purpose prevailed

i will try as hard as i can to pour as much thought as i can into this entry..something i havent quite done yet on any of these posts (sorry!). we are currently on our last week here, and so much has happened. lives have been changed within our group and outside our group, and lessons have been learned all across our epic team.

last night some locals that we are friends with here took us out and drove us around the city in the back of a truck. its a common thing here since its not illegal. we love riding in the back of the trucks, although it gets a little scary on the highways. good thing most people dont drive over 60 mph here. while i was sitting in the corner of the truck on the way home from northshore, the sound of the wind kept me from hearing any conversation that was even a foot away from me. i gave up trying and just listened to my own thoughts formulate in my head. i was watching the sun set while in the back of a truck going 60 mph on a highway, and i was thinking about all that has happened up to and throughout summer project. multiple instances i have shared that i could leave now and feel completely at peace knowing that God is in control. i could leave, not out of laziness or lack of energy, but because i know that we have planted seeds here that i cant even comprehend or see. whether i see fruit or not, i know Gods purpose will prevail throughout it all.

when i think about what we did here and ask if it was successful, i can say with no doubt that we were. just the number of people that accepted Christ and rededicated their lives to Him alone make this trip worth it. i've seen how God works in ways that we cant even imagine. if God had sent all 16 of us with the purpose of sharing the gospel to just one person, i would still then consider it worth it.

on this trip, ive watched people change their lifestyles in a matter of less than 6 weeks. i've seen God transform hearts and turn them from their past ways of life. whatever successful is, i know God has been working in the lives of people here, and i know for a fact that lives were touched.

it's so crazy when i share the gospel with someone here who has never heard it before- someone living in america, a "christian nation", yet has not heard the gospel before. for me to be a part of his first exposure to the gospel makes me feel significant and blessed to be a part of Gods purpose.

one of the biggest spiritual lessons i have seen is God's prevailing purpose. i have seen how our team has been flustered and distraught by lack of back ups, lack of plans, lack of safetys, and even a lack of energy. there have been times where we cannot see the point of something, yet the purpose becomes clear after. we experienced failure when we planned and planned for things to go our way, but disappointed to see it stray from plan. we've experienced failure in our eyes, then saw success in God's. its a tough process that requires trust and reliance on God. we learned first hand that we have many plans, but the purpose of the Lord will always prevail.

so going back to texas i am a little nervous and a little excited. excited for Gods unseen plan unfolding for me as i go to a new school, and nervous for that very thing, the uncertainty of my new surrounding in austin. so with just 5 more days, i look forward to making the most out of these days and preparing for 100 degree weather in houston, tx. alright, shoots!