Serving God in all Seasons.

This year is my third year going to Manitoulin Island with a group from my church to run a week-long Vacation Bible School for the children on a Native reserve there.

The first year that I decided to go on this trip was in 2012. Looking back now, I know that I didn't sincerely go with the mindset of "I'm ready to serve God!" I was fifteen at that time, and although I had made the decision myself to go on the trip, I was definitely swayed by the fact that my brother and a few of my friends would be there. It was a wonderful time, and it went off without a hitch, so I was greatly encouraged by it and couldn't wait to return the year after.

I didn't actually return until last year, 2014. Last year I was incredibly excited, holding onto all of the memories that I had left with from two summers previous. Even more memories were made last year, although we encountered many more snags than we had in 2012. Some of us felt like everything was going wrong; it rained and we had to turn our outdoor activities into indoor ones, there were a few times when personalities clashed, and the trip just seemed pretty rough as a whole. That being said, there was never a question in my mind as to whether or not I'd return this year; I know that at least some of the issues we ran into were from the devil, trying to persuade us that we shouldn't be doing what we were doing. Besides the fact that I love the people up in Manitoulin, and I love working with the team from my church for the Kingdom, I know that I can't back down from this missions trip and let Satan think he has the upper hand.

After looking at last years trip from a farther away lens, I'm able to see that God was simply reminding us that HE is sovereign. I felt that as a team, we had leaned so heavily on our own plans. We had planned everything out to a T, and the night before each day of camp we would run through everything to make sure that we were all on the same page in regards to how the next day would work. The way that I always put it is that we said that we were relying on God throughout the whole trip, and to an extent we were. But also, we were so dependent on our own plans that God needed to give us a bit of a slap in the face and be like, 'hey, hi, hellooooo! I'm the Creator of the universe, why don't you try depending on Me a little bit more! You're doing this work for Me; I'm on your side!' I'm thankful for those reminders that He gave us!

I'm writing this the night before we're set to leave (we leave in about ten hours!) and although I'm excited, there is definitely a different dynamic in the air this year. In 2012, I was nervous but also stoked to go out on my first missions trip. Last year I was purely excited to be returning to the Island after being away from it for two years. This year, there has been a lot going on in my life since the start of the summer, and I have to admit that I'm not excited as I had thought I would be at this point in time. This past week in and of itself has been HARD. [I'm going to make an entire post about that when I get back home. I planned to do that before I had to leave, but I ran out of time...] At times I'm feeling like I would be better off staying home tomorrow, but as I mentioned above, I can't step down and let Satan win! I know that I need to continue to on with the trip. A friend of mine actually texted me randomly today and asked me if I'm excited for the trip. When I told her that I was only a little bit excited, she responded with a very encouraging message. She said,

"I know the events of this week will get you down, but I hope it brings you closer as a team and gives you a unified and greater desire to serve the Lord in whatever way possible on this mission trip. I know that's easy to say and not so easy to do, but I'm praying that the things you guys are feeling will give you a greater urgency to share God's love with the people you meet next week. Depend on the Lord for His strength; He is able to do more than you can ask or imagine."

That was such an encouraging message to receive, and so unexpectedly! It's great to see God reminding me of His truths through my friends. I feel bad that I'm going up to Manitoulin Island and not feeling like myself, and not being extremely excited. The Bible tells us that there is a season for everything, and currently I'm in a season of mourning and hardship. I know that God will use me no matter how I'm feeling, and I have the desire to serve Him even though I'm sad. I'm clinging to the truths that my friend reminded me of today. I know that God will strengthen me for the tasks that He is going to place in front of me. He isn't going to prepare me (and the team) for this trip and then leave us all hanging out to dry on the mission field. I know and believe with all of my heart that He will be walking alongside all of us. He'll be strengthening us, giving us joy where and when we're lacking it, giving us the words to say, the Truths to speak, and holding us up when the hard times come. Man, my God is incredible.

Talk to y'all once I return home next Saturday!

Elizabeth