"So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored,may your kingdom come may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...." -Mathew 6: 9-10
One of the biggest questions I am asked as I prepare for my trip is Why.? Most people are concerned with any questionable motives behind my decision to go. Others are just curious to know why I would want to do something like this. The questions come from both my believing friends to people I work with and non believing coworkers Well I have dedicated this post today to answer that question why.
It isnt a super easy answer and it takes time to explain but it started when I was a little girl. Missionaries would always come to church and I loved to hear their stories, of adventures and ways that the Lord used them to do his work. I knew then, that I hoped one day the Lord would use me to do his work I read and reread biographies on Amy Carmichaell and Gladys Aylward, dreaming that maybe one day I would grow up to emulate their character. But when you're little you have some high hopes that you don't always follow through on. As I grew older I always felt that twinge but never acted upon, I pushed it away thinking I could never do that. eventually that desire to serve the Lord on the missions field slowly faded and I continued to live my life. After going through a pretty dark valley in my high school years, I thought that now I really could never be used by God. But boy was I wrong. The Lord took my life and and drastically changed it about two years ago. He saved me from continuing down a path that didn't honor him. That summer I visited Japan, and worked with children, and something inside me changed.. I left with a thought, a small seed of a dream starting to form inside of me. I knew that I loved children, all I have ever wanted was to be a mom. But I also knew that I was single, with no upcoming relationship, and no open path to motherhood. I began to think of ways that I would be able to take advantage of being single and still be able to use my talents that the Lord has given me with children. I knew that one day I would want to open my own orphanage but in California that isnt really an option here due to foster care and other governmental holds. And that is when my thoughts began to shift from local opportunities to other possible options across the globe.
Donovan Drew is an old family friend, and his prayer card has been on my fridge for many years. My mom mentioned what he was doing through his church and told me that I should get in touch with him. I emailed him and that got the ball rolling. I visited South Africa on a missions trip this past summer and I fell in love with the country, the people, and my heart grew in love for the orphaned children down there. I came back strong and with a passion to return. I prayed specifically before my visit and after my visit asking for the Lord to make my path clear. He answered my prayers with specific answers and began opening the door leading me to South Africa and the Muphamuzi Baby home.
Josh and Marda Mack, Grace Church missionaries, are serving down in Pretoria, South Africa. It was their church, One Hope, that birthed the ground work for the baby home. Donovan and Heather Drew is the couple who will be overseeing the Baby home. They will be living on the premises of the home as will myself and any other interns who join us along this next year. The path was clear and the ground work laid, I began to follow that path no matter where it took me.. I trusted that no matter what I lost or gained along the way, the Lord had a plan for me and for my life. I have chosen to follow this path which has been clearly shown to me to be of the Lord, and have not once over this past year of saving and toiling regretted that decision in the slightest.
The Lord has brought me through many trials and joy through this past year. All showing me how lean on him and only him for everything.He gave me a contentment that surpassed anything that I could ever attain on my own. He showed me how to be strong. He showed me that no matter what, He will always be able to use you. Even if it isn't on the field. I have had many witnessing opportunities opened to me with coworkers because of my plans, and the Lord has used me to share the gospel with them and I thank Him every day for that chance to shine. I only pray that, the Lord will be able to use me to glorify his name and honor him in everything that I do. He gets all the glory for everything that has happened over this past year. Nothing that has occurred has been in my power or by my power.
There have been many verses the Lord has used to ease my soul or encourage me, but this one has been always near to my heart...
" Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again Rejoice!. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything. but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus..." -Phil. 3:4-7
To God be the glory forevery and ever AMEN..
No comments:
Post a Comment