Spiritually Stagnant

On October 1st, my team arrived in the Malealea Valley of Lesotho, the very country that inspired the culture and artistry of Wakanda from the “Black Panther” film. This may end up being my favorite country by the end of the month, both for the ministry and the landscape. In our not-so-little valley, we are surrounded by a seemingly endless range of mountains. In fact, a few of us climbed one the other day. We got pretty lost about a third of the way up, until 4 young girls came to our rescue and guided us the rest of the way through thick brush without a trail. It turned out to be a classic world race adventure to say the least.

My team, along with Women of Wisdom (WOW) are staying together at the ministry called Africa 4 Jesus, run by our host, Pieter. He introduced us to the purpose of this ministry with these words, “to train young people in the way of Jesus.” Their aim is to disciple young people in the fullness of the Word and to empower them to live it out in their community in order to reach all people. So, here’s what our ministry will look like:

Sunday: 

• We go to church at 11am. Pieter encouraged us to give sermons and testimonies at each service. We may even find ourselves leading some of the worship. 
• After church, we will be introduced to the surrounding villages so the people will know who we are, which will lay the foundation for us to be able to develop relationships.

Monday-Thursday:

• 7:30am we go on a walk in the surrounding fields, potentially to pray over the area and to get our bearings. 
• 9:00am we go door-to-door in the villages to develop relationships, to share the Truth, and to pray. 
• 12:30pm we return to work on various projects around the ministry site to assist in development for future teams and to work towards the expansion of the site.
  

On Friday we ATL, and on Saturday we Sabbath.

I am very excited for this month and this ministry and this country. I am excited not because of these things, but because there has been a shift in my spiritual state. For just about all of my time in Eswatini, and a few weeks before, I have been in a season of spiritual stagnancy. I used to think that was a bad thing, but over the years of experiencing such a season, I have recognized what it really is: another season to learn and to grow. This year, every state of stagnancy has been a reminder of my being as a son rather than a slave. 

I started this trip in January because I wanted to serve the Lord. I sought to build homes for the homeless, to feed the hungry, and to pray for the sick. These things I have taken part in, and they are all good things. I wanted to be used by God. However, in my own understanding, I became a tool for God’s use. He never saw me as such. I am a son for His love. Yes, we are God’s servants, but we are His sons and daughters before anything else. That truth is why stagnancy is not a bad thing.

When you are feeling spiritually still, just keep to the disciplines: pray, read your bible, worship, sit in His presence. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. If you feel like you can’t read the Word like you used to, just read a verse a day and meditate on it. If you feel like you can only pray for 30 seconds each day, then pray for 30 seconds each day. If you feel like you can’t pray at all, then just sit alone and know that He is there. Stick to the disciplines and trust that His love and grace is sufficient for you. Shake off the lies that you are far from Him, that He is disappointed in you, that He is mad at you, that you are doing everything wrong. You know who you are and whose you are. His love is sufficient for you.

Thank you to everyone who has continued supporting me on this trip. Because of your gift, I was able to go. Thank you for being faithful to the Lord in being a sender. How can they go unless they are sent? (Romans 10:15). Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. Because of your intercessory prayer, I have been without ailment this whole year. I have grown continuously in the Spirit this whole year. I have seen the wonders of the Lord this whole year. I have grown in wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and insight of the Word and the way of the Lord. Your prayers are powerful and effective. I’m standing here only because He made a way.