I believe the best choice I’ll ever make is the choice to follow the love of my life.
A relationship so close and sound; my soul hangs on every word He has spoken. All day long I will hunger and thirst for righteousness, for that is what is asked of me; to live a life that purely bears love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I have been on outreach in Eastern Asia for the last eleven weeks and in this school for the last twenty-three weeks, and still every single day I learn something new about my Father God and the way His heart beats for the world.
This adventure has been one I’ll always keep close to my heart. My world has been opened up to new and greater things that God has for me! I’ve truly learned more about myself and about God in the past several months than I have in the five years I’ve been a believer. Not to say God hasn’t taught me things throughout those years, but I think coming here has shown me how God pieced everything together from the past, and has prepared me for a real life that is solely devoted to seeking truth and righteousness.
···· a d v e n t u r e t i m e ····
Throughout the past two and a half months we’ve traveled through Eastern Asia staying in two main cities for four weeks at a time, and taking short trips to other cities in between. So, in the beginning, our first city was where culture shock hit us the most; millions of people everywhere! Crowded sidewalks and monorails, traffic jammed streets with nonstop honking! I was definitely amazed to be somewhere so chaotic and messy, yet so beautiful at the same time.
It was sort of a hard transition into outreach phase. It was brand new for everybody, and we didn’t quite know what to expect with being in a closed nation. The security was high in the beginning, and for being a larger team, it was difficult to adjust. We were unable go out as a full team for specific ministry times, and sometimes that led to feelings of discouragement, and for myself, feeling as though there wasn’t any significance to what I was doing there, or that the work wasn’t good enough. At times it didn’t feel like that typical outreach where you’re just constantly diving into crowds of people spreading the gospel, seeing miracles and salvations and all that stuff. But then one day God gave me the realization that we aren’t on a typical outreach, and that it’s really NOT about the numbers, how many people you prayed for, or saw give their lives to Jesus. Not to say they’re unimportant, because we always want to give God the glory for what He’s done!
But for us, at the end of the day what mattered was that we put our whole heart into the opportunities we did receive; that we laid down our own thoughts and expectations to make room for the Holy Spirit to move and work through us. As well as recognize that God is constantly working through the little things; such as worshiping and doing intercession for the place we’re in. Or climbing mountains, or going to the rooftop of buildings just to pray and declare His glory and power over the cities and the people of the nation! Even walking through the streets and asking for His eyes to see the people around you the way He does, and being able to see the strongholds of the city and praying into those things!
Prayer is p o w e r f u l。 And God DOES move through it. : )
But with that, we were able to take part leading a youth camp for a day, and they were village kids who hadn’t set their eyes on the city before! We made art, played games, taught a little guitar to the boys, and braided the hair of the girls and took their portraits! As well, I was privileged to share a small teaching with them! All of this done with the hope that they would feel loved not only by our human efforts, but by the love of Christ that dwells within us.
Towards the end of the first portion of outreach, we were extremely blessed to have the opportunity to visit an orphanage/welfare center! What a God thing that was. At first it was a word spoken by God that we would do something of the sort, but getting there and seeing the circumstances, we weren’t sure it would be possible.
They had stopped letting foreigners in to see the children for reasons unknown, and even the application process would take a few weeks. Which was time we didn’t really have. But we filled it out anyway and pressed in to God and prayed over it. And by His grace we were accepted in
What a miracle that was!! Especially since we are a large group! But the Lord was faithful with His word.
Our ultimate goal was to represent Gods love to them, and to show them how valuable and precious they are; both young and old alike. They are people who have been cast aside and deemed insignificant and imperfect to society. And the children, some born with cleft lip and pallet, or with other disabilities, and some with nothing wrong at all, just simply abandoned.
But I believe we brought in something different than people have in the past. We spent sweet time with them for four days; playing games, teaching songs, having a water gun fights, making art and just simply building relationship with them. We were able to take and print their portraits to give to them, and we made a video so they could visually see the joy and the love that is in each of them. How special it was to see their reactions to these gifts! God definitely broke my heart in that place and taught me that I do have the ability to see with His eyes and feel with His heart for the lost and the least.
And just like that we were reunited with the rest of our team and off to our second location! How fun it was to be a whole team again! Just that alone gave me such excitement for the rest of outreach. We had a little more release on the security in this city, and had wonderful opportunities to visit a couple government churches, and even have bible studies in a local park! Sometimes we were even able to do undercover evangelism! It was like being Gods little spy : )
As well, we were able to paint MURALS! Which was the biggest thing on my heart; to be able to make art with God, and bring Him glory through it! What a wonderful experience it was to lead one of the teams! It was quite the learning experience, and I’m so thankful to have had it. Comparison can be difficult when working with other artists, as well I’m still learning how to be okay with calling myself an artist and being confident that God has gifted me in that area! But … It’s coming along! And it’s cool to know that my creativity is not of my own, but Gods. And His creativity is endless! As well, it is quite amazing and humbling to know that every good thing comes from His hands, heart and mind. So I can’t take the credit. But I love that He so graciously places it inside of me, and trusts that I will always give the glory back to Him!
I’m very thankful for every single one of our hosts throughout the first two months of travel. Their hearts are incredible, and they did so much to make sure we felt welcomed and loved! So blessed by their hospitality. Hong Kong was the best way to end our journey! How sweet a place it was; the city itself, the people, the ministry opportunities, everything! We arrived on a Thursday evening, and to start off strong, that very Sunday our team were invited to perform a drama for a couple different morning youth services! As well I was privileged to give a sermon on forgiveness! That was hard, because I am not one to publicly speak..ever. But apparently that’s something the Lord wanted to challenge me in; and that same day I took part in an open air!
But it was a fun experience, actually! And I was able to share a little of my testimony with a crowd of strangers! I shared about how I’ve truly encountered the Father heart of God, and just how faithful of a Father He has been to me. : )
And within the short couple weeks of being there, we were able to partner with Campus Crusades, up at HKUST (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), and we did some evangelism around the campus, sharing the love and life of Jesus with the students! On Saturdays we had the opportunity to work with a Gateway youth ministry. One of those times, a teammate and I planned a small art therapy session, and gave a message on the difference between a follower and a leader, and what they look like. So each person made a small art piece according to the questions posed, and a few of them shared what they made and why, and I loved to hear their thoughts! And after that I shared about Jesus being the Good Shepherd, as we are His sheep. It was a joy to be there, and it’s funny because I find I learn more about what I’m sharing, as I’m sharing it! One other main thing we did was visit the International Christian Assembly; such a wonderful church! On Friday nights we would visit their youth group, River! What a privilege it was to be able to share testimonies, and perform our small drama. And getting to know the leaders and kids was a ball! They really have a great thing going, with awesome leaders and youth! It’s a little bittersweet leaving. Some days I think I could have done another few weeks, but other days I know I’ve spent enough time and I’m so ready for what the Lord has for me next!
The Lord has made it very clear that I should go back and staff in YWAM Perth! WOO! It will most likely come with the new year, but I will give more information to people personally who are curious! : )
God is so good, all of the time. So, to sum up the work God has done in myself I’ve had lots of growth in different areas of my life; understanding what it means to be servant hearted, selfless, loving in all that I do and say, and ultimately just attaining greater revelation of becoming such a God fearing woman, who is completely and totally sold out to Christ; being in surrender and daily yielding to His Spirit. And walking in the authority of being the daughter of a King is so important! Only because it’s what God desires of us children who are a part of His glorious Kingdom! I am so full of thanksgiving to belong to a God as wonderful and majestic as He.
Such a love He has for me.
Such a love He has for you.
Such a love He has for the world.
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