Do not get me wrong, I am falling more and more in love with Porto, the more we venture out, but I have defiantly been dealing with culture shock lately.It's been difficult for me to relate with my mission family.I love them and see our common thread, which is Jesus; I am just not that big of a football, sporty girl and they love football.( I Sound crazy,huh!?!)
Also,being in a place where English is not the primary language is not as easy as i thought it would be. I figured I would jump right into the culture, learn the language, build relationships with the people, present the gospel and boom...this place would just automatically feel like home to me, however, I have truly had to depend on the Father for help... Which all the while is RIGHT where He has wanted me to be, in complete need of Him, admitting my desperate need for His help for His will to be done and not mine.
So I am learning to learn about the culture, people, sports, language....
I am realizing that just because people do not live just like me, speak like me and enjoy the exact same things I enjoy, does not mean it's wrong... it's just different!! There is not another Jennifer Suzanne White out there... and boy am I thankful for that,and you should be as well.
We are all created By God to do His work, however, the beautiful thing is that He did not make us all the same!!The Father is a mighty Creator who does not duplicate! He only made ONE you and ONE me! Oh praise Him for that. I am learning to adapt by listening and praising the King for the diversity He used to create this universe and the people in it.It's funny how blinded we can get when we are only focused on ourselves and our own comfort...boy, I can tend to be so selfish!
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.There are different kinds of service,but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
-1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Father,
Help me to see people trough your eyes and love them the way you first loved mankind. I know you have placed me here specifically in Porto, Portugal.I pray that I can listen and learn from others and begin to enjoy the things they enjoy. I am daily learning to strip away this filthy sin coat I am covered in and I am becoming cleaned, polished,molded and made new into your image. I am sorry for not relying on You fully and thinking I could do anything on my own... I can not and I do not want to do so. I pray for my family and friends in Alabama and their mission fields there and I thank you for my new family and friends I have here in Porto.I pray for the lost all around the world, those that are broken and in need of You. Jesus, let me shine your light and show your love to everyone I meet while I am here. Thank you for shedding Your precious blood for us on the tree.You are more than enough for me and more than I deserve. I surrender my life into your hands and trust that You have a beautiful plan.I am Yours.
In your holy name I pray,
amen
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