Boldness and Courage

Boldness and Courage
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I recently took a trip to Haiti where I had the opportunity to participate in my first international mission trip. I was hesitant to go and nervous about what to expect, but the work God did in me during that trip made me grateful for the opportunity.

 

The experience taught me a number of things including what it means to live with boldness and courage despite my tendency to live with prejudice and fear. During the trip, there were so many uncomfortable moments for me that ultimately, I just let go and leaned in to whatever was happening. This was never more true than when I spent time in an orphanage. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, but I am most comfortable with kids who look the same way my kids look, which is not what you get in Haiti.

 

The first time I stepped through the doors of the Creche (means Cradle in Haitian), I was bumrushed by little boys. They ran up to us, and held up their arms which every parent knows is the international signal for “hold me”. I knew what it meant, but I didn’t know these boys at all, so it was really awkward. However, they didn’t care, and I didn’t have enough time to process the situation. The only response was to pick
them up, or get knocked down in the process. So I scooped a couple to them up, and after a few minutes, I knew this was what I should be doing.

The children in that orphanage were energetic, loving, kind, playful and curious. The boys just wanted someone to play with aChildrennd someone to horse around with. I remember coming home from the leadership conference on that second day and looking forward to my time with the kids. I realized I have so many biases and fears that I simply had no time to entertain. The kids wouldn’t let me. I am grateful that God tore down those walls and opened my heart to see His love in a new way. I also saw courage and boldness from everyone on our team. Whether it was praying with strangers, helping people build a house, or showering love on a child. I distinctly remember one night after our devotion time when one of our team members, Morgan, came up to me to ask for prayers. She had decided that the next day was going to be her day to step out of her comfort zone and share Jesus during the prayer walk the group had planned.

 

Mission trips will take you out of your comfort zone whether you want it or not, and God shows up big when we feel completely inadequate. When was the last time you really made a decision to get uncomfortable by serving others? Has God ever provided an opportunity to you and you failed to respond? Boldness and courage can be found in the most humbling and awkward moments if we seek to serve Him in places that we don’t normally experience.

 

CH

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