Another week another blog! Last weekend we went to Saint Lucia for our border crossing! We spent time as our entire squad, laughing, playing on the beach and resting in the Lord to prepare us for our last two weeks of ministry!
This weekend was such a gift for many reasons! Our first day there we were heading down to the beach, running into the Indian Ocean taking in the beautiful sights. As we ran, It was like a wave of childlike wonder just rushed over me as I thought about the kindness of the Lord to bring me here. Like two months ago I’m meeting all of these strangers, then suddenly were all close friends, spreading the gospel and now playing in the Indian Ocean, like what is life?! This weekend was just one of refreshment and joy!! We laughed a lot, we ate good food, we played games, oh and we got attacked by a monkey so here’s that story:
So day one were walking down to the beach, I was walking with my friends Abby, Jayden, and Kynsie when all of the sudden a monkey came running at us from out of nowhere! Jayden and Abby managed to escape and ran ahead of us screaming. So at this point its just me and Kynsie. Then Kynsie gets away and so it’s just me vs the monkey and wow was I terrified! So naturally I began crying as I thought to myself “yea this is the end” The monkey is jumping at me I’m crying and it just keeps coming at me. Finally it jumps and knocks the juice out of my hand so with tears streaming down my face I ran away, thinking i had made it out. I looked back behind me to see none other than this stupid monkey still running after us. I simply did not know what I was to do in this moment. Like were just four girls running from this monkey with no way to defend ourselves. So I did the only thing I knew to do; I started praying. As I began praying and rebuking this monkey it began to turn around and run away – so basically that’s a testimony of the power of prayer, our authority and dominion and the goodness of God to turn that monkey around lol!
While this weekend was full of odd moments, it was also full of holy moments. There was a night where our whole squad had worship on the beach. We began singing “Fall like Rain” and it literally began raining!! A beautiful storm broke out and the thundered roared and the lightning lit up the sky as we worshiped and took communion. What a beautiful time of truly being in the presence of our God. I was in awe of the way Jesus revealed Himself. He is so worthy and so mighty!
Later that night our entire squad gatehered around the pool and had a time of baptism. The Holy Spirt was so evident in this time. One of my squad leaders had a vision of all of us gathered around the pool with one hand in the water praying over it. After he shared this, we all put our hands in the pool and began to pray. We watched as different members of our squad commit to the Lord in baptism. After a few people had gone another girl from my squad shared how she had a dream of this very moment and had forgotten about it but the Lord has brought it back to mind. She shared some of what the Lord showed her and what He was doing it in that very moment. What a pure and unified time it was watching the Holy Spirit captivate peoples hearts around me. Hallelujah!!
Yea this weekend was so very necessary, I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until i was resting. Leaving was sad, but I feel so refreshed and ready for what the Lord has in the last two weeks at care point.
This last week of ministry has been bitter sweet knowing that it was our second to last week with the kids at our carepoint. With that there were many sweet moments of what I think were answered prayers. I have been praying for the Lord to give me opportunity to connect with some kids on a deeper level and shre truth with them. And I truly feel like the Lord answered this prayer, last week a boy I haven’t seen before came to our carepoint. He was older but didn’t speak much English. I sat down with Him and drew Jesus and a heart in the dirt. I began to share Jesus’ heart for Him, I would look in his eyes and say things like “do you know Jesus loves you, His heart is for you, you are his beloved, there is nothing you do to make Him stop coming after you.” He began to repeat after me “ Jesus loves me” or “God wants to know me” I don’t quite know hoe to explain that moment. We were hardly saying anything, but I feel like he really did understand what I was saying. As I kept saying these things He began to light up and smile. What a joy to see the gospel transcend language, age, and even my expectations or boxes.
Later that same day a girl walked up to me and began telling me how she loved to read. I told her whenever she wants to read together we can, so right away she asked to! We sat down together and and read about Jesus, how he raised Lazarus from the dead and then also we read about the power in the name of the Jesus! This sweet girl kept asking questions about Jesus, and I joyfully responded. That whole day just felt like an answered prayer and consistently pointing the kids back to Jesus. These conversations didn’t feel passive or like a bad aid to an issue but like genuine seeds were planted in the hearts of these kids, praise Jesus!!
The next day of ministry was just as sweet, when the same group of kids from the previous days ran up to me and asked to talk more about Jesus! I began exsaplaing what relationship with Jesus looked like, how much He loves them and wants to know them and be in heaven with Him forever. A few girls were listening so intently to me and then one of them asked me “are you sure Jesus will come and take you to heaven?” I looked at her and began to tear up and answered “oh I am absolutely sure of it!” I got to share that everyone who believes in Him will be saved and that He is coming back for those who love Him. This conversation was so beautiful as they were asking if Jesus was for them too and i got to share the reality of the gospel!! I am believing that Jesus will continue to tug on the hearts of the girls at this care point. I am confident that they will continue to grow in hunger and desire to go after the man Jesus.
The Lord so kindly fulfilled a lot this week in ministry. Thank you Jesus for week 5! One more week to go here!!
Love you so much, sweet girl. Love your heart, love your words, love your transparency! Love hearing how God is working in you and through you. Praying!!