Last weekend, I got the chance to go on a mission trip up to Katima Mulilo, Namibia. It was a very short trip with 48 hours out of the five days spent driving, but it was amazing. Our aim was to teach the local churches how to evangelize on the streets. That wasn't something I had done before either, so it was a learning experience for me as well.
Refreshing. Invigorating. Reviving. Awe-inspiring. Releasing. I went because I wanted to know how to share the gospel, but God worked a much deeper change in my life. Being around people who are passionate and unafraid before God released something in me. Who you hang out with affects who you are.
Sharing your faith with other people makes your spiritual foundation even more solid. Two of the ladies I shared with were standing outside the hospital, and after they accepted Christ they asked me and my group to come in and pray with a male relative. Later, we found out that Dr. Pier, of our team, had been refused entrance to the men's ward - God opened that door. We later talked to a group of ladies and children and we were at first met with a "this is ridiculous" attitude, but then I started speaking and they got very quite and then gave their lives to the Lord, our translator later told us that they were whispering "how can one so young preach like this?" The oldest girl was also especially affected - there's a demeanor, a way of acting that shows the person is listening and being touched.
20 seconds of courage. At first, I was nervous, but I don't have to be. I might have to summon up the guts for the initial push, but it's not me doing it, it's God. That night, we held a Crusade and did a drama and worshipped. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
The style of worship at the African churches is amazing. I don't know what's different, but no one - including me - minded being at church for three hours (we left at that point so we could start heading home, but I don't know how much longer the service extended for). And the singing! The whole, albeit small, congregation joined in, harmonizing. Our team was asked to pray for the sick and whereas I'm normally unsure of what to say, the words just came. God was speaking through me.
Something God's placed on my heart this weekend is that He works through imperfection. Even if I make mistakes in my presentation or something, He uses me.
At first, the way the team prayed seemed strange because it seemed like everyone was talking all at the same time and competing to be listened to, but I came to realize that everyone is just praying together and individually with God. Sometimes one person leads the prayer and everyone else joins in with 'Amen' and 'Yes, Lord's. Also, speaking in tongues. I was skeptical on this point; it sounds like absolute gibberish. But I asked, and my team members explained it to me. It's God's language that He gives each of us, and no one but He can understand it; it's different for each person. Like any gift or talent or language, practicing it makes it easier and more fluent. It's like praying emotion, especially when you don't have words. You have to have faith that you're not just making the words up, and that the Holy Spirit is giving them to you, but you have to open your mouth.
I continue to be confirmed that God brought me here to South Africa to bring me closer to Him. Not just because I lacked friends and support, and so I relied on him, but also to open me up to the workings of the Holy Spirit and the depth at which I could KNOW God.
