As I sit here looking through my journal I came across an entry that I wrote March 4th 2014. It says,
“God is tugging on my heart. I am ready to just get to Europe and out of Central America but driving to El Salvador (a country I had no heart for) and getting closer to the city I started to feel this desire in my heart that something just felt right.
First night my team all prayed for what God wanted from us this month, a goal and we all got similar words. Stepping out, being bold, living in our faith. Learning to be selfless. That is something The Lord has been constantly reminding me of.
First day of ministry with YWAM, I am ready and now super excited about El Salvador, I have no idea where this feeling came from. I feel God’s presence here, I feel it with this ministry. I know this country is special because last night God told me to learn Spanish… Ok Lord I hear you… We went to the hospital today, we serve coffee and cookies in the waiting area in the ER, it opens up a way to talk to the people by giving them something. since I did not know Spanish I serve with a smile, asking The Lord to lead me. We prayed for several people that day, but one man in particular stood out to me. His name was Stanley. Stanley’s brother got into a really bad car accident and all he could do was wait in the sitting room for the results. He sat there crying and I could feel his pain, fear, worry that his brother was going to die. A group of us prayed for him, encouraged him and left him with the love of Jesus. It was about time to leave and Deb (my teammate) said I just want to sit with him so he isn’t going through this alone. I agreed with her and said lets go sit with him. standing there hesitantly, because we were about to leave, I said no lets go sit with him. We walked over to him and as I motioned to him we just want to sit and comfort you (language barrier) he understood! I put my hand on his back and began to pray. My prayer was that even though Stanley couldn’t understand me that He would know God is real. That He could feel his presence right then and there. As I finished my prayer I looked at him, smiled and said gracias. He then handed me a bracelet that he had been wearing and wanted me to have it. The bracelet said, “If God is for me then who can be against me!” I took it with such gratitude. My heart was beyond blessed. I did not even need a translator for this moment. Our eyes told a story to each other and it was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve had.
I do not know how Stanley’s story will end but my prayer for him was that we would both feel an impact from that day a group of white people who couldn’t speak Spanish came to the hospital and showed Gods love… I want to be selfless and bold. Don’t just pray to pray, don’t let it be just words let it be real.”
Reading this today, I can honestly say wow God has been doing a work in my heart. I have done so many things this month that has stretched my faith, that has put me way out of my comfort zone… and it’s only the beginning.
