Domestic Ministry

We were in Black Mountain, North Carolina doing disaster relief this week. It was devastating to see the amount of damage that there still was a whole year after Hurricane Helene touched down. Coming from an area where we don't really get natural disasters, I never knew the impact that they had. My heart was broken. Hearing the homeowners testimonies gave me a new hope for the world. How they could go through such a tragedy and still put God first and love the people around them. I wanted to help them the very best I could and I’m not going to lie, I could have done a better job. I started the week off with a terrible mindset. Frustrated with my friends and frustrated with my team. I let my emotions take control of me, said things I shouldn’t have said, and did things I shouldn’t have done. I isolated myself in a setting that was meant for team building and wasn’t able to build the relationships and connections that I know I could have. Things were not getting done because it felt like everyone was against each other. Wednesday, peers came around me, were honest with me, helped me out, and showed me what it meant to be a team player. Through the renewing of my mind, I was able to see their point of view, seek the face of God, change what needed to be changed, and come out stronger on the other side. Thursday was awesome! One of my best days yet. I had some of my hardest conversations that day but that made it even better. We were able to work together as a team, building one another up while also getting the job done! Praise God for my team, praise God for my friends, praise God for my peers, and praise God for my leaders. I’m closer to everyone now because I was able to have those hard conversations. Thank you Jesus for your abundant grace and never ending forgiveness. It is crazy how much can change in a week. I’m beyond stoked to see what happens in the next eight months. I’m writing this to you now from Colombia!! I can’t wait to share with you what happens in my time here. I’m praying for each and everyone of you back home and am so excited to here how you are doing! Much love.