1:2 is month one, blog number two
Week one in Côte d’Ivoire, we made it from our hostel to our ministry host location through a bus ride that lasted around 12 hours or so with all the stop. From US leaving Atlanta to our host was a grand total of 82 hours. We were welcomed into our host site with welcoming smiles, midnight dinner, and a place to sleep.
Throughout this week, the Lord has continued to teach me what it truly means and looks like to depend on Him each day and moment. He has been my rock and my constant through the learning, uncomfortable, and surprises.
He has provided me with so much peace and comfort through each day. There have been moments of difficulty or unknown where He has brought a steadiness of His presence. He reminds me that He is near and of His promise that He will never leave us.
Growing up with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Eastern PA, this truth and promise was taught through the visual of your hand. When you hold your hand up to your heart, place your fingers apart with your thumb to your chest and other fingers in front of you. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of His truth- I will never leave you. As we start with pinky and point to each finger to the thumb, we can say one word at a time.
When we ask Jesus to come into our heart and accept Him as Lord, we receive the presence, power, and authority of the Holy Spirit. We can remember this truth in all times that we can depend on the one who does not waver or break His promises. He is near.
This week has been filled with various new experiences such as learning to communicate in French, remembering new names and phrases, singing and worshipping as a team in markets for people to come and hear the Good News, door to door evangelism with sharing the gospel through translators, and preaching a message at an African church service with two translators (into French and the local language).
We need Him at all moments. I need Him in moments of fear or getting caught up in myself like in trying new foods. It’s so easy for something to try to throw you off your truth- but the Lord is greater. The Holy Spirit speaks through trust and time with Him.
In this time, I have felt protected – a sense that is far beyond myself and is entirely God. I feel His presence and protection in the smile of a child or when a child takes my hand to lead me to where we are going. I feel God saying you are safe. In the care and hospitality of the community, I feel calm and needs are met. I feel God in the wind – The Holy Spirit surrounds me with His presence.
Prayer is a huge part of this in surrounding our ministry home and community in prayer. This is modeled through our hosts – praying without ceasing and praying as a lifestyle. Please continue to pray for our team as we visit villages around the area in the next week, share the gospel, and declare Jesus the Lord over this land. Please pray for our evenings of ministry programs where each team member is taking turns preaching a message from the Lord to the local communities.
Jesus transforms us – He restores lives and changes everything through His power and authority. There is no need to fear. This is such a real reality here with power and fear – we all need Jesus. I don’t want to get in the way of others experiencing life because of my fear. We are chosen, and He speaks through us – that every generation, tongue, and nation will come to know Him.
