When I signed on to come with Bellview Baptist Church’s youth group for the annual summer mission trip, I admittedly didn’t understand that full scale of what I was getting into. I don’t think any of us did. For years, BBC has been venturing to Red Rock, Oklahoma, where our beloved brother and sister, Jimmy and Penny, have been planted by God to build a Christian camp as part of their ministry in the local Indian nation. We love this place! We love these people! And let’s face it, we love how comfortable we’ve gotten there. (Or at least, us “old folks” do.) I have to give it to the current youth group – they have all but demanded something to “shake up” their routine mission efforts. Interested in challenging themselves, forcing one another to step out of their comfort zones and pushing the limits of their faith, they settled on Miracle Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. And because God is CONSTANTLY working, He made it possible for me to tag along!
Like I said, I had no idea what to expect, but from the moment we arrived, it’s been clear that this is an experience unlike anything most of us have ever known. Memphis is VERY different from Allegre; this ministry is VERY different from what we are used to on a weekly basis; at times we are (and will likely continue to be), quite simply, uncomfortable. But if Day One was any indication of what this week will be like, every moment of uncomfortable will be well worth the end reward!
At final count last night, God had used our team to lead 61 people to make decisions for Christ. If that isn’t worth a twinge of discomfort once in a while, I don’t know what is!!! I confess, I found myself a little downhearted when even though the group I worked with in evangelism spoke to several people, prayed over them, asked about their salvation, etc. we didn’t have the opportunity to personally lead anyone to the Lord. God saw my hurting heart and came through in a mighty way. Knowing nothing about how down I was, Bro. Marty from Mississippi sat down beside me and started talking about a method he uses when witnessing. This conversation uplifted me in ways I can hardly explain; the method Marty showed me is one that I am completely comfortable with. It’s full of truth; it uses Biblical knowledge that I can readily recall. Best of all, I could see how pure Marty’s heart for salvation was! I saw how excited he got as he talked about people he’d met and witnessed to and I couldn’t help feeling invigorated!
This morning, during “quiet time,” I read a devotional on Incarnation. In Galatians 1:13-17, Paul describes accepting God’s call and leaving the Judaism faith. The wording of this passage in important. Paul says, “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son IN me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man.” (Gal. 1:15-16) Paul asserts that, yes, we should ask God to reveal himself TO us, but moreover, we are called that He should been reveal IN us! After these Godly interventions in my own walk, I can’t wait to go out today, and ultimately over the next year, with confidence and assurance that even if I don’t always say the perfect thing or know every answer, God will bless my effort as long as I am acting for His purposes and living according to His will. Today’s prayer is that I won’t just expect God to reveal Himself TO me, but rather that he will reveal Himself THROUGH me.
Unfortunately internet is uncooperative and uploading photos is proving difficult, but I did snag this one of myself and my new friend, Dee. He is two-years-old, full of energy, and has completely stolen my heart (and basically anyone else’s that he comes in contact with!) This shot was taken during a prayer before we headed out for evangelism yesterday; how sweet is he?!?!
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
