Encouraged When Doubt Creeps In

Doubt has become all too familiar a state of mind since I signed up for this trip to Burundi. Doubts about my abilities as a teacher, my influence on the youth, who I am as a person, and of course whether or not I should attend this trip to Burundi have seized my mind threatening to overload all my neural circuitry. But God in his comforting way sent a message of encouragement Monday morning.

I had gone to see The Cross & The Switchblade back in June at my New York church, TSC. I boohooed as if I didn't already know the story, especially when Nicky gave his life to Christ!

I knew God was speaking to me about the mission field in which I currently live, southeast DC. I thought about who around me could benefit from the amazing testimony of Nicky Cruz's story and immediately two favored students came to mind. We'll call them Derek and Peter. Derek is a voracious reader so I knew he would be intrigued by something called "Run Baby Run" with a knife on the cover! Peter is a beginning reader so I am still praying about how best to reach him with the message, but I got the book for him anyways.  

The only problem was that the students did not have to return to school anymore! However, one morning out of the "blue" Derek showed up to my empty classroom. I about fell over with joy because I had so desired to give him the book. All year God had been giving me opportunities to love on him. He had also given me opportunities to share Bible verses and even just extended times to saturate Derek with worship music. Some days it looked bleak, like when he randomly yelled out, " not everyone wants to be a Christian Ms. Clay!" Other days looked promising like when he wanted to share with everyone the message of Jeremiah 29:11, especially to the boy who is named Jeremiah.

" For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Of course when I gave Derek the book he wanted to know why there was a knife on the cover. I told him he would just have to read it to see. In my heart I prayed that the message would touch his heart so greatly that he would even read the book twice. I should have known better than to limit my prayers to such!

On Monday while rushing down the street to catch the bus, I ran into Derek. (This is why I love living in the neighborhood). He told me that he read the book, AND so had his mother, AND his grandmother! Only God hits three generations at once!

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" Ephesians 3:20

My spirits were definitely encouraged, and as I continue to pray for "Derek" and his family, I pray that you will too!

So even with 9 days to raise enough plane fare but 0 donations towards my missions trip, I am still encouraged. I definitely won't be limiting God about what he will do in Burundi, because I see him showing up, here in southeast, in my neighborhood, on my block.

If you are interested in donating, click the post it with directions below. Every little bit helps! Thanks!