Three months, six new best friends, gained knowledge, renewed spirit, mended heart, and a brand new adventure ahead.
The last three months have flown by! From groups staying over night, to random tours through out the day, meeting international community leaders, learning new skills, cooking group dinners, playing music and gathering around a wood burning stove, I could not have asked for a better place to grow during this time of seeking in my life.
God has used SIFAT (Servants in Faith and Technology) to grow me, teach me, and refuel me to head out into the world and love people with a new vision. A vision of connecting people together on a much deeper level then just lending a helping hand. God has opened my eyes to see that poverty is not a lack of something physical, its a broken relationship that has not been mended, and that what the world is in desperate need of are people desiring to connect with one another with the mind set that we are all struggling in this world and that God has placed us all together to figure out the best way to bring love to this earth.
As I wrapped up my time at SIFAT some other staff members surprised me and my fellow intern with a trip to the Island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. We partnered with an amazing organization called Bahamas Methodist Habitat, who work on the islands doing home repair and community development. It was a great way to end my time at SIFAT and spend some great time with people I love with all my heart!
Thank you Addison, Mary, Laura, Dave, Becca and Nate. Also thank you Cameron, Steve, Abe, and John who made our time down there so special!
On this trip we learned so much about how to love people with simply a ministry of presence. So many times we go on short term mission trips with the expectation to do something for others. On this trip God allowed us to meet people, see beauty in his creation, and learn that its not just about doing something for others, but going into a new culture and letting them teach us. I am so thankful for the time of bonding for good friends, for vacation, and for building new relationships with awesome ministry partners.
I am looking forward to seeing where God is going to lead me next, maybe it will be back to the Islands! For now Im back at home resting, spending time with my family and friends, and trying to figure out what adventure Im going to pursue next! Its scary to not know whats coming up but Im hopeful because I know that what ever I do, where ever I go, I can serve God.
Thank you God for SIFAT, for what you taught me and for what I will take and use in my future!
To see more awesome pictures from out trip to the Bahamas check out Laura Paulk's blog here:
http://livinggratitude.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-bahamas.html
