As I sit in a local coffee/internet cafe shop called the 'Tavern', a few minutes away from our month one ministry site here in Albania, I realized that I have not actually blogged since arriving. Currently, there are a lot of different emotions running through me and so, I want to begin the journey of actually blogging while ON the race, with a prayer I wrote as a few of us had our own little worship session while waiting in Atlanta, GA to board our first flight.
July 7, 2013 Journal Entry,
This is actually happening like legit! It has not hit me yet truth be told. It honestly feels like just hanging out with friends and going on a super short term missions trip with some of the best people ever. God, I lift up this trip. Lord I lift me up specifically. I know I will have days when I have no idea what to do. Days when I DO want to simply give up and go home. Days when I will want nothing more than to throw up my hands in confusion and anger. Days when I simply want to cry. Days when I want to scream for joy and just shout praises to you. LORD I pray for me. It maybe a selfish prayer but God, draw near to me this year. Shake me in a way I need to be shook. BREAK MY HEART TIME AND TIME AGAIN dear Lord. Give me Your eyes, Your feet and Your heart when I come across each and every person that I meet. I pray for safe travels-that flights go smooth and so does customs and security. I pray for adventure and joy. For unity of our squad and team. Lord, I pray for healings. That you work power through my hands. Lord, I will be real with you. I am scared of what your going to do through my hands. I know your going to rock my word. I KNOW YOUR going to heal in and through me. YOU ARE GOING TO BRING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE. 1 Peter 3:19 all the way. Lord, I do not know what that looks like but I know you can. I know you will. I pray for Your Spirit to move through me. That through me, people will come to know you. Lord, I pray for strength and I pray for courage and strength. I pray for humility and accountability. Lord Jesus speak to me in a way you have not before. Lord, use the children, use the youth that I will be a coming across to speak life, to speak truth into my life. Lord Jesus- help me to dance. To worship and to sing like never before. Help me to worship like David.
Lord, Hold me. Draw to me. Comfort me. Speak to me. LOVE ME. YOUR LOVE IS GREATER. YOUR LOVE IS BEAUTY AND MIGHTY
Wednesday July 10 Journal Entry
To be together as a squad, has been a blessing even thus far. I have loved already, getting to know those who I have not had time to get to know yet. Along with those who I have already started to get to know. I woke up this morning to the sound of KG’s voice hanging with the kids. Once again, it reminded me of Africa in the sense of early mornings and late nights. Yet I wouldn’t change it for anything. God will give me the strength I need. I know He will has He always has and He will not stop now or ever. Watching my squad mates interact with the kids, seeing the joy on their faces and the love in their smiles, is totally a blessing. I am pumped for this year, to see how God uses our gifts and talents. To see how He uses, what we think are our weaknesses for HIS strength and power. Satan, be scared. There is power right here, right now as I think about the people around me and everything that God has to offer through and within them. There is FREEDOM and there is life. There is JOY and there is HOPE.
To be totally honest tho, I have not thought much about home yet at this point. It has not really hit me yet that this is life for the next 11 or so months. It still feels like just a short term, 2 week trip but nope this is reality of my life. When I do stop and think about it, part of me freaks out a little, and another part is like ‘whoa Nikki, you are actually here, you are actually doing this!” The prayer and support from back at home, is overwhelming. I can feel it already. Thank you Jesus!
Thank you God for your Grace, peace, joy and Love today and all days. I love you Jesus!
