Fun Fact: God is the coolest and he loves to push us out of our comfort zones!
I am finding out that Gods favorite place to push me is during ministry! These three months I will be serving in the same six ministry’s. For safety reasons I’m not able to give the specific names of some of the places we are serving at, but I wanted to share how amazing my first day at one of my ministries went! Let’s say this ministry is called, House of Hope. House of Hope is located more in the downtown area so it’s normally more sketchy. We take a public bus that takes about 30 minutes, then we have about a 20 minute walk through the streets just to make it to our specific place. We attend this ministry about two times a week around 9:00am till 11:30pm. House of hope is all about helping love on women who were being sexually trafficked or still are active in prostitution. We get stared at, cat called, whistled at, and sometimes even followed on a daily basis and it makes me feel disgusting, so imagine how these women feel. House of Hope gives women from the age of 30 and up somewhere to come and rest, to get hope, and receive shade during a hot day. They also offer classes for them like sewing, art, or just rest days. On our first day of ministry with these ladies we were required to give a 20 minute devotion, then serve them some coffee and just spend time getting to know them. We planned this devotion the night before and we planned on sharing a testimony that had to do with self worth and being a daughter of Christ. One of the girls in my team said she would share hers but then felt more led to pray at the end, so I volunteered to share my testimony. I told my team I needed to think about what part of my testimony would work for this devotional. I didn’t plan on sharing any part of my testimony because I truly didn’t think my testimony had anything to do with what we were going to speak on. I worked hard that night with the Lord and I asked if there was anything that has happened in my life that was worth sharing. Then the Lord clearly shared a perfect moment like he always does. I immediately started writing down what I was going to say in my journal. I felt so prepared, but then I quickly remember that these women doesn’t speak my language!
The language barrier has been something I have worried with during this journey so far. I just want to love people well, but I felt that if I couldn’t speak there language they wouldn’t be able to let what the lord wants me to say sink in. My time on the race thus far has already quickly changed when it comes to that perspective all because of this one moment I’m about to share.
When we started gathering our things to head to House of Hope I felt like the Lord told me not to bring my journal. I was very concerned why he wanted this from me but I was obedient. I felt what I had wrote was apart of who I am so I would remember it all anyways. When we got there, the woman in charge of this place split us up in different areas that she needed our help with. Three of the girls went up stairs to help organize clothes for the women. Two of the girls went with our leader to take a lap around the block to help bring more women in. Then there was me, all by myself, in charge of talking to these women for the first time. I was beyond nervous, I couldn’t actually talk to them, I felt like all I could actually do was stand there. WRONG, I stepped out of my comfort zone for the first time this day all because the lord pushed me. I sat with some of the women and smiled with them, I hugged them, and I listened to what they had to say even if I couldn’t fully understand. These women just want someone to listen, someone to care for them in the right way and not in a way that makes them feel less then. It was an eye opening experience that’s for sure. Once all the girls from my team got back from doing there jobs it was time to start the devotional. We had a translator, so God does hear us and He is so good. Me, Kimberlyn, and Amanda stared off introducing ourselves and sharing a little bit about who we are. When it was my turn to go I just kept that smile and said, “Hi, my name is Madison! I have a younger brother who I love, I am 18 years old, and I played basketball for 7 years!” When these women heard me say I played basketball they went crazy because they thought it was the coolest thing. I laughed and pointed to my bicep then flexed. I couldn’t have felt more like my dad in that moment. They laughed so hard and clapped so loud. It was like they knew I was strong. Not necessarily in the physical, but in who I am in my heart which gave them the heart to listen. These women are the strongest people I know, living life every day without ending it. Some without a home or food, being attacked and hurt.
The order of our devotional was a scripture first then the testimony, and too close, prayer. Amanda stared by sharing some powerful scriptures, then I was up. I am going to tell you what I wrote in my journal, but know that what I said on that day was even more epic that I could have imagined because I can’t really tell you what I said. The lord literally spoke through me. This was the story the Lord gave me, “Growing up I was constantly told I wasn’t good enough or worth anything, that I wouldn’t succeed. I was always considered less that by adults, my coach specifically. This caused me to believe I wasn’t worth anything. The lord tired to tell me my worth was in him but I wouldn’t listen. About 5 years of my basketball career went by and I broke down crying to the lord asking for his help. I am not capable of carrying the weight of feeling less than. He told me I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am his daughter, I am worthy, and I am wanted. I ended up quitting the team because the atmosphere I was apart of wasn’t always positive for me to be around. God slowly filled me with his truth and crowned me with love. I have worth in my father, Jesus Christ. The lord knows me, he loves me, and he saved me!” 30 women were listening to my story and 30 woman were standing and clapping. I let them all know I will be here for 3 months and I am here if they needed a hug at any time. It was the most exciting breathtaking moment I’ve ever been apart of! The lord pushed me in sharing my testimony, he pushed me in talking to them when my whole team was doing different things, he even pushed me in not even bringing my journal. He allowed me to be apart of his work by stepping out of my comfort zone I was literally being his hands and feet.
Sense then i’ve been able to share another devotional on Gods protection and the women loved that as well. We enjoyed Chepe Se Bana with them which is like a party where they get there hair and hails done, new clothes, and showers. It was a very special moment! I am growing relationships with these women now, some of them know my name and take advantage of every hug. This ministry is my favorite and I can’t wait for God to continue to move through me!! I’ve never felt so alive!!
THANKS GOD
