I was blessed with time for reflection on the sail. I worked every other day in the dining room and was blessed with every other day off! I had lots of time to look out into the vast ocean that He created and ponder "my place" in all of this.
A group of us ladies began
a Bible Study and chose to begin with Ephesians. The first week, Chapter 1.
I read, prayed and read again. I even pulled a few commentaries to add to
the wisdom that Paul was attempting to share with the people of Ephesus. Then,
on the last day of the sail, Ephesians 1:4 stood out to me and these words came
alive.........
"I was chosen before the world began TO BE HOLY AND
BLAMELESS IN HIS SIGHT"
These were a few of the realities that I gleaned from this week's study and my time spent with God during the sail :)
- We
are created and chosen for HIS purposes, not for MY purposes!
- There is a much bigger picture going on than what I can see with my own eyes.
- HIS
Will for my life is to be an active participant in HIS plan, not my plan
- HE
did not choose me because I am good, He chose me to do some good for HIS
purposes!
- Through the Blood of Christ he Justified me (accepted and forgave me) and is in the process of sanctifying me (cleansing me)
- HIS
purpose is to unite all things in HIM, things in Heaven and on Earth.
- HE
is working everything together for HIS good! We are to trust in HIM!
- We
are created in HIS image......HIS plan moves forward as more and more
surrender to HIM. Our part is to Reflect HIM......to be Holy and Blameless
in His Sight.
- This,
is a CONTINUOUS WORK IN PROGRESS....THIS CLEANSING/SANCTIFICATION IS HIS
WILL FOR OUR LIVES. HE GIVES US LIFE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS!
- He places me in situations that opens the door to cleansing. It is up to me to choose for the cleansing to be done or to rebel against it!
For me, the sail has been a challenging
time, a time of cleansing my soul and humbling! I was assigned
to work in the Dining Room for the last four weeks. My first thought was "no problem, I can do this". My thoughts quickly changed the first day. We started our
days at 5:15am, set up, served, and washed dishes for 200+ crew 3 times a day. After each meal,
I was hot, sweaty and exhausted. It was only through the Grace of God that I
could keep a smile on my face and keep up the pace. We were a team of four with
only one having experience in this role. We were blessed to have 2 extra helpers
every day, but this also created a challenge. This meant training two new
people everyday and being faced with "humbling" myself knowing that there are multiple ways of getting the job done!
I admit that I went through a period of pridefulness that ate at my soul.
Rambling thoughts included why me? Why should “I” have to do the dishes,
why am “I” reassigned and not doing something related to nursing. Why was "I" not involed in the team building trainings and nursing meetings? Why was “I”
the one who is filled with years of nursing experience and a master’s degree not
chosen for lead positions? I admit
feelings of envy, jealousy, anger, frustration and feeling like I was not being
used appropriately. Yet, in the midst of the sail, God broke me down and
humbled me. I was reminded that HE Chose Me to be Holy and Blameless in HIS
Sight. It really does not matter what “role” I am doing, it is more about seeing,
learning, growing and engaging IN JESUS! Doing what I already know how to do
(aka, nursing) is not really pushing me outside of my comfort zone and
providing me opportunities for growth in HIM. The use of wisdom is not in the
job itself, the “wisdom” is the ability to get the job done, regardless of what
it is, reflecting the image of God!
I end the sail and my assignment in the
Dining Room and enter into the Unknown Land of Cameroon. I will be working as a Ward
Nurse feeling Blessed to have been challenged in my role in the dining room and given the
opportunity for growth in HIM. J
Glimpses of the Sail and Entering Cameroon
 |
| Leaving Las Palmas |
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| Tug Boat attached and leading us out of the port in Las Palmas |
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| Worhsip on the Bow. We saw dolphins swimming beside us the first night :) |
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| Every Sunday Night we joined to Worship and Pray! This was my favorite part of the sail!!! |
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| Always in AWE!! |
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| Even got in a little coloring time :) |
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| Beautiful!!! |
 | ||
We are Blessed with a Crew filled with Musical Talents!
|
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| Strict Orders........NO OTHER WASTE PRODUCTS BESIDES FOOD AND DO NOT DROP THE BAG ITSELF IN THE OCEAN!! The pressure was on. I had to pick through the trash first to make sure there was only food in it! YUK!!!!! |
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SUCCESS!!!
|
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| We had to declare ourselves lowly polliwogs, then drink the green, yukky concoction and THEN we could announce that we were officially "Diamond Shellbacks" |
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| Not many people get this Certifcate!!!! :) ARRIVAL IN CAMEROON    And HIS Work Continues in Cameroon "In him we have redemption of his blood, the forigveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and on earth." Ephesians 1:7-10 |
My
desire is to See, Learn, Grow and Engage In Jesus, and in the process draw others to See, Learn, Grow and Engage in
Jesus All over the world!
Together,
WE can make a Difference in the Heart, Souls & Lives of Others.
Please
join me in prayer and/or financial support as we journey together being the
mouth, hands and feet of Jesus.
Thank
You!!!
Hey Kathy, it's so encouraging to read your reflections. Praise God for his continued work in your life. Love, Bianca xx
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