As I have mentioned many times, amusing things happen on the World Race. One of these occasions happened on Saturday. My team’s head interpreter asked us earlier this week if we would want to go with her to her church’s youth group. Most of my team did not want to attend, but I felt the Lord’s silent prodding at my heart to go, so I volunteered along with my other teammate, Lauren. From what we understood, it was simply going to be a little church service for the young people. I asked her if they would want us to speak, and she sort of shrugged it off, making me think that we would simply be attendees. (A note to future racers: they almost NEVER allow you to simply be an attendee. BE WARNED.) Eventually it got out that they may ask us to share something with the youth, and it was my understanding that they wanted us to share our testimonies. I thought to myself, “no problem!” We’ve done that a few times since coming on the race, and I’ve grown fairly comfortable talking to groups through an interpreter. Well, while we were on our way, Seheno, our interpreter, said that they specifically wanted us to talk about relationships and dating. I had to laugh at this. Here I am, being asked to give a bunch of teenagers advice on dating when I’ve never even been in a relationship myself. Part of me wanted to say no to that subject and talk about something else, something I would be more comfortable with, but I remembered how God had put it on my heart to be there, so I figured that He also knew that that was the subject they would ask me to speak on. Here was a chance for me to walk in humility and vulnerability before a group of teenagers and talk about something I have no sort of experience in.
All though I’ve never been in a relationship, I was reminded that it didn’t disqualify me from being able to speak life and truth into the lives of those young people. I had the opportunity to exhort them not to seek affirmation in a relationship. I got to remind them that God is faithful (something He’s always reminding me) and to seek their satisfaction and joy only in Him. I was able to share with them about my own testimony of singleness and how the Lord has blessed me through it and used it to strengthen my relationship with Him. I encouraged them to be patient and trust in His perfect timing. Before hand, I simply prayed, “Holy Spirit, speak through me to these kids”. Honestly it was kind of weird, yet at the same time, it was so cool to see how God gave me words and a passion for the subject. In my mind, I was the last person who would be able to give any insight or wisdom, but that doesn’t phase God. He still was able to use my story and use me to speak to them.
Again, I shake my head and chuckle at the whole situation, yet there really is no doubt in my mind that God wanted me to be the one to share. It was another opportunity for me to rely on Him in a seemingly odd and bizarre situation, and be vulnerable with a bunch of Malagasy teenagers that I’ve never before met. I’m trusting that He spoke through me and also taught me something about obedience and His ability to come through when I have nothing in and of my own strength.
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God…”Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord”. “ 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 31b
As our three weeks in Madagascar are quickly coming to a close, I’m so thankful for all that God has done. He has grown me in new ways and is continually teaching me what it looks like to rely solely on Him. That lesson never comes through easy circumstances, but I know that God is bringing me through tough stuff to refine me and bring out His greater purpose in me. Each step is preparation for what’s ahead the next day, week, month, and year. His perspective is so much greater than mine and when I operate with that in mind, it makes trials and struggles appear that much more bearable.
Please keep my team in prayer this last week of ministry here in Madagascar. We’re changing from teaching English, over to campus ministry at the university. Pray that we would be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that our own agendas would not take precedence. Our next months in Malaysia and Indonesia will primarily be Holy Spirit led, rather than assigned ministry, so this is going to be great practice for my team and I. Also, please pray for physical health as lots of different illnesses have been going around the squad (we’re having all squad month), and I feel as though I’m once again coming down with something. Thank you once again for the prayers. God is good, all the time.
With love,
Naomi
