Much has gone on in my life this past month and I am going to share this all with you.
My first term practicum was a HUGE success ! I planed activities for the G42 community each day; some whole group and others intentional small group activities. In this week I really learned with heart knowledge many things that I already was aware of but not fully believing about myself. Predominately my natural gifts that I walk in because that is how GOD created me to be are: loving, encouraging, hoping, praying and serving others. Having confidence that GOD created me to be specifically the person I am has given me that extra strive for stepping forward into new directions of leadership. I began teaching an introductory class on American Sign Language, extended my basic skills of sewing to alter clothing, curtains, etc. and finding ways that I personally can take responsibility by giving myself to the good of our G42 family.
Also this past month, we worked on our VISION for what is GOD calling for our lives-
PLEASE continue reading through this next segment may be like a rollercoaster ride at least that’s how it felt inside. Even today, though I have peace, GOD totally amazes me at HIS ABUNDANT LOVE for me; still I haven’t grasped the full meaning.
While on the race GOD revealed many things to me about my own life. One of which I felt that I would at some point minister in South America. When I needed to work on my vision project, I didn’t really know what exactly my life’s calling was. I knew that out of the three main directions (business, preaching and ministry) many may work in I was called to working in ministry. Narrowing it down I chose to do my project on planting a care point in South America. My presentation went well enough, received feedback and encouragement on what I presented, but I knew deep within that something just wasn’t right. Because time is short here I knew I wanted this to focus on my next direct season in life, and honestly I just knew that South America was not my next direct season of life. Also, where I am now is priceless to my future. In order to best prepare myself for a ministry of my own one day, I need to apprentice with someone that I can learn from in developing skills from practice and impartation. I want this to be someone who is likeminded spiritually and ethically, someone who I respect and trust, and someone who has achieved in my opinion a great scale of breaking ground in this field.
Up to this point, learning from and diving into trusty relationships with the leadership, expressing my desires for life and what that looks like in reality and just enjoying who they are as people, their stories and fellowship with them had become solid. I had grown apart of this family without a doubt. In our houses with fellow interns, relationships had been blossoming, individually they all look different and at the end of the day I know that 20 something peers love me and have my back.
The day I met George-
As we have had many guest speakers George Ridley, International Director ofLight Force International (www.lightforce.org.uk) blessed us for a week of hard questioning, intense assessment of ourselves and the real deal of planting our visions.
George (we are on a first name basis) is a brilliant man who has begun major ministries and businesses in those countries to support the ministries. Well, upon working together George and I were able to have a few meetings where we talked in detail about his base in Lira Northern Uganda, Africa. That site has various care points that they travel to each week and stay to minister to the needs in that area of the bush. The team, compiled of different skill, has a 3week rotation, covering a wider spectrum and catering to a larger population.
This base in Lira Northern Uganda, Africa is my next season of ministry ! ! !
They focus on the community of children with disabilities, deaf, sick and abandoned. I am going back to Africa to do what I naturally am gifted in to use the many skills I have acquired knowing I am fully equipped in a place that I have always had a heart for… does it get better, YES it does !
To begin, this would start as a 3 month commitment – projecting September through December, providing a short term submersion, starting with the potential for further partnership. This provides time before to prepare in excellence and reconnect with family/friends and even having time after for the holidays. This is a credible ministry that seems as though it was designed for me.
The leadership here has been beyond supportive and I wouldn’t want to be under any other headship; I trust and know that they will stand by me where ever GOD takes me. I want to see more of the CHRIST formed in me and whether I am here or not, GOD loves me with a love that I truly don’t even understand and HE will continue to melt me being ever present.
We will be beginning a new transition into our second term and I know that GOD is speaking to me in this time, allowing me to be peacefully still with HIM – knowing HE is GOD. I will continue to ‘receive’ and ‘believe’ as HE carries me through.
~ in LOVE
