Prayers, Answers, and Community.

I have just under two weeks and I will be in Benin. Its been busy here, but the Lord has been showing me my need for him. Last week I was sitting in class listening to a speaker when I wrote down a short prayer.

I really would love to know his peace more. I would love to rest in his peace more than I worry or fret about things. We had a bit of a break and my small group leader came up and handed me a card she had written. In the card was a verse.

I sat there dumbfounded. Less then two hours before I had prayed for something and he had responded loud and clear. He gave someone that verse to give to me when I needed it. What a personal God we serve! God took the time to speak to me in a way that I could not miss or explain away. He was reminding me that he gives me peace.

How often do I miss him speaking into my life? How often is he beckoning me to spend time with him or sit quietly and listen and I miss it?  I distract myself often when the Lord is saying ,”Look, this is what I have for you.” I am thankful that he unrelentingly pursues us. I am thankful that he speaks into our lives. I am thankful that he is faithful. These last couple of weeks have been a good time to spend learning, seeking, and finding what the Lord has for me. There is still lots to learn and I still often miss what the Lord is trying to tell me, but he is patient with me and he is still speaking and calling me near.

I have met a lovely group of ladies here that I get to call my small group. It has been fun to get to know them and walk this journey of on-boarding with them. Being here has reminded me that community is so important. God often uses the people in our lives to speak his truth to us. We are not meant to walk this path alone. Sometimes I still try and do things on my own and the Lord always draws me back to people that want to love him and love others.

Photo taken by Mercy Ships.

Two of us will be going to the ship at the end of March. I am excited to see how the Lord will speak through this new community. It’s not always going to be easy, but life in community is worth the challenge.

Thank you for walking this path with me and listening to my ramblings. Please keep praying that when the Lord speaks to me I hear him and walk in his grace.