The past six weeks have included some of the hardest but most fruitful days of my life. I have continually been reminded and seen evidence of the Lord’s favor. God graciously bestows his kindness upon us, and I am learning to recognize it in small and big ways.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and he invites us to partner with him as obedient vessels. As his final words before ascending to heaven, Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. Then, he promises that he will be with us always until the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). Wherever God leads, he is already there. I have been holding fast to this truth. In the lowest valley, he is there. On the mountain top, he is there. He weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice.
Thank you, God, for choosing to use me as your ambassador. All glory is yours! I am humbled and grateful that he is sending me to proclaim His name, and I have hope of proclaiming this to be a year of the Lord’s favor.
Sweet memories from the second two weeks of training camp:
– Hiking Yonah Mountain
This was a really cool and special time with my squad. We worked together to carry our injured squad mate up then down the mountain, had a campfire and roasted hotdogs and s’mores, did star tipping, and slept in hammocks beside each other outlooking the majestic beauty of God. It was a less than twenty-four-hour adventure that holds several dear memories.
TEAM REVEL
– Shabbat dinner with Team Revel
Shabbat means “rest”, and it is Jewish tradition to have a Shabbat dinner the evening before Sabbath. My team leader, Milly, set up a dinner for us to celebrate Sabbath and give glory to God for the previous week.
– Walmart Evangelism
During a trip to Walmart, my teammate, Karoline, and I met a homeless man who shared a lot of his story with us. He has been through incredibly hard things throughout his life which includes a recent housefire and losing most of his earthly possessions. I was amazed by this man’s love for the Lord and knowledge of the Word of God. It was a gift to spend about an hour with him – listening to his stories, being encouraged by him then offering him encouragement, and praying for him. According to the world’s standards, this man is immensely poor, but he is a rich man because of his relationship with Jesus Christ.
I have spent the past two weeks in Jackson, Kentucky serving the Lord with Samaritan’s Purse. In July, the city flooded, and many people are still experiencing its effects. We went for the purpose of offering them hope through the good news of Jesus Christ and serving them practically by removing belongings and helping get their home to a place of rebuild. It was an eye-opening experience, and it is evident that God is at work there. Souls were saved, people were baptized, marriages being restored, faith increased, and the name of Jesus being proclaimed. As we cleaned out homes and broke things down in order that they might be restored, I was continually reminded of the Lord’s pursuit on our hearts. He seeks to cleanse our filthy sinfulness and tear down what is not from him so that we may be transformed and restored as his beloved children.
SP Team – Week One
On October 5th, I turned 18! It was by far a birthday that looked like no other. At 6:30am, I did the chicken dance and flipped a cake in the air. Didn’t ever think that’s how I would spend the morning of my 18th birthday, but I’m grateful that it was. Then my team headed to our site for the day, and I spent nearly five hours with the homeowner that afternoon. It was a sweet time reading her God’s Word, listening to her testimony and many stories throughout her and her family’s lives, encouraging her, and spending time in prayer. To end the day, my squad went to Dairy Queen to celebrate. It was a day I’ll long remember and thank God for.
Please pray that my heart would be transformed by His truth and the joy of the Lord would be my strength. Also, as my squad leaves for Nicaragua this Saturday, October 15th, please pray for safe travels and divine appointments.
To the ends of the earth,
Madilyn
Madi! I was thinking about you today at the start of CBS ! and LOOK ! your message waiting in my inbox at the day’s end.
Your words send such a picture of what your experiencing and it’s wonderful to get that peek. I continue to pray this trip brings all the treasures God has planned for you along the way, but also that you continue to be a blessing to your fellow squad buddies and the people you meet along the way!
Madi, We are all so proud of your courage and boldness. We will be certainly praying for you and all the racers. You are and will be missed greatly!! Knowing who is in control and that you are going to do what you love (sharing his word) gives us comfort.
Love you, Dad
Maddy, Happy birthday to a strong amazing woman who sets an example of Christ in every moment.
