When You Don’t Feel Like Going

– Week Five of CSOM –

We’ve finished our penultimate week at the School of Missions and what a sweet time of spiritual growth and fellowship it has been!

This past week we were able to serve at Calvary Chapel New Beginnings, Rancho Cuarenta, and attend Calvary Chapel Rosarito’s Church Planting conference. At CC New Beginnings, I was able to share my testimony again, and at Rancho Cuarenta, a small group and I went around the neighborhood to pray for people. The CCR Church Planting conference was also incredible, I really enjoyed listening to the various pastors share their experiences and wisdom.

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Praying at Rancho Cuarenta
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CCR Church Planting Conference

Something that God taught me last week was remaining faithful even when I don’t feel like it. Last Tuesday for me was definitely one of those days where I just wanted to curl up in a ball, hide underneath my covers, and pretend the outside world didn’t exist. I was tired both emotionally and physically, and the last thing I wanted was to go to our outreach with a bunch of people around me. But alas, I knew I had to go whether I felt like it or not. So as I headed off to the van, I decided to pray. God, will you take away my exhaustion and fill me with your Spirit so that I may work with a joyful heart? Lord, please redeem my weakness so that I may be useful to You today.

With that tired, but desperate prayer in my heart, I hopped off the van and went to see how I could serve at Calvary Chapel New Beginnings. Not too long into the outreach, my feelings of exhaustion and introversion began to ebb away. God is always faithful to answer our prayers when they are according to His will.

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Sharing my testimony at CC New Beginnings

Funnily enough, the task I was given at the church was something entailing the exact opposite of what introverted and tired Lydia had wanted earlier that day. It was in fact, approaching strangers and sitting to talk with them. Ah, the introvert’s dream! Thankfully, God had graciously filled me with His strength and joy so that I was able to do what was asked wholeheartedly. And you know what? I really enjoyed it! Even though it was out of my comfort zone, I felt so blessed to be able to get to know some new people and pray for them. 

I got to meet one girl in particular who was very sweet. Her name was Karina and as another CSOM student and I were talking with her, I ended up having to use Google Translate for a few words I didn’t know. But Karina was so gracious and patient with us! We asked her if she wanted to get her nails painted or a play a game but with a smile all she replied was, “Me gusta platicar con ustedes.” She simply wanted to continue chatting with us despite our faulty Spanish.

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Karina and I

God is so good. He totally replaced my weakness with His strength. He replaced my exhaustion with His joy. He answered me in my time of need and redeemed it for His glory. I learned that in times when I don’t feel like remaining faithfully obedient, all I have to do is surrender my weakness to God and He will give me His strength.

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Thank you again for your prayers and financial support, I have been so so blessed to be here at the School of Missions. If you are interested in partnering with me financially, please click the link below. I still have about $500 dollars left to raise so your support would truly be very appreciated. Thank you so much for your prayers and considering being a partner with me for the furtherance of the gospel!