For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth). Ephesians 5:8-9
Month One, Week One.
Ministry on the field has been so different than I imagined. I’ve had really great days taking in all of the new sights, sounds and smells. Our ministry hosts have been absolutely wonderful, Seth and Andrea Sears & their kids have completely adopted us into their family. They love and serve us so well and we in return get to serve their family, ministry & church called Give Dignity. (I’ll write a more thorough story on that later about our ministry and the great people that I’ve met at the end of the month.) I love my team/WR family, Bioluminescence. We blend really well together with all of our own unique, spiritual gifts. I’m really grateful that I get to see what God is doing by getting to do life with Anna, Ben, Drew, Jessica, Mason and Tiffany. Everyday they feel more and more like my brothers and sisters and I’m so blessed by them. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country. The people here are warm and inviting and they love Jesus. He is so present in this place and I’m so thankful that my team and I get to walk in the light and love that only God can provide through this place.
As wonderful as traveling and ministering have been, I’ve also had a few hard days. Let me be real with you, most days I feel overwhelmed. I didn’t realize how independent we have to be on the field. We cook our own food, we make our own schedules, we’re in charge of our days and how we do ministry as well. My idea of independence looks so much different now. I always thought that moving out of my parents house and living on my own in Portland was independent enough. I’m learning so much of what it means to belong to the body of Christ. There’s no way that I can do half of the things that my team and I do alone. We do it together, in order to survive and to spread the gospel. I’m learning that we all have different gifts and talents that we are bringing to the table. It’s a beautiful thing, but I realize that I’m still holding onto my flesh instead of letting the Spirit lead me. Most days I just want to be by myself listening to music, drinking coffee and taking or editing photos, but who is that helping if it’s done alone? God wants us to live in community. He wants us to be a little lost and to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and our steps. I’m learning to make the most of my decision to go on the World Race. Through the good and the bad days. Honestly, I wasn’t too excited to write this blog because earlier this week was spiritually hard for me. My heart feels like it’s under construction and I don’t want to invite people in until the home improvement is complete. Every day gets a little better and I’m so thankful for my team and all of my support back home. It seriously means the world to me. I just want to keep pressing into Him and to keep letting more of myself go, so that He can do a great deal of work in me. I’ve been praying for boldness throughout the year that I would let my fears go and continually walk with the Holy Spirit that has been freely given to us.
Thank you, Jesus. I’m excited and somewhat overwhelmed at times but so thankful for the gift of serving the least of these with You. I love that I get to spend the next 11 months growing into the woman of God seeking to follow You. Let Your presence overtake my heart. Te amo.
Love,
Bee
