Blog.
I don’t know what to say.
I mean, can we talk about pressure?
Please give us 500-1,000 words about how your life is being completely and utterly changed, molded, and shaken while you’re more than 8,000 miles from home.
And do that every week.
Eloquently.
With passion.
Giving testimony to all of the ways your heart is being pursued, romanced, challenged, comforted, and grown by the Lord.
But without talking too much about Jesus because, after all, you are from California and your friends will think you’re crazy.
Meanwhile, I missed my final fundraising deadline.
No biggie, but the words I write are now vital to gaining financial support.
If they suck and people aren’t moved, I go home.
I don’t want to go home.
Ugh.
I wish you could just be here with me.
See what I have seen as I have seen it.
Feel what I have felt.
Learn what I have learned.
Because putting words to it all is HARD.
In Mozambique, there were drums.
The drums of the witch doctors and stories of infant and child sacrifice, and the drums belonging to a boy named Daniel, who was empowered to explore his talent for music and leadership.
In Malawi, there were toothless smiles.
Smiles from prisoners in faded, dirty, uniforms as they received bars of soap and messages of encouragement to live with strong character, even while chained.
In Zambia, hugs and squeals from orphans who got to play in a park for the first time were abundant, and a teammate got a taste of what it would be like to own a day camp, her long time dream.
In the Philippines, creativity flourished.
Women were given a way out of the sex trade, and street children knew what full, nourished bellies felt like for at least a few days.
In Thailand, kids are learning to converse in English, and adults are practicing in classes that they describe as safe, fun, and no longer scary.
But that’s not all.
So much has happened internally and within this community.
Here’s a quick glimpse:
Minimalism. Intimacy with God. Community living. Hearing God. Intentionally loving people. Creative worship. Trusting the Lord. Authenticity. Learning to speak “Christianese.” Feedback. Servanthood. Leadership. Boldness. Gentleness. Discipline. Encouragement. Bravery. Vision. Study. Discipleship.
I guess the biggest lesson I’ve learned this year was summed up by a friend like this:
“Love Jesus, and do what you want.”
Guys.
Above all else, TRUST THE LORD.
Love him, and know that he loves you immensely.
Delight in him and find joys in all the little gifts he gives every day.
Sunshine.
[Or rain if you’re into that.]
Flowers.
Dancing.
Laughing with friends.
Whatever.
There is so much FREEDOM in finding your identity in Christ.
After that, BE YOU.
One of my favorite things is when people are genuinely themselves.
God puts desires in our hearts.
Things that bring us incredible joy.
And when we delight in him FIRST, and chase after him in everything, he GIVES THEM TO US!
Really. He says that. Psalm 37:4.
Read it. I dare you.
If he gives you a dream, go after it!
Want to play guitar?
Step one: buy a guitar!
Want to open a coffee shop?
Step one: taste a lot of coffee!
Just go for it!
There is nothing I love more than seeing people chase after their God-given dreams and achieving them!
We have so much power to make things happen.
So don’t put yourself in a box.
Long story short.
I hate blogging under pressure and my biggest pet peeve is inauthenticity.
But I love dreaming big dreams.
So don’t let fear steal your joy.
Love Jesus.
Let him take you on adventures and teach you how to love people well.
Then invite him into the places you find joy, and let him show you what he can do.
And if you have the means to make a small financial donation, it would mean the world to me.
I’m not ready to go home, and the world isn’t done with me yet either.
So if you click “Donate!” at the top of the page, I promise to keep writing blogs about the hard stuff.
xoxo
Shannon
