News & Views
Bruges International Trip
written by Rachael Evans
published on 3rd June 2010
My international trip to
Belgium
was definitely one of my favourite parts of DNA so far. It was very well timed in the year, coming right after a period of time where I had received many words from God that were encouraging me to “step up” and “step out”, letting go of fear and becoming the person that God created me to be. International trip provided me with many opportunities to do just that.
Having arrived in
Bruges
, and established that it was not the same place as
Brussels
(where I had thought we were heading!), it was straight down to an intense period of outreach with he church we were working for. We did various street performances to attract people’s attention while others gave out church flyers. One of the performances involved me dancing like a maniac to U2’s “Beautiful Day”, as an illustration of the joy God has put in my heart this year. I can safely say I never thought I’d be dancing in the streets! This was my first “step out” of my comfort zone.
Another step came on the Wednesday night of the trip when I helped to lead worship at the church’s mid week service. I have pretty much always been too shy to put myself forward to sing, I have lacked confidence in my abilities. However with the encouragement of my team I “stepped out” again.
Other activities on the trip included painting the church walls, running kids clubs with the help of a translator, and getting to know people in the pubs. The church really appreciated our time and energy, and it was great to know that they’d felt so blessed by us. A great time was had by all and our team gelled brilliantly, despite being “a bunch of all sorts”-a mix of very different people!
Now I’m home I’m determined not to leave my new found courage in
Belgium
. I’m hoping I can continue to step out in as many ways as God wants me too. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me dancing in the streets of
London
.
