This week has been a lot easier than last week. Easier because it’s more in my passion and I’ve been waiting for this week since I got here. Our topic this week is Studying the Bible. A lot of it is looking back to the time and culture of when the book was written, who it was written to and what they were going through, and the original meanings of the words. Strangely I never would have said that my passion is the Bible before, but I’m beginning to realize I just love studying it. I love figuring out the context, digging into what the culture was around that time, and I want to know the Hebrew/Greek for every word! Because I’ve noticed how great my thirst is for this type of thing, I’m considering doing a School of Biblical Studies when I’m done with my Discipleship Training School. I also want to study Greek and Hebrew extensively. I’m still praying about this move, and I haven’t looked into locations for the SBS yet, but I’m trusting God to show me His will for this.
On another note, I want to go back briefly to the man I mentioned in my last blog: Ali. We discovered last week that he has a talent for rapping and I finally caught it on video! (Here's a short one: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150593558998503) He’s got several Christian raps and a ton of other raps that he wrote when he was on the streets. He’s forgotten most of them because as he put it, he’s put that stuff away since he became a Christian. But he made sure to remember his Christian ones, and as he tells us another verse when he remembers one, I can’t stop from smiling. How God must look down and smile on this man! To come from where he’s come from and to be committed to God, leaving his old life behind completely and creating a new one in Christ. This is the stuff of movies... Yet there is a sad inadequacy in the movies on this subject. And not just in the movies, but also in our churches. I just think of how welcome everyone is here in the Ellis Room (drop-in center) and how the Because Justice Matters girls paint the nails of any “woman” who walks through the door just to show them someone cares. That is Jesus’ love.
Many times people have fried their brains and have mental problems, but they can find a friendly word and a safe game of pool in the Ellis Room. Many times women feel dirty and undervalued, but they can become a princess when they get their nails done here. And sometimes those women were once men. But they are not turned away. It’s radical, and I know it’s challenging for those who work in this ministry on base, but Jesus was also radical. How can I explain how rejected these people are? Just imagine them wherever you normal drive by or walk by, and then imagine people driving/walking by just the same as they always do. Not even blinking an eye in their direction. It’s appalling and it breaks my heart. We are all God’s children, no matter what mistakes we’ve made in the past and what we’ll do in the future. Why do we so often think we’re better than the person on the sidewalk simply because we have more? More is not better. Quantity is not quality: God considers our quality equal to theirs.
Last week during Outreach Prep we did a personality test so we could know who we are as a team and work towards becoming a better family. It was no surprise to me that I am an introvert. I believe if I hadn’t been a missionary kid, I would have been even more of an introvert but the responsibility of initiating conversation and ministry fell on me whether I liked it or not. Thankfully I don’t resent stepping out anymore. I actually look forward to it a little! It’s still a big struggle and I’m nervous before each step, but I’m learning to do things anyway. And to recognize when I don’t do them so that I can repent and do them the next opportunity I get. To say I’ve grown while being here is an understatement and I find this atmosphere to be so encouraging and challenging that I never want to leave! I’m praying about where God will take me after this, but let’s just say I have a few hints and it makes me giddy with excitement and anticipation...
May God reveal Himself to you daily!
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