Greetings from Eswatini (aka Swaziland)
The Lord has been teaching me about a lot of things but I’m just gonna talk about a couple that have impacted my life.
Two words, JOY and WISDOM
Before the race, everyone commented about how I was so joyful all the time and how I brought the Lords Joy everywhere I went. I don’t think they were wrong. But the Lord wanted me to learn about it a little more and a little deeper. Like everything in life, there is more to learn even if you think you know the full capacity of something. I’ll talk more about that later.
One of my teammates told me during Super Feedback (something we do once a month where we give each one of our teammates constructive and encouraging feedback in a life giving way) that the Lord is currently working on joy in my life. At first I didn’t want to believe her because as I said above, I thought that was one of the fruits of the spirit I had down. I didn’t understand. I took it to the Lord and asked him about it. He told me that he is working on joy in my life, in a deeper way than before.
During PVT, which was on the first week of this month, my parents came to spend a week with me in Swaziland. It was awesome and so incredible to see them do ministry along side of me and get a taste of what I have been doing for a year. I was telling my mom what I have learned and talking to her about the months where I broke my elbow. I realized there was no joyful moments in what I just told her. The Lord showed me why it was necessary and how he took care of me but I didn’t give him the chance to show me moments of joy in those times. It was all hard and sad memories. God challenged me to sit with him and ask him of moments and memories in each country that I found joy in. So, I did it and I would like to share with you some of the joys from those months when I had a cast on my arm.
Vietnam-the beautiful mountains, the puppies at Julia’s(my host), rooftop on our apartment that looked over the city, dinner with teachers from preschool we taught at, the kids performing on our last day, Vanessa drawing on my cast, watching Aladdin in the theaters by myself on Da Nang.
Cambodia- My Birthday on travel day, air conditioning coffee shop, teaching students, the hut at where we stayed, singing with So Phea in the church, we had a dancing team time, my team had a celebrated birthday day for me, Vuthy and his family(our host), Coconut farm, we saw a scorpion fight a crab(the scorpion won), got cast of for the 1st time, slushy/ice cream, Phenom Pen, Ankor Wat.
Thailand-Air conditions in evening and at night, Zion Hostel, Debrief with Randy and Dawnette(our coaches), Street food, Koi Soi, Crépes, Street markets, living in a city for ministry for the first time on the race, Avis at Agape Home(Ministry), the sweet babies at Agape Home, getting to feed and touch elephants, watching Spider-Man in the theaters with Emalea, having time with Father God on the roof of Zion Hostel, watching Lion King with the whole squad, Indian Food, talks with Katrina, talks with Emalea, got cast off 2nd and final time.
To wrap all that up, there can be joy in every situation if you look for it and choose it. That is what I have been learning from the children at the care centers we have worked at this month in Swaziland. They are filled with joy and laughter when it seems like on the outside they don’t have much to be joyful about. Their joy just fills your heart up.
Wisdom is the other word the Lord is teaching me about this month. That is another constructive piece of feedback I got as well. I am learning that if I think I know something, then I really don’t. There is so much to learn in the world, about people, cultures, the Lord. We will never stop learning even when we get to eternity. There is always more to learn and gain, even if it is in different perspectives or ways you have never thought about a simple matter. But gaining knowledge is not wisdom. God has created us to learn and create and be curious. He has also made us to do something about what we have learned. Calling us to action with the knowledge we gain from him. If I just store of knowledge and don’t do anything with it, then I’m not wise. Learning from others around you or in the past and applying it could help spare you from life altering consequences. It helps you gain perspective. But you have to be careful because once you think you know it all or you can’t be teachable then that’s when you become prideful and turn to your own human wisdom which is foolishness. When you stop turning from the source of all wisdom, the Lord, then that’s when it can become destructive to your life. So their is a balance that is hard but able to happen with the Lords help.
I have about two months left on the field. The Lords faithfulness always comes through. I want to thank everyone who has donated to me. We have raised $17,700. Praise God. I need $1,000 left to raise. If you could consider donating $50 to $100 and helping me finish this raise strong! I would really appreciate it and the Lord will see the seed you are planting. Thank you, God Bless
