Written by a Cafe 1040 Student

Truly, I have seen how much I have taken for granted the liberties and freedoms we have in America. Abiding in God looks so much different here, having to gather discreetly, safe language, praying with the blinds shut, and not being able to worship out loud. But even in the midst of limited freedom, God is present and God is good.

The text seems to come alive here, as I am reading through Acts and the early church, God has placed heavily on my heart the desire to see many Muslims added to the church daily. Along with culture and language classes, we have been able to meet locals our age and start to build a friendship with them. It is illegal to shake the belief of a Muslim here, so we lift for God’s mercy and opportunity and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in engaging in heartual conversation with our friends, teachers, and homestay families.

It's building a beautiful dependency on God.

Listening to worship music and whispering praises to God makes the moments I have with Him all the more precious and intimate.

When I return to America, I will long to be able to sing at the top of my lungs to my Father surrounded by the body of Jesus Christ. How God is humbling my heart, and opening my eyes to see His worth and glory in the grander picture of who He is as God, and who we are as His children. Please, dear reader, this week at church dive into the Father's presence, don't hold back but take advantage of the privilege of your freedom to sing and dance and praise.