This week, I am in the Dominican, Republic. My youth group has taken a mission trip to spread the good news around the DR! Today is the second day, and man Jesus has shown up big.
I have a cool story.
This was the Lords way of reaffirming me of his plan, and the way HE will make.
Today was hard. Ministry is hard.
We were walking around the streets, evangelizing, and it was hot.
I was sweating, dehydrated, tired, and I felt so weak.
People were not responding to what we were sharing, and I wanted to give up.
I told my friend Taylor, “I’m not sure I can do this for nine months. I’m mentally and physically exhausted today.”
The day got better, I loved on babies, and kids.
Jesus removed the language barrier.
However, I really struggled today.
As our day was coming to an end, and we were sitting down finishing dinner, we saw some other Americans.
We said hello, and man it was no a coincidence that they had walked in.
They shared their story, and how they got to the DR.
How they left everything behind and moved being obedient to what the Lord had made visible.
The women began to talk about how it was hard at first.
The culture. The heat. Being away from the things she was use to.
She said she was so use to the pace of the United States.
She was use to fast food, and a 24 hour grocery store.
But Jesus showed her that the culture didn’t matter.
That the culture she should be focusing on isn’t how things use to be, isn’t the DR culture.
But simply a Kingdom Culture.
A culture of seeking Jesus.
A culture of glorifying Jesus.
A culture of doing all things to embrace who Jesus is.
To make Jesus known.
When I heard this, my heart dropped.
All day, I had been so hesitant. So tired. So ready to go back to the hotel and sleep.
All day I questioned if this was really for me.
Then, Jesus sends me this messenger.
This messenger who showed me hope. Showed me the beauty of grace.
My life isn’t about me.
This world is not ours.
Our plan is not ours.
I went to her afterwards.
I shared my heart.
I began to weep. Tears flowing down my cheeks.
She hugged me big.
She told me that it is scary, but through HIM, not on my own, but with him I will become stronger.
I will be able to do this.
She told me that the Lord wants me in these three specific places for a reason.
She said be open minded.
Be willing.
Be prayerful.
I was so encouraged. I was so moved.
She said there were 27 days she lived without water.
Her family would bathe in the small river.
She had to bring buckets of water to her house from the river.
But as she stood in the river, she would look up and thank God for the river.
The river that supplied her families needs in that time.
I took that and I instantly took things into perspective.
Jesus I will follow you.
Where it is hard
Where it is easy
Where I lack the material things I feel I can’t live without.
Where I don’t feel comfortable and stable.
I will seek a Kingdom Culture.
I will be prayerful, and intentional in this Journey.
You have called me to be a racer.
