February 3rd was our last ministry day in Cote D’ivoire. It was such a bittersweet day. It was sad to have to leave the country, but I was also excited to see what was next. Our last ministry day was held at church. We handled church a little differently than how it is usually done in the U.S. We would go to the ports, walk around, and invite people to attend church. It was held outside underneath some form of shade. There would be between 2-3 translators at a time, because there were 2-3 different native languages spoken. The ports were filled with people from Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and locals to Cote d’Ivoire. The main languages spoken were Bambara and French. During the actual service we would pray together, sing songs in our first languages, and someone would teach a bible story, and give a short lesson. After the story and lesson, the group would go over discussion questions together.
They had asked me to preach at the Treichville port. I had to teach on the story out of Luke 18:9-14. The story of the The Pharisee and the Tax collector. They had asked me to speak a few times, after the first few times, it is a lot less scary. I wasn’t too worried about it, but it had dawned on me how much God was stretching and growing me throughout the month. If I had been asked to teach a story at the beginning of the month, I would of tried to run away or get out of it.(Which is pretty close to what I actually tried doing) I was taken from a place of fear and doubt, to a place where I held a willing heart. God has been so gracious throughout this entire month. It has left me with a newfound confidence in God’s ability to use me. We often talk about how big God is. He is so big and grand. He is El Shaddai(God Almighty). We know He could choose anyone, but we often think why would he choose Me?
The beautiful thing is he does choose me. God also wants to choose you. At the beginning of the month I struggled with the idea I was under qualified to be on the race. I looked around me and saw so many people who seemed to be more qualified. They appeared to have it all together. They were better communicators, natural leaders, more experienced, or even more willing to try. For most of the first month, I was comparing myself to the people around me, and trying to be them. Of course, this wasn’t intentional. I am not even sure I was completely aware of what I was doing. As the month passed by, God worked through me. He showed me how I was also called to be used by Him. Not because of how good I was. Not because of what I necessarily had to offer. Not because I was more qualified than anyone else. I was also called because He loves me, and wants me to be apart of His plans as well. He’s been showing me what it means to stop sweating the small details, and to just tell Him “Yes.” Although it may be scary, He wants me to trust Him. Now, I want to trust Him. i know the rest of the year is going to be filled with incredible adventures and life changing stories, but that almost doesn’t matter. I am OK just sitting with God, and enjoying His presence because of who He is. Because He was willing to still choose me.
I still have to raise about 2,000 for my next deadline. If about 20 people supported me with a hundred dollars monthly, I would be fully funded for the year. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Please consider supporting me so I may stay on the field.
