YAYYY we’re back in Georgia after domestic ministry in Mississippi. The drive was really fun being able to listen to music with the girls/hearing their testimonies. We also stopped at Buc-ees which was my first time which and it was FIRE.
The first day we had the opportunity to learn some history about the town of Macon and about the Choctaw Native American tribe. We first got to visit a Choctaw cemetery and learn some history about the trail of tears, which was definitely sad but enlightening. From there we got to explore Macon and visit a library that was once a jail, do a prayer walk, and get some DELECTABLE food at Blue Truck Coffee.
The following three days, our squad split into groups to help at different churches to paint, demolish walls, redo trim, wire outlets, move drywall, and more. My team, three of the boys, and I were helping at Pearl River church for the first few days. Pastor Matt has 11 kids, and we were able to bond with quite a few of them. We had some awesome conversations during our time there also! My group got to close out the week at Immanuel Baptist Church and do lots of painting. Although with this type of ministry we’re not spreading the Gospel, we’re still able to spread Jesus’s love and work hard for Him, which a lot of the time is refreshing for me.
On Saturday we got to visit the Choctaw Native American reservation and bond with a lot of kids. We just got to run around the playground with them, play basketball/softball, and overall just get to know them. Sunday was our last morning and we had the privilege to attend a Choctaw church service. It was so simple and so beautiful.
Ministry was so amazing but wow just the time I got to bond with my squadmates was my favorite. We lived in the Mennonite Mashulaville Dormitory all together, being able to cook meals in the same kitchen, dancing in the living room, and sharing deep conversations in our bedrooms. When we first arrived we were freaking out about sleeping in real beds for the first time in a month haha.
I’m very grateful for our ministry host, Keith. He not only gave us the practicals about the house and the city, but provided us with history and wisdom. The small amount of time we had with him wasn’t enough, but I’m still so happy we got to know him while we were in Mississippi. Along with Keith we met Rachel, the mother figure we were all needing. She came over one night to bake cookies for all of us and was there for the rest of the week getting to know us and being a beautiful example of a God loving woman.
In all honesty, I struggled a lot this week emotionally/spiritually. I’m learning how to balance wanting to be with all of my friends while also sparing time for myself to recharge. I also was realizing as I was struggling that my focus was not on God. All throughout the week doing ministry I was being selfish at some points by wanting people’s attention on me. It is frustrating because I thought I got past this habit. With that being said though, I’ve asked for forgiveness and I’m going to continue moving away from that.
OVERALL Mississippi was awesome and through the low points, God is still good. I’m so grateful for the safety of my squad as well as K and L squad. This week is debrief for training camp, then we leave for Malaysia on Monday. WHAT. The real adventure hasn’t even started yet, but I’ve already learned so much with these people and I can’t wait to be sent to the nations.
