Hey everyone!
Click on the link below to watch a little video that answers some of your questions! Thank you to everyone who participated and asked us questions. Hope you enjoy!
1. How does one put aside some of the pain that you see to children? How many do you want to take with you?
- I pray and know God loves them more than I ever can. I pray and ask God to show me how I can love them well and ultimately show them how much Jesus desires to have a friendship with them.
- Oh so many! In Bolivia I had the privilege of leading vacation bible school with the kiddos and I was so encouraged by how much they enjoyed singing to Jesus. One of the little ones also asked if we could have VBS on his birthday. Others still came even though they had many chores and were responsible of taking care of their siblings and homes because their parents live in other cities to find work.
2. How hard or scared was it to take only faith and God’s whisper at every corner? Instead of planning….
- It was hard because I like having a plan and knowing the details. I’ve always had a goal and the false sense of I am in control. God is teaching me that His plan is way better than anything I can plan. Yet He still wants me to ask and share with Him my dreams and goals, and He always far exceeds them.
So America is a country of materialism…waste..How did you encounter the reality of other countries regarding America? What is your take on once having abundance to a life where the minimal of everything has value? A necessity? How would you explain as you mentioned..kids picking through trash piles.. to kids or your peers in the states the visual and emotion affects it may have?
- I am learning that hospitality in other countries is something I want to live out wherever God calls me. I am also learning the impact America has had on other countries both culturally and politically. So far we have been welcomed in every country. When there has been some tension I seek to understand what has led them to feel a certain way and offer grace while praying I am able to show the love of Jesus.
- That even though we all face our own struggles, God has NOT forgotten them. They are valuable, loved, and chosen.
- My view on living a life of abundance to relying on God to provide even basic perceived necessities like toilet paper or a toilet seat, has truly changed my view on what I value. Through that God has filled my heart with so much joy and love for people and having conversations to get to know others.
3. How have the poops been?
- So far so good…although took me awhile to figure out how to correctly use the squatty potty
4. From the moment you heard about mission work/ World Race I’m wondering when you felt convicted to go out of your comfort zone?
- I have always felt called to missions and sharing the gospel. I felt convicted when God asked me, “what are you waiting for?” At first I said after I graduate high school, I’ll go. Then after college, I’ll go. Then I started to make excuses of I can stay and do missions where I am, He doesn’t want me to actually go anywhere. However, God kept closing doors at my job and took away my desire to go to grad school. He broke my heart for those that don’t know how much He loves them and asked me to trust Him. So I felt called to the World Race with the hope to experience many areas of ministry and gain skills that will guide me to where God wants me to serve. While he has called me to travel and learn from missionaries around the world, I am excited to bring home all that Jesus has taught me and serve in my community as God wills.
5. As I have watched you grow up and knowing your non confrontational ways (except with sisters ??) I personally have seen God’s Hands in your every step. How has the most basic needs of food, housing and water affected your life for the future? Also in those most destitute moments you’ve seen, how much kindness and love and patience have you witnessed?
- Well grocery shopping is a blessing. I am looking forward to being able to have options and read all the labels. I am learning to appreciate all the things I have taken for granted before such as clean running water, toilet paper, being able to flush toilet paper, hand soap, and indoor plumbing.
- Yea, it’s been amazing to see how the people who seem to have less than others more freely and abundantly give what they have. They are more willing to be interrupted and help others. I have also been inspired by how people have patiently and graciously overcome the language barrier with us. I am getting lost of practice at charades 🙂
6. What’s something you expected to experience, but haven’t?
- I expected to live in my tent a lot more than I have…so far 0 times. But I still have 3 months in Africa so who knows.
7. Conversely, what’s something you didn’t expect to experience, but have?
- I didn’t expect to face similar struggles that I did at home with building community and connecting with fellow believers. But I have. I feel like each month God gives me a little glimpse of what my life/routing is at home and He asks me this question, “Rashelle are you going to choose to keep old and comfortable habits or are you going to trust me and create new ones.”
- Some new habits I want to create through God’s strength and guidance are
- Spend time reading the word and in prayer regardless of how early my day starts
- Share my testimony with others when God asks me to and view my testimony as God’s story and what He’s done. Because it is not about me.
- Seek opportunities to chat with people wherever I am; grocery store, waiting in line at starbucks, the park, etc.- because I truly enjoy and am filled with so much joy when I am blessed with hearing about someone’s life…who knew this introvert would love conversations
- Pursue community by regularly attending bible study group, spending time with people outside my family and inviting people into my life, opening up to them, asking deep questions and answering them as well
- Invest in the church; volunteer, attend events, pray for others, ask for prayer, disciple and be discipled
- Basically have a willing heart to keep inviting people into my life regardless of their reactions because I know God calls us to be united and encourage each other.
Thank you for all the questions! God bless 🙂
