"So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 18:29-30
This past weekend Ashley and I had to opportunity to be apart of the meeting of missionaries here. It was such a great time of fellowship!! I met so many new people who are serving God and making Him known where they serve. There were not only all the missionaries in Mada but also from another island and some from Mainland Africa!
During the meeting each team had an opportunity to give an update on their ministry. Ashley and I shared about how our True Love Waits was going. Btw...we have shared the TLW message with about 1,125 young people and about 897 of them have committed to staying pure until marriage. We have had 17 sessions and have about 18 more booked with several more expressing interest. Glory to God!!
As each team shared...I found myself just absorbing all they were saying. There were times of great joy...rejoicing over all that God was doing. There were also time of great cost. The things that were given up...the weddings missed...the family and friends half way across the world....babies born...deaths. Sickness...setbacks...pain. Tears of joy and tears of heartache. Sitting there hearing all these stories made me feel like I was on a roller coaster. I felt God's call on my life confirmed over and over again and yet also felt the fear of what that meant. I want so desperately to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus! I want to tell everyone who doesn't know about The Jesus!! I want them to know My God!! At the same time...reality hit me smack in the face. I saw firsthand the cost of doing just that. I felt scared and inadequate. I was reminded of God's grace and saw it poured out on their lives. I know without a doubt that God will equip me for what He has called me to do. I know He will give grace. I know all the right things in my head...but sometimes my heart forgets. And I need to be reminded.
He will not leave me abandoned. He will not forget me. He WILL sustain me!
A Missionaries life is one filled with the greatest of joys this life can offer. It is also filled with some of the hardest sacrifices this world has to offer.
After the stories of how hard it was at times. They were ALWAYS followed by a story of God's grace. He ALWAYS gives grace!!
I was reminded of this verse by my dear friend as I was sharing with her what was on my heart and mind.
"So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 18:29-30
It was a much needed reminder. The impact of the Gospel going forth is far greater than the sacrifice it costs to do it. It will always require sacrifice. But how could we not rejoice to sacrifice for the ONE who sacrificed His life for us!!
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil. 2:8-11
Such a great reminder!!
We are gearing up to have a busy month. We have more sessions booked in the next 6 weeks than we have had the whole time we have been here. We are excited to continue to share what God has laid on our hearts. We are also continuing to host our Ladies Bible Study in our home every week!!
Prayer Request:
-Pray for Ashley and I! Pray for our health and perseverance as we desire to finish strong!!
-Pray for the ones who we will be teaching! That hearts and ears would be open to what God has for them to hear!
-Pray for our Bible study and the girls we are discipling! Pray we would seek every opportunity to pour into their life!!
-Pray for all the missionaries around the world! Pray the sense God's grace and feel His presence!!
Thank you to everyone who is praying for me and supporting me! It means more than you know!!!
Love Loves!! :)
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
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