Month one has come to its end and I have so much that God has laid on my heart to share! Due to my location I will be discreet in how I share things; however, my hope is that through what I am able to say I can encourage you all with just how great our God is. I decided this month, I will write my blogs in “series” form. There is so much to say but currently so many “unfinished” thoughts that are still playing out. The Lord is continually working in this place, and He is constantly doing crazy things in my heart.
To begin, leaving Spain and coming in to this new chapter of the journey I am on, there was a lot of fear of the unknown. We do not have anyone giving us direction in this country. We are in a sense, on our own — going where we are lead and finding opportunities as our eyes are opened to them. “What?!” A little lie crept into my mind. “How can I be His vessel this next 6 weeks if there is no set plan for me to follow?!” It sounds ridiculous, but to me it has always been a struggle. I have a plan and if things don’t go as planned my whole world crumbles in front of my eyes. Just ask my parents…they dealt with several little Beth tantrums for many many years because of this. And worse yet, I don’t even have a plan that can be shattered. What the heck am I suppose to do without a plan! But of course, His answer to that is what it has always been and what it will always be:
“Just Trust Me”
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse has definitely been the over arching theme since arriving in this country. In fact, I believe it may be an over arching theme for the rest of this year. No plans, just follow. So that is what the seven of us have been doing! Talking to our Father and following where He leads. In doing so, all I can say is WOW! As we call on His name, our God is so faithful to show up! Usually (from what I’ve seen lately anyways) He shows up in the most unexpected and most beautiful ways that we don’t even realize are needed or sometimes even possible.
The first night here was overwhelming! We were staying in a hostel in what felt like the heart of the city. We are foreigners in this new culture with different perspectives and, thanks to Hollywood, some very distorted views of American women. It was rough and it hit some of us really hard. But, by God’s loving kindness we moved the next day to an apartment in a less crowded area that we were given at a discounted rate. This apartment is such a nice place and we are close by everything we need or could even ask for. I felt a little convicted moving in to this delightful little place right next to a beach as it almost felt like a vacation home. But that is not what God had intended it for! In fact, it has been very evident that He allowed for us to find this place that miraculously fit in our budget for many many reasons. As we continued seeking Him in those first days and asking what He had for us, God opened up some amazing doors. By way of simply going to the grocery store a block away, we have made some beautiful friendships with a few local girls. We have continually been cultivating these friendships, and on a later date I look forward to sharing what this has looked like for me.
As the week went on, we had the opportunity to go to an international church within walking distance of us. This church was such an encouragement and blessing to us all! A few days later, we were invited over for dinner by the pastors of the church, and we shared some amazing fellowship with them! God totally rocked my world! He is such a good Father and after a few rough days He knew my heart needed a refresher. During conversation that night, I also realized just how much He intends to use my passions to bring glory to His name as this year progresses. AHH! I’m so excited for the opportunities I, Lord-willing, will have even this month to use what God has given me. I cannot wait to share more on this within my next few blogs.
But for now, this was just a little introduction to the wonderful things that are currently taking place after only a week and a half of being here. God is in this place! He is working in the friendships we are building with the locals who come from backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and customs that we know a lot less about then we thought we did. And He is working in our hearts through the encouragement we give and receive in fellowship together with the church family we have here. God has been humbling me, He has been giving me such a heart of love and understanding, and He has been reminding me that He has me exactly where He wants me.
Please continue to lift us up to our Lord as we draw nearer to Him and further pour out the love He has given us to share with those He has placed around us.
“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”
