Time has FLOWN by, and here I am, one year into my two-year commitment with GoCorps. In some ways it feels like I just left the states—there is so much still for me to learn about the language and culture of the country I am in. And yet, it also feels like in one year, I have lived a whole lifetime.
In one year, God has grown and changed me so much.
I took some time at the beginning of this month to journal and reflect on this past year and all the ways that God has grown me. Here are some thoughts from my journal:
“Thank you for how you have grown me in the past year, Lord! I am doing things I never thought I would or could do. Many of these things I longed to do or know better in the States, but I never really started to learn them until I moved overseas.….
I have grown so much in:
-cultural awareness
-and understanding of the Gospel better through that
-expanding my mind beyond America and American culture
-empathy and compassion
-listening to the Holy Spirit
-trusting God even in the midst of severe anxiety
-sharing the Gospel and having spiritual discussions with random strangers
-understanding true surrender
I have struggled so much yet learned so much. So much of this next year is uncertain but I know that if God was faithful this past year, He will be faithful in this one! I was so terrified last year at this time. My country of service was so unknown, so scary. I was terrified that I wouldn’t be a “good enough missionary”, that I would be a burden to my team. Looking back, God has been so faithful. My country has been hard, but not scary. God truly did supply my needs and make me sufficient.
You don’t have to be skilled or experienced to be a missionary. You just have to have a heart for Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit. God does the rest.
Everything I was terrified about last year came to nothing. Yes, it has been hard, but God has been so faithful and used me in spite of my incompetency. God has opened my eyes even more to how much the world needs Him, how much work there is to do. How can I go back to a job in the States? I want to be in ministry my whole life. I want to be telling others about Christ my whole life.
In the fires of culture shock and adversity, Christ has been refining my faith.
Living overseas is hard, but the hardness makes you truly rely on Christ more.
When we step out of our comfort zone, God steps in to meet us.