Fast forward to North Carolina, we have been here a week working with ministries in this area, doing mostly manual labor. It had been a big change from being at training but very eye opening. We get to see what the Lord is doing here and even take part in that even if we aren't talking to anyone or verbally sharing the gospel. On our off day we went into downtown Asheville and spent the day walking around. It was refreshing in the best way, yet made me realize how different we are living. 

In downtown Asheville my friend got a tattoo that said “back to the garden” and me and my other friend went with her. The tattoo artist was very open to talking to us and we ended getting to share the gospel and pray over him. The Lord was so evidently pursuing him and it was really hard to walk away without knowing if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior. Then we went to dinner and began talking to our waiter. He opened up about his past in the church and how he ended up leaving because of church hurt. You could see in his eyes the pain he had felt from the church. My friends and I got to apologize and say we were sorry for that. He expressed how he had encountered many christians that were very judgmental and was glad that we were not. My heart was heavy, very heavy. But I am so thankful, because that heaviness pushes me to share the love and hope of Christ more. 

This is when I knew the Lord is working more than my brain has capacity to know or understand. He isn’t merely everywhere to say he is, but to bring his children home. I think about the nations and I can’t even begin to think about what he is doing across the globe. Yes, he is alive and working and I want to be a part of that, for the rest of my life, wherever I am. The harvest truly is ripe, and we are the workers so of course we will see the harvest and fruit. Not all the time, but when we are open to be used, we will be. 

These past six have shown me and allowed me to experience the difference between having faith and living by faith, and I'm excited to learn more about what that looks like these next 8 months! 

Cambodia is less than a week away and I am in shock, this is crazyyy. Getting nervous as it's getting more and more real, but so ready to go overseas! Thank you guys again for all of the support, love and prayers. Please continue to pray for safety and more seeds to be planted!