Laying in bed around 3:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday while the rest of my team was hosting our first Beauty for Ashes event.
Beauty for Ashes is a sister ministry through Adventures in Missions( like the World Race ). I was chosen as our coordinator for this ministry. I have been so very excited and passionate to be able to lead this and implement bringing God’s redemption, freedom, hope, and healing to women of all cultures and to empower them to share their stories. I want them to know how loved and powerful they are and who God made them to be-not who society, people in their past, or the lies they have been told( or told themselves )say they are.
We had prepared our whole event for the women here in this community in Santiago and I had prepared my teaching and was so full of joy that we were able to host an event so early in on the race. I went over the presentation like six times, prayed over it, and asked many of you as supporters to pray for me as well. I felt like I was finally doing MY part. I was actually going to be living out my calling and living up to what was entrusted to me. Yes, we have done ministry, nursing home visits, home visits, etc. but I had also just really been doing a lot of dang dishes, braiding the girls on my team’s hair, and I wanted to do more important work.
We had a few home visits yesterday, and then had lunch with Pastor Nelson and his wife Patricia. About fifteen minutes before we needed to head to the church to begin our women’s event, I had what we believe was an allergic reaction to some type of new fruit, my mouth began to go numb and I felt as though my throat was closing and had a hard time breathing. It was scary and new because I’ve never had a reaction to anything I’ve ever eaten in my life until now.
My team, my FAMILY, came around me and even though it was scary, I wasn’t alone. I took some benedryl and my breathing became more normal, I was set on still speaking and teaching at the women’s event…but one of our squad leader’s who happens to be with us the first couple of weeks on the field, thought it would be best if I stayed behind and rested. I knew it WOULD be best, that I needed to rest, but I didn’t want to. I was frustrated and didn’t care how I felt…I just wanted to do what I was called to do, I wanted to show up for my team and this community. I don’t quit on things, I was like the heck I’ll show up even if I fall asleep halfway through! Instead of fighting her on it( like I SO wanted to do and normally would have), I listened and just said okay.
I had to hand over what my heart so wanted to do and let someone else take the lead, I had to accept help, because that’s what family is for. God used me to prepare and share the vision He has laid so heavily on my heart and these wonderful women I am blessed to do life with took it and ran with it. So many lives were touched and I truly believe so much healing began in the hearts of the women here in Santiago, Chile.
After the bendryl began to wear off and I woke up, I spent some time with my Jesus. I said, “All I’ve done is wash a lot of dirty dishes and braid hair…I wanted to do more. I wanted to do more for You.” He responded, “Did you wash those dishes in my name? Did you braid her hair in my name? That’s enough. It’s not always going to be big and flashy, some Holy Spirit movement. Sometimes it’s just offering yourself over to serve those in your life by doing the dishes and braiding their hair, and taking the time to prepare and sharing your heart so other’s can take it further.” He also gave me this verse, as to not dwell on what I think I “missed” : Isaiah 43|18 But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.”
So here’s to dirty dishes, braids, allergic reactions, and grand plans falling through. How much do I love this amazing life I’m living. The ups and downs. The in-betweens. The frustrations and how God moves in the little things. His love is so real ya’ll. Lean into it. You’ll never regret it one day in your life.
xoxo
