Ever since I have stepped foot on the plane to go to Atlanta for Launch, I have been struggling with my intimacy with the Lord. It started with me being angry with Him for calling me to this race where I am so far out of my comfort zone it’s crazy, but then became so much deeper than that. I turned away from Him and have struggled to get back everyday since.
But this ministry has been the biggest blessing.
Starting out, I was scared out of my mind. How was I supposed to just walk up to random people and make friends? I can barely walk up to people I know and say hello, let alone complete strangers who most likely don’t speak my language. When we sat down with our host, Erion, and our mentors for this ministry (who are basically our parents away from home), Fay and Murray, I was scared out of my skin when they told us we were going to be planting a church and it was our job to get people coming. It is a lot of pressure trying to start a church, especially when we had the biggest job of all. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, step that far out of the little bubble of comfort I have here, but I knew God was going to show up, and that is exactly what He did.
The first day of ministry I set out with Natalie and Madison, we were all very nervous and afraid for what was being asked of us but we were ready to dive in to what God was calling us to. The first thing we did was pray. We stood in the middle of the street and just asked our Father to be with us and guide us. We asked Him to give us a clear feeling, image, or vision for where we were supposed to go and what we were supposed to do. We asked for peace and comfort and courage and boldness. As we were walking I felt pulled towards this certain coffee bar and I mentioned it out loud, Natalie responded saying she felt the same way, so we went. We followed God’s guidance and went into that coffee bar.
A series of events led to one of the best days I have had in a long time.
We met a girl named Ana, who was engaged to the owner of the bar. She is very funny and outgoing and someone I could definitely see myself hanging out with back home. She learned english off of the TV show Friends, which is one of my favorite shows, so immediately I fell in love with her. I was filled with so much joy. God had truly showed up and gave us a direct person to build a relationship with. He was there with us the whole time and spoke through us. Leaving the bar, my mind was spinning. I was just so grateful for this whole experience and this ministry that has thrown me for a whirlwind.
This journey has been difficult so far, but so rewarding. God has proved, yet again, His faithfulness and graciousness. He is just such a good Father. I have never truly experienced this kind of desire and eagerness to push farther and challenge myself more for the glory of Christ. He is just so good, I want everyone to know Him. I find myself laying in bed at night with the feeling of Him just laying next to me, and I have never felt more at peace.
Yes, I miss my family and my pup and the comforts of America, but I am so beyond happy here with this incredible team and this beautiful city God has put me in. God is just so good, I just wanted to share with all of you His goodness throughout these last few weeks!
With blessings in Christ,
Emily
