Whether we have seen the fruits of our labor or not, it is clear that the Lord is doing big things. An indicator of this is spiritual warfare. The amount of attacks on our squad in particular has been unusual. This week has been full of experiences that point back to demonic attacks. Every difficult conversation I have had with people ends in us realizing that these experiences stem from spiritual warfare. I have been constantly praying against the plans and attacks of the enemy, because no weapon against us shall form. 

I want to focus more on the flip side, God’s plan unfolding. In our Bible study yesterday, we read Acts 2. We always ask three questions; what does this teach us about God, man, and how can we apply it to our everyday lives in a tangible way. In Acts 2 it teaches about the tremendous power of the Holy Spirit. Everything He had done with pouring His presence over the people, giving them the gift of tongues, dreams, visions, and prophecies. This led me to realize that number one - He has infinite power, more than we could ever comprehend, and number two - we can always ask for more. We can always ask for more of His presence, more of His character, more of His peace, and more of His gifts. We can always ask for more because He is infinitely powerful, and His well never runs dry. 

Another lesson I have been learning is the fulfillment of our cup. This whole month I have realized my purpose here is to pour into other people, to overflow into the lives of others. So that is exactly what I’ve been doing. I have been sacrificing my own fleshly desires to care for the hearts of others, and it has been so so rewarding. At first glance, people see sacrifice as a horrible thing that no one wants to do. And to be honest, I saw it that way as well. Until now. The Bible teaches that we are to live as Christ, and we will gain life in return. I now realize that to live as Christ we have to live as sacrifice. Because Christ was sacrifice. That is why when we live continuously dying to ourselves and living as Christ, we gain way more than we lose.

In our Bible study, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I need to be filled back up. And by teaching me that we can always ask for more of Him, I was reminded that He is the only thing that can fill me back up, and also the necessity of the filling. I need to be filled back up because I cannot operate on my own. The outpouring into others needs to be Him, because I am impure. My prayer is that I am an open vessel for the Lord. That it is just Him flowing in and through me, so that others get a direct outpouring of the Lord. Because His ways are better, His plans are greater, and His character is holy, righteous, and perfect. 

A little update about me ~ I have been learning and growing in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I have had so many opportunities to speak truth and wisdom into the lives of others, and I am thriving. On a physical note ~ it has been super cold here. In the mid fourties’ on average, and it has just been draining my energy to be honest. We have about one month left here in Albania, and then we are headed to Italy. We see some of the same kids every week, so it has been easy to build fruitful relationships with them, hoping to plant seeds. The team is slowly learning how to work well together, considering we all come from different upbringings. There has been a little bit of conflict, but nothing that doesn’t bring good growth moments. Until next week!