This month I’ve been overcome repeatedly by the goodness of the Father. I can’t believe He’s picked me to do this life and serve Him in this way. Sometimes it just hits me when I’m riding my bike, or pause in a market. I feel so taken care of and provided for. Daily, I’ve been reminded that God takes care of his people – and that is SO good.
Here are some of the little things I’ve been celebrating:
1. The night sky
The coolest place in the house is the roof. At night, you can feel a cool breeze and see one of the most spectacular views of the moon and stars. It feels like Arabian nights or something…. 🙂
2. Bikes
Bikes = freedom, one of the few times I’ve had the luxury on the race. Plus they’re so fun to ride through the city.
3. Banana bread
We often get banana bread for breakfast, which is such a treat coming from an Asian rice diet. 🙂
4. The Library, which means books!
Part of our ministry this month was to help run the Library Cafe. The cafe was opened to help pay the teachers from the school. I checked out The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers. This historical trilogy, based in 70 AD, about a Jewish slave in the Roman Empire and makes the New Testament come alive! It brings life to places and references you read about in Paul’s letters, while telling the remarkable story of a girl who ends up in the lion’s den because of her faith.
5. All girls
There’s just something about having all girls that calls you higher.
(Taken by Tessie West)
6. Our hosts!
Sharelle, Stephan, Jordy, Darcy, Yannick, and Chhody have been the absolute best! They’ve opened their home, family, and spiritual journeys with us. They truly have a heart for this community and have taught us so much by the way they live.
(Chhody + Sharell)
7. Teaching grateful kids
This month, Vanessa and I co-taught two English classes in the afternoon. Everyday we were overcome by their humble gratitude to learn English and the Bible. Simple things like coloring, singing, or creating were such a gift for many. V and I were worried the older kids would find the lessons juvenile, yet found they were the most vocal of their gratitude. It was a sincere treat to be with them.
(Our 4:00pm class)
(Our 5:15pm class)
8. The freedom to create
Because the Library Cafe opened the week before we arrived, our team got to help them get started! Incredibly, we all got to use random, miraculous gifts to help the ministry.
Tessie was a photographer in Georgia, Elizabeth a pastry chef that loves to help start kitchens, Vanessa styled food in a movie once, Maggie ran a library coffee shop and knows just about everything you could need to know about coffee, I know photoshop and can create websites, Megan is a visual designer and drew the new Library logo, Holly became an actual librarian. The list goes on and on.
We all had a piece in helping the ministry get up and running. God had picked each of us to be here and I’ve never felt more chosen.
Tessie and I worked as the marketing team. I got to help set up the website, create a new menu, style photos, and create advertisements. It’s so cool to think that our work will be used day in and out, to sustain them.
(Be sure to check out the website out!! Click HERE to see all our work!)
9. Vegetables at every meals
Y’ALL. This is a rare treat. Actual colors in your food. ??????
10. Freedom from works
This is the first month I haven’t felt the burden of each job I’ve had. I’ve worn a lot of hats this year and this is the first month I didn’t place my identity on my performance. On the race I’ve found that the Lord is stripping back the layers of the things I’ve conquered. Things I thought I’d gotten over, He’s been revealing another layer to peel pack. I am always thinking I can do better, be better – yet serving the Lord isn’t about the result. I have a feeling I’ll be working on another layer of it soon…
“he came to save us.Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done but only because of his extravagant mercy.” – Titus 3:5
