New Years Eve was a day of reflection! I spent time with the Lord thanking Him for all he’s done in 2018. I had some amazing memories this last year… Graduating Highschool was a big one! I had my last prom, my last tennis match, my last FCA meeting. I spent the end of my senior year with many loved ones! I learned so much about how much I value the people in my life. I enjoyed my graduation party as I printed out countless pictures that reflected many moments— forever memories that will hold a lasting place in my heart. I spent nights admiring the mountain top sunsets. I spent afternoons watching baseball games with my dad. I went on countless DQ runs with my sister. I had amazing conversations with my residents at Good Samaritan. I roasted s’mores with my cousin. I visited Grand Island, my first Home… I thank God for all of it. I thank God for the many relationships I’ve formed and grown. I thank God for the many things I’ve learned. And now I look to a new year with excitement and joy towards the months to come.
When I was praying for a word for 2019 I received the word perseverance. I want to focus in on this word, even when it gets tough and I want to give up. I want to persevere through many things… I want to serve people on this trip the best I can. I want to pursue Christ even when I’m lost and doubting. I want to persevere into all the change and through all the goodbyes that the race brings. I want to persevere through the new challenges I’ll face when I return home or when I start my freshman year of college. When things don’t go my way I want to persevere. But this type of perseverance has a whole new kick. This kick is a perseverance with the father by my side and a devotion to Him to keep the determination and joy He is giving me to persevere. It is in his strength only that I will walk boldly into this year, persevering with nothing but an essence of His peace even when I walk through challenging tribulations. I’m excited!
Now I’d like to tell you about the night that lead into the beginning of 2019. It took some perseverance actually, lemme tell ya! I was feeling very nauseous all day and quite tired. I even bought an energy drink to stay awake for the evening festivities. We all gathered in the amphitheater on the beach and we had the grandest time! Talented people from Jeffery’s Bay sang and danced! There were some amazing artists and we were serenaded a few times and asked about where we were from (we kind of awkwardly stand out in a crowd.) We danced away the night under the stars and walked around our amazing little home.
I was sitting down around 10:00, honestly about to fall asleep, but the Lord told me to talk to the kids next to me. I tried to engage in conversation with them but they were quite shy. But through the random comments I made or just sitting together in silence, I began to build up some trust. They slowly began to open up and smile at me or scoot a little closer to me. We watched people dance and sing together. I even shared my sweatshirt and bag with them as a pillow as we began to relate to each other with our tiredness. Pretty soon I got a random burst of energy and thought I’d ask one of the girls to dance and she bashfully said yes. So I took her down front and began to twirl her about as she giggled and smiled and jumped around. I looked into her eyes and I saw a glimpse of Jesus.
Then the other children came down and we all danced together. This was around the time the traditional African Music came on and I truly had no idea what I was doing (keep in mind, I can’t even dance American style, whatever that is hehe.) But as I watched the people in front of me, these sweet children of this culture watched me. I was in awe. I had no idea what I was doing yet they were confident in me for countless songs, and watched me dance with admiration. They copied my every move.
As we all got even more tired me went back up and sat down. The fireworks were beginning soon and we were about to make our way to the sand to watch them. This meant I was about to part ways from these kiddos. It was stirring in my spirt to tell one of the boys that had been sitting by me the whole night something papa wanted to say to Him. I listened and went for it. “I want you to know that you are loved and valued. Anything that you set your mind to, you can do. Never forget these things. And most importantly, don’t forget Jesus loves you.” As I stood up to leave soon after, he stopped me before I left and instigated a huge hug. Thank you Jesus.
How crazy is it that He used me. I was exhausted tired and I’m the absolute worst dancer. I had no idea what to say to these beautiful shy kids as they first looked at me as a foreigner. But He used me, simply because I said yes to Him.
As I watched the fireworks on the beach firing left and right above me, I thanked papa for 2018. I thanked Him for the amazing last night I spent in this year, a year that has grown me in incredible ways. It was a great way to step into the new year. Alright 2019!! Let’s see what ya got!
