Update Missionary Life | Endings and New Beginnings!
- Em Missão Nay Camargos
- 24 de dez. de 2024
- 5 min de leitura
Atualizado: 28 de dez. de 2024
Heeey! Welcome to the last Newsletter of 2024!
I'm happy to share what God has been doing in these last months of the year, which have been intense and full of blessings—filled with arrivals and departures, the closing of cycles and new beginnings, healing and even deeper transformations, knowing who God is through the simplest things, and experiencing the daily miracle with the privilege of living in the Center of God's Will.
Remember, you who support and contribute to my ministry, whether through your prayers, emotional or financial support, are also part of everything that God has been doing in and through my life, and I am so grateful for that!
My wish is that we could be sitting together, having a coffee, and sharing all of this in person. But for now, this is the way God allows me to share these updates with you, so may this time of reading be blessed. :)
"GOD DOESN'T GIVE A STITCH WITHOUT A KNOT!"
As I shared in the last update, God directed me to lead the kitchen at the YWAM Salem base (read the previous update here), and this season has been marked by the intensity of what it means to live in the center of God's will in the daily tasks. I’ve been responsible for managing the kitchen logistics, planning the menu and making purchases to serve over 650+ meals per week for our staff team and students. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of walking with and getting to know the people who serve by my side, discipling and being discipled, and experiencing even more revelation of what God's LOVE and GRACE are capable of doing in our lives. (Special "Obrigadaaa" to Neelam and Cris who have served with me as kitchen staff on this quarter).
In summary, over these past few months, I can say that I’ve been deep within the heart of our base, feeling and living each beat—the Kitchen. Amidst these beats, we, as a base and community, celebrated the graduation of the Summer School, which was sent to the Philippines in September, the arrival and sending of the FALL School, which will be in Japan until mid-February 2025, and the closing of the 9-month Bible School (SBS).
Among these beats, I was also able to look back and see, through everything I’ve experienced, how God has been preparing me for this time, knowing that 'He doesn’t give a stitch without a knot!' hahaha. Experiences such as:
Growing up in a kitchen has been my foundation for the daily preparation of meals, as well as the sense of RESPONSIBILITY that God expects from me—not just in the kitchen, but also in the lives of the people I impact within His purpose for my ministry.
My background and Degree in Business Management has undoubtedly helped me with managing everything that needs to run smoothly within the kitchen, especially the general logistics that are required.
Working in a Buffet for a season has helped me today to focus on the quality of the food served, whether in large or small quantities, thinking and planning everything with a smile on my face hahaha :)
Isn’t it interesting to look at how we’ve been led to where we are and how our experiences serve as tools for what God entrusts to our hands?!
ANSWERED PRAYERS!
I prayed asking God to make me more like Jesus, and look at the beautiful opportunity I've found, hahaha! Leading a kitchen brings daily challenges that draw me even closer to God. It's a task that demands so much physically and mentally, but it has equipped me to be more patient, to trust even more in God’s provision, and has shown me beautiful opportunities to walk alongside people—praying for and encouraging each one in the way they need. I've also gained eyes to see how God has been using each person’s gifts and talents to serve in our community. Daily tests, intense ones, with room for failure, are applied so that I truly learn and, above all, LIVE all of this—it's tough, but I recommend it, hehehe! :)
We pray for people to serve in the kitchen and in this season, we had the privilege of having over 20 volunteers on our team, rotating shifts to serve in the meal preparation. Among them, we had 2 students from the FALL DTS. Being with them weekly, especially the students, was such a blessing and very encouraging because I could see how much God was working in their lives and how much they grew. They learned to apply lessons we teach in the kitchen, which also apply to our daily lives, such as: responsibility with time and actions, quality in relationships and serving, positioning and leadership in the tasks we are entrusted with, and so much more.
Yes, my dear, my passion for the kitchen has grown more and more every day, and I could spend hours here sharing how God has used the routine tasks of the kitchen to teach me not only to be a good Leader or Servant but a good Daughter of God.
I’m not here presenting myself as the perfect example to be followed. I recognize the weight and responsibility of this in our lives. I am, in fact, a classic example of someone who gets distracted nearly every day, focusing on my own desires, plans, or limited abilities, which leads me to want to do things my way. But I am constantly reminded—with God’s love and grace—that control is not mine. On my own, I can "manage" and handle things, even if I suffer under the pressure that the world puts on me. But with God, the victory in every achievement tastes different. The burden is lighter, and there is joy on the journey.
And with this reflection from the past few months, I close this letter, wishing that you too are living in the center of God's will for your life. And, if you realize that you are not, may you hurry to return.
I pray that the final days of 2024 are lived intensely, wherever you may be. May the new year that is approaching be received with gratitude and great hope, knowing that great things will come and be fulfilled in our lives for the honor and glory of God, in a new season, with new achievements and challenges, through new ways of living and knowing God's grace!
Merry reason to have hope (Christmas) and a prosperous New Year!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
GIVE THANKS WITH ME/US!
For the arrivals and departures of more young people who are dedicating their lives to serve the Kingdom of God;
For the privilege of leading the kitchen alongside people who have helped me persevere, no matter the challenges;
For God’s grace that has given me the strength to remain, and for the ways He has prepared me to be HERE and NOW!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For more people saying 'YES' to the call to serve in the mission field;
For more volunteers who see the kitchen as the eyes and heart of God;
For a willing heart to live everything that God has for the new year ahead!
How can I pray for you?
Yes, it will always be an honor to receive prayer requests, so feel free to share if you have any specific prayer requests for this time. Click here or connect with me in the way that works best for you!
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Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I am so grateful for that!
With love,
Nay :)
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