WHERE IN THE WORLD IS GOD?

So, we grow up learning that serving God in places less fortunate than we are is a great thing to do.  So, how do we determine the places that are less fortunate than us?  Would this be determined on the poverty level or certain geographical areas, or is it just a personal basis?  People told me as I left that hopefully I can be an example in Miami, showing them "God."  Growing up, I always was taught, or thought, that missionaries were sent from the places that had it together spiritually to show the less fortunate people about God.  Am I a missionary?  No, iI do not really consider myself to be, however, I think others may be.  Therefore, I am to be showing God to the less fortunate people of Miami, Florida.  Right?  It has taken me less than a week to notice that God is VERY present here.  Can he be more present in one place than he is in another?  If so, God is MUCH more present in Miami than he is in back home in Harper!  I am not saying this to cause a ruckus with people there, however, but so we can all get out of our comfort zones a bit.  While worshipping in Miami, people are so alive with the spirit and willing to share.  And what is the best part, these are not the older, more experienced Christians.  Yet, we have numerous people younger than me sharing their testimonies each week with the church, how they are changed, challenged, and tested by the holy spirit each week!  However, back home, I hear this only from the older generation.  I want to challenge the younger people to share how God is working in their lives, and encourage the older people to do the same, setting more of an example.  It is always the same people in my home church standing up to share.

So does this include getting out of your comfort zones?  Well heck yes it does!  Praying publicly is something I have never done, because I feel judged so often.  I can not pray up to the potential of others that I have heard, and when tried, I have been publicly humiliated about it.  And these are people in my home congregation!  My church family that is supposed to be so supportive.  Tonight, in the middle of the church service, I was asked to pray over a member of the church in front of everyone.  I felt the spirit moving through me and it was an amazing feeling as I prayed for a man who I met just a week ago in front of a church who knows nothing about me.  If anyone should criticize me, it would be these people.  The ones who don't know me from Adam.  However, I received great words of encouragement from many after the service of how well I did!  It was at this point that I realized...was I really sent here to spread God to the people of Miami, or was I brought here to strengthen my own faith?  I have been pushed more in one week here, than I have been in 22 years I think?  Not saying I haven't been pushed while at home, but have I been pushed outside of my box back home?  Not often.  

After a week of wondering if I am really supposed to be here, I have received my answer rather quickly!  I think this is the place that God wants me to get my spiritual life back on track after losing a lot of it the past few years at college.  I can not wait to see what else God will show me in the coming months as I start serving the children at Yvonne Learning Center this coming week!

I am sorry if this is hard to read and follow.  My mind was going about 5384900 miles per hour after church.  I felt like I had been through a hurricane of faith and was so excited to type it out that I think I lost myself a bit in it, however, it is too late to go back and make it more readable.  May everyone have a blessed day of worship today!

My prayers go out to my uncle Terry in Kidron as he preaches his last sermon at Kidron Mennonite Church today.  Looking forward to see what God has in store for him in this next stage of his life!