Hellloooo friends :) Just a few afterthoughts from my trip. If it doesn't make sense it's probably bc I haven't really slept yet (since friday night) but i hope you enjoy hearin bout my trip!
Love peru but even more than that LOVED sharing the gospel in Spanish. It just felt right. Some of you may know this but I sort of got stuck being the translator for our team. (The 19 of us broke into 4 teams... they brought 3 translators... i was the 4th. awesome) Glory to God seriously because I struggled!
This was the first mission trip I have been on in which I feel sure God's will was done. The boldness in which others shared the gospel, the fervor people had to serve, and the dedication I saw of others seeking out and using every opportunity to touch someone's life was an example and challenge for my life. No time was wasted.. no fear of what this group of people would think of us... just plain and simple laying out the gospel for them in an honest a Truthful manor. It was raw and real. My hope is that on some level I can maintain a dedication to the unsaved, and have my eyes opened to the opportunities I may pass up every day here in the States, simply because I'm consumed in my own life. God continued to teach me throughout this trip that I should be living to please Him and not man by the boldness in which we are called to spread His kingdom. (regardless of embarrassment or awkwardness) So am I living to please God? or am I living to please man? We were encouraged upon returning to the States to find an accountability partner-- someone to ask us at the end of the day or week "who have you shared the gospel with today/this week?"
Secondly...Do we love one another as Christ loved us as John tells us? Jesus said what you do to the least of them you do to me! Remember the story of Zacchaeus..
Lastly.. placed on my heart even before this trip but also during is this: don't ever underestimate the power of God. You may leave someone feeling discouraged and that you accomplished nothing. You may think you didn't get through to them. You may be upset that YOU didn't do better.. but we are simply tools for the Gardner. We may not always see how God is working in someones life.
Tried to keep in short... should have known it would be long. Miss all of yall and sorry to the charleston people that left and I didn't get t say bye too :(
Hope to talk to most of you soon.. and hey! Don't be afraid to call me or anyone else out! Have you shared the gospel today? Romans 10: 9-10
Much Love--
Sarah
