The Bucket List

Hey friends and family.
On Friday i finally got sick enough to take a day off work. Let me tell you being sick in a foreign country with water going in and out is not fun at all.
The day before my sick day I talked to a man who has literally traveled the world for various reasons, be it ministry, work, or vacation. While talking to him he told me that when he was 22 he made a goals list sort of like that in the movie the bucket list. He wrote down aspirations of sights to see, business goals, things to do, achievements he wanted, etc. By the time he was 50 he achieved them all.
On my sick day I woke up and was unable to go back to sleep and another intern happened to have the movie the bucket list, so i watched it on my computer. Afterwards I was inspired to make my own bucket list.
I found that I have passions I'd never really thought about, dreams I'd never voiced, Vision for my life that was deep down inside of me, and just exciting things I want to do. Life is too short to not have relationship, to not go on adventures, to not achieve the things you've always wanted to achieve and to not me real with yourself and others. Talking to that man inspired me to pursue those things hidden in my heart that those around me have never known about.
My day of proved more beneficial than i can put into words. I slept for 3 hours, i allowed my body to re cooperate and relax. I made myself some sweet iced tea last night and I woke up today feeling way better than i have all week.
This morning we went to prison ministry and i shared a few verses and my heart for them. 5 of the prisoners got saved. This afternoon i'll be going to hut to hut evangelism and hope to see even more come to the Lord.
This week I felt homesick for the first time in a long time and i reckon just being naturally sick will do that to you, but I came out of it with a better understanding of why I'm here. Why I'm passionate about traveling to the nations. I feel like i'm getting to know Father God in ways that I haven't known Him, as weird as that may sound to some of you.
I love people. I love culture. I love God. I love missions. Being here, makes sense, doesn't it? I came here hoping to obviously be of service to the missionary's here, to learn some things, to make a difference, to share the gospel, and I was hoping to find out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and not only that, but how I would do it. I think I'm learning that in order to find that, in order to decide what I want to do and how I'll pursue life everyday upon arriving back in the states, i have to find out who i am and be honest with myself. Who am i really? What am i really passionate about? Will I be honest and pursue that.
I believe wholeheartedly that the Word of God, the Bible is true, so i believe that he knows the plans He has for me (jeremiah 29:11) i believe my steps are ordered by the Lord (ps. 37:23) and I believe that God will not leave me in the dark for what He has for my life. Patience is a virtue, that perhaps i have yet to master ;)

On a more simple note:
I feel much better. Internet is still out at the house, but i dont even care, because i feel better, haha. My mom sent me a package 3 wks ago and I'm still waiting for it to get here. We found out yesterday there were 5 packages in town for the interns and i really thought one would be from my mom, but it wasn't talk about disappointing!!! The coolest thing ever for us interns is when one of us gets a package we all sit around and wait to see every piece taken out of the package. The old intern director sent us mac and cheese and chocolates a few days ago!! Made our day! haha.
Taking over leadership these last few days was hard when i was not feeling so good, but i'm starting to enjoy it. I like to lead and administrate, it's some of my natural gifts and I really hadn't realized how much I enjoy it until now. I went from every decision being made by someone else and never really knowing my time schedule to making decisions and knowing the schedule for the next 2 wks and being able to change it if i want :) Maybe it just sounds like i like control, which may be the case also!!!
On a great note, the ministry should be getting two new babies for our orphanage any day now!!! So keep that in your prayers, the excitement is way high here!!

I figure i've bored you enough with personal details, and i promise a devotion to come soon!!
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
New pictures in both albums:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2049788&id=1533360025&l=e402a72d2c


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047299&id=1533360025&l=e33d104e45