Its been crazy thinking lately that how much my life has changed from what I imagined it would be three years ago. To think that I would be across the world doing what I am now was something that wasn’t even considered. I never would have thought that I would be walking the village streets of Africa praying for people who are in need, playing with laughing children who have one pair of clothing, witnessing several times to a muslim man who desperately needs Jesus, or attending Sunday services where I see people that have such a joy that is obviously not because of material possessions but because of Who they have living inside them. I think about my own life and how much I have in comparison to the people here and yet when I go to church to worship the one who died for me I don’t show half the thankfulness or joy that they do. You would think that material things would cause us to be even more thankful for God blessing us. That is not the case though. I find that these material things only distract us from giving glory and praise to the one who deserves every bit of it. Being out here away from all the comforts of home and distractions has really opened my eyes to what so many people, myself included, are lacking in their walk with Christ. A true friendship with Jesus. Not a friendship where we go to him when we need help or just to talk to somebody. Not a friendship where you only listen to the stuff you like to hear from them. But a friendship where you love being in their presence all the time. Go to Him even whey life is great. Love hearing from Him and what He has to say to you. Listen to Him no matter if you like it or not. A friendship that is stronger than your best friend. Closer than a brother. That is what Jesus should be to every single person who professes to be His child. Sadly a lot of the time this doesn’t seem to be the case. If it were we wouldn’t be scared to tell people about Him. We would always stick up for Him when people talk bad of Him. We would do whatever He asked us to do. Being here learning these things has been so amazing. To see when I say “yes” to Jesus how much he moves. When I don’t deprive the Spirit inside of me and actually allow Him to use me. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.” This verse has been very impacting to me in both discerning the will of God in my life and how I should live with the Spirit in me. All my life I felt like I have been quenching the Spirit and the power He has within me. I also feel like churches lack the knowledge and the boldness to listen to the Spirit. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it tis the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given thought he Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” It has been a crazy journey following Jesus and saying yes to Him. Every day, every hour, and minute there is something that the Lord is showing me or teaching me. My first month of this Journey was a tough one. The Lord was putting my team through some tough stuff that was testing us and growing us as a team. Even though in the moment we didn’t know why this was happening it was extremely evident the next month whey our team and the team we were partnered together and needed unity. The Lord prepared us and it was beautiful to live through and experience the fruit of our labor from the first month. The second month was a very growing time of finding out where I am with the Lord and how far I am willing to let Him take me on this Journey. This third month has been great so far and am very excited to see what more the Lord does here. It was hard coming into this month because of my team change and having to get use to new people and building that foundation again. I love my new team and am excited to be spending this next chapter with them! There are some specific prayer requests I would love to ask for support in. There is this 26 year old man named Ramadan. He is a muslim science teacher that I have had the opportunity to share Jesus with. He has gotten a bit more open each time I have had the chance to talk to him. The first time was just shallow conversation, but the second time he really opened up. He shared his story and how he got to this point of his life. He knows of Jesus but doesn’t want to believe in something that he cant see physical proof right in front of his face. He said if his parents were to get back together he would believe in Jesus. The other person is this neighbor woman named Sandra. She has been dealing with an abusive husband for many years and we have been praying for her and her family. Then just pray for my team as we continue to grow together and with Christ and listening to the Spirit. I love you all and thank you so much for your support.
God Bless,
Mark
