Back in December I could describe myself like a planner that was longing for new adventures.
With months passing by, I must say that this adventure on the World Race leaves no place for definite plans.
And I love that it is challenging and transforming me.
I probably told you already (hey that is my blog and I can ramble as much as I want! Eheh!) but the Fusion 3 squad I am part of is different to the other world race squad in terms of how it is structured. We actually have no plans, no hosts and no ministry contacts prior to arriving in a new country and the Holy Spirit is our only compass. Seeking God’s will and directions at all times and for everything is becoming our lifestyle : what does He have in His heart today ? What does He want me to do personally? Where does He want us? For how long ? Who does He have in His heart ? What does He see? Where should we stay? What if it is above our daily budget? What could we do to bless the community around us? How could I bless my own team? What should we say?…
No matter how many questions my team and I may have, they surprisingly (or not?) always find answers in Him.
It might not be the answer we were expecting, it might make us feel uncomfortable, it might seem weird, it might be answered in an obvious, clear and quick way or sometimes in an enigmatic way with only a small glimpse that makes us seek Him even more… it might be answered through an emotion, an impression in our mind, a clear word, a dream, an “angel” sent to help us, someone’s words, a peace in our heart…
But it is answered.
And I am learning that how we respond to His answers matters.
“Here i am, send me” was the deepest desire of my heart and my prayer for the past few years. Little did I know what that meant.
Here I was with my team, sent on a bus ride from Kigali to Kamembe (Rwanda) to go for a 10-day trail that would take us on the shores of Lake Kivu and visit the villages along the way.
Just because that is what my team and I felt lead to do after seeking God directions.
Here I was, in the streets of Kamembe (Rwanda), our supposedly first stop to start the trail, in a village that rarely welcomes any foreigners.
Just because my team and I had the feelings that we should start the trail backwards, from south to north instead of north to south.
Funny fact, we never found the road for the trail but we met amazing people in this village who bless us so much.
Here I was, following a yellow jacket dressed man then a purple shirt dressed man to take a bus ride headed to Kibuye instead of Nyamasheke (Rwanda). Last minute change.
Just because two of my teammates heard “yellow” and “purple” from God.
Here I was, sent in the kitchen/restaurant/rooms/alleys of Home Saint-Jean, a guesthouse in Kibuye, ministering in helping the staff in their daily tasks. Our one camping night ended up in a 10 day-stay in a comfortable dorm.
Just because my team leader (Dakota) had her eyes opened and realized we could minister just where we were.
Here I was, sent to Urunkundo village foundation (Rwanda) to take care of kids in a children’s home and teaching and playing with 3 and 4 year-old kids when I used to fear ministering to kids because I always thought I would be that awkward stern boring adult.
Just because we met Divine who happened to be the first kid that lived in that children’s home.
Because God wanted to remind me to always remain childlike while growing up as a mature adult.
Here I was, on a moutain top, dancing in the fields for God.
Just because the Holy spirit prompted me to do so. Because I got numerous words of knowledge and prophecies challenging me to dance for God.
Here I was at dawn in the streets of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to minister among prostitutes and having breakfast with one of them.
Just because my teammate Mhairi and I had our heart breaking for them.
Here I was, sitting and praying in a tiny dark room of a woman that managed to escape with her 3 kids from the dump landslide accident that happened recently in Addis Ababa.
Just because my teammates Casey and Mhairi felt prompted to meet Vicado, the founder of Community Transformation Ethiopia, an organization that fight to find sponsor for the poorest kids of this specific area where the tragedy happened. But we didn’t know it before we were actually there.
Here i was, sitting in a living room of a woman I just randomly met in the streets, sipping traditional ethiopian coffee and eating delicious shiro with injera (traditional food).
Just because in the morning we heard from God the word “pink” and “smoke”. There we were, randomly prayer walking in the streets when we noticed a woman in front of us wearing a pink scarf. We started to follow her and she led us closer to the dumps where there was smoke (they burn the trash). Long story short it led us to meet Sebile who invited us to have coffee at her home.
(You can read the whole story on Shavon’s latest blog post)
There are so many more stories to tell…
But one common thing in all these stories…
When I look back to these past 3 months on the World Race, I can come up with only one answer to why my team and I went and were in these places, with these people at that moment :
God’s whisper. God’s still small voice.
Whether the whisper was heard by me, one of my teammates, several of us or all of us doesn’t matter.
It just led us to the right place at the right moment. Because we chose to trust what we heard.
It is not always easy and we may have sometimes not heard God well or chose not to obey because of fears or doubts or unbeliefs…
But when we chose to trust what we heard and act upon it, the Lord always beautifully showed up and met us where we were.
As we are continuing this journey, can I ask you to pray for all of us, that our ears would recognize God’s voice over all voices, that we will never forget to take the time to be still, listen to Him and have the boldness to obey ?
Can I also encourage you all to enjoy listening more and more to God’s voice in your prayer time? He has so much He wants to tell you!! Just where you are He wants to use you just as He is using my team.
Love yaaaaa.
