New Wine

Since my last update, I’ve taken on a new role here in North Africa: Kindergarten teacher. A few of us have been serving at a new homeschooling co-op the past few weeks and have been working with students who meet in a house and are split up based on their grade level. Because there are only two adults running the program, we were asked to come and assist. I was placed teaching Kindergarten by myself, which I was excited about because I love children. Well. Not only has my love for children grown, but I have been very humbled in the process. Being a teacher is not easy (huge shout-out to all my teacher friends), my patience is tested constantly and I have received exposure to this learning system that I have never experienced before. It’s been a huge growth opportunity and such a sweet way to serve. My kindergartners are super cute and pretty humorous (they have nicknamed me “Ostrich” because it sounds like Austin (right…?)). We are praying that those running this program will receive assistance from the local church and other Christians in the community once we are gone.

 

When beginning this journey, self-care was something that I thought very little, if at all, about. I joined this group to help others- to do the work God set me out to do. I never wanted this to be about me, but I’ve learned these past two weeks that ministering to yourself is definitely a thing and it is something that is absolutely necessary in order to minister to others. Throughout this process I am constantly learning and experiencing new things, but if I don’t rest and process what has been happening, I will burn out and ultimately will be useless. How am I supposed to care for others if I can’t care for myself? 

 

 

This is something I have struggled with, but God has definitely been showing me what it means to minister to myself. To sit in His presence and not rush through that time in order to go and do. To partake in the things that give me life because He gave them to me (gifts, passions, etc.) Self-care with God draws us back to Him. So, I’m working on caring for myself and navigating what true rest looks like for me. I want to best serve others, but this is a vital step I have been overlooking. 

 

 

I’ve been overwhelmed by the apparent change that has been happening in me and has continually been confirmed by my teammates and squad leaders. As the end of month two gets closer, I look back to when I started on this journey and I really don’t recognize myself. Truly. I feel as if I’ve aged ten years and my heart has grown ten sizes. I’ve never felt so much love and joy. 

 

 

When we first arrived in North Africa, my squad leader wrote me a note that said, “I’m stoked to witness new wine flowing from your pressing.” I didn’t fully understand at the time what he meant, but now I see. I’m striving to not hold back during this process and I can feel and see the overflow of my pressing. The old and sour in me is flowing out as the new and fresh is being poured in. God laid growth and refinement on my heart when I asked about these last weeks in North Africa and I see it. I feel the growth and refinement and I could not be more excited and proud. If He’s done this much work in just two months, I cannot even fathom what I will look like month eleven. 

 

 

Intercessory prayer has been a focus for my squad and it’s something I would really like to do individually for anyone reading this. If you feel you would like or need some prayer, please send me a message through here, Facebook Messenger or email (hasenmuelleraustin@gmail). My vision is to set aside time every morning to pray for any requests that I receive and really intercede on behalf of those who reach out. 

 

I love you all and I am thankful for any prayers being sent towards me and my team! I look forward to hearing from you soon.