It’s been 10 days since I’ve arrived to the USA after my 11 month missionary journey overseas. The transition has been a “weird” feeling. I spent the first 4 days in New York and New Jersey visiting my family there. Then, I flew home to Florida where I am unable to fully settle in because in just 2 days I will be leaving again for a family reunion in Japan.
So this is why I would consider this transition to be “weird”. It’s as if I am on a prolonged vacation and I am just counting the days until I have to go back to “work” in the mission field. But the truth is, this is work for me. Each day is an opportunity to serve the Lord regardless if I am in my home state or out in the nations. I don’t need a formal title of “missionary”.
I am a disciple of Jesus, therefore serving Him in any capacity is a part of who I am.
Nevertheless, processing what my I have been through these past 2 years while preparing for the race and actually being in the race is important. I don’t want to brush this off as just another thing I did in my life. I need to reflect on what the Lord did and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deep parts of my heart to me so that I can continue to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus.
The last thing I want is for this to be a distant memory. I want this experience to be so real, tangible, and in the forefront of my mind so that I may never forget what the Lord has done and all the people I met during this journey. I believe God who can do all things can allow this to happen while guiding me to move forward into the next chapter He has for me.
A few months ago while I was in Bulgaria, I asked my supporters in my Facebook Group to send me questions that will help me process and reflect on the race. I was so grateful to get a large amount of questions, many of them I would never have thought to ask myself. I want to begin to share the answers to these questions to all of you so that you can know what is in my heart, but also so that you can get a glimpse of what God is doing in the nations.
This will be a two part blog since there’s SO much to write about. But here is part one. I want to thank you all for reading this and for encouraging me. Please feel free to send any words of wisdom that may help with my transition back home.
Question 1:
In which country did you feel most, the presence and manifestations of God and the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
In Haiti, month 2 of the race we had a full and diverse ministry. We did evangelism, youth groups, senior home visits, and some manual labor. The living conditions were difficult and the ministry hours were long. But the presence of God was thick in the atmosphere. Regardless of how tired we were, there was not a day where I didn’t experience His joy. And I saw this same joy exude from the children around us and the older people we ministered to. From a worldly perspective it may have seemed that they didn’t have a lot. Most struggle to make ends meet and support their growing families. But the joy they have is really indescribable and the faith they possess is the type that can move mountains. I remember asking them, where do you get your joy from? And they would respond, “from Jesus and Jesus alone.” My heart softened with this truth. In His presence is fullness of joy and no circumstance on Earth can ever change the truth that God who is alive and well will give us joy when we choose to stay in His presence. When you’re in the presence of God you will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So even though circumstances were difficult, we were able to witness love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control within our team and community.
Question 2:
Which country made the biggest impact on your life?
I believe South Africa, month three of the race impacted my life the most. We worked alongside an organization called Global Challenge Expeditions. They partner with local schools and churches to minister to those in need within their community. But, they also send missionaries out to different nations so their heart is Kingdom-focused. In South Africa, I grew in hearing God’s voice and also relying on the Holy Spirit to help me steward my giftings well. I also got a new revelation of what it means to be a church body composed of different parts each with its own function, yet working together in unity. I believe gaining wisdom on these revelations – hearing God’s voice, stewarding gifts of the Spirit, and being an edifying part of the body of Christ will help me continue to glorify the Lord throughout my life.
Question 3:
What experience made you think – “I was made for this?”
In Haiti, month two of the race we did a Jam Club in our home in Montruis as our first day of ministry. There were about 45 children that attended, all eager to meet us, play games, and listen to the word of God. Within a few minutes of us welcoming them inside, I had several children holding my hands, sitting on my lap, and playing with my hair. They were hungry for what we had to offer them – the love of Jesus. The older kids and I arm wrestled and danced. And I gathered smaller children into my arms, carrying them through the air while pretending they were airplanes. I felt so alive. Towards the end of the event we invited them to know Jesus in an intimate way by accepting Him as the Lord and Savior of their life. Children might not have the full capacity to understand Jesus, but I believe that the Holy Spirit knows what to do. Honestly, even as adults we can’t understand the magnitude of Christ which is why we depend on the Holy Spirit as our teacher. About 30 children accepted Christ that day and as they prayed to Jesus I felt my heart quickening with joy. When they left for the day, I knew I loved them and I wanted to be with them more. How can this sudden love happen? I believe it’s because, Jesus who IS love gives us the capacity to love greater than ever before. Whether it’s one child, 100+ children, one adult, or 100+ adults, I can love them all with the power of the Holy Spirit within me. This is when I realized, I was made for this. I can do this. I have finally found my calling. I finally found the road in the wilderness that the Lord wanted me to walk through.
These are the first three questions in this two-part series. Thank you again for reading and I pray this gave you more insight into my journey. It certainly helped me to reflect and remember the goodness of the Lord through all of this. More to come soon! Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!
