It's crazy. It blows my mind every day. It never fails to surprise me. How great our God is. How faithful and true, and how steadfast and loyal He is.
His love has brought me to tears multiple times (happy, undeserved tears). His forgiveness and freedom has brought me to praise, and His peace has helped me win the battle against the devils lies daily. I've never had anyone be so trustworthy, and so deserving of my praise.
Sometimes when I told/tell people I am living in South Africa for, Lord willing, a year and doing missions they look at me either like I'm crazy, or like I'm some superstar follower of Christ. I might be a little crazy, but I'm no superstar. I am so unqualified for the road that The Lord has called me to walk. Without God I would not be here. By myself, without God, I don't even want to know where I would be. But through Him, I am here doing what He has lead me to do. Taking one day at a time and walking with Him.
These past two weeks The Lord has been teaching me to be still and trust Him. I overthink things, and I can drive myself crazy by worrying about the smallest things. I've never really been good at just being still (in my mind) and trusting in God. On this trip The Lord has been stretching me to do so, and rely fully on Him. I can't even explain to you the peace I have felt when I give God my thoughts and cares. When I was on the plane coming to South Africa I felt complete peace knowing that my best friend, my firm foundation, my all knowing, all powerful God was with me and going before me. In order to get there and stay there I have to know my weaknesses, and pray about them constantly. I don't just ask God to help me with my weaknesses, but I thank Him for them. For they keep me relying on Him and His faithfulness. I am so thankful that The Lords grace is sufficient for me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
The devil likes to attack my mind and make me think that I have to be perfect and have all the right answers. But The Lord doesn't just use my talents or gifts, but He uses my weaknesses for His glory. Therefore, when I hear the devils lies I will remember this truth: The Lord hasn't called me to be perfect, He has called me to trust in His perfect love. Authentic trust and love isn't about worrying, isn't about being fearful, it isn't about being fake, but it's about being peacefully confident. I'm choosing to be peacefully confident that my God loves me in my weaknesses. I'm choosing to be peacefully confident that my God fights for me, not against me, and as believers we fight from victory because The Lord has already won the battle. Praise Him for already winning for us!
Summary of what we have been doing:
Flying here went smooth. We even had a twelve hour layover in Paris and got to see the Eiffel Tower and eat expensive salad at a cafe.
There are eight interns all together (six girls and two guys) with two intern leaders. Together we come from four different states in the USA and two different countries (America and South Africa). This past week we went social media free and went on a two night camping trip where we focused on discipleship. It was full of good conversations, laughter, studying 1 Peter, learning Zulu and Tswana, and a hiking trip over looking South Africa. It's been so cool getting to know everyone and seeing how The Lord has brought us all together. We have been learning a lot about each other, the culture, how to drive stick shift, and how to help the partnering churches alongside Abba's Pride.
Prayer:
The Lord would continue to use our team for His glory.
That we would show the fruits of the Spirit.
He would teach us more about who we are in Him each day.
That we would continue to trust in The Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
Thanks for all your prayers! God bless.
His love has brought me to tears multiple times (happy, undeserved tears). His forgiveness and freedom has brought me to praise, and His peace has helped me win the battle against the devils lies daily. I've never had anyone be so trustworthy, and so deserving of my praise.
Sometimes when I told/tell people I am living in South Africa for, Lord willing, a year and doing missions they look at me either like I'm crazy, or like I'm some superstar follower of Christ. I might be a little crazy, but I'm no superstar. I am so unqualified for the road that The Lord has called me to walk. Without God I would not be here. By myself, without God, I don't even want to know where I would be. But through Him, I am here doing what He has lead me to do. Taking one day at a time and walking with Him.
These past two weeks The Lord has been teaching me to be still and trust Him. I overthink things, and I can drive myself crazy by worrying about the smallest things. I've never really been good at just being still (in my mind) and trusting in God. On this trip The Lord has been stretching me to do so, and rely fully on Him. I can't even explain to you the peace I have felt when I give God my thoughts and cares. When I was on the plane coming to South Africa I felt complete peace knowing that my best friend, my firm foundation, my all knowing, all powerful God was with me and going before me. In order to get there and stay there I have to know my weaknesses, and pray about them constantly. I don't just ask God to help me with my weaknesses, but I thank Him for them. For they keep me relying on Him and His faithfulness. I am so thankful that The Lords grace is sufficient for me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
The devil likes to attack my mind and make me think that I have to be perfect and have all the right answers. But The Lord doesn't just use my talents or gifts, but He uses my weaknesses for His glory. Therefore, when I hear the devils lies I will remember this truth: The Lord hasn't called me to be perfect, He has called me to trust in His perfect love. Authentic trust and love isn't about worrying, isn't about being fearful, it isn't about being fake, but it's about being peacefully confident. I'm choosing to be peacefully confident that my God loves me in my weaknesses. I'm choosing to be peacefully confident that my God fights for me, not against me, and as believers we fight from victory because The Lord has already won the battle. Praise Him for already winning for us!
Summary of what we have been doing:
Flying here went smooth. We even had a twelve hour layover in Paris and got to see the Eiffel Tower and eat expensive salad at a cafe.
There are eight interns all together (six girls and two guys) with two intern leaders. Together we come from four different states in the USA and two different countries (America and South Africa). This past week we went social media free and went on a two night camping trip where we focused on discipleship. It was full of good conversations, laughter, studying 1 Peter, learning Zulu and Tswana, and a hiking trip over looking South Africa. It's been so cool getting to know everyone and seeing how The Lord has brought us all together. We have been learning a lot about each other, the culture, how to drive stick shift, and how to help the partnering churches alongside Abba's Pride.
Prayer:
The Lord would continue to use our team for His glory.
That we would show the fruits of the Spirit.
He would teach us more about who we are in Him each day.
That we would continue to trust in The Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.
Thanks for all your prayers! God bless.