There’s so much that I need to catch you guys up on and didn’t know how to put it all into one blog post so I decided to take the words right out of my journal! These are journal entries that are special to me because they share my fundraising testimony and a little glimpse into how God is moving :-))
Saturday September 14, 2019
Currently laying in my bunk bed in JBay! Today was only our second day but it already feels like home. Traveling was pretty hard and tiring so I’m thankful for a couple of days of rest. I didn’t really realize how much traveling affected me because I didn’t have any difficulties adjusting to the time zone difference. I’m exhausted, though. We ended up traveling for 77 hours I think. Airport stays, buses, plane rides, trains, walking, and carrying our packs. 77 hours of it. Not very glorious but we made the most of it with positive attitudes and lots of singing. I’m so thankful to be on such a musically talented squad. Spontaneous worship always. We were able to share the love of Jesus and receive it as well. I’m realizing the race didn’t start when I landed in South Africa but in every sweet moment after I committed to this journey. I’m just thankful God provided the way for me to be laying here right now.
Wednesday September 18th, 2019
What a powerful night!!! We had squad worship which is always the sweetest time but tonight was different. Tonight was a picture of what freedom looks like. We finished with our scheduled songs and didn’t want to stop praising so we followed our squad mate outside, formed a circle around him as he was playing guitar and singing and we just sang what was on our hearts. No lyrics on a screen, we just made it up as we went. We jumped around and laughed and cried and danced and sang at the top of our lungs all for the Lord. We were living out 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18 which says:
“but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
That was a different type of freedom we were experiencing. Freedom that can only come from the Spirit that is alive in us. After we worshipped, we announced to the squad that I was behind on fundraising and needed to be at $10,000 in about 2 weeks or else I couldn’t stay on the field. I’m currently at $7,500. They all circled around me in prayer and loved me so well. Being supported by my new family was the perfect ending to an already perfect night. I have no idea how I’m going to get $2,500 in 2 weeks but God is so faithful and has provided so much for me already so I don’t doubt that He can do it again.
Tuesday September 24th, 2019
Today was the last day of camp. After 5 long days of trying to get 4-6th grade kids to listen to a bunch of Americans, I’m tired. Despite how challenging it was to be thrown into a leadership position with very little instruction, our squad really made the most of it and poured into the kids as much as we could. We worshipped and danced like no one was watching and did Church Clap at least 3 times a day. The theme of the camp for the primary kids was “Mad Scientist” so it was cool to see the kids get so excited about the experiments and learn about God at the same time. It was also so cool to sit in on lessons about who God is and Who i am and to hear the Gospel again. It was a sweet reminder of simple things that I learned at the beginning of my faith journey that can be taken for granted. I got to help set up PowerPoints and experiments and learned so much through teaching them. I wasn’t a leader of a specific team because I was working more behind the scenes so It was a little harder to connect with the kids but I tried my hardest. By the end of the week, I didn’t want to leave them. Took a lot for them to listen to us but they just needed someone to love them so I’m glad we could be that for them. Trying to be the feet and hands and arms and legs of Jesus, especially in this season. Growth is what I’m seeking after and I can’t get that if I’m comfortable. It was so cool looking back on camp because I realized that no matter how tired I was, I wasn’t empty. Living out of a place of overflow is something that I’ve always known I needed to do but didn’t take the time to even fill myself up. Now that my focus is on the Lord and I’m letting Him fill me up, I’m not burning myself out by trying to do more than I can handle on my own. I’m still processing camp and making sure that I’m not missing what God was trying to teach me. I’m trusting that God did even more in the kids hearts than He did in mine and that brings me so much joy.
Today, as we were leaving camp, I was able to check on my funding status on a friends phone and I was at $7,800! $300 more than last time I checked which compared to what I’m aiming for doesn’t seem like a lot but God’s got this and I’m excited to see how He moves.
Saturday September 28th, 2019
Sitting in a restaurant in town reading over these journal entries feeling so blessed and thankful for God’s faithfulness. Last night, I got the news that I’m at $10,810!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!! With very little effort on my part and God’s miracle working power, I raised over $3,000 in less than 2 weeks. What is my life hahaha. I’m in South Africa with once or twice a week type WiFi connection. I could never do this by my own strength. I have so many people on my team and at home praying for my fundraising and they are not going to a deaf ear. The Father hears us and is providing beyond my needs.
Thank you to everyone who has given financially or prayerfully! The Lord is moving!!!! My next deadline is 16,600 by January, if would would like to donate, you can through my blog! Please share this and join me in prayer to help me to get fully funded :)) y’all are awesome <3
