Hearing, listening, and obeying

So in case you didn't know, outreach in YWAM Mazatlan is not like other bases because the school has a few different options. The best part is that the people on staff here don't tell the students what the options are until after we get here because we are supposed to pray about it, hear from God, and then obey. Well, the mystery is now over. I know exactly where I am going....let me tell you about the answer I got.

I went up to my favorite spot here on the base-the rooftop. As I sat down to pray, I gazed out at one of God's most beautiful creations-the ocean. I have always been attracted to the ocean ever since I was a little girl. I know God told me to come here to YWAM Mazatlan partly because the beach is right across the street. Plus, I don't have to be afraid to go in because sharks are rare (which happens to be one of my biggest fears-Yikes!) 

I slowly closed my eyes and asked God to speak to me about where he wanted me to go for outreach. As I did so, his reply was very quick and very clear...and exactly what I didn't want to hear. What I expected to hear were the words "Nicaragua" or "Costa Rica". Instead, I got "Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico City!!!" I opened my eyes and looked around distractedly. "Maybe that was me. I am trying to NOT go there. Maybe I was trying so hard not to think that in my head that I automatically thought it anyways." After a few more distracted moments, I closed my eyes. "Okay God, lets try it again....please just say Costa Rica and we can be done" But it was no use. "Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico City!!!" 

I could feel myself resisting. I really wanted to get farther than Mexico, to go somewhere exciting and new. This is the third time I have been to Mexico in my life and it's the only foreign country I have EVER been to. And then God started speaking again. There was a very wise teaching this last week about how my generation tends to love staying on the mountaintop. In other words, we LOVE being in a spot that gives us that really exhilarating feeling (whether it's a physical location or spiritual experience), but we tend to resist the valleys. The thing is, the suffering and hurting people are mostly in the valleys, where Jesus is needed the most! So when I was praying that day on the rooftop, high enough to see the city and overlook the ocean, God was calling me to come down in more than one way. First, I had to set aside my pride of wanting to be able to tell people I had traveled all throughout Central America. Secondly, I had to be willing to surrender my burning desire to be on the mountaintop and instead, go to the valley. God spoke the following: "You know that mountaintop you like to be on Darla? Well, Central America is a mountaintop to you. I am calling you to the valley, which doesn't look as attractive to you. But you know what? It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. That is where I want you. Trust me. I know what I am doing" 

It was hard to hear this, but I was reminded of a verse I really love from Isaiah 55: 8-9:

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How could I question the almighty God? He had made his voice clear to me. The thought that comes to my mind is that a dense population means there will be a lot of disease and ailments I could pray for. So perhaps God wants to give me lots of opportunities for that! Guess I will find out.

So I am going somewhere that I would have never chosen on my own accord, but I know it will be good. By the way, have been meaning to post some pictures. I will probably have some up in a few days when I get a chance. Keep following and feel free to ask questions. Blessings friends!