Stories like this from the past keep me going for the future. These times of ministry gave me a passion for this work. When we went to Honduras, we were privileged to serve in a lot of ways that gave me so much joy from Jesus and these amazing people. ~ My Story ~ Like almost every other moment of this trip, I sat in the service with disbelief. I couldn't believe I was finally here, in the amazing land of Honduras, finally with the missionaries I had so longed to meet. And it had exceeded my expectations. In fact I had learned more about myself already on this trip than ever before. With meeting all my new team members, and my new team leaders only days before, I felt weak and unknown, almost unimportant. I didn't have culture shock but I did have eye-opening shock. Because I realized the purpose of this trip, was not about me. It was about Jesus and serving him. Loving others. Giving up myself and giving of myself to do things I was terrified of. It was about more of Him, and less of me. That's what I learned in the first couple days of my trip. I was torn apart and broken into tiny pieces so God could show I can only do these things with his help. Even today I still have taken this important lesson to heart. Every day I ask for the strength I don't have, that only Jesus can give. The strength he gave me in Honduras. Every day I think of the impact this trip had on me. In fact, it has more and more impact on me as I keep on living, praying, and growing in my relationship with Christ. We went through it together, He and I, as we served with TLC in Honduras. The most amazing time, I repeat, of my life. So back to the service. I had been soaking in the time there as much as I could, living it to the hilt, as Mrs. Martin would say. Looking up to Mr. Kuhns and seeing his love for the people, I became overwhelmed with passion for this ministry. I admire so much the missionaries' fluent Spanish and how they interact with the people. Yes I long so much to accomplish that same feat. I realized when they were my age, maybe it seemed like an impossible task too. But they persevered. An encouraging thought. As I sat there in the service I became so thankful I was in Honduras, I was living in the moment so much. Thinking back on how God orchestrated everything to bring me there, a tear started rolling down my cheek. I was thankful that God led me to sign up for TLC. I was thankful, that I happened to pick Honduras that day I sat on the hammock and scrolled through the website when the trips were revealed. I picked Honduras. I had no idea why, it just sounded like a pretty fair choice. And now I know why. I was thankful that everyone else who signed up did, that God picked out the most perfect-est team. :)) I was thankful that I had been to Spanish class before, and learned how to communicate a little from my amazing Spanish teacher. I would have no knowledge of such things as this without him. I honestly don't think this trip would have been as amazing without that experience. I was thankful for all the money that came in, that allowed me to go on this trip. Thank you so much everyone. And I was so thankful for everyone's prayers. It means so much. It still does. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know for a fact that God worked in every single second of this trip. He Was Amazing. Everything we did, all the ministry, gives me such good memories of the past. But you know what? When I think about the prayer meeting at the children's hospital, or the ladies' Bible study by candlelight, or coloring at the special needs orphanage... it motivates me for even more ministry in the US. It renews my passion for showing God's love to my world, right now. When I think about the poverty at the dump, it makes me so much more grateful for what I have. It makes me cry out with a burden for them. And it excites me for the future and the ministries I will hopefully be involved in. Motivates me to practice my Spanish. To work as hard as I can. To grow in my prayer life. To start a Bible study, where I am. To become a missionary after God's own heart. Pick me God. Because of this TLC trip I want You to work in our lives more than ever before... So keep reminding me. I want these memories of these ministries to last forever.
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about the authorAs a 21 year old aspiring teacher, Karissa loves to write, travel, play piano, and read. Many creative things have her heart. archives
November 2021
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