It’s our last night in Miami. I will miss many of the friends within the community that were made, while also longing to return home to serve. I journeyed down here with the mindset that I was open to learn and be put where God needed me. I thought I would be able to spectate and articulate the idea of missions, but God had other plans.
The idea of missions is not really an idea, but an action. He taught me. When your in action, it has everything to do with Him moving within you. Not only Him moving within you, but in others who are seeking Him.
There were many areas where I could honestly see God moving in the hearts of those we ministered to. The Lord put me to work giving out t-shirts to the homeless (the timing was perfect). I journeyed out the door to where the homeless were eating their meals. I sat down with a man name Darrick and began to ask him questions about his life. “Where are you at?” I asked him.
He responded confused, “What do you mean?” So I began to ask where he was at in life, his story and how he felt about his direction. He began to share with me his desire for change and how he was not where he wanted to be due to drugs and alcohol.
While hearing much of his story I continued to insure him God is the only way to win this battle. The guards began to tell everyone they had just a few more minutes. So at this point I asked him if he would mind me sharing some stuff with him while he ate. He smiled and God filled my heart with words. Relating the meal and his desire for food to drive him to make the decision to eat and comparing it to his lack of desire to quit because if he was truly hungry for a better life he would pick up the spoon and take a bite. I reminded him yet again of God and how He is the only way to such a place. He smiled greatly as I shared in his struggle how I too struggled with drugs and alcohol years ago and how the Lord delivered me from it. It was an incredible moment and I felt the Lord opened so many ears. Four of the students during this time were listening to this event taking place. What a great chance to share the Lord’s testimony in my life and to see God working in so many different ways.
The Lord told me on my trip this was not for me, but for the young in faith; to stand firm and strengthen them through love yet firm discipline. This by far was one of the most challenging things I ever faced. God so greatly strengthened the bond between the students and I, allowing me to stand firmly and seeing His hand at work within them. Each one boldly stood before his peers sharing God’s Word and proclaiming the joy of the Lord through contributing to the body.
The second night after this they all begged to share their testimonies. Incredible. Every student spoke of how God used Crave to impact their lives in such a huge way. It was completely heart warming to see them recognizing sin as the separator in their relationship with God, and acknowledging that Christ is the redeemer for His people. The movement of God within them has been the greatest encouragement of this trip.
Jeromy Mashburn
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