Hello 2016!
Since we just entered the New Year, I want to share with you some things about myself. Most of this is personal experiences, but there is a section at the end about ministry I have done this month. So stay tuned! Also, please forgive me if this blog jumps around and is super long. I have a lot to say apparently!
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My life is blossoming into something beautiful: something I could only dream about. Not because of what I get to do or traveling around the world, but because of how God is shaping my heart and mind. He is completely changing parts of me and polishing other parts to make me better. God is taking me on an adventure of a lifetime; it’s just a bonus that I get to travel and love His people all around the world.
Malawi is so good for me, y’all. My heart has never been so happy and full. I honestly feel like an entirely new person; it’s as if my heart beats on a different rhythm now. I cannot explain the change I have experienced, how it happened or even why it did, but I am overjoyed that it did! I’ll share just a few ways my heart, mind and life have been touched this month!
I have experienced God’s love with such rawness. When I am caught in the midst of lies, Jesus lifts my head and whispers sweet truths about myself: “Bailey, you are victorious. You are wondrous. You are beautiful.” When I am drowning in my shame and sin, He reaches His hand toward me with such love and grace. It’s in the moments of pure brokenness and hurt that I feel God the most. The love of my Father is overwhelming.
God is revealing my true identity in Him through His word. I am learning more and more about what it is to be a daughter of the King, the truths about myself and the amazing gifts I have. When I arrived in Malawi, I quickly realized that I had an identity crisis. I thought I knew who I was in Christ, but I was completely off. Little by little God is showing me who I am in Him and the greatness there is in that. A slow but incredible experience that will forever change my life.
God has surely blessed me with a new mindset as well. For the first time in my life (I’m not being dramatic here), I am fully content with where I am. I am in a beautiful place with wonderful people experiencing God’s grace, love and greatness in HIS perfect will. I am the type of person who only looks forward to the future. It wouldn’t matter if I was doing the coolest thing today, I would want to know what we are doing tomorrow. I am a planner and a dreamer and love to see what is next. I was obsessed and worried about the days to come, where I was going to be and what I would be doing. Well ladies and gentlemen, that has changed! Somewhat. Lol. Let me explain: I am still a planner and a dreamer, I love knowing what is next, but I am content where I am right now. Reason being because God has placed me in this moment for a purpose. I don’t need to be consumed with thoughts of my future. God has revealed the next step in my life: college! I am so so stinkin’ excited about that! But look: I am excited about my future plans, college and being home, but I am so happy in Malawi. I am content where I am and excited about the future; I am living in the now.
The list could go on and on with things God has shown me and changed within me. Like I said in the beginning, my life is beautiful and it is a blessing. I am not saying this out of a place of pride, but a place of gratitude. I have a new perspective on my life and relationship with Christ. I could not be happier about where I am in life! I have so much growing ahead and so many more experiences to endure. There will be tough times and days I feel weighed down, but I know how to handle it now.
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My ministry in December:
I’ve participated in sports ministry, where I train and play soccer with boys who are in WAY better shape than I am.
My team was part of several church services, where we had the opportunity to speak the word of God and share testimonies.
We hung out with the neighborhood kids. The kids run to us from all different directions when we walk outside of our house.
We’ve held abandoned babies and snuggled them with love.
We hung out and danced my heart out with widows.
We met my host’s father and mother. They are over a 100 years old, have been married for 72 years and still work in the fields every day.
We were a part of many types of ministry since being here and I’ve seen many different things. I love to see the way people live here and the joy they have!
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That is all I have for now. Thank you for making it to the end (:
Much love,
Bailey
