For as long as I can remember I wanted to go to Africa.
It’s as if something was drawing me there long before I knew the Holy Spirit was at work in my life.
In high school I was deemed, “most likely to be a missionary”. I was a little resentful and embarrassed at the time. I thought, “I’m more than a missionary! I’m COOL! Missionaries are weird! Does everyone think I’m weird?! Psh, I’ll show them!!”
I wasn’t quite ready to commit to a life of long dresses and modest behavior. After all, missionaries had to be PERFECT, right? I was FAR from perfect. Missionaries had to be meek and mild and anyone who knew me could see that I did NOT fit that mold! Besides, I was just a teenager, I wanted to fit in and be cooooooooool. I could be cool AND be a Christian, right?
What I was missing, however, was the enormity of that compliment. Even at a young age people saw my passion for Jesus and knew it would take me places.
Now, at 32 years old, I understand it so much more. I am grateful for my calling. It’s such a privilege. I have broken free of the mindset that missionaries have to look and act a certain way. I have experienced the Holy Spirit at work in ways I had only heard about or read stories of in Scripture. He has become an up close and personal friend. He is SO REAL. He is active and I only wish I had started this pursuit SOONER. The pursuit of FREEDOM. The pursuit of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of INTIMACY with the Father. The gift of abundant life NOW.
I could not be more grateful for the opportunities I have had to travel the world and share the Gospel. It isn’t always glamorous, but I GET to do it and I’m so thankful!!
I have learned so much. I have grown in ways I never thought were possible. I have seen things with my own eyes that no book or TV show could possibly explain or fully capture.
It’s an honor and in God’s goodness, my dreams are STILL coming true.
While in Uganda a month and a half ago, I decided to take a bus over to Kenya to visit some friends and ministry partners I have there. Getting to the bus station was quite an experience as the website information was completely wrong and led us down a dead end road. Luckily, I had a very helpful driver and he was willing to drive me all over town until we found the right Easy Coach station. When I arrived, I bought my ticket and settled down in the waiting room. I had a few phone calls to make anyway so I didn’t mind waiting.
I searched the room for an outlet to charge my phone. Trying each one along the wall, I was having a difficult time finding one that worked. About that time, a nice man gestured to the wall where he had his phone plugged in. My adapter wouldn’t fit the outlet so he unplugged his phone and let me use his adapter instead. He was so kind and eager to help a total stranger. I could tell he carried a spirit of peace about him. I smiled and said thank you several times as he walked away. Time passed and we were getting ready to load the bus. I gave him his adapter back and grabbed my things.
When I got on the bus, the same man was sitting right in front of me. I knew I was supposed to talk with him so I struck up a conversation. His name is Jack. He is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My heart leapt! The CONGO!?!? Are you for real?!?! I have never met anyone from the Congo!! {This was literally, my reaction. Lol}
I was so excited because, something you might not know about me is, I have a dream to go to every African country one day. Yes…Every. Single. One.
I looked at Jack and told him my dream. He told me I was welcome to come visit anytime. Through the night (it was an overnight bus ride), I could not stop dreaming about it. I was anxious about the possibility of one day getting to go to the DR Congo. But wait, I don’t even know if he is Christian. Would he know of any area pastors or ministries I could partner with there?
He was asleep. I can’t wake him to ask, but I don’t want to lose this opportunity. My stop was coming up and he would be continuing on to Nairobi. The Lord impressed on my heart to write down some words of encouragement for Jack. On one side of the card I wrote Isaiah 61:1,
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
I stopped, “But Lord, I don’t even know if he is a believer.” That’s weird to write this to him if I don’t even know. I felt the Holy Spirit reply, “I know him. He’s mine.” I smiled. “Okay, I’ll do it.” I turned the card over and wrote Jack a note. I mentioned his kindness and how I saw the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. He carried a spirit of joy and peace.
As the bus came to a halt at my stop, I gathered my things. We all filed off the bus and I approached Jack with the note. I told him that one day I hoped our paths would cross again. I turned to walk away, but caught his face just as he opened the card.
He lit up. His smile was spreading wide.
He came over to where I was standing and told me how much these words meant to him. He said he works with the student ministry at his church and is very involved there. He said he couldn’t wait to share with his wife that he met me and how the Lord used me to encourage him. He was so delighted that a stranger could see the Holy Spirit in him. We exchanged information and he invited me to come to the Congo. Nothing is planned YET, but ONE DAY…I definitely WILL go to the Congo. 😉
Here’s the lesson, I didn’t know if Jack was a believer. I had to trust what the Holy Spirit was laying on my heart. Was it weird? Maybe. Did it make me uncomfortable? A little. Was it worth it? Absolutely. You never know when God wants to use YOU to speak. Holy Spirit connections are lurking at every corner. Don’t miss them.
Take a leap of faith.
Have some courage.
Put yourself out there.
***God will use you in ways that will BLOW YOUR MIND. Give Him a chance!!!***
