“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 ESV
Time is flying, like zooming by. It’s been roughly 3 weeks since we landed in our new deployment home and it feels like it’s been a matter of days. While the weeks have been less eventful in terms of touristy attractions my ministry has been consistent and encouraging to live out. Most days I go to the gym, do my quiet time at one of the nearby coffee shops, do my language class, and then spend my afternoons doing evangelism or follow ups with people I’ve met. Sharing the gospel here is slightly more difficult, but God has continued to open up doors to conversations with those around us and though most people politely reject the gospel, I trust that God is working in them, and especially in me as I grow in sharing the gospel more naturally.
The past 2 weeks in terms of faith have been radically different then the past month or so slump I had been experiencing. For the first time in a long time, I’ve final been able to get into a solid rhythm which includes waking up early and going to the gym, really special intentional times with God, and seeking to live out my faith by sharing with others. God has also been speaking to me in scripture especially through Ephesians. It’s always cool to see the way God encourages, convicts, and spurs us on when we cry out to him. We just have to have ears to listen. As I strengthen my spirit through scripture, God has begun to show me the gifts he has given me and ways to utilize them in ministry. One such gift is frisbee, something I love and am passionate about. And recently I’ve had the chance to use this as an outreach and build relationships with others. I am continually amazed at the sovereignty of God that he has been preparing me in so many meticulous ways to use me in the setting I’m in now. I am truly blessed to be here, and I believe that God is really going to impact the rest of my life by the experiences I continue to undergo here.
I know this update might be short, but I’m pretty all written out from doing essay after essay for scholarships the past few weeks, so this is my best attempt. And with that said some highlights recently have been:
-Futsal
-Coffee shops
-Crazy uno game-night
-Sharing everywhere
-Will’s B-day!! (Happy late birthday Will again)
-Frisbee planning and outreach organizing
-Gym mornings
-Intense badminton
-Pool day
-Connecting with strangers and playing pickup ultimate frisbee
-Visiting a Mosque
-Carrying clay and having my slides stolen
-House Church
-cranking out scholarships
Some prayer requests y’all could be lifting up are:
- For a genuine love for these lost people
- For the frisbee ministry to take off and for good connections to come about from it
- For continued sweet times with God
- For spiritual sensitivity and alertness in spiritual warfare
- For more laborers to come into this harvest
As my first month begins to come to an end, I continue to thank God for the place that he has put me. For our leaders who are pouring into us. For the hard days that point me back to God. For the vision to see the need here. And for the multitude of opportunities to point others to Jesus. I can’t wait to see what happens next and I hope that my brain works a little bit better as I finish up the brunt of the scholarships I’m working on. Till then God bless y’all, strengthen you in love, and point you back to him. Peace!
