2/23/24
On Valentineās Day, I got to share a message with the 5th grade students about how much God loves them. It was the perfect opportunity because the teacher wasnāt there that day so I was left in charge of the class for the day. You never know what someone elseās life looks like outside of the environment that you are meeting them in. I know that majority of these kids donāt have a proper love system or understanding of how love is supposed to be portrayed, so I knew I needed use this opportunity to show them what biblical love is. I have such a big heart towards these kids, I just want them to know that they are loved no matter what and I hope Iāve planted that seed in the students. If I wanted to them to remember anything that I say when I leave, itās that Jesus loves them unconditionally.
With the rest of our time being in South Africa, I know I want to live in the mindset of āministry is life and life is ministryā. For a decent amount of time since being in South Africa, I have been thinking, āI donāt want to waste the time that Iāve been given here. I donāt want to treat this like a vacation. I did not come across the world just to ātravelā. Every single time that we walk out on the street, we donāt know if the person next to us knows Jesus. We have no idea whose soul is secured and whose isnāt. We donāt know what peoples belief systems are. We have the knowledge and power to influence and change that. Now is not the time to be sitting back and waiting for change to happen. We have the power to change and influence and we need to do something about it!ā I donāt want to waste the opportunities that are right in front of me! People need to know Jesus, NOW more than ever!!
Iāve obviously learned and grown a lot since the beginning of my race. One of the most important things that I feel like I have learned so far is one of the best ways to minister to others or show that you are a Christian is to live like Christ would. This might sound cliche, but asking myself the question of āwhat would Jesus do?ā But not with the intention of presenting ourselves as āholier than thouā but to show biblical and sacrificial love to others. Just to show others love as Christ would love them.
I know that I am making an impact whether I see it or not. I know that these students will remember me for the rest of their lives. I just pray that I was ministering to the teacher that I was with.
Every week we do these check ins. We go over how weāre doing mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Right now, I donāt know why it just feels like itās hard to put into words how Iām feeling or whatās going on mentally. It just feels like thereās confusion and I donāt know why itās happening or where itās coming from. So please just prayers for me as Iām navigating this hard time as weāre about to go into our next country.