I wrote this in my journal on the first week at the base in Ethiopia. The Lord revealed to me just how simple the gospel is.
As I sit here, the world seems so much simpler. The kids playing in the grass across from me are full of joy and life, not the troubles of tomorrow. The birds are just like the wind, free to go whichever way they want to go. I’m miles away from home, but the clouds are just as white and the sky is just as blue as the sky back home. I’m viewing the world from God’s eyes. The people in the field across from me are full of the peace and gentleness that the Lord gave them. The village surrounding me isn’t full of brokenness, but filled with wonder and ready to hear from the Lord. The Muslim Mosk in the near distance isn’t filled with people rejecting the gospel, but filled with people craving a Savior and friend. The cows eating grass bow before God and eat from the land He made for them. The trucks on the road aren’t filled with men heading to the next place, but men seeking after more to life, their Father. People aren’t hard to reach, they’re all actually calling out and reaching for the Father to hold them. His arms are open. Everyone’s home is in God’s arms. We, as Christians, aren’t in charge of judging those that don’t know God, or how we have to get them to believe in Him. We’re in charge of simply helping them find the love of the Father and help them find His arms ready to wrap around them.
So often, I get nervous going out on days for ministry, not sure how to go about my business. I so badly want everyone to know the love of the Father and to have a relationship with Him, but I never know how to get people to believe me and listen to what I have to say. As I sat in the grass that day, I realized just how simple it can be. Just loving others, that’s all. The same week, I walked back from the market with a younger woman and it was the closest I’ve ever felt to really sharing the love Jesus would’ve shared with strangers. Something about her was just so pure and ready to accept anything that I would have told her, but in that moment I knew that all I had to do was hold her hand, walk with her, and give her a smile for her to know that she’s loved by the Father.
Showing people the love that you have will reveal to them the love that Jesus has. It’s not about judgement and deciding who deserves to hear the gospel or who might have an open heart to hearing it, it’s about loving everyone you come in contact with no matter the circumstance. Sure, if the conversation comes up, walk into it and talk with the person more in depth about Jesus, but it’s really all about your everyday life and loving everyone you come in contact with. It could be a friend or it could be someone that might look very angry with the world, it doesn’t matter. Sharing the gospel is mostly just sharing your love and people will see Jesus so clearly though that.
On another note:
I’m in Africa!! I live in a little town called Harbu Chalule (you have to search it in google maps otherwise it won’t come up). It’s four hours from the capital, Addis, but it’s so peaceful and beautiful. There isn’t a place to get WiFi, we have to go into the capital and rent a van, but I’m learning just how much spending time with God really fills me up. It’s been a stinking struggle at first without being able to talk to home, but I’m very much in love with where I’m at. Where we stay is apart of an orphanage called HOPEthiopia (look it up if you want, it’s amazing). This means we are with children all throughout the day and they are always eager to play with us, my dream come true. Ministry for me throughout the week is with my team in the morning and then, in the afternoon, I get to do ministry with the children and continue to love on them so so so much throughout the week. It’s so exciting and busy, but I love it. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to continue to do ministry with children and learn how to fully love them like Jesus does.
Prayer Requests:
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Health & comfort for the family and loved ones back home
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Pray for the land of Ethiopia
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My squads health
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Growth for people in Africa and people at home
