Most days in Africa I can feel like I am Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian walking around.
As we travel from village to village we are always surrounded by a swarm of children. Their bright white eyes pop against their dark skin. Their bellies stick out and their precious feet are beat up and calloused. Everyone comes out of their houses to see the Mzungu’s, (white people) church will be filled because they want to hear a white person preach, and everyone will come forward to get prayer because they think that our prayers are more powerful than theirs. For all 3 countries in Africa– every village, every town, and every church congregation it was the same story.
It came to a point where we would explain to every congregation upfront during our introductions that our prayers are not more special because of our skin color. We do not have more value than they do. God created this world and everyone on it in His image. We all reflect the creator of this universe. God shows no favoritism. My team and I were simply there to love them and minister to them and show them Jesus. Over and over again I had to make sure that the people knew that it was Jesus inside of me performing the healings, and touching their hearts. Not me.
I am nothing special. I have no super powers. I am not better than anyone else. I said yes to God. I said yes to following Him and leaving the world behind.
I am not a better Christian because I have been a missionary for a year or lead _____ amount of people to The Lord. I just said yes and did something about it.
My challenge for you is to say yes to The Lord. Say yes to the crazy life He wants to take you on. Whether that’s in your marriage, school, full-time job, hobbies, whatever it is just take action and follow what God has for you. You don’t have to do long term missions to bring people to Jesus. You can do it in your life right now.
Since being on the race so many people have said to me “oh I wish I could do what you’re doing.” Or “that’s so awesome if only I had the time, money, ect.” The truth is you CAN do it. The Lord is going to open doors and make things happen if it truly is a desire of your heart. It doesn’t even have to be the race. Whatever it is that you dream about, make it happen and don’t stop until it does happen. Everything that you put into it will be worth it. Say yes to Him and don’t look back.
Along with that challenge my prayer is this. That the people I have met the past 8 months would remember that it is the Holy Spirit changing lives. God is simply using me as a vessel. That the relationships I have with people at home and abroad don’t see me, Kelsey, but that they see Jesus in me.
