Well, it has been quite the ride. I got home (aka back to Boyce), safe and sound on the night of August 9th. I spent the night with some friends - moved into the dorms on Saturday... classes started Monday afternoon. I started out with church planting (with Dr. K - of whom I highly recommend!).
Sunday was an adventure in and of itself. Being back in American church was nice. It was the first time in quite awhile that I actually understood what was going on in the service. Sunday night I sprained my ankle walking down 3 stairs at Bethany... (that's right, I can climb mountains in Africa with flip-flops - but I can't successfully walk down stairs. That morning I almost fell about a zillion times because I tried my hand at high heels.. of which I can no longer walk in... I think the only shoe I still know how to walk in are flip-flops.)
An hour after spraining my ankle, my boyfriend proposed. (and I said yes, of course.) So now.... 4 classes, 2 jobs, and a fiance.... and I'm still attempting ministry and social life. It's been CRAZY around here.
The other interns (April, Catilin, Thomas, and Logan) just got back like... yesterday. So be praying for them... for their adjustment process. Keep Jody and Sarah in your prayers, as always.
April shared with me some exciting news yesterday - that one of our contacts professed faith in Christ. I'm not sure if she realizes all what that means just yet, but pray that she'll follow through. I'm overjoyed in this!!!
I'm still adjusting. In worldview class last week, the prof asked us each to introduce ourselves and tell what we did this summer - and what God was teaching us. He firstly told us that we didn't have to be one of those crazy missionary people who just got of the plane and are still jet-lagged... etc... and then proceeded to point to me as the first one to go.
Well... I'm one of those crazy people who just got off the plane about a week ago. lol. Yeah. Crazy missions major with henna still all over my hands and feet. Now it's pretty much gone on my hands - but it's still prominent on my feet. Yep... one of those crazy missions majors who's every thought lingers how she can get the Gospel out there... to people who have never even heard the name of Jesus.
Let me tell you though, reverse culture shock is fun.... people are arguing about things that don't matter.... or complaining about food in the caf... and I immediately think of all the starving kids in Niger... who have no food... and who lack an understanding of the Gospel. We take so much for granted here.... and they have nothing there. We sit on our pews and go about life... when people are dying every day and going to hell. We were COMMANDED to take the Gospel to all peoples. The great commission isn't an option. I wish people would understand that.
... and we aren't just commanded to go to all nations - we're commanded to do it at home too. For church planting - my fiance and I are parterning together to try to start something among refuges. It looks like Bethany Baptist will be joining alongside the effort. There are people here in Louisville that don't know Christ. There are refuges from nations in the world that we can't get into - but they're right here in Louisville. The nations came to us... so we should tell them of the greatest news ever.
Where would you be right now if someone didn't share the Gospel with you? Think about that one. That question has stuck and sunk in my heart. It just furthers the passion of getting the Gospel out there.
I'm going to try to keep y'all updated from week to week on our ministry here in Louisville. I think by blog posting - and having an assignment on it - I'm more accountable to doing such things.
Also pray for an upcoming mission trip to Brazil that may happen. I don't know how possible it is that we'll be on it, but it's good to pray for guidance in things like this.
Pray for us. :) Love y'all. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
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