For the past 10 years, I’ve been told that social media is a distraction, a waste of my time, etc. That’s mostly true, especially in the early teenage years where everyone can publicly see the idiot kid you’re being. But while I’m maturing in my faith, I’ve learned how truly important the internet is, and the positives of social media.
When I began this race, I thought I’d be maybe able to post on social media once a month and call my family hopefully once a week. Instead, I’ve had wifi probably 70% of the time that I’ve been on the field. Which has its ups and downs. I like lists, so lemme just break it down for ya.
Negatives:
- When I get wifi all I do is sit on my phone and forget what’s going on around me
- I fall back into sinful habits that I pursued at home
- Makes me miss America
- Miss living an easy life
- Being an incorrect witness to others who follow me
Positives:
- I can share my stories with everyone who follows me
- Show people what Christ is doing through me and through the people I encounter
- I’m able to talk to people who are curious on what I’m doing
- I can share others’ stories
- I’m able to help influence people in america’s hearts while being thousands of miles away
And sooooo many others! People my age sometimes say that they’d rather live in the 60s – 80s with no internet or social media, and I totally agree that it would be cool to experience that, but I’m so thankful that God put me in the generation I’m in. Through prayer, the negatives I listed can and will pass, and then I’m able to have such a big voice with social media’s help. I’m able to connect with people miles away, and that’s what we’re called to do. I’m thankful that I can share God’s glory creativity and reach as many people as I can.
The mission field has changed my perspective on how much my voice really matters. The fact that I have a voice that can easily be heard, and I don’t use it enough, opened my eyes a lot. I’ve learned so many lessons through that, and that I can take those lessons and make them into something I can improve on.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…Be careful then, how you live—not as unwise but wise,”
Ephesians 5: 8,15
We all know the feeling of emptiness that comes with living in darkness. Before knowing Christ, we can remember having no true direction in life and the pain along with that, so when teaching or just having a conversation with others, we can always be a light in the Lord. I can set examples through the pictures and blogs I post to my social media. When I have wifi, I can be intentional to call friends and family to check up on them, and be a light in their life, especially if they’re in darkness. I’ve just written this to explain what it’s like to be on social media with crappy wifi and seeing starbucks on an instagram story, but not being able to drink it. It’s hard, but we can always turn negatives to positives. God is in everything, and everything good comes from God. Overall, I’m just thankful for this amazing life I’ve been given, and every day I don’t understand how God gave it to me.
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HUGE AMAZING AWESOME NEWS GOD IS GOOD WOW. okay so update!!! So for the past few blogs and updates, I’ve been asking for serious prayer on fundraising and my stress that comes along with it. And since God keeps His promises, I’m SOOO close to being fully funded!! YAY! God is so amazing in that, and I’ve really been resting in some truths He’s revealed to me, and I think that His timing is just so awesome. So in the past 2 weeks, people have donated $3,394 to me. That’s so incredible. Before these 2 weeks, I needed over $4,000 to be fully funded. I can begin to explain how thankful I am. I was so terribly worried that my parents would have to pay that $4,000, and I know they gladly would, but I knew God had other plans. Since they don’t, BOTH of my parents (not super official, but most likely) are going to be able to go to Parent Vision Trip in Nicaragua, and see me! This is a 2ish week trip where our parents are invited to come on the field and do ministry with their world racer! I didn’t think we’d be able to get my dad to come with my mom, but since God is so awesome and provided, I’ll see them both in March!! So awesome. So many awesome things. But I’m still not currently fully fundraised. I need only a little under $600!!! That’s SO doable if you look at the $4,000 I need only TWO weeks ago!! If all my supporters only gave $10 I’d be there!! Please consider it!
Also continue to keep my squad and I in your prayers! Christmas is coming up in only 10 days, and we’re thousands of miles from home. It’s hard. It stinks. But we have each other, and we’re doing awesome things with these people. And India is so amazing. Side note: everyone should make it a mission to come to India. Truly just to come visit this amazing country. I wish I could travel all over it. You can see God in all its beauty. But just keep us in your prayers as we have the last 2 1/2 weeks left here! Pray that we take advantage of all the time we have and truly devote it to spreading love and peace in the villages we travel to. Thank you to my supporters, you rock. I want to give y’all a huge hug. You’re amazing, and God loves you so much.
