Using our Voice, Part 2: Sharing My Story
As I look back through my journal, nearly four weeks worth, I noticed I wrote many times on different days that “this is probably one of my most favorite days thus far.” Here’s an extract of my most recent “favorite day.”
Sunday, January 29 Day 17
This is probably one of my most favorite days. Today God taught me about my voice and the need to use it. And in this particular case, I don’t mean for singing (see previous blog). In this instance, using my voice means sharing my life story, my testimony. I was told recently that when we share our life story, it releases power into the atmosphere. The story gets shared with others, and when Jesus is in the story, it’s a story and message about hope.
Today I got the opportunity to share my testimony before 100-200 people at the inauguration celebration at the church in San Diego. We’ve gone to this church nearly a half dozen times over the last two weeks. During those times, we mostly did manual labor getting the church grounds cleaned up. We worked alongside other members of the church and developed relationships with them. We laughed and joked around as we pushed wheelbarrows around filled with gravel, dirt, and garbage. I enjoyed the breaks when we sipped coconut milk from coconuts from the trees. I also enjoyed working alongside a 63 year old man and his wife and daughter. He was a very hard worker and while I couldn’t communicate with him using words, we smiled and made enough gestures to understand each other. At this church, we also participated in a youth service and dressed up as clowns. There’s nothing like a clown suit to mesmerize children and build relationships with them.
Anyway, the inauguration service lasted about 3 hours. A number of people and children sang, performed skits, and shared homilies. My team performed a skit called “Everything,” we sang a song called “How He Loves,” and I gave my testimony (which was translated by a young man named David). Essentially, I spoke about how Jesus is our best friend. How if we feel like the world has rejected us and we feel alone, Jesus is our one true constant. He is our best friend, regardless if we feel alone or if we are surrounded by friends and family. He will never leave us nor forsake us. If the story involves Jesus, then it’s a story of hope. During my life’s joys and sorrows, Jesus has always been there for me. I’ve always had hope. It was great to hear a lot of amens coming from the crowd as my words were translated into Spanish.
After the service, two separate women came up to me. Neither of them spoke English and I don’t speak Spanish. But somehow, I could tell that they had connected with my story. I could tell that a part of my story touched them and it was something they had needed to hear. I prayed in English over one of the ladies. I also found it interesting because God had put it on my heart over a week ago that I was specifically to share at this particular church service.
Each of us have our own stories and we need to share them. It’s nice to know that others have gone before us and have experienced similar joys and struggles. We are here and meant to walk alongside each other, to encourage each other and bring hope. For me, my story includes the hope I find in Jesus.
Here are some photos of the church celebration last Sunday.
Here's my team one of the mornings in front of our yellow house (casa) before we headed to do a full day at the church clearing the grounds.
Love to you all – Honduras or bust… leaving this Saturday for Country/Month #2!
