After 2 months in the jungle of Costa Rica, there are definitely some perks to being in the beautiful city of Medellin, Colombia. For one – we have access to an app called Rappi, where we can order groceries, coffee, and all the pizza delivered straight to our door. There’s also beautiful rooftop views, inspiring men and women on staff, and a wide variety of ministry opportunities.
Last Thursday, we prepared for women’s ministry all morning. It was one of those days where I felt as if I couldn’t do anything right. I was lacking in creativity. I was failing to come up with pertinent Scriptures for the lesson. I couldn’t even get my Rappi order to go through for the M&Ms that we wanted to share with the women. And on top of all these feelings – I needed to sit with the Lord and ask Him “Who does he say I am” to prepare for our teaching. To be honest, I didn’t want to sit with Him. I was afraid that he wouldn’t speak to me. That he wouldn’t answer my question. That I wouldn’t have anything sweet or special or profound to share with the women that afternoon. But I chose to sit with Him anyway. Because I know my God is faithful. And he longs to spend time with His children.
After a few tears and dwelling in the frustrations of the day, the Lord prepared my heart to sit with Him. He reminded me of who I am in Him. I am chosen. I am His. I belong to the Father. I have a place in His Kingdom – not because of what I’ve done, but because of who He is. So I sat on my three tier bunk bed and I wrote these truths. I drew an image of myself standing inside the hand of the Father. Remembering that He looks at me with joy, with love, with gentleness. He delights in me. But I still didn’t feel fully satisfied. I was slightly frustrated that my drawing or words weren’t more profound. I know these truths – why am I being reminded of them? Can’t the Lord teach me something new?
So I took my drawing and writing to women’s ministry. We played our ice breaker game, read through Scriptures, asked questions, and spent sweet time in Scripture together. Then, it was time for the women to spend time asking the Lord “Who does He say that they are.” I shared my drawing and writing first, then the women were off to sit with the Lord. While the women were praying, I sat with God. I interceded for them. And then while they were writing something really sweet happened.
Alejandra, one of the women, brought her writing to me. I sat there with Google Translate and read through her journal entry. And what I read was so special. Alejandra wrote that she is chosen. That she is forgiven. That she is loved. But that she also is afraid. Afraid sometimes to go to the Father, to share her past, to walk in new freedom. And I realized that despite our differences, the Lord was speaking the same things over both of us. I remembered that Spirit unites us. That we can encourage one another even if we don’t have similar stories or come from the same place. Because our God is bigger than language barriers. The same God who loves me and speaks to me is working here in Colombia and all over the world. And His truths remain the same everywhere. And He is speaking them to people everywhere. In all languages. In all walks of life. We need to continue to proclaim these truths wherever we go. Because they are relevant. They give life. And they connect us all.
