Last instalment on all things questions and answers – ENJOY!
Gillian asked – has it been worth it? Would I recommend it? How would it compare to a short mission team in one place? How supported do I feel?
Honestly I can say it’s been 100% worth it! This experience has shown me that great impact can be made right where you are and to tie in with comparison to short teams, I have seen significant growth and opportunities happen whilst being in ministry even that of a couple of weeks – I have heard the question before of what can any one person do in 2-3 weeks? Well I can assure you, it’s a lot! It depends on the willingness of heart to actually steep yourself deep within the ministries heart and values, seeing them where they are at and actually asking yourself the question how can I bring lift here specifically. You may not tackle the huge inequalities that you see and feel like you didn’t make a difference but if you can pour into those who are there daily, by praying and encouragement – that’s a huge part of kingdom work and one thing I learned by being present in this. – so much to this I could prob write a blog, but for now
Would I recommend it, absolutely!!! This has been a HUGE rollercoaster of everything but I knew this is where the Lord wanted me to be, in the world, going through it and bringing the light and life of Jesus wherever I go. It’s not something I would recommend entering into lightly, I have seen and walked through hard things BUT with the Lord. He has challenged my understanding on a lot of things and given me a whole new perspective on the world – it’s pretty sweet and I’m very thankful to be alive right now! If your sitting thinking about this – you should prob just do it! (I’m biased though :)).
To answer the question of support, as a whole I do feel supported. At times I have expected it from certain people and it just hasn’t happened and walking through the feelings like you say out of sight, out of mind have been there a few times. But I’m learning that I am supported wherever I am, that people do see me and do love me and support me in so many ways that I never knew I needed until I was in it. – thank you mumma Gil, I love and miss you! Cannot wait for hugs and kisses soon 😀
Garret asked – have I been able to use my nursing skills on the race? and have I felt the Lords call on my life and has it changed from what I planned to do after the race?
I have been able to use some nursing skills whilst being on the race. I have had a few opportunities to go into remote villages and do some teaching and first aid type skills. A lot of it has been giving advice and using my knowledge (which I didn’t think I had lol) to bring an awareness and help people make decisions as to what treatment is best. And it always helps when your the nurse on the squad – you get all the questions about all things, race and non race related :). The really cool thing I’ve known for a while is that I have this gift to bless others but combining that with the Lord and praying for healing and seeing that happen is such a powerful partnership especially in places you don’t expect.
I have definitely felt the Lords call on my life, shortly before I left for the race He was very clear on this step, the first step being the world race and that there are a few more steps along the way and throughout this journey. God has been revealing more of what those look like. I honestly didn’t have any idea of what it will look like going home, I’ve been keeping an open mind and hopeful expectation that the call is still the same and though not everything is set in stone, I’m excited to be doing all this with the Lord. – Thank you Garret, I’ve appreciated your support throughout this journey, you are a hero in my eyes!
Audrey asked – Who is someone in one of the countries you’ve been to that has impacted your life the most? How so? What is the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself so far?
This is hard! If I had to pick one, which there is always more than one lol I would say it would be our host from Swaziland Mary Kate and our daily ministry host Brittine. Both of these ladies have incredible and powerful stories and testaments of the Lord. When we first met them, we were going through our first team change and so getting getting to know people and create healthy community were things we wanted to work towards. Both of these women demonstrated vulnerability, generosity, love and kindness; hearts devoted to the Lord and to their ministry. Both of them sacrificed comfort and stability to depend on the Lord in a way I hadn’t fully grasped – this was so powerful and I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am to have been a part of that ministry and to have met these kingdom warriors and their family. LOVE YOU!
Biggest thing I’ve learned about myself is that I don’t have to have everything figured out by myself: that the Lord put me in this space and place to fully embrace and immerse my WHOLE self into community, the good and the bad and be able to walk through hard seasons with them and not feel like I am burdening them. I have learned that I didn’t trust myself with a lot of things and that’s been a hard thing to acknowledge. I’m walking this out with my team daily and they are really supportive and encourage me in this. – Thank you Audrey 🙂
Lynden and Hannah asked what area of my life have I learned to trust the Lord in more? And a recipe I would take home with me.
What I learned to trust the Lord in more with is what the plan is for the future. I always I knew I was the type of person that liked to have all things planned out, all the time, but I’ve learned that I can trust the Lord with this and everything, knowing His plan is good and I don’t need to know it at all times – even though that would be great.
The recipe I would prob take home is the baking of bread in Lesotho. There was a sweet lady in the village we did ministry in, she and her grand daughter showed us how to make this unreal bread! So good! – thanks guys 🙂
Anna asked me – What has surprised you the most throughout your journey? What is the biggest way you have seen growth in yourself? If you could go back in time and tell your pre-race self anything, what would you say?
The thing that has surprised me the most had been, the ways in which can use pretty much anything and everything to show how much he loves me and is in hot pursuit of my heart. Biggest growth definitely is in trust and obedience to the Lord and recognising that I did not have that for a long time, but it’s been cool to look back and see how the Lord has been growing and stretching me. The thing I would tell me pre-race self is that you don’t have to be so hard on yourself, man I am my own worst critic at times, but you don’t have to throw yourself under the bus every time. There are things you’ll do wrong and things you’ll do right but it’s not because your a bad person, life happens and you don’t have to be burdened by life, that’s not what following Jesus is about. – Thank you Anna I appreciated this 🙂
And here ends my Q and A – whoop!! thank you for taking the time to comment and read, this was fun!
Peace
Ash
