Yaaaaaaaall, I made it to SRI LANKA!
Because of recent religious conflicts here, the entire social media world has been shut down in the country. In an attempt to find peace, the government has placed a ban on all forms of social networking until further notice. So if it seems like I went dark, it’s because I did. Have no fear, reader! My squad and I are safe near the capital debriefing our first eight weeks on the field, sharing experiences and personal growth moments. Our coaches flew in from Texas when we landed last Saturday, and what a sweet time of rest and fellowship it’s been with them here!
Though my first two months presented challenges (ie. Getting a 24-hour flu, riding 35 hours non-stop through the heart of Indonesia, and developing a serious appreciation for the man who invented the “mosquito net”, to name a few), my heart could not be more full at the reality of my everyday. Living a life of ministry comes effortlessly only when I recognize the Source that gives life. Just in the past week, through inner healing sessions with my squad, I’ve begun to see just how loved I am by the Father.
It’s taken raw, unadulterated vulnerability and handing my heart to Jesus to begin understanding my worth. I had been loving and operating out of my own strength for the first ten weeks when the Lord clearly asked me to simply allow Him to love through me. And how vastly different this past week has looked. It’s an absolute joy to see a stranger and recognize that they’re fully loved and fully known by our Father, even when I don’t know their first name.
So I’ve run into this dear couple the past couple days in a row, the husband had no eyes due to a cancer that has been affecting him for years. Each day, I and a couple others have sought them out to simply pray over them. Because of his condition, he no longer has a job, so this couple walks through town asking for money to provide for their family. Seeking the Lord in prayer, I asked them to join our squad dinner! They came! I introduced them to my squad and we collected an offering for this couple. There is power in prayer, but faith without action is dead (James 3). So we ate with them, we gave a small donation (tight budget), and the coolest part– about 15 of my squad mates and I prayed over them. During that prayer I looked around and saw a body of Christ taking seriously the call that life is truly ministry. Jesus reminded me that this is faith. That this is walking with gospel-intentionality. That this is showing just a small fragment of how the Lord provides for us. That this is bringing Kingdom.
