We had a debrief last week before we left South Africa. And as I was talking to Wendy, one of our coach’s, she mentioned how much I had grown and that I’ve changed so much since the beginning and that it is just really cool to see. But I wouldn’t have said that about myself had she not told me. I can see growth now and it’s encouraging me to keep growing into what God has for me. Areas I’m starting to see growth in is identity in Christ not me, and using the authority God has given me, and perusing God, family, and friends more intently. I used to be fine with isolating or keeping quiet thinking what I had to offer didn’t really matter. But I see the importance of community and actually being a part of it now. Comparison has become a back burner instead of controlling my thoughts and actions. I am more relaxed being my silly goofy self because my insecurities are starting to fade. I even created my own dance move called the standing worm, thanks to all the dance parties we had with the girls in Swazi. All that dancing inspired the standing worm which I left with them. I sing freely in front of people instead of just my family or in the shower. Praying and speaking in public isn’t as hard of thing anymore but still growing there. I’m not letting fear of man control me anymore. It doesn’t matter how I look or what people think, only how I live my life for the Lord. We shouldn’t let our insecurities control our ministry. These are growths I see now because Wendy could see growth in me and voiced it to me. All this was growth unnoticed by me because we grow slowly and it’s in front of us so we don’t see it so much. I have the rest of my life to grow and 5 more months on this growing journey! The race is such an awesome opportunity to grow and prepare for fruitful living for the Lord.
I’m going to give a little overview of what ministry looks like this month! Yay! We are in Penang, Malaysia, Beautiful place! So much good food here that’s what everyone that lives here will tell you if you ever visit and they are not wrong! The people we are working with are so nice! We get to help cook traditional food at a soup kitchen for the homeless 3 days a week. I have thoroughly enjoyed this. If you work in the kitchen you get to try all the food =)! And it’s amazing! We also spend time just hanging out with the people that come in and worship with them. Something else we are going to be doing is ministry to ladies that are selling themselves on the street at night. That will be on Wednesdays. The rest of the time will be evangelism and asking the Lord where He would like us to serve and evangelize. So excited!
