So it is nearing the very last week of outreach and as I
look back five months ago I can honestly say I was not ready to be changed this
much. I knew coming into this that I would not be the same, but seriously? I
didn't think giving my whole heart to God those first couple weeks of DTS
lecture would do this much to me. When I look back through those months I can't
process it all. I broke off chains that I had adding onto for the last seven
years. If I had to say one week that sticks out the most I would say the Father
Heart of God. I forgave people who hurt me and I forgave myself. I learned how
to love my enemies and how much God really loves me. I learned to love myself
again, too. I learned so many things in lecture phase and in outreach as well.
God has transformed me and my heart into the person He wants me to be. I still
have a long way to go but it's a process. He has changed my heart to go after
what His Heart wants and it's changing me all the time because I try to get in
the way.
When I started out I was planning on going to Kenya, Africa
after DTS. I still plan on going, just not as soon as I had planned. After
being here amongst the most generous and inviting people in the Middle East, my
heart has been captured by this culture and its people. I know that my next
step is to be in the field. I have been praying about it and God has been
confirming it for a while now. My next step from here is that I plan on doing
another school to get more education about field work. The School of Frontier
Missions (SOFM) will be in April for another three months then outreach is
suggested to be a year or two. I also feel like the rest of my life is supposed
to encourage other people on the field. Being on it for two months I know what
the struggles feel like. I don’t think it would have been as easy if our base
leader came to visit or skype didn’t exist. I have needed so much encouragement
because things can get really hard when you are being changed and you don’t
have your comforts or even your family. I miss everyone back home so much
sometimes I just go sit in a corner and cry. I think it is very important for
people, friends, family, churches, and anyone else to encourage people my age
and especially families living on the field. That’s what I feel like God is
pushing me towards at the moment. So I plan on following it.
My next plan of action in the coming weeks is to raise money
for my next school. I need three thousand dollars for my lecture phase. I am
not even worried about the money because I know that God will provide since He
is the one leading me in this direction. I am so honored to be in the midst of
such wonderful, God-fearing people. I am also happy to be serving God while
doing something I enjoy. I hope you all have enjoyed following me in my journey
across the sea and you continue to search after Him. I can’t wait to see you in
just a couple weeks. I love you all so much! Keep us in your prayers for our
traveling home. Peace be with you!
P.S. I will be doing
a blog for my next lecture so don’t worry, you will be hearing from me soon!