Love and prayers
Dawn
MADI JANE !!!!!
Proud to consider you a best friend, and so grateful I get to hear of the radical work the Lord is doing in your life and those around you! So so proud of you!
Happy Birthday Mad!
I love reading about your adventures!
Continued prayers & hugs!!
Nicole
Beautifully written. You were a blessing to those people as they were to you also. Love reading about your time and memories. We love and miss you! Praying and thinking of you always! Xoxo
Love,
Jared, Sophia, & Violet ?
Sounds like best birthday ever-happy belated birthday.
You hit it on the head. Take every material blessing away and what do you have left? You are finding true riches of our Savior. Keep your heart and soul open ….. He has only just begun to show you …..
MADI !! WOW !! this sounds so amazing and i’m so glad you’re able to share the love of Christ with others. love you so much????
Happy Belated Birthday! So good to hear of your time helping and witnessing to the people in Kentucky. Daily praying for you and Nate. Safe travels; go bring the Light to those in darkness
Linda
Our family loves you and is continuing to lift you in prayer. We will especially be lifting you and your team up as you make your first overseas trip. May God mold you, change you, protect you and fill you with his Spirit. Keep shining your light for Jesus. You are LOVED, sweet girl!
Madi,
The God of grace is at work through your joyful labor and faithfulness to His word. I will pray for the homeless man you spoke to about Christ as well as your upcoming work in Nicaragua. Keep scattering the imperishable seed – it will not return void – and do so with clarity. Praying the below for you!
Mr. Jeff
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-
4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:3-4
Madi, Excited to read your post this morning, and to see the amazing ways God is working in and through you! Our Sunday message this coming week comes from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 which includes this incredible verse: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” so you can imagined the joy I felt as you shared about being an ambassador! May God continue to be pleased to use you for His glory! Love, The Moyers!
Praying for you to experience abundant joy. Praying for the Lord to be your ever-present help, your refuge, your shield. Praying for you to have peace in the midst of troubles and for your heart to grow in knowledge of the depths of His love and riches of His kindness for you, Madilyn, as you also share it with those you meet. Keep giving away what He’s given to you. May you know Him more and more as you love the nations. Go- make Him known. Watch what He will do. Watch Him open the ears and eyes of the spiritually blind. All you must do is keep running to Him and being His willing vessel, and He will give you the words. Rest in Him. My love and prayers are with you always. I love you! Mom
Happy Birthday, Madi! I love getting to hear about your trip and the ways God is using you!!! I’m continuing to pray for you!!
Madi,
So great hear all the things the the Lord is doing right now in your life and how he is using you to share Gods word with others. The Hymans are praying for you and the next step of your journey! All of us are so proud of you!
Zig Hyman and family
Dear Madilyn,
In a couple of days, you are leaving our beautiful country to a foreign land that God knows so it must be beautiful too. So amazing to think that we are all the same in His image but so different in our cultures at the same time.
Praying you connect with the people in Nicaragua in only a way that God can lead you!
Blessings and Love, Ms. Lisa
I enjoyed your blog and loved the pics- I was so encouraged by you and your team at debrief – such a joy to be with
We are praying for you and your team
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Yes, the Lord has chosen you as an ambassador, 2 Cor 5:20-21 , God making His appeal through us. An ambassador gives up the right to represent herself, instead representing their squad or team or AIM. Gal 2:20 “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” An ambassador scripture says, “stirs up one another in love and good works” – Heb 10:24 An ambassador stands in the gospel, has authority, is connected to her leader and prays without ceasing. You chose to buy in, now take the vision into His Kingdom.
Madi- loved reading this recent update. I have been praying for you daily and asking the Lord to flood you with encouragement and grace. Sounds like He is doing just that and using you to spread that to others. Love you ??
I am so encouraged by all God is doing in through and around you. Praise God for your willingness with open hands pure heart and love for His people! I want to be like you when I grow up! Praying for you daily and that receive all God has for you every day. Love you angel ??