Hey all! I have a blog post coming soon about our past month serving in Ukraine, but, fast forward to today, & we’re serving alongside Muslim friends in a restaurant in Jordan! I have so much I want to update you all with ministry-wise, but wanted to send out a quick New-Year post!
Can you believe it?! The year of 2021 is completed! To start off 2022, I’d like to share a Psalm that was really dear to me from last year. It’s a Psalm by David toward the end of his life, reflecting on God’s faithfulness. Psalm 71.
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
12 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.
David reflects on the up’s and down’s of his life, and how God was near and present–faithful through it all. Verse 14 in particular has really expanded my love for God: “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” It has inspired me time and time again that every trial and every blessing is an opportunity to increase my praise toward God. That worship would be a regular part of my day (v. 8 & 17), and that my heart would be oriented to seeing reasons (as they are all around) to praise Him yet more, than I already am. I pray that your reflection of your past year, both the difficult and the celebratory, would give you more reasons to praise God and put your hope in Him alone.
I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs and the adventures you have experienced with Christ. My question is if offered would you come back to the race to team lead or squad lead in the near future?
Happy Blessed New Year!
I am looking forward to hearing more about all of your experiences there in Jordan. I want to hear it all-great ideas up above.
I love this blog post, so hopeful and full of contentment. 2021 was a difficult year for so many of us. We are looking forward to seeing what God is going to write in your story for 2022. Love you, Mom
“How do I live a life I’m proud of, when unforeseen circumstances I don’t want in my story, write themselves into my story?”
“No matter what circumstances I’m confronted with, my words, my actions, my ideas, and my effort are in my control.”
“… to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Luke 10:27: “He answered, ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Dear Kaitlynn,
I am thankful for your deep desire to serve the Lord. I know this isn’t easy and you are learning new and exciting things about yourself, But…
I copied your quotes because what I hear is “I” and that scares me. If you are serious about what you’re posting, it’s about “C” alone and the cross. I have yet to hear you mention this in your adventure. When we surrender in humility we find the Cross is heavy. But He makes us able in Him alone, apart from Him you can do nothing.
I hear you and I really think your direction is not ministry missions but Social Anthropology. I am very concerned about us who carry the name of “C” because we represent Him. I am always praying for you and your team. I know you are loved and this is why I share what I share.
Blessings and humble service in all things Glory to Him.
Hey Cindy! Thanks so much for your message. I am really sorry that my post directed you more to focus on me than on God. You’re right, the purpose of the blog is to praise God and testify about Him. I will be careful in the future to not post about myself personally, but only about how God is moving and providing opportunity to serve communities. I will remove my personal reflection from the post. Thank you for your feedback! : )
Hello Kaitlynn! Glad to hear you are doing well!
Looking forward to the livestream update!
My question for you is, as you’ve travelled and traversed through different countries and encountered different religions, how have you held on to your faith, and how would you suggest others do so as well?
Best wishes,
Steven
Hi Kaitlyn., a blessed new year to you
Glad that you are almost half way. That is great.
It is very cold and snowy in kansas so enjoy Jordan.
Loved getting to be in Israel and see where Jesus walked and talked and lived and ministered. Was life changing for me and we were talking about it here last night with my mom in law who is 97 , on our second trip there and half Jewish. She so loved getting to go to iIsrael.
Continue to follow the Lord, minister to others and lead well. When i went to Bible college they used the figure that something like 10 percent of people go to Bible college, maybe one to 10 percent go into missions, and one to ten prrcent of all those stay in missions. Continue to seek the Lord for His leading and guidance . We are proud of you. Went to my zillonrth funeral yesterday and think again—Only one life twill soon be past. Only whats done for Christ will last.
Having been in missions ourselves i do enjoy hearing your personal reflections and thoughts. May the Lord change us. All into His image.
Love and prayers, mary
Yay! Thank you! For real, I have 5 videos and two more blog posts coming! I’m filled to the brim with stories! Hopefully I’ll get to videochat with everyone soon.
Steven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I genuinely burst into happy tears seeing your name. I miss you so much, friend! SO MUCH! Excellent question too, by the way. I really miss you, and I hope you’re doing really, really well! :’)
So cool Kaitlynn. I too, have been touched this past year by Psalm 71. It is so full of truth and so uplifting! I love the verse about hope and praising God. Thank you for sharing what is going on in your life, in your thoughts, and in your spirit. Happy New Year!
Hey Kaitlynn! I just love getting your updates! I’m praying that the Lord continues to draw you to Himself in all your adventures and that He uses you to do His will.
A few countries…
What’s the weirdest food you’ve eaten?
Have you been able to stay healthy (stomach wise) as you switch to eating many different styles of food? I can’t imagine trying to get used to one cultures food just to move and start over.
What is one thing you’ve learned as the Lord has placed you in leadership?
How do the natives of the countries you’ve visited view Americans?
Maybe not a fair question…but do you have a favorite country so far?
Love you and praying for you!
I hope you continue to share your experiences. I am thrilled to hear how God is using you in your adventures. I just want to remind you to not focus on you, but on Him. Grace and mercy my dear sister and friend.
Psalm 71:18 is taped to my mirror. I pray that I will continue to declare God’s power to the next generation… just as you are doing to this generation. May the Lord fill you with His joy as you love and serve the people. May you have many opportunities to share about the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to pay for our sins. May God give open hearts to the message He expresses through you and your team. God keep you safe and encouraged. Looking forward to seeing you and hearing about your experiences. Love, Carol
Kaitlynn,
I am so pleased to hear your stories I wouldn’t know where to start in asking questions. I do however look forward to joining you live. We here cant wait to have you back as well. It is apparent that your joy is in the Lord..
When you express yourself you remind me of the Apostles and how they had such great joy sharing their experiences, its awesome and expected to have joy in what your doing. (It is the Greatest Joy of having Jesus) We defiantly know where your heart is, this is easy to see.
Paul had longed to go to different places and share with his brothers in Christ, My Question to you is this. If you had one place you could be in ministry; any of the places you’ve gone or are prepared to go, Where would you go?
After reading my comment I should disclose I am sure many would like to see you return here, as I am sure I don’t speak for myself that, you and your faith have in fact stirred and ministered to many of our hearts at Holton first Baptist. See Pauls’ Faith and Conversion was his greatest tool, Galatians 2: 18 or 19 somewhere in there, the appearance of Growth in Christ and that you are doing a great work in his name, is working toward us in Christ!!!! just look above… each person that commented above is deep in devotion thinking of what they would ask to share in your joy. This alone takes time in thought and prayer (the Spirt gowns from within for the things that aut be prayed for). Your not only ministering in the places you go. God is reaching across the world to whomever reads this.
Keep up the praise worthy work in Christ !
The Collins Family,
Hey!!!
I really want to know about some of your favorite experiences you’ve encountered in your journey?! These can be moments that always pop out to when you think of back on to all that you have experienced! I would love to hear about profound moments of revelation you or others have experienced or anything that comes to mind!
Also, language wise, have you picked up any other languages or tried too? I know traveling so much would mean there isn’t much time to pick up every native language you encounter, but I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences in encountering so many different languages!
Have you also noticed any cultural mannerisms that you’ve picked up along the way? (Time for some good old fashioned introspection!)
Miss you tons and I’m glad you’re staying safe! Keep up the Lords work and know you’re missed and we’re all proud of you!!!
Sincerely,
Joel C.
I love reading your updates! My questions for you: What has God been teaching you recently? What are some of your top favorite memories from so far? What’s something interesting about each culture that you’ve learned about?