Walking By Faith

     As I sat down to write, I realized I have already been here a week! There has been so much that has happened, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for the rest of the month. While I feel like I have just arrived, I also feel that I have been here forever. It has been such a blessing to fit so perfectly with my other teammates, mentors, and the missionaries and their families.

     This month, while the parents are in training in the afternoons, I have the privilege of being with the three to six year olds. During our time together, we have been playing outside or in the classroom, making crafts, and going through an activity/lesson for the day. These activities relate back to things they will experience on the mission field, such as seeing new things or trying new foods.

     In addition to the time spent with the soon-to-be missionary kids, I am working at New Life Fellowship Church (http://newlifefellowship.org/; http://newlifecdc.us/ ) with my ministry team.   We are going to New Life weekday mornings to help with their Summer Boost program, which strives to prevent summer learning loss for its participants. This time consists of pushing the children on swings at the community playground, assisting them with crafts, and spending time getting to know these precious children. In addition, we are also helping New Life on Sundays with their children's ministry during their 9:00 and 10:30 services. I am with the babies in the nursery. I loved spending time getting to know one of my teammates and some of the church members better while playing with the little ones!

      I have to be honest. After finding out what my weeks ahead are going to look like, I was overwhelmed. I was trying to process everything while adjusting to life in a big city away from home with people I had just met a couple of days earlier. I was praying for peace and rest, and I know many of you were praying for me as well. During my quiet time in the morning, the Lord began reminding me to trust Him. I started to realize I was looking at the entire month ahead, trying to figure out how I was going to do it in my own strength. That's why it was so overwhelming. Instead, I need to focus on the day the Lord has put in front of me and look to Him for the strength I need! After coming to this realization, these past few days have been great. However, I still have to remind myself to slow down, trust God, and rest in where He has placed me.

 If you are wondering how you can be praying, please pray that:
1. our team would continue to be rested and energized in the days ahead.
2. the little hearts we are ministering to would be softened, and they would begin to see God in a bigger way.
3. the children of the missionaries would continue to adjust to this new home they have for the month.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7