My last blog was… A long time ago. And I am so sorry about
that. So I’m going to give a run through of everything that has happened since
I last posted. I started blogging a few different times, so this is them all
compiled together. But if you just have time to read one thing, please feel
free to skip to the bottom!
So first, I went home for Christmas Break! (haha forever ago
I know) I spent time with my family and friends! It was awesome but also very
challenging. I did not think I would be one to get “culture shock”, however, it
is a very real thing! Living in Costa
Rica for 4 months really did change me and a lot of how I think, speak and
react to things. Going back to the States stretched me quite a bit; Which was
good and necessary considering how much I was learning and growing in Costa
Rica. Being home confirmed how God wants me to work and serve Him there, in the
States, after I leave here. God really showed me that we are called to be
missionaries wherever we are and where God calls us. Whether that means our
neighborhood, city, county, state, country, continent or just the whole world! But
He has a specific place for each of us.
I have been praying for God to show me what He wants me to
do/study after I leave here. While home for break I continued praying and God
started to reveal…
Psalm 82:2-4
“How long will you
defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and
the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and
the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right;
seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of
the fatherless; please the case of the widow.”
I would say that I stumbled upon these in my reading plan,
but I know that God has those specifically there in that moment for me to read.
All that to say, I really am feeling led to inner city, Hispanic community,
Law, defending women and children, kind of stuff! So please please please be
praying for that! For God to open and close the doors according to His Glory
and Will! That God would continue to speak to me, that I would be listening and
sensitive to the Holy Spirit. That I would not confuse, mix or compensate my
feelings or desires with God’s Will.
THEN I spent Saturday January 11th-18th
in Turrialba, Costa Rica. I stayed with an older Costa Rican woman who does not
know any English. Which was incredible for me to practice Spanish every day
with her! There was 12 of us GAP students that went to Turrialba and stayed in
different homes; helping the church, Primera Iglesia Bautista; and their
Escuelitas Biblicas (Vacation Bible School). I was able to build so many
awesome relationships there, and see an amazing congregation and leadership
come together, functioning as the true body of Christ, loving and serving Him
with all that they are. It was such an encouraging week.
I spent the week after camp working with my ministry Metro.
The missions organization that started Metro in that community, YWAM, put on a
Vacation Bible School from Tuesday-Saturday. I had the literal amazing
opportunity to help with that each day. God is doing amazing things in Purral,
Los Castigos, the city that Metro is in! The relationships that God is allowing
us to build I would not trade for anything in the world. Getting to know the
families and backgrounds of each child has given us a new passion and
excitement to go each week and love on them. Please be praying for all the kids
that attend Metro and their families. Satan really has a foothold on the
neighborhood as a whole, but I can definitely see the Holy Spirit breaking things
down. Demon possession is a huge thing right now, there are a few girls
claiming to be possessed. Please pray for Gabby and Tatiana!
Also! My mom and my sister Klaire came down and visited for
Parents Encounter Weekend! They got to come and see what my life down here is
like. I loved having them here, they came to Metro, Church, San Jose, the
market and class with me! We also went to Punta Leona, a beautiful beach we
spent the day at! It was amazing but so surreal having two worlds collide but I
loved spending time with them and meeting all the families of my friends, too!
So, now just something God laid on my heart a few months ago
to share in this blog. I have a few questions:
Do you try to live your life according to or lining it up with
the Bible?
If yes, Have you ever read the whole Bible through?
If no, why not? You’re trying to live your life by it and
walk around claiming you are a Christian, believing in and living according to
the Bible, and you’ve never even read the whole thing?
If that came across a little too harsh, I apologize, but…This
is what slapped me across the face the first week of being here in August. So I
hope more than anything that that is motivation for you to READ.
God’s Word is ALIVE! I’ve never understood it like I do
right now. How real and ACTIVE God’s Word and the Holy Spirit are. He wants to
work in you! You have to be ready! Be preparing! Be surrendered!
So this past week we went to a camp in Managua, Nicaragua.
With our visas, we had to leave the country because we cannot stay in Costa
Rica longer than 90 days. But God, in His sovereign, beautiful, perfect plan,
knew all that was to come in the midst of my doubt and complacency. We left
early Monday morning and did not get to the camp until after dark. So the next
morning, we had about 3 hours of time to spend with Jesus.
Side note: If you would have told me in August to spend 3
hours with God, I probably would’ve told you that you’re crazy, then went ahead
and spent maybe an hour at the max, then slept or day-dreamt the rest of the
time. Now, that is most definitely not the case.
So during this time, I read, prayed and wrote. And I’m going
to let you in on a little bit of my journal and pray that someone hears
something that will encourage them in their walk with the One who is writing
their story.
“Please, Lord, give me the desire, hunger and thirst to want
to praise, serve and live for You, and You ONLY.
Unplugged from the world, but plugged into you. Unchained
from the world, but chained to You. Unbound by the things of the world, but
bound up in Your Truth.
I am wholly and completely Yours.
Because where Your Spirit is, there is freedom.
You tore the veil so that we can have communion with You.
Entering into the Holy of Holies, laying our burdens down at Your Throne of
Grace.
You came, put on flesh. Lived a blameless, sinless, above reproach
life, so that we may have life. Life to the fullest. You bore our sin, taking
it on yourself and become our ransom. Paying our price.
God! I will serve you all my days. I am so unworthy. Yet in
Your unfathomable and infinite grace, you have given me life.
Life…
Life of….
Joy in the midst of trials and suffering
Hope when all else fails
Peace in the times of chaos
Truth when nothing else is stable
Grace when punishment is deserved
Patience when anxiousness controls emotions and thoughts
Comfort when no one understands.
Trials and tests to break me and show my emptiness and
desperation in contrast to your sufficient fulfillment. For You have let me go
to the end of myself to then find You. Because we do find you when we fall
apart.
But now, I seek You. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. To
be in tune with Your Spirit, no one could miss it. To be so in love and
familiar with your Word that there would be no way to stray from Your will.
I beg you to break my heart. Break it for the things that
break Yours. Help me not to find pleasure in the temporary, sinful delights of
this world. That my emotions would be the reactions of Christ. May they not
waver to and fro but remain built and founded on You and Your Word.
In You alone can we find abundance, fulfillment and fullness
for all that our hearts crave and long for.
I am finding rest, hope and joy in the One who is gentle and
gracious. Patient yet just. Unseen yet more real and alive than anything I have
ever experienced. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength I give up myself.
Dying to this world and the temporal things it has to offer. Surrendering,
living for, striving to be a disciple of Jesus, seeking, falling in love and
imitating Him more each day.
The Author of my story and Creator of life itself.”
Love you. Thankful for you. Praying for you. Feel free to
e-mail me.
kgoldcca2013@gmail.com
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