Sometimes it hits me out of nowhere, how blessed I am by the community and examples of Christ-followers God has given me.
My whole extended family, from the time I was born, has prayed for me and nurtured my relationship with Jesus. Our homeschooling group growing up was not just fellow-homeschoolers, but fellow Christians. When we moved to Indiana when I was in middle school, He allowed us to join a small group of homeschoolers who became my best friends for many years. This group gathered twice a week for singing, prayer, and Bible study. The children were not only included, but were expected to sit through the “service,” and participate, asking and answering questions. Outside of these times of Bible study, we gathered multiple times a week to play and have fun.
When I got a little older, God moved in some huge ways (I’m not going to detail them at this time, but they’re rather ironic and funny) to place me in a small group of “young professionals” who attended my church and other area churches. We met for Bible study one week, and game night the next. We interacted and encouraged each other in our daily walk with Christ. This group is what got me through nursing school.
Now that I’ve moved to Haiti, God has consistently surrounded me by the most incredible Christian women who share my love of Haiti and are always around to listen to me and challenge my thinking. I am so blessed!
Most recently, I have started attending a home church here in Haiti. Most of these families homeschool and have many children – I feel like I’m back in the States as I was growing up! This past Sunday we had our normal morning service – singing, prayer, a sermon, and more singing. Afterwards, we shared lunch, and then the kids went outside to play and the adults continued to talk. Then it was suggested we needed to have a prayer time for several of the families in the group, and without question, all of the adults gathered around for spontaneous prayer. What an example! We don’t just gather for church, but we gather to share our love for Christ! He’s not just a Sunday morning service requirement, but He’s included in all of our interactions. He isn’t an after-thought, but the reason we exist and the reason we gather together.
I’m in awe of how God has worked in my life. I’m so grateful for the community with which He’s surrounded me. He is too good to me!
Fruit Worthy 