This is a pretty massive blog. I definitely can’t go into complete detail about every one of these lessons because each one is an event, BUT if you want to know about some in particular, I would love to sit and hang out with you when I get home in the beginning of June!!
Most (okay basically all) of these things, I am constantly learning something new or adding different perspectives. Learning and growing is definitely a process. If i struggle with one of these, i have to tell myself it is because God is walking me into deeper understanding. I am not walking backwards. To continue walking in what I’ve learned on the race, I have made it a goal for myself to continue walking in these things. Here I go….
-
His words are better than mine
In Nicaragua, we prayer walked for ministry everyday. This is my absolute favorite ministry of the whole race. We ask the Lord to highlight places and people while we are walking, and then we pray and tell the people what we believe the Lord is saying over them! We were walking and saw a man on the road, and he walked up to us and began talking. He had warped views of the united states and kept repeating interesting things he knew. We tried to give our opinions, but nothing was working and he kept talking. Finally, i asked the Lord, what do want me to say to this man? God said. “Just tell him, that I love Him, and that I am with Him.” Once I said those exact words, the man instantly stopped talking and his eyes filled with tears. This really showed me the importance of God’s words over my own.
-
Importance of knowing the people you will be ministering to, culture, to make real relationships to minister effectively
It is vital to have an understanding of the people you are ministering to. Once you know culture norms and how to be respectful, become friends and develop relationships! Being buds with the person makes all the difference when sharing about Jesus. They are more receptive because they know you care. I learned the importance of this in Ethiopia. Probably some of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever experienced.
-
If you feel the Holy Spirit tugging you in a certain way, justgo and do it
There have been SO many times on the Race where I’ll see a person and know I need to talk to them. There have been times where I haven’t followed through, and after, I instantly wish I did. There has been many times where I’ll obey the Holy Spirit, and I see the craziest things!!! What’s the worst that could happen? Someone says no don’t pray for me? So what, you trued and you walk away!
-
Dream BIG
You can also read ALL about my dreams and future aspirations in an earlier blog “dream big kids!”
-
I don’t have to strive for God to want me
This is definitely an everyday battle. It is very easy for me to do all the right things to ‘win the Lord’s approval.” I am working on doing things not to impress the Lord, but to do them from an overflow of love i have for the people around me. God is constantly chasing after me!
-
Praying like i’ve already seen the miracle
Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” I have learned the whole race that the Lord highly favors us when we praise Him through trials even when we don’t see results immediately. He blesses us more when we have faith and trust Him to do the miracle. A real life example of me praising the Lord in physical pain, was the time the Lord healed my spine. You can read more about this in an earlier blog titled “my story my hearing OUR God.”
