“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (psalm 34:8)
Our journey began on a Thursday morning.
Our mission: Create an awareness of foreign missions and Global Challenge as an outlet and Link up with Past Participants and parents of current participants and encourage them.What we noticed: God has been equipping and stirring up people to walk out the life of abundance where they have been positioned and He just so happened to allow us to be involved in that process…
#IMAGINE
We kicked off our little adventure with a bang at the #imagine conference where over 4000 teenagers came together to meet with Jesus in a fresh way and be equipped to walk out their relationship with Him in their schools. As you can imagine with 4000 teenagers camping the experience was interesting to say the least;) We had the privilege of leading small groups where we discussed session’s content and shared and prayed for one another. Worship was wonderful and input was valuable but what created such an excitement in my heart was the last day when Oom Cassie Carsten came to give word. He unpacked scripture from Acts and Joel where He began to share with them that a Resurrection life is a life that is Equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit. It was almost as if in a flash I began to see young leaders stand up as He prayed for 3000 teenagers to receive the Spirit. SO much hope and expectation for our nation as young people rise up into Sons and Daughters!
During free time we set up a stand where we gave opportunity for people to come and speak to us. These moments were some of my favorite of the weekend because what was meant to be a marketing stand became a place where we were able to minister to and encourage people. What a blessing! A Great example was meeting a 16-year-old girl who had such a passion for missions and to know God. She sat with us and we unpacked the word with her. I have no doubt that she will impact her environment with God In a beautiful way. So wonderful!
MEETING UP WITH GLOBAL FAMILY AND SHARING IN NEW SPACES
After packing up and cleaning up (which I might add is interesting after 4000 teenagers have moved through a space) we headed to Summerset Stellies, and Cape Town linking up with The Global Family who are involved in different areas of influence. Was such a blessing to raise their hands as they intercede on behalf of their families, friends and colleagues. It is so encouraging to witness our family live out their expression of who God is where they are.
One such session really opened my eyes to what God is doing in a powerful way. On Monday morning we were taken into the fine arts department where about 15 people gather together to intercede for their department and professors and to lift one another up. There we witnessed God encourage them in a beautiful way and we experienced a real shift in the atmosphere. Hearing testimonies of students taking a bold stand in their classes and sharing their personal testimonies with their professors ignited within me a real desire to spur them on!
Or sharing at cell groups and schools where people were so hungry to hear that the life of abundance that Jesus promises, and His word is REAL! That we live it. Sharing testimonies ignited desire in our own hearts but also the hearts of those listening to be Bold and really TASTE and SEE that the Lord is good. To really dive in and not just be a spectator.
Fellowship is so important to stir one another up in our passions, giftings and desire to seek Jesus, and we experienced that with every coffee date and meeting we had.
MEETING OUR PEOPLE OF PEACE
What was also remarkable was to see how God had set up divine appointments with people of influence who we could not only share with and encourage but whom we could learn from. We are beginning to understand that we are merely fish in an ocean of mighty men and woman of God who are walking in obedience and equipping the saints to do the same. Just hearing from a man who has walked with Jesus for years and has a powerful testimony encourage you in what you are doing is so overwhelming! Like a big brother casually pointing out ” you’re on the right track bud, continue!” WOW. Also just have that sneaky suspicion that puzzle pieces are being made aware of one another, and who knows how they may fit together some day?...
I Heard this said in a movie once and thought that it would be apt to share it here: “There is no worse death than the end of hope.”
Sometimes in the business of life we loose sight of that which we were created to find and live in. Or should I say WHO we were created to find and live in. And as one of our friends so aptly described: we allow our ministry, our jobs, our circumstance to become our Shepard, When all along Jesus is our Shepard and He is the only one who will ever lead us into rest!
SO wherever you are whatever you are doing be encouraged to know that your hope which you fix your eyes on, IS a hope that is a sure anchor for your soul and as you let HIM lead and guide you He will lead you into that life of abundance which HE speaks of and demonstrates. HE will make you come ALIVE!
And who knows…you too may become a tasteful traveler in this journey of life: one who TASTES and SEES that the Lord is good!
Sincerely yours
The Tasteful Travellers
PEACE