Time
has just flown by since arriving in the DR. I can hardly believe that
launch training is over.
God
is definitely manifesting Himself here, in our lives, and I believe
in this city. However, the evil one, Satan, is not happy about it,
and trying to find ways to come against us. We have been battling the
past few days and it’s been so amazing to see God move within this
squad and we are stepping out in obedience against the ploys of the
dark one.
Tomorrow
we will leave for our first ministry sites. My team (Manna) will be
leaving the city to head to a town up in the mountains (tent time!).
To be honest I was NOT happy about this at first. You see I was
struggling with my confidence in Spanish and Manna is the only team
to go to such a remote location. Which means that I would be THE
translator for 6 other people and all I could feel was pressure to do
so. I spent the first 2-3 days feeling so burdened by what is in fact
a blessing -the ability to communicate with these people.
I
knew that going to the mountain would require me to depend on God
entirely, because I, in myself can’t do it. I don’t know the local
colloquialisms, I haven’t learned South American Spanish, and I
haven’t even used spanish much in the last year and a half. So you
might think, isn’t this what I signed up for, being completely
dependent on God? Well yes I did… I placed this pressure on myself
when I realized that almost all communication would go through me and
I realized that I do have a HUGE people pleasing side of me. From
whatever hurts or something from my past I have this innate need to
not let people down. I had felt like I was failing and letting my
team down. (I’m exploring the root of this and am seeking healing
here.) The reality is that I wasn’t letting them down at all.
After
talking to my coaches I was able to see these issues. Really I had to
choose do I trust that God is big enough in all that He is to take
care of my team even if I don’t come through? The answer is yes, I
do. I am now excited to go up the mountain and minister to those
people, to do VBS for the children, and tell about Jesus, what He’s
done and how He saves and restores. The next 3 weeks will be so
incredible!
Since
I will be in such a remote location it’s possible to not hear from me
much this month. Some people will be coming down and I’ll have them
post a blog for me at least once more this month.
