Coming into the Race, I felt as if I had been going and going non-stop my whole life. Looking back, there has never been a period of time that I remember where I’ve not felt rushed or busy. As we left in January, I knew I needed rest (real, prolonged, deep rest) but also believed the Race itself was going to be non-stop for the next 11 months.
Going into month five: I have a new team, a new country, and the only thing we know about ministry in Bar, Montenegro is evangelism. On the way from Macedonia to Montenegro, honestly, I just wanted to know everything about what would happen. Not because I was concerned or worried, but I was curious and ready to know what this month held for me and my team. But I was also at a point where I trusted God completely to provide. I knew it was going to be good no matter what we walked into. Now halfway into month five, something unexpected has happened; in the middle of the Race, God gives us this gift of rest. Rest from the busyness of a specific ministry. As we sit here surrounded by these amazingly beautiful mountains, I get to learn how to rest. To be quiet with Jesus for more than a few minutes a day. To soak up the knowledge and goodness God has for me and wants to give me. To fully enjoy His presence ALL THE TIME.
Our ministry hosts are Phil and Tanya from South Africa (also missionaries to Montenegro) and such sweet, passionate servants of God. Being able to work with them has opened my mind, my heart, my spirit to the truth and revelation of so many wonderful things about God. Our ministry this month is to do what God leads us to do in and around Bar. And every ministry day, we get to sit with Phil for an hour as he ministers TO US by pouring out the knowledge and revelation that he has been given by God in his life and through his experiences.
I hardly even know how to put into words the thoughts and feelings I have right now thinking of all that has happened within me so far this month. It feels almost unfair, that I get to soak up so much truth and receive my own revelations, instead of spending most of our ‘ministry time’ in service to others. Which for me is extremely counterintuitive; serving others is what I came on the race to do. At first, I was left feeling a little guilty for not being busy with a specific task, but I quickly realized this opportunity is such a great gift from my Heavenly Father. The gift of truth, the gift of rest, the realization that without a strong relationship with and understanding of God, I will not be able to serve in the ways God has called me. I can’t give away what I don’t yet have!
It’s incredibly refreshing to use what’s been poured into me through Phil and Tanya and give it away to those we meet here in Bar and continue building on it for the rest of my life! Evangelism ministry seemed a little vague and scary at first, but it’s simple really. We meet people, pursue relationships, invite them to our home group or church if they are open to it. We’ve had the great opportunity to help lead church through song, testimony, and sermons. We’ve hosted a home group on Thursdays for the families here in Bar and attended another one in a town just north of us in Budva. My team felt lead to pick up trash on the beach one day, to bake cookies and give them to our neighbors another day. We are going to have worship on the beach one evening. All these things happening through God’s leading as we pray for revival in this city.
I hope this all makes sense. I’m just so excited!! And it doesn’t always come out in words the way it is in my head…..but all this to say, I can’t imagine being anywhere else right now. I have learned so much already, experienced so much…about myself, about this world, about God and His Spirit within me, about His work and my role in it. I hope you believe me when I say it is good stuff, I’m so excited for what God is doing and just who he is. I wish I had time to share it all right now….sometime in the next few weeks I’ll attempt to write it down in a way that makes sense:)
Currently, I am about $3,500 away from being fully funded! In order for me to continue on this incredible journey and stay on the field, I ask for you to consider partnering with me financially by making a donation to my world race account. The easiest way to donate is through my blog: the “Donate!” link on the left side of the page. Many, many thanks to those who have already partnered with me and what God is doing through both prayer and finances. I look forward to sharing more as I venture through the last 6 months of my race. Thank you for reading!
