Here In This Place

(2.20.13)

Worshipped and prayed in the Freedom House tonight with three of the girls who will be living there. Powerful.

As we sang the lyrics “there’s no place I’d rather be than here in Your love” I could only think there’s no place I’d rather be than here with these people, in this Country, in this moment.

Being here, leaving jobs, family and friends, and a comfortable life may seem foolish to some but tonight there was no doubt I’m in the right place. I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’m so humbled God would choose to use broken, imperfect human beings; that He could choose to use me.

Family

(2.12.13)

“…and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’” Mark 3:32b-35

As I sat in a circle of people make up of Haitians and Americans, staff and group members (Jessi’s family), ages 2-34, these verses came to mind.

Though I have biological family in the States whom I love and miss the people in that circle truly feel like family, and they are!

Anyone I serve along side of is my brother, or sister, or mother. God may place me somewhere away from my “real” family but He surrounds me with “new” family.

I will embrace this mindset and thought pattern as we begin a stretch of back to back groups. God is faithful.

(This came at a good time as I’ve been asked to stay in Haiti longer and I was thinking of missing my family, missing holidays, birthdays and road trips I hadn’t planned on missing or thought would be missed.)

Hope

(1.7.13)

Where do I even begin?!

• Josh and Megan got back Monday after being gone nearly two weeks.
• I’ve spent my first full week in K-2. Words to describe that… chaotic, energy, cuteness, exhausting, frustrating, encouraging, hope. These young four(ish) year olds have hope, though they may not know or recognize it, for a future of freedom if they continue on this path of education; hope that their parents are learning that their lives are valuable and worth fighting for, that with education come options, options other than becoming a restavek (child slave). I pray these children never know the life of a restavek.
• There’s a song I heard here for the first time and it’s perfect for Haiti. So many times I’ve thought, oh, that is so applicable/appropriate  right now, I’m declaring that in this situation. The lyrics talk about plundering the gates of hell and taking back what the enemy has stolen.                                                                           I was not there but that is literally what happened today as some of our American and Haitian staff found themselves standing in a voodoo temple fighting for a young girl. They went thinking they’d start the process by just visiting her (she hadn't returned to school, or home, after leaving to visit family for Christmas), and talking with the family but as things went from okay/so-so to not good they definitely weren’t expecting to leave with her. God had other plans and that is exactly what happened! It was a total Spirit-filled God moment and now J is sleeping on the floor (on a mattress) between our bunk beds.
• There are a lot of things to think and pray about as we prepare the Freedom House and consider the long-term plans for Robertline and J. Pray with us for wisdom and clarity in all that needs to be decided.
• If I had three wishes right now one of them would be to annihilate ants!
• It’s been pouring steady rain for a good couple hours! This resulted in a wet, cold run from one house to the other, and that resulted in the “warmest” bucket bath I’ve had to date.
• As I lay here in bed writing by lantern light I can’t help but think the rain is a perfect example of cleansing, redemption, a fresh start. Hope.
• Tomorrow is the last day of school before a five day break!!! I am so ready! We’re heading to the beach Tuesday morning, renting a house on the beach until Wednesday evening (for $35!!!). It is going to be so much fun! American staff, Haitian staff, staff kids, the girls, and Jessi’s family; eating lobster and fish, snorkeling, swimming, laying out, worship on the beach, sleeping under the stars, family time, bonding time, time for relaxation and renewal. So needed and so ready.

These words are from Set a Fire by Will Reagan and United Pursuit and haven become my prayer. Pray it with and for me.

Set a fire down in my soul that I can’t contain and I can’t control

I want more of You God, I want more of You God

No place I’d rather be than here in Your love

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." Matthew 19:14

Bedside Baptist :)

I stayed home from church yesterday morning and had my own church; did some reading, listened to some music and sermon podcasts. It was good :) These are somethings I took note of and wanted to share...

"The marvel of the Redemptive Reality of God is that the worst and the vilest can never get to the bottom of His love. ~Oswald Chambers

"You're the God who comes to raise the dead
I know You'll raise me up again
I know You'll raise me up again
For who can praise You from the grave?
I die to see the life You gave
Just to see the life You gave
And every fear in me You've put to rest
It's the song I bring of Your faithfulness
And every tear has led my feet to stand 
Where the ocean meets the land
Where the ocean meets the land...
I lift my hands
If my hands fail I"ll bend my knees
If my knees grow weak
I'll raise my voice and I'll sing 
I'll sing I know that You love me
So give me a song to sing
Give me a song to sing
Give me a song to sing and I'll sing it"
~Will Reagan and United Pursuit (Give Me A Song)

"Something inside us is coming alive
You're sending us out with authority
You gill us with fire holy desire
Your spirit is all that we'll ever need
You are all that we'll ever need
Breaking down strongholds of the enemy
By the blood of the lamb
Breaking down strongholds of the enemy
By Your blood by Your blood
Moving to the rhythm of Jesus heart
Moving to the rhythm of Jesus heart
~Will Reagan and United Pursuit (Commission)

"If you've gotten over the Gospel I offer that you may have never gotten the Gospel." ~Louie Giglio

Whatever sin can do grace can do more. 

But where sin increased and abounded, grace has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20b

I recommend reading Romans 5 in it's entirety if you haven't in a while :)