Kyle Paradis, my fellow American intern, and I have scarcely a day where something is not happening in the ministry, and right now is no different. I finished my distance learning with Liberty University's distance learning program several weeks ago, but Kyle has begun taking summer courses, which he will continue to do until Autumn. With my break from classes, I have been working in Word of Life's office, calling youth leaders, pastors, and doing anything they tell me to do. I have also been putting the mechanical skills my Dad taught me to use on WOL's vehicles, learning Portuguese, chauffeuring my roommates to/from school, leading children's small groups in several churches, as well as leading game time and teaching for children's Bible programs in local churches.
This weekend WOL is running a young adults camp outside the city at which Kyle, the other interns, and myself, are all going to be working. This is the first time WOL South Africa has had a young adults camp, and the meetings will be challenges from Louie Giglio's "How Great is our God" series.
In all of this, God has been working on breaking me down. Even on a foreign mission field, missionaries are not immune to losing sight of the goal, or reverting to a self-centered mindset, but praise God! He never leaves His children! I found the desire within myself to try and accomplish tasks, while loving those around me became second priority, which is the same as becoming no priority at all. Thankfully I was challenged by today's Quiet Time in Luke by Jesus' disciples going out and preaching and healing all over Judea, they were living their example out. Jesus lived His, and His disciples followed suit after watching Him. I realized that, though I can wax eloquent on many subjects, possess good ideas on the Bible, know many great quotes, and can help people with their problems; I am falling short in living the love and faith that I know and share so well!
I desired to see change in my life, and was asking for it, but though I was standing in the middle of a downpour of grace, I have been using a little umbrella of pride to try to change without allowing God to change me! Praise God His grace is not a sprinkle, nor even a steady patter, but a full fledged torrential downpour upon us that never runs dry, regardless of what we do!
So you can praise God for the work He's doing in me (I know I am).
You can also praise God for the work He's doing in the Bible Clubs ministry.
You can pray for the work He is going to do this weekend and young adults camp.
A newsletter will be coming before too long, but I was so excited to share all this that I couldn't wait until then to share with you.
