So, for my second blog I am supposed to discuss what expectations I have for this trip! I am kind of excited as to what will come to mind as I write this. Here goes! 🙂
I expect to experience the power of the Holy Spirit in ways I have never known before. I expect to witness the lame walking, the blind being healed, and the demon possessed set free. We will be so focused on prayer as individuals and as a group for the entire 11 months, and when that happens, God works BIG TIME!! Why doesn’t the power of the Holy Spirit seem to show up so big here at home in America? Probably because we are too caught up in our own lives and think that miracles don’t happen nowadays. I don’t think we have the faith that prayer actually does work! Our God is a God of GREAT power and he works just as much today as he did long ago! He gives “good gifts” to those who ask.
I expect to be broken down and truly mourn the sin that is in my life. I expect to realize that some things I think are fine are really tearing me down and keeping me from living a life totally devoted to God. I expect to cry A LOT as God works on my heart!
I expect to be set free from those idols that ARE holding me back! Being taken away from my home and may be the one thing that will truly allow this to happen. I am definitely excited, yet a tad scared, because I know I will be stripped of everything that consumes my time and thoughts. I will lose everything I hold dear BUT JESUS!! This will allow from great freedom!
I expect to make some incredible friends that are actually my age! Being together one whole year with the same 6-7 people will truly be a blessing and a chance for some AWESOME fellowship! I can’t wait to work alongside my new friends and have late night discussions and deep heart to hearts. This is probably one thing I am most excited for! Here at home, most of my friends are high schoolers, so having so many strong Christians my age will be truly a blessing! They will definitely be an encouragement in my walk with Christ, and I am STOKED to meet them in TEN DAYS! 🙂 We may fight at times, we may get on each other’s nerves at times, but that is what happens when you are in a family!
I expect to have lots of time to really get closer to my Jesus through Bible reading and prayer. This was one thing I truly loved about going to Zambia, the focus on making your relationship with Jesus that much stronger before and during the time you are reaching out to people.
I expect to fight injustice in many different ways!!! I expect to rip children and adults alike from the shackles of modern day slavery. Jesus commands that we SEEK JUSTICE! I want to come alongside those who cannot speak or fight for themselves.
I expect to come face to face with many of my fears and really have to learn how to trust God!!! Whether spiders, snakes, horrible storms, persecution, or the unknown, I know things are going to happen that may make me afraid.
I expect God to show me where I might best serve Him when I finish this great adventure. If that be to show me a specific mission field overseas, SO BE IT! I don’t want to keep planning my own life, I want HIM to do that planning!
I expect God to hold the heart of my Mom as I know she will worry while I am away.
I expect to share the gospel to the far reaches of the globe! I am hoping to preach to those who have never yet heard the message and just bring this world one step closer to the return of Christ.
I expect to be thrown many curve balls and thus learn to be patient and flexible.
I expect to be given constructive criticism and hopefully learn how to take it without being so sensitive.
I expect to be dirty and filthy and possibly sick much of the time and to not even care. As long as Christ is living through me, that is all that matters!!
I expect to be so utterly horrified at how many in the rest of the world are treated and TRULY learn to feel for others. I want to be broken down by what I see and set on fire to really make a change!
I expect to be homesick at times and miss my friends and family here in the states.
I expect to joyfully work with children of all ages!
I expect that God will heal my heart. This is one BIG THING I am praying for!
I expect to do more crazy things than I have ever done in my life!
I expect to GROW UP through all that will come my way. (I can still be quite childish at times.)
I expect to be so totally blessed by the prayers and support from those of you back at home.
I expect to be thrown out of my comfort zone and know only what to say and do with God’s help. As God gave Moses the words to say, he will likewise give me the words to say. As God gave Gideon the courage to defeat his enemies, he will likewise give me the courage I need.
I EXPECT TO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT! 🙂
