2.16.09

How’s this for humor? I left for South Africa with several prayers. I wanted eyes to see, I wanted ears to hear, I wanted this radical revolution to occur within me. I don’t know how much I actually wanted this to happen, or how much faith I had that it actually would happen, but I’ll tell you what – it has, and in a completely different way than I expected. (that’s not the funny part…it’ll come)
I’ve been stretched more than I would have imagined coming in, and the crazy thing is we haven’t even started our missions work yet. All my growth is occurring within our body of students. Recently I was called out for always cutting people off when they’re talking. Guilty. I had no idea, but since then, as I pay attention I’ve found that I am 100% guilty of cutting people off. As I’ve reflected on this idea, I come to understand that sadly, the reason I cut so many people off is because I’m doing a terrible job of caring about what others are saying. I’m doing an awful job at loving my neighbor as I should be. It’s cool that something like this can be improved so quickly as soon as you become conscious of what’s going on. My neighbor was created in the image of God. If I’m not loving my neighbor by caring enough to listen to what they have to say, than I am considering myself, my words, my story as more important than my love for God. Here’s where the humor comes. I came to South Africa praying for God to give me ears to hear, what I was meaning was ears to hear the cry of the people of Africa, to have my heart broken for what breaks God’s heart. Instead, God is giving me ears to hear the people around me. The people that I already should be listening to. My goal now is to try to listen to people, to really care about what they say, to love.
Other than just reflecting on life, I’ve also been doing things physically as well haha. Sunday morning I went to a very evangelical church that I haven’t been to yet. It was very cool, very inviting, very community-oriented…and very uncomfortable, but a cool uncomfortable, so I liked it. Later in the day a group of us went to the mall to see a movie, which wasn’t showing when we thought so we killed 3.5 hours in a coffee shop…it was super fun. Other than that, Sunday was a Sunday, nothing worth sharing, just great relationships begin furthered.
Today was a regular old Monday. I lead worship which went very well, went on a run which I always loathe, fell asleep and almost missed lunch, and just got done with 4 hours of class.
Now, I’ve got a couple prayer requests. First, please be praying for my ears to really hear as I make a conscious effort to listen and love. I also want prayer for something else. This summer I’ve got a job lined up at a golf course which I will really enjoy if I end up there. At the same time I’m going to start volunteering at Solid Rock’s youth group, God wiling. I’ve been praying and meditating on things, and I want my summer to be more. I’m going to email Brooke, the youth pastor at SR, and see if there’s any way I could get an internship. Pray that and internship would be possible if that’s what God wants. I want to be absorbed in ministry, and I fear that if I have a job…well I don’t know, I don’t really fear anything, I just would love to pour all my time into the youth and I think an internship is perfect for that.
That’s all for now…gotta go catch dinner while all you guys wake up. Time Zones, you gotta love ‘em.