How God Used My Biggest Fear

Written by Rachel - Serving in the USA

This summer, while interning with Ends Adventures (a ministry of New International), I have had the chance to explore the different ways to adventure. Cycling, hiking, and service projects are just a few of the adventure options, but each leads to incredibly unique opportunities to grow you closer to God and others, while serving global youth! I knew that I would be pushed to rely on God this summer just because of the physical demands of the events, but little did I know that God would use my biggest fear to get me to rely on Him even more. 

I have never liked public speaking. It’s terrifying! I have so little control over the situation. I don’t like people looking at me, and more than that, I don’t like wondering what they may be thinking while I’m talking. However, I prayed that this summer I would be out of my comfort zone so I could lean on Him and find out more about my capabilities. And He answered… with many requests for me to talk in front of people. At first, I avoided it, but after praying, I felt that it’s what God wanted me to do. So, I said yes to sharing a short message during a worship service on the Kansas Bike Ride for the youth of Uganda. I was nervous, but with prayer and preparation, I felt like I had a pretty good idea about what to say and how to say it. The message went well, and everyone was very encouraging!

Uganda has the world’s youngest population, with over 78% of its population below the age of 30, with just under eight million youth aged 12-30 years. Youth is the largest unreached people group in Uganda, and they are faced with different significant challenges like unemployment, early pregnancy, school dropouts, bad peer pressure, not getting involved in community development activities, being victims of criminal cases, and more. In Uganda, 8.8 million young people aged 15-24 are not engaged in education. Frontier Force intentionally raises youth workers in both churches and communities who can reach out to help young people find joy and purpose in God in four different regions of Uganda. They engage young people through sports, music, open youth life discussions, and community/school outreach ministries, all to help them live and think like Jesus.

A couple of weeks later, I was asked to lead the prayer themes for our beneficiary on the North Dakota Bike Ride for the youth of Zimbabwe. This meant five days in a row of sharing in front of the team. But once again, I prayed, and I felt like God wanted me to do this. So, I began preparing. I joined our beneficiary coordinator, Christal H., and the founder of Hut of Hope Trust, Cozy (that’s his name), on a call. We discussed what they do and why they do it, and I had the opportunity to share the story of Hut of Hope Trust along with the daily prayer themes. 

Hut of Hope Trust believes every child and parent should receive support for the best possible start in life. They aim to help where no parent(s) exist, due to parents migrating in search of employment or alcoholism. They seek partnerships with parents and children through supporting and encouraging them through their early years of development. This can be seen in their developmental programs, such as Bible studies, youth leadership trainings, and teaching life skills like gardening and poultry farming to the older teenagers.

This experience helped me to trust in God and see practical ways He is working through Ends Adventures. Over $18,000 has been raised to promote and resource youth ministry in Zimbabwe so far! Thank you, Jesus!

I’m so grateful God pushed me out of my comfort zone this summer and challenged me. It has been incredibly rewarding, and I can’t wait to see the ways God challenges me in the future.