Hello Friends and Family!
We had an amazing month in Asia. I wish I had enough time and space to share every little detail. Please feel free to send me a message if you want to hear more or have any questions!
All month long I had the privilege of watching God use the external situations to cause internal change inside everyone on my team. Away from all things normal, God produced trust inside of some. Away from everything familiar, he produced dependence on the Lord inside of others. Without our comforts from home, we discovered where true comfort is found. When no longer distracted by our modern conveniences like our phones, TV or Netflix, the voice of the Lord was heard more clearly.
Before I knew what my greatest challenge would be or felt the spiritual climate in Asia the Lord asked if I would trust him. So come what may, I would chose to trust.
Throughout the month the Lord continuously gave me choices. So when the 24hr virus started going through every member on the team, he gave me the choice of fear and stress or joy and peace. When we climbed a mountain bigger than any in America, my options were to hike using my own strength or God's strength and at any given moment I felt the Lord asking me to depend on Him.
With the joy, peace, strength and dependence on the Lord, it was amazing to be watch God fill in the gaps in situations that I knew that by myself I am not enough.
I asked Erin, Bryce, Pearl and Mike to share their Project experiences with you.
“I learned how to truly depend on God when your circumstances aren’t ideal or you’re low on strength. God is always right by our side and won’t leave us to do life alone because He holds us in His hands. I also learned that not all missions look the same. Missions can be manual labor, teaching kids English, picking up trash in the streets of India but it can also be smiling at a stranger, jumping rope with Buddhist nuns, or respecting others with God’s love and showing them their value in the Lord. Missions is anything right where you are that shows the love of God and His power to those around you. I was challenged on Project to never lose that
mission mindset.” - Erin
“God really showed me his heart for the nations this summer, and how while people overseas worship a physical idol for certain rewards(wealth or comfort), even in America we worship the same idols without bowing to a statue. It was very humbling and showed me that we are no better than they are. God cautioned me to be aware of the unseen things that I bow to and to see when I or those with me are turning from God.” - Bryce
“I went into Project it worried about loosing control, but it was were I felt the most free. I found myself going to the Lord, when I was excited, homesick, actually sick, and when I just wanted to know more about his teachings. It has carried over into my everyday life, but it has been so amazing to rely on the Lord throughout each day. When I saw the people of India worshiping their gods with such passion I was convicted to see them worship a non-god more than I would the God of gods. Some of their worship was out of fear, but wondered two things. One, why don’t I worship my God that way, and two how much satisfaction would they have if their faithfulness was in my God. This conviction I had was even stronger when I saw these cultures praising Jesus in such a powerful way. Seeing the believers worship God, enforced that God is not for just one race, one culture, or one language. We are all his sons and daughters, and ALL created in his image. If I am able to speak to people in other countries I just met that don’t even speak the same language as me about what Jesus has done in my life, then what is stopping me from going on campus and talking to people who do speak the same language as me? There is no second guessing, there is no reason for me to keep the gospel from anyone! I am no longer afraid to talk to people or worried about what they would think of me. Even if some were small revelations in what God taught me they will forever change me!” - Pearl
“Going on Project was the best decision I have ever made for a summer. God showed me that depending on him is better than having to rely on my own strength. My faith has grown in the Lord to be everything I need. The greatest thing I've learned is that love is everlasting no matter the circumstance. Thank you for allowing me to share the goodness of our
Father.” - Mike
I am very thankful for each of you praying for us as we were gone.
Thank you for your love and support.
Thank you for sending us!
Comments