The foot of the cross is the most even playing field.

Reading in Acts 10 and 11 this past week was such an eye opening passage to how we all have predispositions on the way God "should work," but as Peter says and soon later realizes “God shows no partiality" Acts 10:34.

God uses the most unassuming, unworthy, and unprepared in the eyes of people to do his work.

I find that as I'm serving in the mission field, I am constantly surprised and astonished by how God shows up. I think that so often I feel like some people are "too far off the path" or would "never be interested in the gospel" that I diminish the power God has. 

Reading about Peter's doubts and learning about stories of redemption for people who seemed too far gone reminds me that no one is ever too far or too lost for God. I wasn't so why would anyone else be.

We never know what being obedient can result in, but I do know that my God is faithful. He sees what we cannot and he redeems all through his son.

There are no limits on a limitless God. No partiality and no comparison in the body of Christ.

As we have been learning and growing in our ministry, there are constant reminders of how being faithful results in the growth of our owm faith and others.

God has been bringing atheists, buddhists, sinners, and saints alike into our paths and the reminding us that God loves each all the same.

A couple more days left here, but God is still working. I'm excited to see all the he does moving forward.

Life recently:

Yesterday night, Gracie, Ani, Daisy, and I were all talking about how crazy it is to hear the gospel for the first time — how reckless, impractical, and different it must sound to someone who has never heard of Jesus before. But that's the beauty of the gospel. It's unearned, undeserved, and overwhelming. It's reckless to our human minds but completely purposeful.

God's plans, ways, and timing work outside our humanistic restraints. He is constantly working all things out for the good of those who love him.

I have witnessed and seen this in my own life. Each and every single time I try to write my own story or steal the pen I am constantly reminded of who the author and finisher of my story is. God's plans, ways, and desires for every single one of our lives are so much better than we could ever imagine or write for ourselves.

Never in all my life would I have thought I would be here in Utila Honduras, working in a coffee shop, making friends, and getting to tell them about Jesus, but that's what an amazing God we serve. No matter the mistakes, faults, or imperfections I have, Jesus's sacrifice is my redemption. I am no longer a slave to sin but a child of God. He is my hope and the hope of all those I get to meet here on the island.

I am in absolute awe of how intentional God is. He places people in your life at the perfect time. And now we get to share that same hope, we've been given here.

Getting to work in Rio Coco means getting to make lots of connections with people from all over the world while serving them. It's been an eye-opening experience to listen, learn, and get the opportunity to tell my new friends about my faith.

I got to have a conversation the other day explaining the gospel to a few people we randomly met playing trivia. Ironically one of the questions we were asked was about faith. This trivia night later sparked another conversation about our faith which led to them questioning and hearing about the gospel.

Another opportunity started at the very very beginning of our trip. On the ferry ride over, we met three people traveling from their last hostel together to Utila. One was from Rio and the other two were siblings from the Netherlands. We met and talked about their jobs, lives, what they were doing, where they were going, and why they were here. We said our goodbyes after the ferry arrived and went our ways.

Living on such a small island we bump into everyone by just walking down the street. So, a few days later we bumped into our two friends from the Netherlands. They both were only here for a few days but wanted to stop by the Café, which they did the first day we opened! The siblings were our first customers and before the sister left we got the opportunity to pray over her and for her brother. She said she had never had that happen but she was super excited to be a part of it.

The other girl from Rio I met on the ferry, stopped by a few days later at the Café. She and I were talking about work and the culture surrounding having everything figured out. She seemed overwhelmed by all of the ideas and possibilities. She was telling me how she knows her fulfillment in life won't come from work but she didn't know where it would come from. In that moment she asked me where my fulfillment comes from and I got to tell her about Jesus. I got to tell her that my hope, joy, peace, and who I am is all because of Jesus. Regardless of my job, position, or where I am, I will always have fulfillment in Christ. She was so taken aback by this concept. She kept asking questions and wanted to know more. We talked for a while before she had to leave.

My prayer is that each of these interactions can plant a seed. and that the Lord will water these seeds in due time. I hope that this isn't the only opportunity for the people we met at trivia or on the ferry to hear about and be able to experience the ever-present joy of knowing Jesus.

Getting to be a part of God's plans is something I will never take for granted.

I want to ask for your prayers for our continued mission, for more opportunities like the ones I've mentioned to arise, for boldness of faith, and for the confidence to speak life into others. Most importantly please be praying for the faith of the people that we meet and that God will open their eyes in his perfect timing. 

Thank you for being a part of this mission. I look forward to sharing more stories and the ways God is working.

Have a blessed day,

Olivia Wilkie