Hello again! I am so sorry to have gone so long with no update of any kind! On July 29th, about half of my team flew into Atlanta, Georgia for debrief. The others travelled at a later date due to COVID. On July 31st, mom and dad picked me up in Atlanta and it was such a sweet reunion. Fast forward to today: I am sitting in 10/40 Coffee on the square in West Plains wondering how I can summarize all the Lord did over two months in one simple blog post.
Before I go into anything else, I just want to say THANK YOU for all of your support over the past few months! From the beginning, I received so much encouragement, and it was so kind. I am thankful for your generosity in the fundraising process. It was 1000x easier than it should have been simply because of your kindness and willingness to serve the Lord in that way. I have no doubt there is treasure being stored up for you in heaven because of your generosity. Even more than that, I am thankful for your prayers. I have no doubt my team and I were covered in prayer the entire time we were gone. It was so comforting to know i could count on you to pray faithfully. Now, back to the reason for this post.
Over the last few months, I have seen the Lord move in miraculous ways in my life and in the lives of those around me. I saw Him show up time and time again in big and small situations alike. I learned to hear His voice more clearly than ever before, and I am learning what it means to walk in intimacy with Him. I saw healing and salvation, redemption and restoration. I learned what it means to be in relationship with the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Lord was so kind and so faithful in showing us His presence in each moment on the trip. I do not want to sugarcoat it and make it sound like the two months we were gone were perfect and easy. There were days when we did not want to show up for ministry or fight for loving community. We were always sweating in Costa Rica, and many of us contracted parasites in Guatemala. There were days when we were discouraged and exhausted. However, these moments do not hold a candle to the good times we had.
When we did not want to show up to ministry, the Lord gave us fresh eyes and a renewed purpose. When we were tired of close community, He reminded us that it is a sweet gift, and it is worth fighting for. When we were sweating 24/7, He kindly reminded us that we are called to serve, and it is not about us at all. When we were up all night sick, the Lord brought comfort and healing. When we were discouraged or exhausted, the Lord spoke to us or used someone else to speak His words.
Through each moment, I was reminded of this simple truth: He meets us wherever we are. We are His precious children that He has and will continue to fight for. He loves us immensely, not because of anything we have done, but simply because He chooses to do so. His kindness, faithfulness, grace, mercy, holiness, righteousness, strength, wisdom, and love never waver. Because His character never changes and never will, I can confidently put my trust in the God who meets me where I am and will never let me down. I have learned that I can live loved, and I am learning everyday that I can walk in the freedom He offers!
This summer brought me sweet friendships (well, actually I would say it brought me 16 sisters and 1 brother) ? as well as new revelations. I am continuing to sit on the things the Lord spoke to me and seek His voice as to what they might mean, where He is leading, or just the next step He is asking me to take.
Currently, the next step is heading back to Evangel for junior year! I am sure the Lord is going to continue the good work He began. I am excited for what this next season will bring. I am expectantly praying, and I know He will continue to move in great ways. The same God who spoke to me in Central America is still the same God in Springfield, MO. He leads us from glory to glory, and I am confident that the best is yet to come because God holds my future, and in Him I find hope.
Thanks for reading! Hopefully this made some sense; I just have so much to share and do not want to leave out anything that I saw the Lord do! If you have any questions or comments, please reach out! I would love to talk to you!
This is terrific Makenzie!! The statement that speaks most to me is “I have learned that I can live loved”! (I somehow see a T-shirt with the words “Live Loved” on it). His love is unfathomable, immense, and complete. Take that knowledge into your junior year. It will open doors, fulfill your dreams, and conquer the enemy!! God bless you Makenzie!! You’ve got what it takes!
Wow!!!! Beautiful said! 🙂 God blessed you and your team with such an amazing time! Thank you Jesus for your love! I’m so proud of you and I will always be here to support you! 🙂
It is so awesome to hear of things God is doing around the world. And better yet, that He has allowed you to be a part of it. It just makes me wonder, what would happen if we all would just let God be God in our own surroundings, our own little piece of the world, what kind of changes, and how many souls would be changed forever just simply because we let God be God through us! I know at times that is a lot easier said than done. And I am so proud of you Makenzie & your team for making the sacrifices you all have made to share Christ with a lost world. For going way beyond where your comfort zone boundaries end….I know it couldn’t have been a easy thing. And I pray God will continue to go before you, preparing each step of your journey, and pouring blessing after blessing upon you!
Love Beverly
Dear precious sister,
As always you’ve “blessed my socks off”. I know it sounds strange, but you’ve enabled me to live the life of a mighty servant of God through your journey in the world of a missionary. True, ministry is not always glitz and glamor, but hard work with little commendation. However, there may not be the “atta girl” here, but the angels are certainly announcing what the Lord accomplished through you and your team. Thank you for being willing to go, willing to serve, willing to be used by the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!
I love your perspective, your revelations, and the glimpses of Heaven on earth. I can’t wait to continue following your journey wherever the Lord leads you next! Glory to glory! 🙂