We all split up into 5 teams and went into four different communities to serve and show people Jesus. Not only did the people in the communities get to see Jesus but all of us got to see Him in a brand new way as well. God broke down walls that surrounded people's hearts, gave us new revelations of who He really is and not what we have made Him to be. Even some of the people who weren't sure what to think about God and Jesus received a revelation that will change their lives forever. Those are just some of the things that He did within those of doing 10 Days, I don't have the time to tell you of all the stories that came out of the communities. We saw people healed, people starting to get off drugs after seeing their friends lives changed, families having peace after having so many months of constant fighting, and people getting jobs to support their families after being out of work for long periods of time. God is amazing!
With everyone getting up at 5:30 every morning to be in devotions by 6am and then having two hours to shower, eat and clean up before someone came to speak with us by 9 was just the struggles we faced in the morning. Believe me over 20 girls using 4 toilets and 4 showers isn't easy. Then the afternoon with packing lunch, cleaning that up and still getting to the communities on time was even more fun. It was really like herding cats trying to get everyone out and into the vehicles. Even then you couldn't make them all stay very long. For my team the afternoon always seemed like the hardest part. I love doing ministry and working with people but my team was the first one ever to work in the community that we did. We were the team to break ground and see what happened. Some would say fun, which it was at times but it was so incredibly hard at times as well. Seeing the trouble every family has was such a shock because it just seemed so much more highlighted than in the other communities that I have worked in. It was so hard to meet people because of the way the community is set up but God really opened up doors for us. We met people, made friends, and saw people experience the joy of the Lord in a new way. God really did pour that joy out on my team as well. Because everyone in 10 Days said they always saw our team laughing and having a good time. It was a gift for sure. We couldn't have survived without it. Evenings were a little better but we still never ran on time. I thanked God everyday that we had someone cooking dinner for us.
Despite all the craziness that almost brought me to tears at times I look back with so much fondness and joy. I miss it in a way. I am enjoying my own room again and being able to sleep until a more normal time but I miss having all the people around me and hearing all the testimonies that came in almost every hour. Even though we came from 7 different countries and who knows how many different cultures we overcame them all through Jesus. We were united in such a strong way! We learned together and from each other. We were all seeking God and He really did show up. Every worship time that we had was powerful none of us wanted to stop. It was out of that overflow that we carried on in the communities and it is out of that also that I want to carry on even now. God met me in such a real way and took such a burden off of me that I can't explain the joy that I have in my heart now. There was a time during a worship session and still are now when I can't help but laugh. My flesh is going 'what is wrong with you' and my spirit is so full of what God is doing and showing me that I really don't care.
So, now when Christmas is only a week away that Spirit of joy is the one I want to work out of. I really do miss my family but God is doing so much here that I am thankful for! I hope that God is blessing you with that Spirit of Joy during this season and may it last all year long. That we may be able to give Jesus a gift all throughout the year for all that He has done for us!
