God is so good and He has been wrecking me in the best way!
This month we are in Johannesburg, South Africa working with an NGO called Impact Africa. Mostly we have been out in the squatter camp communities making friends, helping with whatever they need help with, and telling them about the love of Jesus. Squatter camps are extremely poor areas that consist of hundreds of thousands of small tin shack “houses” in about a square mile radius. The people are so kind and it’s been extremely humbling to be out there day in and out. Each day we are seeing people come to know the Lord and realize just how much He loves and cares for them. It’s been absolutely amazing!
We’ve only been here for yabout 2 weeks now and the Lord has been moving and teaching me so much. Not just out in the communities but in my quiet time with Him as well. He’s been teaching me to be radical and to unashamedly share His word and use the gifts He’s given me. He’s been teaching me to be expectant of big things from Him. He’s been showing me what it truly means to serve and love His people. But mostly He’s been teaching me to depend on Him solely and showing me what effects that can have.
These past two weeks God has overwhelmed me with His goodness and faithfulness! I’ll be honest, I used to really struggle reading the Bible. I enjoyed it in short bursts (like maybe one or two chapters) and typically got something out of it, but often found it boring or more of a chore. I know, you’re thinking What! You’re a Christian you can’t say that! But it’s true and I always wondered why I felt that way. I would often ask others what their secret was and how I could enjoy it more. I’d get answers like it’s something you have to just sit and discipline yourself in until you build a habit. This isn’t wrong, we do need to discipline ourselves, but for me this wasn’t enough.
Finally I started praying that the Lord would give me a desire to read His word. You guys, God is faithful! This month He responded way more than I could have imagined. I just wanted to be able to sit down and happily read it each day where it didn’t feel like a chore. Buuut I have read through two and a half of the Gospels this month and honestly can’t get enough! It’s such a crazy difference and I can say I am thoroughly enjoying it!
As an added bonus, God has spoken to me so much this month, not only through His word, but through dreams, visions and other people. It’s amazing what God will do when you just ask Him. He knows the desires of our heart and wants to grow closer with us. So I want to challenge you to be bold and expectant with the Lord and I promise you He will show up!
