What I have learned this month..
He loves me more than I could ever imagine and
He placed me here to share that love with the world!
This month was interesting. It has been a time of perspective and release. I learned that South Africa is much like America, in that there are wealthy communities only yards away from the poor of the poor. Crime cripples this country, because there is wealth to be found, so people go looking for it in all the wrong ways. I experienced poverty in a new way, but in the eyes of starving children was an unconditional love and hope.
While most of my time was spent acting as a human jungle gym, I experienced what a day in life of our Father is really like. Kids would sometimes be so mean and kick and scream and literally pull my hair out; but then the next day they would come running at me, arms wide open ready for a hug and some love. I feel like our Father experiences this everyday. We screw up, get mad, make bad decisions, and make Him want to pull out His hair at our sinful desires; but then we come running in surrender with a desire for love and forgiveness. The greatest part is that EVERY TIME he opens up His arms and just love us; no questions asked. This month I learned to love unconditionally. To not ask questions or need a reason to love; just to love.
I have also been experiencing more spiritual growth then I ever knew could happen. I have always wanted the desire to read the Bible and have tried many times to find that, but until now I didn’t really know what that desire felt like. I now LOVE reading the word. It teaches me something new every day and shows me how much I have to learn and the amazing things that my Father has for me. It is complete and fulfilling.
I have learned to love and to release my control of life. He is going to take care of it all because He loves me. So I am taking a leap of faith (literally, I went bungee jumping this month) and allowing Him to mold me and make me more like Him.
Route and Ministry Update!
As a member of the XSquad we are learning that flexibility is our middle name. We found out this week at debrief that our route has been changed once again. We will be heading to Swaziland today to spend a month working at the El Shaddai Children’s Home. Our entire squad will be together, YAY, and we will be doing manual labor. It’ll be a time to physically serve the needs of ministry that is already doing great things for the Kingdom. After Swaziland, my team will head with 2 other teams to ETHIOPIA! From there our route looks like this: Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. My team leader, Hanna, made a really good point about our constant route changes. She said that God put countries on the route that would draw me in and make me come, and now He is changing it to fit His plan and His desires for me. So, with that being said I am pumped and ecstatic for what the next few months hold!
If anyone wants to keep in touch during the next 10 months you can subscribe to my blog, email me ([email protected]), or facebook me! I would love to hear from you all!
with love from South Africa,
sam
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