As I continue to reflect on my time in Suriname, He showed me how He used every family there to teach me either something new or remind me of something I should already know about Him. I went through the training with 5 other units and each one was a blessing to me.
He used my roommate, Christy to show me how to constantly put others needs first. She is a people pleaser and loves to serve others. She was constantly looking for ways to serve the community whether it was making sweet treats for everyone, checking on people when they were sick, or just talking to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. He showed me more about this command to love others more than I love myself through her. My favorite moments with my roomie were either the moments early in the AM when she wasn’t awake and would tell me all kinds of things or the times when we sat at the table and shared what HE was doing in our lives. Please pry for her and the two teams she has coming to work with her in the next 4 weeks.
He used my roommate, Christy to show me how to constantly put others needs first. She is a people pleaser and loves to serve others. She was constantly looking for ways to serve the community whether it was making sweet treats for everyone, checking on people when they were sick, or just talking to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. He showed me more about this command to love others more than I love myself through her. My favorite moments with my roomie were either the moments early in the AM when she wasn’t awake and would tell me all kinds of things or the times when we sat at the table and shared what HE was doing in our lives. Please pry for her and the two teams she has coming to work with her in the next 4 weeks.
He used the neighbors, the Burkhaulter’s to show me what grace looks like in a house of 6. They were tested and tried with all kinds of illnesses and epidemics during their time in Suriname, much like their last year on the field. It was beautiful to watch them loving forgive their children, teach them about forgiveness and grace, and show them grace when they did not deserve it. Both of them are very different in their parenting styles and He taught me just how perfect His plans are in marriage. He is using his flaws to sanctify her and using her flaws to sanctify him. To me, they look a lot like He does, as they love each other and their kids. He definitely taught me more about grace and marriage through the neighbors. Oh there are so many favorite moments with this amazing family. From Travis yelling “good morning, Suriname” every morning, Sophie’s dry sense of humor, Isaac’s daily trips to our house for a “band aid”/sweet treat, Bella’s laugh, Joy’s dancing and Beth…she is adorable! I think one of my favorite times with her was just hearing her heart about her work and our last night together at dinner just being completely goofy! Please pry for wisdom as Travis goes out to their people, for Beth as she homeschools and decides whether or not to continue storying at one of the houses in her city.
He used the Grady’s to remind me just how creative He is and how He knows no bounds or limits. They are a very structured family and it is great to have such a well-prepared family in our community. They are a strong, Chrst centered family and I loved watching them work together like a well-oiled machine. Due to early bedtimes for the boys, I did not get to spend as much down time with this family but their redemption stories and comments during our training gave me plenty to pry over them and praise Him for each day. One of my favorite moments with this family was when we were eating dinner together at their cabin and their littlest one did not want to eat his veggies and wanted more bread. Christy asks both boys if I should get another portion of veggies. The oldest one replies yes with a little grin because he didn’t like the veggies. The youngest one looks at me, looks at his mom, and says that he thinks that I should get another piece of bread, flashing his cute little smile at his mom! I died laughing at his intelligence and wit in order to get his piece of bread. Please pry for them as they serve as their team leaders and still do His work amongst their people. Ask for wisdom for John and Sonia as they raise their boys to be like Him!
He used the Murphrees to remind me just how patient He is and just how quickly He answers our pryrs when we align our will to His will. Josh and Crystal love the Lrd, each other, their children, and their people so much. He used their dealings with each other and with their children to remind me of what His patience looks like in the real world. As they disciplined and taught their children, they did it with such love and patience. I had the privilege of hanging out Crystal early on in our training and she shared some of her requests to me. It was such an honor to pry for her and over her and then watch Him answer so quickly. She was completely transformed during this training and Josh was as well. It was so neat to see Him unite them in Him, give them His love to the point I started calling them the honeymoon couple because they were all lovey-dovey! My favorite moments with this family were when we ate together and the kids really opened up and showed their cute little personalities. I loved pryng each week with Crystal, her witty comments during our trainings, and her honesty. Josh is the most prepared man I know for any injury related emergency and yet he is so humble that he is always wants to learn.
I will never forget a little inside joke that is properly named “hammock time” and still makes me laugh!
I will never forget a little inside joke that is properly named “hammock time” and still makes me laugh!
He used the Pearman’s to remind me of the beauty of Our Redeemer, to be content wherever He places you, and serve whomever He places in your path for that day. Ba Dally (as he is known in the interior) and Margaret just finished 2 months of training in VA and arrived to the interior a week before we did to be apart of 5 more weeks of training! I remember how I was after training…on fire and ready to share with the world. I was definitely not wanting to sit through another training again but their attitudes were that of Chrst Jss. They did not complain about 4 months of training but were content with what He had given them to do. Ba Dally and Margaret’s redemption stories are beautiful and how He placed them together, and called them to His work showed me just another gorgeous aspect of My Savior! And talk about service, those two did whatever for the community good and were willing to learn and teach at anytime. My favorite moment with these two was when they were sharing about their “nacho night” and whenever I would try to give Margaret a hard time for always looking so cute (in the jungle), her response was always, it is not-yo-night! Pry for them as they learn a new language, learn a new culture, and follow Him where He is moving.
The other families were all trainer families and HE definitely taught me through them as well but these 5 units had a special place in my heart as we were all experiencing the same thing for the first time. I praise Him for allowing me to get to know each one of them and now pry alongside of them as they serve Him in their different locations.
The other families were all trainer families and HE definitely taught me through them as well but these 5 units had a special place in my heart as we were all experiencing the same thing for the first time. I praise Him for allowing me to get to know each one of them and now pry alongside of them as they serve Him in their different locations.
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