When I first decided to go on the World Race, I knew that God would change me a lot on the trip.
However, I had no clue as to how much God would change me beforehand.
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God began changing me first by showing me how to trust Him.
Two weeks ago I had $150 in my Missions Account. I will be honest I was scared and nervous. I had an approaching deadline of $3,500 that I needed to meet. And only one week to come up with all of it. I had been hoping that money would just start pouring into my account. But after sending out my support letters and waiting two weeks, nothing had happened. So I jumped on the phones. I would wake up and make 20-100 phone calls a day before going to work. I began sending out emails. I sat down with pastors. And by the end of the week, I was tired. The Friday before my deadline, God had provided $2,500 for my trip. Saturday pulled around and two more people donated another $500 so now I only needed $500 more. Sunday morning came–the day of my deadline. I was supposed to share at my home church. That morning I kept praying, "Okay God only $500 more, I know you can do this". I shared and waited. After church the pastor walked up to me and handed me the love offering of $2,500! It blew me away! God provided me with almost $6,000 in one week!
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God began teaching me to step outside my comfort zone.
Less then a week after my $3,500 deadline I flew to Texas to share at several churches. Friday night I was scheduled to share at a "youth group" Or at least that is what my Dad called it. However once I showed up, I soon realized that it was a regular service. Not only that but I was expected to preach and to lead worship. This was totally outside my comfort zone and I was extremely nervous. The church led the first few songs. The whole time I was praying, and praying, and praying. "God I know that you said you will give us the words to say, I know that you said that our testimony is powerful, please give me your power and use me." After their singing was finished, I was up. I got up on stage, took the mic, and began leading them in worship with "Our God", "Here I Am to Worship", and "Give Us Clean Hands". They seemed to really enjoy it and I could feel God giving me confidence to continue. After worship, I began sharing my testimony. I do not remember much of what I said, but I could feel God using me to minister to the people. After preaching, I thanked the pastor and took a seat. The pastor got up and said that he felt moved to support me $500 a month! I was taken back. Almost burst out into tears right there in the front row. After service I sold some Threads of Hope bracelets. And the church bought so many! I sold about $150 worth!
(Threads of Hope is an organization that receives bracelets made by families in the Philippines and gives them to other organizations that are raising funds. They sell them for a certain price and 50% of the funds go to support the family in the Philippines and the other 50% goes to the organization or missionary trying to raise funds.)
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God began to teach me how to be open to other people and cultures.
Today I visited with a Spanish family called the Ramirez family. They were so hospitable and invited me into their home with open arms. They fed me wonderful Spanish soup. It was an awesome opportunity to practice my Spanish, but also try some food I usually do not eat. Which I loved! They had two wonderful children, Daniela (4) and Rene (6).
Their kids when they were younger
Their children were so smart and could speak both Spanish and English! The family listened to my story and really encouraged me. They even prayed for my journey. I think the thing that blessed me the most was their children praying for me in Spanish. I was thinking of how God created these two wonderful children and how precious they were to Him. I was overjoyed with the blessings they poured out on me by simply inviting me into their home. I left feeling prepared for anything.
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God began to teach me how to have new boldness.
After being accepted on the World Race, a friend of mine kept inviting me to go to CTN (Christian Television Network) and be on the prayer lines. Now normally I would probably make up excuses as to how I am so busy doing things for me, blah, blah, blah. But God has made me realize how easy it has become for me to think about myself so often. I saw this as an opportunity to branch out of my comfort zone and learn how to pray for people with scripture. So I ended up showing up…At first I was really nervous to answer phones and start praying for complete strangers. But once I began praying scripture, a new boldness came upon me and I now felt that it was the Holy Spirit interceding for them and not me.
I know these are just stepping stones that are preparing me for my future journey. But I am enjoying the changing process God has begun taking me through.
So to answer my question, do you have change?
Well I sure do have change, but what has God begun to change in you?
