Does God Make Mistakes?

Hi you guys!

I’m so excited to share all that God has been doing recently, it’s crazy! First, we partnered with Calvary Chapel Homex and did an outreach at the neighborhood park. I had the opportunity to invite people from the neighborhood, lead worship, and have conversations with people who came. I sat down with a kid named Jose who was 18 years old. I had seen him and his cousin, Carla, sitting in the park as the event was going on. I saw no joy or laughter in them, they were just sitting and watching. They came to grab food at the end and I wanted to sit and listen to them. After sharing our names, how old we are, and where we come from, Jose shared his story with me. He’s from somewhere near Yucatan, but he came to visit his cousin and didn’t know how long he was going to stay. He shared with me how recently he was going to a party at his cousins house and he was riding in the back of a pick up truck. As he was getting out of the truck, he was caught in the crossfire of gunshots. A mom and baby around him died from these shots, but he got hit on the right side of his chest and ended up in the hospital. Jose passed out from the shot but remembers waking up in the hospital. I asked him what his mom thought of the situation and he said he hasn’t told her because she’s really sick and he felt that this would hurt her even more. With all the Spanish words I had, I told him that he’s alive today for a reason and that God is not done with him. He shared with me that he sometimes goes to a Catholic Church, so I told him that Jesus wants to have a relationship with him. He wants him to come to Him and depend on Him. Saying yes to God is the best decision he could make despite all the hurt that the has. I shared my testimony with him and shared that life isn’t easy and it’s never pretty, but God puts these things in our lives for a reason. I wanted to share with him so much more, but my Spanish was very limited. It frustrated me, but I know God used the words that were spoken. I had no more words, just a heart that felt for him. He was a shy kid and made little to no eye contact. I know that he was hurting inside. I told him that I would keep praying for him. I gave him a hug and let him know that The Lord is thinking about him and loves him. As beautiful as this moment was, it hurt me because I know this was the first and last time I would see him. Jose had opened up to me and I won’t be able to see him grow in the Lord. I appreciate that Calvary Homex is there, which he seemed very interested in, but I would love to be there and see him get closer to God. I guess that’s what short term missions can be. They’re beautiful but it broke my heart to leave him.

Gratitude

This Sunday, our team had a church takeover at Calvary Chapel Tecolote. I had the opportunity to lead worship for the congregation and it was a sweet time! The days leading up to Sunday, I was very nervous. It was my first time leading by myself and playing with different people, but I know that God was with me. I struggled with a couple words in Spanish, but when the time came, it was no problem! All because of Him! But as sweet as the time of worship was, sitting and listening to the message was even better! The Lord was speaking to me and all I wanted to do was cry. My heart was so full of thanks and gratitude to God. As our leader was speaking he brought up a verse and it reminded of all that God has done for me.

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of God.
Proverbs 30:8-9 ESV 

God gives me all that I need. He is enough for me. What the Lord has done in my life has brought me to this moment and all I have is gratitude. I am grateful. My heart is full because He uses me. Despite my broken past, hardships, and trials, He is faithful. Everything has happened for a reason. Because of my past hurt, I cling to the Lord because I know that I can’t do anything without Him. I am nothing without Him. He uses trials to grow us and to give Him the glory and honor. I shouldn’t be where I am right now. I shouldn’t be leading worship or ministering to people at outreaches. But because of who He us, He has allowed me to. He gives and takes. Through it all I will glorify Him. With all I that I have I will honor Him and worship Him. It’s not much but He takes it and makes it beautiful. I wish I could take what I felt at that moment and give it to you guys, but I can’t, so I hope these words describe at least a little.

I am praying for you all. Thank you for your prayers and continual support.

In His Love,

Alani