When I first arrived here in Brazil, I wondered about my purpose. The only direction I had was to settle into this community and learn Portuguese. I have faithfully attended my school, but there have been times of doubt, or desire to do more for those around me. Through this journey, the Lord has taught me patience, trust, and learning how to be faithful with what I’ve been given. Most days, small steps are all I take, but then there are surprising moments when God asks me to be brave and walk by faith. That’s when I realize, all these small steps are in truth, steps of preparation. God always prepares us for what He asks of us.
Beginning to Paint
About four years ago, I started painting. Many of you may not know my story, but for a time I was struggling with an auto-immune disease that often kept me in my room. One day, with nothing to do, I decided I wanted to paint. I pulled out my Crayola watercolor set, found a piece of paper and started to blend colors. I wasn’t sure if what I was doing was correct, only that I was supposed to be doing it. You see, I often feel close to God when I am creating and at this moment, it felt like the Lord was painting with me.
Though I’ve never had classes in painting, I’ve loved it and especially, loved how God has used these little pieces of art to bless others. There are times when I’ve seen a friend is feeling down or someone is in need of encouragement and I’ll hear a little whisper from the Lord, “Why don’t you give this picture to them?” or “Why don’t you make this painting for them?” I am no professional, and most of the time I wonder if my paintings differ so much from those of a child, but what I do know is this: God can use anyone to do anything. God has used these pictures to bless others, and I am blessed to be part of it. Little did I know, those small steps of obedience back home would prepare me for my time here.
Dreaming in the Storm
Last month, I began teaching English at my school. It’s all very exciting. So far, I’ve really loved teaching, and I especially love the children I teach. However, with the change of schedule and the change of weather, my body began feeling sick a couple weeks ago. I won’t go into all the details of my journey, but in summary, I came down with something like bronchitis, ended up getting the wrong medicine, but when I got the right medicine, I had an allergic reaction. Let me tell you, it’s been quite an adventure, but thankfully, I am on the mend.
Still, God can make something good out of anything, even this. While I was sick, in the midst of the storm, the Lord gave me a dream of one of the teachers at my school. When I woke-up, the Lord told me to paint that dream for her. Now, I had no idea what the dream meant, but this the small step God asked of me. I painted, as best I could of what I saw, and then prayed and asked the Lord for the interpretation. The next morning, I woke up to a text from this teacher offering to take me to the doctor to pick-up the new medicine. It was no coincidence. Soon after, the Lord began to speak to me about this painting and what it meant. Once I realized what it was about, I was so scared!
You see, this teacher recently lost her father, only a couple months ago and she lost her mom a few years back. This painting was about them and about her. I had so much doubt. What if I heard God incorrectly? What if it upsets her? What if I’ve gotten it all wrong? Not to mention, her brother is an artist, and I couldn’t possibly compare in talent to him.
Such little faith I had… I almost didn’t bring it with me.
Learning to Trust
After the hospital visit, I hesitantly pulled out the folder with both the painting and interpretation. I told her I had a dream, I knew it was from God, and I painted what I saw for her. “I really hope it blesses you,” I said. It was my 20 seconds of bravery but then I went home, worrying and wondering what she thought about it.
Suddenly, the Lord said, “JUST TRUST ME! It is not about whether she approves or disapproves, only that you obeyed Me. Your mission is not to be approved by others, but to follow Me. Don’t worry, Beloved. She is in my hands.”
He was right. I did need to just trust Him. The next day, do you know what happened? I received a text saying how much she cried tears of joy from this picture and the words I wrote. She wanted to know more about the dream and she said it was all so beautiful.
Friends, God is good. He knows her, He knows me, and He knows you.
I am always amazed at the mysterious ways God works, but one thing is certain: God does not fail and when He asks us to walk by faith, He is faithful.
I have a final story to share. A couple months ago, God also asked me to make this little color pencil sketch for the director of our school with a bible verse on it, and you know what? It’s hanging in the main office of the school now. He didn’t know if it was a poem or what but he said he really liked it. Isn’t God just full of surprises?
So yes, I am studying Portuguese and now, teaching English and most days, I am either studying or preparing for a lesson but God is teaching me in the midst of it. I’m learning to trust Him completely, to not worry so much, and to be present where He has me. As He said, my mission isn’t to be approved by others, nor is it to save the world, but it is to follow Him. That’s exactly what I hope to do. Thankfully, His ways are always good… and might I add, quite colorful.
Till the next adventure,
Katya
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
