This month started with a crazy two days of travel by bus from Malaysia to Chaing Mai, Thailand. I’m on a team with five other girls who I’ve been with for the past two months, but this month we joined up with the rest of our group. All 32 of us are together, in the same hostel. I’m an introvert, so just this thought alone made me feel somewhat overwhelmed. The ministry I was assigned to this month was Agape Home, an orphanage for children with HIV. My schedule was 9am-5pm, and travel to Agape Home is extra 45 minutes to an hour. Every day I have ministry, my team also has team time to check in with one another, which takes up the rest of my night. The first couple of days I was so overwhelmed, and wondered how I would ever get any time alone, so I decided to become a morning person. I started waking up every day at 5am to work out, spend time with Jesus, and get mentally prepared for the day. I’ve never really done yoga before, but I quickly fell in love. Even though I was worried at the beginning of the month, God provided me not just with mornings, but also with a new passion.
I felt overwhelmed on the first day of ministry, even thought it was only a tour of Agape Home and playing with the kids. It was amazing, and the kids are adorable, but I felt so drained by the time I came home. The next day, we were told what Agape needed us to do. They recently had a ton of books donated to them, and we were asked to create a library system, label, and catalog all of the books. We were all so excited! Then, they asked if there were any artists in the room. I raised my hand (I went to school for art education) and she asked if I could paint a mural on the outside of the library, and do some painting on the inside as well. I WAS SO EXCITED!!! Painting is so relaxing for me and a huge way that I connect with the Lord. Later that day I was walking towards the area we eat lunch and just laughed to myself. I was so worried about this month, and God provided even more than I could have ever even dreamed of. He knows what we need before we even ask for it!
As I began sketching and planning the mural, I realized it would be a decent amount of work. I started painting, and had a moment when the Lord told me to look inside the library. I saw the rest of my team sitting for hours cataloging and labeling books, and decided to ask if anyone wanted to paint! Most people said sure, but I don’t really know how to paint. Each day, more people tried painting, and it brought me SO MUCH JOY! I was able to encourage my teammates with painting, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it! I was completely unaware of how much I miss teaching, but God knew. Something I’ve been battling since being on the race, is doubting my teaching abilities. I’m pretty shy, and not the best at explaining things at times. The enemy likes to use this against me when I’m having a bad day. However, being able to encourage my teammates to paint was a huge reminder of how much I LOVE teaching. God knows what we need before we even know it!
The mural was also such an encouragement for my dream after the race. My dream is to travel around the country living my life for Christ. I want to form relationships with the communities I come across and teach art in the community centers. I also want to teach kids who are homeschooled, and to kids may not get opportunities to do art. I want to fundraise so I can donate art supplies everywhere I go as well. God used the mural as a huge encouragement and reminded me of this passion! I’ve had so many opportunities to paint on the race and have been able to complete three murals! Painting is something I never expected to have the option to do on the race, but God was lining everything up, knowing it was something I needed. He knows what we need before we even know it!
Comment below a time when God provided something when you didn’t even know you needed it! Also, I have $960 left to raise to stay on the race! The last four months I pray I am able to go to are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda. Would you consider supporting me financially, or through prayer?
