6-12-08

7am
Base, El Salvador

So much happened yesterday! After breakfast and a quick devotion, we had a surprise activity. We were going to need our bathing suits on and our most valued possession. I took my earrings because they represent my trip last year, and my calling for the future.
We went to the top of this huge hill where the leaders were waiting for us. We all gathered around this pile of filthy, smelly mud. Garret, one of our leaders, asked us one by one if we would be willing to put out valuable possession in the mud pit. I said no. those earrings are symbolic to me, so for me to throw them into a mud pit would be like throwing away my calling.
He told us we were going to get in pairs of two and cover each other from the neck down in mud. As he told us this, he was covering his own arms in mud. He asked, “Would you hug a poor little boy if he came up to you all muddy like this?” That’s why we were doing that exercise, to step out of our comfort zones, so we were prepared to love anybody with humility and a humble heart.
After my partner and I were completely filthy, we prayed together in the mud for God to give us our reveal to us our spiritual gifts and to take away all the crap within us. We all got into the bed of a truck and drove down to the lake to wash it off. It was really humbling, and fun.
We went straight from the nasty lake water to lunch, soaking wet. I felt more filthy after I got out of the lake than before I went in. I was so happy to take a shower after that.
Then we really started learning more skits and dramas. We learned on drama in particular that was really amazing. Its done to the song “from the inside out” by hillsong, but in Spanish. It goes through the story of Noah, Jonah, the pool of Bethsaida, and the crucifixion and resurrection. The choreography is absolutely beautiful. I’m really excited. I want to record it and bring it back to CLC in English.
Our practice for that went really late and then we had to teach it to the Masters’ Commission students. I was so drained. Ten we went to the lake for a bonfire. Garret spoke about a lifetime of service and how important dreams, visions, and callings are.
At the end he asked everyone who’s received a calling to go on one side and those still waiting on the Lord to go on the other side of him. I kneeled along with a group of others who feel a calling on their lives. I called on God to revive me and renew my passions for Nicaragua. I started to doubt again… “Why am I here?” I kept thinking.
One of my leaders, Lacey, began to pray over me. She prayed for spiritual gifts to help me through my ministries and for peace to come into my life. She told me I’m here for a reason, and told me god was going to use me on this trip. She began to thank God for my passion for Nicaragua.
When she left, I was crying. I began to thank God for my confirmation. There was lightning behind the mountains on the other side of the lake. As I stood in awe I realized something amazing. I know I’m called to Nicaragua for two years, but God knows so much more. He has even better things for me because his ways are so beyond mine. I’m not even capable of imagining God’s plan for me.