Hey World!
My oh my do I have a lot to catch you up on, but first I just want to take the time to say, thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful for your support in prayer, support finically, words of encouragement, love and everything that lies in-beween. God has greatly blessed me with a beautiful and faithful community of family and friends.
I’m sure you are aware of it just as much as I am. Summer is coming close to an end, but God providence is not! I have been tested abundantly this summer, taught and retaught numerous God lessons and grown spiritually by the grace of God. I want to share with you about these! Where to begin?! Lets start with June.
Before summer began, and school ended, I was presented with an amazing opportunity to move out to San Francisco,CA with my nanny family for the summer. I decided to do it (regardless of the horror stories I have heard about being a live in nanny) Sadly, I joined the club of horror stories and endure many hardships and trials while out there. One of them was me experiencing home sickness for the FIRST TIME ever (seriously though, I called home everyday, whereas I normally only call home twice a month). BUT I praise God because He was preparing me for my road ahead. As most of you know, I will have to go 11 months witnessing and facing bigger trials and hardships than what I did in San Francisco. I will not have the luxury to call home whenever I want, but I will always have my Heavenly Father beside me, helping me through it. I wish I can say I depended on God for the hardships and stresses faced while in San Francisco, but I didn’t. Instead I let me heart become bitter towards every experience and situation. Surprising and very grateful, this nanny (me, just incase you forgot), came home early! A summer of nannying that was suppose to last 7 weeks only last 3 (Due to the family going to Sudan – I wasn’t fired). So, lesson? Homesickness isn’t fun at all, but God is a powerful teacher and provider! His rod (homesickness) and His staff (early return) comforted me.
Returning home earlier was such a blessing, but also had its own challenges. Now almost jobless and a failed beginning to the summer, I quickly let Satan bewilder me. I doubted myself and my calling in a lot of areas. BUT once again, God is mighty and provided Christ-centered people to speak into my life. I discerned quickly that God’s voice is the only voice that can give me purpose, joy, peace and life! With prayer and faithful action I fixed my attitude and bitter heart. It wasn’t always easy, and still sitting here typing, I still have bitter bad days, but God is my provider and in His time He will do just that!
Moving into July and August I had two amazing opportunity to share with others the call God has place on my heart. My first speaking event was as the missionary speaker for PHCA camp. Not only did I have the chance to speak about what God is doing in my life, but I was able to build up, encourage and challenge the youth. For them to see themselves as Christ’s ambassadors called to live a life with a Kingdom mindset and work. I can say with one hundred percent assurance that God was speaking through me and I was speaking His words. During this week of camp God gifted and equipped me in ways that I never felt gifted or equipped in before! He instilled in me a deeper fire of passion for the World Race and missions. He gave me a whole new container of JOY and LOVE!
It amazes me how the Spirit of the Lord is at task within my life and the life of others. God has a MIGHTY hand and has transformed my soul to seek and praise Him in the midst of the storm, but more importantly in ALL circumstances.
“May all I am PRAISE THE LORD; may I NEVER forget the GOOD things HE does for me” – Psalm 103:2
“Always be JOYFUL. Never stop PRAYING. Be thankful in ALL circumstances” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I am so honored that I can share my life with you and I pray that for you continue to walk with me through this journey God has called me on. That by my joy of speaking, writing and my actions you will be encouraged and enriched by God’s vast love for you.
Christ’s Ambassador,
Sally Zylstra
Update:
Funds Raised $3,000
Funds Needed $14,000
