So I have been doing Trucker Ministry this month in Cote d’lvoire. I am in Abidjan which is the Capital of Cote d’lvoire and there are truckers that come here from all across Africa to drop off and pick up goods. Sometimes they have to stay here at the truck ports for weeks on end just waiting for their shipment. So my team and I go to these ports and evangelize to the truckers in hopes that they too will then spread the good news all across Africa and reach far more people than we ever could. But it’s been hard because most of the men we talk to are Muslim, who if they accept Christ will get rejected from their families. In the Muslim faith they believe good deeds get them to Heaven but they are never quite certain they will be in Heaven when they die, because they never know if they do enough to forgive their sins that they have committed. We share with them that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice that if you accept Jesus in your hearts, you know for certain he forgives you and you will be welcomed in heaven! It’s such good news that they don’t have to rely on themselves and their actions to earn their way to Heaven because we all fall short. I want them all to know just how loved and cared for they are, that God would send his Son to pay the price for us when we don’t deserve it at all. I want to share this good news with them so they too can be free from their shame and guilt and feel the amazing love of God!
One day while I was sitting under a truck talking to a group of men I had this overwhelming thought:
“Right here is your church, under this truck in the African heat with dirt everywhere, is your church! Gathered around on mats talking about Jesus. This is where you are working, this is where I feel your presence. This is where lives are changed. This is where Heaven is brought to Earth. In the most uncommon place I find God. Under a dirty and worn truck, covered in dust and sweat. And this is where God meets me and makes His church!”
It has been really hard for me to step outside of my comfort zone and talk to these men. I always seem to not find the right words to say and feel so unworthy to share such an important story. But the other day I was reading in Exodus and Moses felt this same way when God called him to go speak with the Pharaoh to set the Israelites free. Moses said to the Lord “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; But I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Exodus 4:10). Its crazy to think that Moses felt the exact same things I am feeling right now! That’s exactly what I want to say to God when he tells me to speak to these men. But if you read on God answers Moses and says, “Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (Exodus 4:12). You just have to go, and he will do the rest! He will teach me how and guide my words & that is all I need to remember. I just need to keep saying yes to Him and let go of my insecurities and fears that get in the way of doing his will. So I pray for that courage and strength to step outside of my comfort zone and let God lead me!
I am learning so much this month about myself, God, and this beautiful place; and its crazy to think the month is almost over. We leave for Ghana on February 14th and will have an all squad month, so the whole squad of 32 of us will be together again for a month evangelizing at a local church!
Thank you so much for all your support and prayers!
