These are just some of the highlights remembered in a couple hours of reflection one afternoon. There’s so much not listed here, it would take an eternity to recollect and adequately describe all the ways He’s blessed me, just in the past 9 months.
I saw Jesus when:
– People would hear about what I was going to do, and they’d donate the money in their wallets when they didn’t even know me.
– I would meet with friends, hear about their financial challenges, and still receive a check towards the World Race.
– At church, we’d sing the song that summed up exactly how I was feeling about God, life, leaving, going out, etc.
– Being placed beside someone I knew for my first-ever over-night flight.
– Our hosts in Chile had made sure to provide beds for us to sleep on, and chose to provide for all of our needs for the month.
-When those same hosts took the money we paid them for our food and lodging for the month and donated it back into our World Race accounts.
– We’d visit an elderly couple who could no longer attend church, and they’d cry when we began to sing a familiar hymn in Spanish, because it was the first time in months they’d been able to sing (or just listen) in the midst of their sisters and brothers in Christ.
– We’d go into people’s houses, visiting to lavish them with God’s love, and they’d immediately run out to the store and buy bread and drinks, loving us in such a tangible and Biblical way.
– We got to sit in the kitchen of a church and listen to a young man’s story and extend grace instead of judgment, acting out of the lessons we’ve learned by being the one that’s being judged.
– God’s gentle persistence in making me uncomfortable with continuing to live in the sin I’ve been comfortable with for years.
– He gave me a short evening in a big valley, surrounded by grass, sky and mountains as a time of rejuvenation in the midst of a month in a huge city.
– He provided so many nights of authentic connections with teammates in the kitchen in Chile.
– Something as small as trying to learn a few words in the other person’s language can open up such opportunities for friendship and God conversations. He’s continuing to use the result of the Tower of Babble to further His kingdom.
– My squad met such oppression and spiritual bondage not with cowering fear, but fully armored, ready to stand and declare the victory of the Lord, proclaiming His glory and freedom all night long.
– Our team was pushed together to share the same room when we were feeling the most disconnected.
– So many times, He’s used me without my words.
– God blessed us with a room that would stay warm without a heater, even during the cold and windy nights.
– Coming into and leaving Bolivia, some people were hit with altitude sickness, so the rest of the squad united to carry their bags and tried to make their travels as comfortable as possible.
– I had WiFi on Christmas to talk to my family.
– My team had such a wonderful Christmas together.
– God provided a quiet little corner of the airport for Emily and I to sleep for a couple hours in the midst of a long week of travel half-way around the world.
– Squad mates would willingly pay for my “admittance” into the bathroom without a thought of if/how they’d be repaid.
– Becca (who hates bugs) chased down a huge beetle and killed it so I could lie down in peace when I was sick.
– He provided a room with Air Conditioning for us to sleep in to avoid the mosquitoes in Cambodia.
– My squad met the seemingly hopeless streets of Siem Reap with corporate worship and open arms to any with questions.
– I watched a woman take off her earrings/necklace/bracelet and give it to a teammate as a gift (I’ve seen this on multiple occasions).
– He opened up conversations about Himself through the presence of illness, discontentment and hopelessness.
– Kids growing up in an environment that teaches them to do ANYTHING to take care of their families (no matter who it hurts) tell me that they will depend on the Lord and trust Him to provide without breaking His commandments, loving others instead of just being concerned for their own.
– I see a man who has given all of his time towards ministering to the children of those less-fortunate, visiting their homes and speaking into every aspect of their lives and their families’.
There’s so many ways God reveals Himself to us every day. Just open your heart to see, and never forget to praise Him for it!
