Hello everyone!
What an experience so far. The Lord has been so close to me as of late. There has been a lot of uncomfortableness i.e. hot and humid days followed by sweaty nights. Ministry has been busy and very similar to the last time I was here. A normal day looks like the squad getting up around 7:30 and having breakfast around 8 and then heading to the care points by 9. Getting there could take up to an hour and a half and once there we are greeted with many kids under the age of 7 until the older middle school age kids get out school around 1. We sometimes go on house visits i.e. bring rice and the gospel to houses around the carepoint. The people here are much more relational than in the West. We think more individually but here they think more relationally. We are welcomed and have a short but sweet conversation about their life or circumstances and what they might need prayer for and often encourage them with certain scripture as well. Again, here, it is like Houston humid so couple that with the Texas summer and you get a picture of how hot it is here!! Other than the physical discomfort things are going very well. The squad is getting used to how things will go for the next few months living in such a tight-knit environment i.e. sleeping quarters, van rides, everyone having an opinion about something, etc. As a leader I have to say it is much different than the being just a participant back in June. As a leader I have found that I am always “on”. Always having my “receptors” out and looking at how the squad acts or reacts to certain situations and how I can help them look more like Christ has made me use a lot more energy than I thought I would. I’m starting to see just why God put me in this position and even through the stress and certain fears I have about saying the right things or not, has been hard, I have found the Lord has blessed me with his presence which is so much more than I could of asked or needed and has carried me through the hardship. I’ve seen prayers answered and my dependence deepened and it has only been 2 weeks! I still have 2.5 months!! Mak and I just had our “squad-leader” day where instead of going to ministry we both take a day to get away from the squad and complete logistical things i.e write receipts for groceries, transportation, etc. as well as writing emails about the squad and how they are doing physically and spiritually etc. we then have time to get ice cream which I did (Oreo milkshake – it was so good). So all in all the past week has been tough but the best way I can explain it is like someone who had a fever and was sick and the fever finally broke so the hard part is over and now you now you’re immune (Spirit) system is more healthy. I am currently sitting in a van with many locals waiting to head back to our homestead. We’ve been waiting for others to get in from wherever they are. I literally have been busy from 7:00am- 9:30pm every day except Saturdays and that time I spend time and rest with the Lord by reading scripture, journaling, asking him questions or trying to deepen my relationship with him, and my favorite is when I see his presence. It’s so awesome and good and HOLY and just reminds me that he IS REAL. Not imaginary, fake, or a figment of my imagination, but he is real!Knowing that gives me a desire and eagerness to know him more and be in a relationship with him. I think of it like this. If someone asked me if I know the president I would probably have to specify. I know his name and where he lives(The White House)but I have never met him or talked to him so I can’t really say I “know” him. It’s the same thing with God. I used to know “of” him – like his name (Jesus) and where he lived (Heaven). But today and especially on my days that I rest with him. I know him personally. I walk with him and talk with him and have a real relationship with him. I don’t just know of him but I know him and he knows me. That’s the will of the God. For us to not just know laws or scripture or whatever legalism the world pushes our way but real Christianity is having a relationship with the one who gave himself for us! It’s so powerful and I can’t express through words the feelings I get when I am met with his beautiful presence. I wish this and pray this upon everyone who reads this. Amen. That’s it. I love y’all and can’t wait to share more with everyone as I have time!
In Christ,
Benjamin
