As I headed into this trip, I was really thinking of it as another thing to mark off my list, another step closer to orientation at Furman and to my new life there. What I didn't know is that these past five days would be five of the best of my life. I've seen God work, met five awesome girls, and have seen God work in my own life and desires.
The five other panelists were just incredible. I have never connected with a group as quickly as I connected with them. After a few hours, it was as if we'd known each other for years! I've never quite laughed as much as when I was with them. I think it's because we all shared the common powerful bonds of our love for Jesus and for missions. Before we even left Houston, we were planning our reunion! I love them and miss them like crazy already!
This week was also incredible because God completely changed my heart and gave me a new love for missions. I know it sounds crazy because Woman's Missionary Union is all about missions, and I've been a part of it for around eight years. But this event was different. I could not get enough of listening to the missionaries. I literally hung on their every word! And it's strange, too, because in the past, I've been so scared of what God was calling me to do. I was so scared that He'd call me away from my family and to the remotest part of Africa or Asia. But after listening to a few missionaries, I was praying that God would call me into missions somewhere. He literally took away all of my fears, and I praise Him for that. I've never had a stronger desire to do missions or to have a close relationship with Him.
One other thing that stuck out to me this week was the missions project we did on Wednesday. We worked with the Missions Centers of Houston and helped them do a kids' club for the children in the area. These areas are strongly Hispanic, so most of the children who came in were Spanish and bilingual. I've always loved children and love every chance I get to work with them. I've also developed a love for Spanish which I feel that God will use in the future. When the children arrived, we helped them make Father's Day cards, played games with them, taught them songs, and when we left, the missionaries did a bible study with them. When it was time for us to go, I found myself not wanting to leave! I wished I could stay in Houston for the rest of this summer and work with these sweet, precious children. This also made me 100 times more excited for the missions trip I am taking in July. I am going to New York with my church, and we are doing a Vacation Bible School for a Hispanic church. Before this trip, I was a little nervous about going to NY. I'm not really close with anyone on the trip, so I was worried about who I'd hang out with all week. But after working with the children Wednesday, I don't care! It was a good reminder that this trip isn't about me! It's about the kids and the people who we will be helping during our week there.
This week was so life-changing for me. I made 5 new best friends who I know I will keep in touch with forever. I have never felt closer to God or more surrendered to Him. And lastly, I have seen my call to missions change, and I can't wait to see where God leads me. These were five of the best, most life-changing, and powerful days of my life. I can't believe that it's already over, but I can't wait to see how God uses the things He taught me this week to make a difference for His kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment