to share the story he’s given me in my life to glorify his name!!
I’m thankful I had the help of Matilda, one of the women who works locally with Hope Zimbabwe, in order to really share Jesus with her!! I’m excited to see what the next few weeks look like while living in the “bush” in Binga, a smaller village of people who really don’t understand English! It should be quiet the adventure! 🙂
I will be there for three weeks without internet. I say that to say because I still have not reached my last financial deadline– I have $2,500 to go yet! I want and desire to stay on the field with my team in Africa– as you can already tell, He’s doing big things and continues to show me himself more and more! If you have the ability or feel lead to donate to this awesome experience/ journey in on, please do! It’s as easy as clicking the “donate” button at the top of my blog! Thank you for the continued love, support, and encouragement that I’ve received from all of you though! I love it and please continue! 🙂
Love you all! 🙂
