Nobody Showed Up ... Until God Did

15Jul

Dearest Friends and Family,

I am sending you this with a full heart and a grateful spirit. The last time we spoke, I shared about Silvano and how the Lord has been moving through our outreaches. I also asked you to pray for me as I prepared to share at our next outreach. Having your support, encouragement, and prayers has been nothing short of an immeasurable blessing. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart.

This past week has been full, exciting, and challenging. The learning doesn't stop in the classroom. We've been learning more and more about the unreached people of the world—those who haven't had the privilege that many of us have had to hear about Jesus. To put it lightly, absorbing all of this has been burdensome. The more I learn about how blessed and privileged I've been, the more convicted I become. There have even been moments where I've questioned whether I'm supposed to be here at this school. But I signed up to grow, to be challenged, and to learn. More than anything, though, God has been teaching me.

One of the biggest themes He's been revealing to me is surrender. For the longest time, I thought surrender simply meant reading the Word, praying, and serving those around me. While those things are certainly part of it, the Lord has been showing me something deeper. He's giving me a desire to seek out the things that keep me from Him—the things I just can't seem to let go of, even the things that, in my eyes, seem like they're part of His plan. I know that may sound gloomy, but it's actually been incredibly freeing. As I learn to loosen my grip, I'm discovering that He truly has it all figured out. And as He tightens His loving grip on my life, I find rest.

For example, I asked you to pray for me as I prepared to teach. I spent the little time I had studying, preparing, and asking the Lord to guide me. I felt confident and ready. I poured my heart into that message and believed I was prepared to teach whatever youth came to the outreach we were hosting in the park. God, however, had slightly different plans. While there was a good number of children and adults, no youth ended up showing up.

My initial reaction was disappointment and defeat. Then I remembered that I needed to surrender even that. While I was saddened that I didn't get to teach the local people we had hoped would come, I was able to share the message with my team and the Connections House staff instead. As it turns out, the Lord knew exactly what He was doing. It became a practice run, because today I had the opportunity to give a longer version of that same teaching. The Lord worked through it, and two people gave their lives to Christ. The church we partnered with is now able to follow up and disciple them. Praise God!

If there's anything I've learned since being here, it's that God's divine plan for our lives is far better than any "grand" plan we could ever create ourselves. We can toil day and night, spend countless hours mapping out, educating ourselves, and designing the perfect future, but it will never compare to the beautiful story the Lord is writing. Throughout my life, He has graciously allowed me to see glimpses of this truth, and I'm seeing it more clearly with each passing day.

I so wish I could tell you about the countless other amazing things happening here and how the Lord is moving in each and every person. On top of that, there have been so many beautiful conversations and meaningful interactions. Honestly, and as transparently as I can say it, I am so very grateful to be here and to experience all of this. We're beginning week three, and I can't wait to check in with you all again and share what the Lord continues to do.

I am humbled by your continual prayers, encouragement, and love. I would genuinely love to hear how you're doing as well. If you have any prayer requests, please don't hesitate to send them my way.

I love you all.

Talk soon,

Josiah Grant

How You Can Partner With Me:

As I continue to serve, learn, and grow, I am inviting friends and family to partner with me through prayer and financial support. While this trip is an incredible opportunity, it does come with a cost. The total cost of CSOM is $2,700. I am deeply thankful for everyone who has already chosen to support me and invest in my future, and I would be deeply grateful for anyone who feels led to join me in this journey. Any amount of financial support is greatly appreciated, and a giving link can be found below. The greatest way you can support me is through prayer–that the Lord would continue to prepare my heart, guide me throughout the school, and use this time to grow my faith and love for others. Please continue to pray for the safety and health of the entire team.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for…

Continued team unity

Hearts to be touched (mine included)

The Connections House team. They have been pouring their time and energy into us. Pray that they would feel rested and energized for their long days, too.

Wisdom for me upon my return my home in mid-August.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to hearing from you and how I can be praying for you!

Blessings,

Josiah Grant

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Photos from this week: