Today my heart is aching for the family I spent this Christmas season with a year ago. I just learned of some difficult news that calls me to pray and ask you to join me in petitions for this family and for one child especially.
Debbie is preparing to move again to another part of India, as our Father is leading her to work with another population in Eastern India. She has been working to get the legal paperwork and meeting with each child's family so she can move her foster children with her. The two boys of concern-Tarun and Shubbam, will be going with her-with, sadly, little concern from their parents. Debbie has a lawyer helping her with paperwork for adopting the newest member of the family-Joshua, who joined us last spring. All these are answers to prayer, allowing her to continue to invest in these children as she takes them with her. Praise be to Him who has moved in her to allow her to take this step and bring these children with her. However, the one of greatest concern on my heart has been Mariam.
She is the sweet girl, age 11, who nearly died two years ago. Each time she goes home for a few days, or even a couple days, to spend time with her family, she has often come back sick or down in weight. Her family just doesn't know how to care for her best, and Debbie has done so much for her. The family is Hindu, and they have decided to keep Mariam. The first time I went to India, Deb was just trying to gain the family's permission to take care of Mariam in her home; after weeks of meetings and struggling with the family, the father finally agreed to let Deb have Mariam on the following conditions: they would still get to see her, Deb wouldn't make her a Christian, and Deb wouldn't take her out of India.
I ask that you would pray for this family, and especially little Mariam. Pray for Deb to have courage and faith to continue toward what God has called her, and entrust this precious one to His care. Pray that Mariam's family would have a change of heart, come to know Christ, and perhaps even realize that they aren't able to give Mariam what she needs. Pray that the relationship started with this family would not be lost, and that by His grace and power all of this would be for His glory!
Thank you for joining me in thanksgiving and prayers for His work here and around the world. What Joy we have in Him who gives us faith to Believe in His past and present work, and to know that He "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Ephesians 4:20).
Merry Christmas to you all!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Lest We Forget... to Remember
"Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." - 1 Samuel 12:24
One year ago today I was on a plane to India for an adventure that has changed my life forever and drawn me deeper in communion with my blessed Savior! Sometimes I look back and long deeply to visit those days of quiet rest in the sun, see the smiles and hear the laughter of those beautiful children, and just delight in the blending of language, music and culture that encompassed those several months. Other times I look back further, to the blessings of friendships in other chapters, and I long for them similarly. Having the joy and challenge of working in middle school ministry with my church and playing nurse at a high school every day, I have found myself reflecting more on those days 10+ years ago. At the end of reflecting, I am reminded that I would not be who I am or where I am today had God not faithfully brought me through every blessing, giving and taking away according to the riches of His grace.
All this to say I am learning to look back with Thanksgiving and Joy instead of longing, and recognize that His Faithfulness needs to be remembered daily. After reading through Judges recently, seeing the pattern of wandering and how many times God's people forgot Him and the consequence, I have been humbled that I so easily follow in their footsteps. He is able to do abundantly more than all we could ever ask; this I know because He already has, and His promises never fail! I do eagerly await what He has in store around the next corner, but even more the glorious hope of Heaven.
I received news from India this past week that lifted my soul with great joy! My roommate and dear friend in the community, Lakshmi, was baptized this past week!! She has also committed to the work for at least 2 more years-even if a move far from her family is involved. This is a huge blessing for those of you who followed me closely in the journey, knowing that she nearly left the project last Christmas. Glory to God indeed for the work He has done in her life and all He is doing in this nation! Whether or not returning to or living in India is in my future, I will always rejoice at the work He is doing in that place and in the lives of my beloved family there. I invite you to continue to pray for this nation of devastating corruption and poverty with potential for Indescribable Beauty!
Until next time, I would ask for your prayers for His continued counsel and guidance. Since living in India I have been praying about returning to school and what He would have me pursue-nursing or ministry. I am pretty convinced He is leading me to start Bible school! I don't know when at this time, but most likely it will be here in Spokane to start out. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but until now I never had peace about going and He always lead me elsewhere. In the meantime, for the first time in 3-4 years I can truly say that I believe with all my heart and mind that I am in the center of His will for me right now-and that is a Blessed thing indeed! Thank you to all of you who have faithfully pursued me with His love and covered me in prayers-past, present and future.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
One year ago today I was on a plane to India for an adventure that has changed my life forever and drawn me deeper in communion with my blessed Savior! Sometimes I look back and long deeply to visit those days of quiet rest in the sun, see the smiles and hear the laughter of those beautiful children, and just delight in the blending of language, music and culture that encompassed those several months. Other times I look back further, to the blessings of friendships in other chapters, and I long for them similarly. Having the joy and challenge of working in middle school ministry with my church and playing nurse at a high school every day, I have found myself reflecting more on those days 10+ years ago. At the end of reflecting, I am reminded that I would not be who I am or where I am today had God not faithfully brought me through every blessing, giving and taking away according to the riches of His grace.
All this to say I am learning to look back with Thanksgiving and Joy instead of longing, and recognize that His Faithfulness needs to be remembered daily. After reading through Judges recently, seeing the pattern of wandering and how many times God's people forgot Him and the consequence, I have been humbled that I so easily follow in their footsteps. He is able to do abundantly more than all we could ever ask; this I know because He already has, and His promises never fail! I do eagerly await what He has in store around the next corner, but even more the glorious hope of Heaven.
I received news from India this past week that lifted my soul with great joy! My roommate and dear friend in the community, Lakshmi, was baptized this past week!! She has also committed to the work for at least 2 more years-even if a move far from her family is involved. This is a huge blessing for those of you who followed me closely in the journey, knowing that she nearly left the project last Christmas. Glory to God indeed for the work He has done in her life and all He is doing in this nation! Whether or not returning to or living in India is in my future, I will always rejoice at the work He is doing in that place and in the lives of my beloved family there. I invite you to continue to pray for this nation of devastating corruption and poverty with potential for Indescribable Beauty!
Until next time, I would ask for your prayers for His continued counsel and guidance. Since living in India I have been praying about returning to school and what He would have me pursue-nursing or ministry. I am pretty convinced He is leading me to start Bible school! I don't know when at this time, but most likely it will be here in Spokane to start out. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but until now I never had peace about going and He always lead me elsewhere. In the meantime, for the first time in 3-4 years I can truly say that I believe with all my heart and mind that I am in the center of His will for me right now-and that is a Blessed thing indeed! Thank you to all of you who have faithfully pursued me with His love and covered me in prayers-past, present and future.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
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