Seeing God in Venezuela: thank you.

leading worship with kids from my school :) i MISS THOSE TIMES :)

a banquet with school friends.. kinda like our prom :)

WOW.
so i am "back home in Indiana" (ha i think that is a song my dad sings sometimes :) )!
i wanted to just take a second and express my gratitude for all who have been reading my blog and have left encouraging comments and notes. Your prayers have been answered and helped me get through the year. I look back at the year and all i can say is "WOW GOD thank you. thank you for all the opportunities and experiences you have me. Thank you for all the friends you provided me with. Thank you for all the lessons you taught me. Thank you for all the encouragement i got from others. I praise you for the amazing work you are doing in Venezuela!"

And let me tell you... GOD IS WORKING THERE! It is incredible to see the church grow and see God working through people. There are so many people i knew down there who were using the gifts God had given them- whether it was evangelizing, preaching, leading worship, leading, praying, encouraging, hospitality.. and so many others. Those were the most beautiful moments for me in Venezuela- when i saw God working through someone, when i saw someone living out God's purpose for them. Its absolutely beautiful and makes me just wanna stare and smile! :)

Goodbyes were super hard. The school i went to was small, so we were all SUPER close. So the past few weeks home my heart has ached. Its also been hard not having anything to do. I just miss people. I miss the church. I miss all the adventure in Venezuela. haha i miss doing crazy things that are a little risky. :) I just like to live life on the edge sometimes because it keeps me on my toes and keeps me on my knees praying and trusting God! :)

Ever since i have been back i have kind of been analyzing my year and the different lessons God has taught me. I have really been wrestling with purpose since i have gotten back. Its been like "Ok God, now what?" and i have asked myself over and over "what are you living for? are you living for what counts?" and i am realizing more and more that life is really all about love. i know this sounds simple and an elementary childrens lesson.. but its so true and we CANNOT miss it. In Venezuela i really feel like i loved deeply from the heart and i felt like God loved others through me- like it wasn't my love or me loving them. Through that i got to see the power of God's love. It blows my mind to think of how many people cover the earth and how i can get all wrapped up in myself and in my life and yet there are millions of other lives going on. (i think i really realilzed that being in a city of over 6 million people). But out of everyone, God loves me. That i matter to Him. He cares about my thoughts, my past, what i am doing now, and He holds the perfect plans to my future. Its insane. Its overwhelming. Its breath-taking. Then back to loving others- i have seen the power of love, God's love, change people this year. Its what people need. The dont need condemnation or judgment, just pure love that asks for nothing in return. I am just learning about true love.. what an amazing lesson..

So a few of my future plans... right now i am starting the college search. I feel called and passionate about becoming a Medical Missionary. SO i am looking at studying to be a nurse practitioner so i can prescribe medicines and do all the basics :). We will see where God continues to lead. I am really looking forward to my Senior year of high school. I have been praying that God would show up in incredible ways and really shake Covenant. I wanna see God's power :)

I just looked up and realized what i called this blog in the beginning "Seeing God in Venezuela." Thats exactly what happened. Thanks for caring and reading this. it means more than you will ever know. May God shower blessing in your life. May you live a life sold out for Him. May you take each day and live for Him. Put your trust and dependence in HIM and not in worldly things. May He sustain you in all areas and situations in your life.

Much love,
Mariah Brooke Smith