Emphasis on Evangelism and Discipleship
"Evangelism is essential to missions. You will learn how to share Jesus
Christ with Latin people and encourage them to be fully devoted
followers of Him. You will have opportunities to share Christ
personally, in cooperation with local believers, and relate new
believers to the local church."
If I am to be completely honest, this is perhaps what I am most nervous about: sharing my faith in a foreign language. I really don't know what to expect as far as the atmosphere of religion and the response to Gospel presentations or just talking about Christian faith in general. I have thoroughly enjoyed the various relationships that I have been blessed with over the past couple of years in which I got to share my testimony with not-yet-believers and have conversations about faith that they didn't necessarily have with others. And while it was difficult at times, this was all in English so I can only imagine the trials that will come in doing this in Spanish. If you could be praying for me in this, that the Lord would give me the words to say (preferably the Spanish words!) and the boldness to share His love wherever His Spirit guides me in Mexico.
While I am nervous about this, the Lord has given me an unexplainable peace the past couple of weeks. I honestly expected to be a relatively emotional mess, with graduation and permanently leaving Syracuse and dealing with all the little details in getting ready to leave for Mexico. But surprisingly, I have not cried really at all ever since graduation weekend started. And while I have honestly been kind of apprehensive to fully embracing this peacefulness, the other day I found a notecard with one of my favorite verses on it that spoke directly into my current situation:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
-Philippians 4:4-9
I so love it when the Lord interjects His sweet truth into our daily lives, like He did in this gentle reminder. I have been filled with such joy since the moment I fully embraced this peace and all I can do is thank the Lord for blessing me with this and bringing me so far in growing as a woman of the Lord. I can't wait to see what else he teaches me and strengthens me in over the next few months, and I know that as long as I hold on to the unwavering foundation of Christ's love for me, I will survive whatever trials and storms come my way.
