Let Them See You - weeks three and four of SMSM

Let Them See You - weeks three and four of SMSM

"Let them see you in me,

let them hear you when I speak,

let them feel you when I sing,

let them see you."

To start, please forgive me that I have skipped a week on an updated blog.  This is usually how it goes...oops.  However, I wanted to take another week to process my thoughts and really give you all a glimpse into how my mind works.  It takes me a bit to process things and then write them in a way that makes sense to everyone and not just my blubber. 

So lets begin.

I have had the opportunity to do some awesome touristy things while here in Gatlinburg.  We have one night and one day, every week, of  free time, if you will.  Most of our days are pretty much scheduled out with a bunch of different things including, a CRU weekly meeting, bible studies, women's development, a night of reflection, and outreach, so when we get the chance to explore the beautiful place that we are in, we take full advantage.  Last Monday we went on a 5 mile hike at Abram Falls (one of the top 10 most dangerous hikes in America...shhhhh, don't tell my mom) which led to the most breathtaking waterfall and swimming hole (the picture does not do justice).  I love being able to see God's masterpieces and being that I am in the Smokies, I feel like I am constantly amazed at all of His work. 

These past two weeks have been more challenging than expected.  I am having the time of my life here on this mission, but just like everything else, there are times where I feel defeated.  However, in this environment, I know from the beginning of my discouragement, that it is Satan making his way into my heart.  I have never felt so relieved to come back to my room at night and get such godly advice from my roommates and friends.  I am so blessed by having them in my life.  Along with that, I am learning that depending on other people is a good thing.  Learning to trust other people with certain aspects of my life is so helpful, we were not made to go through this life relying on ourselves.  And prayer.  Prayer is powerful, yall.  And it took me some time to realize just how good it can be!  In times of defeat, prayer is AMAZING!  You don't need to have the right words at the right moment, just talk to God.  Jesus teaches us how to pray in Luke 11:9-10, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."   I am letting this be my guide on how to pray to God. 

So apart from all of the fun stuff that I have had the opportunity to do, I have been given such a great opportunity to outreach to my fellow co-workers.  At the beginning of this trip, I was unsure if God wanted me to stay at LandShark and work.  However, it is clear to me now, that I am placed exactly where he wanted me.  Over the course of the past two weeks, I have had many spiritual conversations with some of my co-workers.  Some of those conversations happened during work and others happened on Friday evenings during our specified outreach time.  God is surely showing up and giving me and my friends the words to speak to our co-workers, who have now become friends.  I had this fear coming into the summer about not having the right answers when questions are asked, and there have been moments, where I have learned to be humble before God and simply say, "I don't really know the answer to that question."  If there is one thing I have learned these past two weeks, it is that its okay to not have all the answers, no one does.  So my fear came true, however, in that moment, I did not feel fear, I felt peace from God.  With that being said there is a lot of good opportunity to share the gospel at some point this summer with our new friends.  There are a lot of other tiny details that are not necessarily that important to share right now, but if you all could keep the employees of LandShark in your prayers, that would be greatly appreciated.  God is working in mysterious ways!

As far as the international students, we have continued to reach out to them every week, meeting with them on our own time, on Friday nights, and Sunday evenings at our outreach times.  I am blessed with an amazing mission team.  I tell ya what, there are some people who have the natural gift of spiritual conversation and it is so cool to hear stories from other people about their encounter with international students.  We just finished our fourth outreach night and the gospel has already been shared, so praise be to God!  Even writing that, it sounds so awesome!!!  How can you not when brothers and sisters are being led to Christ?  I am anxious to watch friendships form and continue to form week after week.  I love seeing all the international students becoming so involved with Sunday night outreaches and being so open to hanging with us American college students.

Here's to another work week and watching God work in my life. I am continually amazed at how gracious our Lord is and what all he is doing in my life and the lives around me.  My main goal this week is to love on those who are hard to love, show grace like Jesus shows us on a daily basis, and have other people see God's love through me. 

Please continue to pray for the Smoky Mountain Summer Mission and those we are reaching this summer.  Check back next week (hopefully) for an update on week five!

Keara