Be still...

I just read a forward that was sent to me. People send me forwards every day, but I rarely have time to read them. I currently have over 400 in my inbox. I just scanned through a few though. I always like the ones that are encouraging, especially ones where scriptures are somehow applied. The scripture was Psalm 46:10, which says, “Be still and know that I am God”. What a simple, yet profound verse!

Those people that see me on a daily basis (like my coworkers) know that I’ve been struggling since I returned from Honduras. I’ve been kind of up and down. One day I’m feeling extremely thankful and feel like I’m doing something useful. Other days I just feel useless and like what I’m doing is inconsequential. Before I left for Honduras, I was on a constant “high”. I knew what God wanted me to do and where he wanted me to go. It was never a question. I was going to Honduras, one way or another.

When I was in Honduras, Gracie got excited near the end of our Christmas events. She and Lee had been preparing for months. They received and organized thousands of gifts from the United States. They also had to get the lists of kids from each village, which wasn’t an easy task. Organization and scheduling isn’t exactly a skill of many Hondurans. Anyway, as they were getting excited about finishing the Christmas project and moving on to other projects, I was feeling… well, not so excited. I was bummed, and they knew it. What I went there for was a success. Mission accomplished.

The Christmas mission was accomplished, but now I find myself wanting to do more. I find myself being unsatisfied with things I was doing before I left. I’ve been losing a lot of sleep. My mind is constantly going. I have spent many days the past few weeks feeling very unaccomplished and oftentimes discouraged. I’ve been going in circles trying to figure out what to do next.

I have soooooo many questions about what to do, life, the future, etc. Unfortunately, I haven’t come up with any answers to all of the questions. If anything, the questions have been multiplying (especially the last few days). I’m going to be completely honest. I want to do what God wants me to do. I want to have a pure and faithful heart. I want to want what He wants for me. I keep searching for His answers. I think I found one of the answers tonight: “Be still and know that I am God”.

I’m speaking to myself here, but maybe this will help someone else. If you’re feeling lost and confused, be still. Don’t be hasty in making decisions. Be still and wait until the master tells you what to do. If you don’t know the answers to all of life’s’ questions, be still. He will provide the answers. If you aren’t sure whether you should stay or go, be still. Just be still, recognize that we serve a mighty and powerful God, and wait for His answers.  

Guaimaca

After a morning event in Orica and lunch with friends, we headed to Guaimaca. It had already been a busy day, but it was about to get a lot busier. We went to this event with approximately 100 children on a list. On the way there, Gracie received a call saying that extras had shown up. She said there were only 20-30 extra kids. No big deal, right? Well, when we arrived there were a lot more extras than that. We ended up having a building full of around 400 people. As we began giving gifts, children just kept coming. We went through the list and then started handing out the extra gifts we had brought with us. We only packed what we thought we needed for the day. We ended up running out at this event. Sadly, a few kids left empty-handed.

Some of the kids weren't too sure about us at first.

 Show them the love of Christ and that frown turns upside down.

Most of the kids loved having their pictures made.

This is the mother of Ana Caroline. Ana was machete-murdered by her husband last year in front of her three children approximately a year ago. She now raises her grandchildren. After all these families go through, they still smile. They have such resilient spirits!

 I love the pictures of Gracie and the kids hugging.

Cake!

 Loco Lee

The mayor, Dr. Chavez & Gracie doing crowd control.

The sun going down on our way home.

 Honduras is a truly beautiful country

 Not the best pictures, but I like the colors.

You may notice that Kristian wasn't in any of the pictures of Orica and Guaimaca. He became sick with the stomach bug. Fortunately, he wasn't too bad and was ready to go the next day.

Plans

When asked a couple of weeks ago to speak at a small Bible study group, I immediately said “Yes”. I knew I needed to go, but what to say was beyond me. I’ve never taught a Sunday School class or done a devotion. Public speaking has never been a skill of mine. In all honesty, if anyone had asked me in the past, I would have said “No”. Come to think of it, I have said “No”. Nonetheless, God has been working on me and with me. This time, I said “Yes”.

I had no idea what to do devotion about. I knew I would be talking about Honduras, but I needed to more than that. The topic(s) became pretty obvious once I sat still for a few moments and listened. I began by simply reading about the life of Jesus. While reading in Matthew 4:18-22, something caught my eye. The Bible says, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him”.

Two things really struck me about these verses. The first was that God called regular people to be his disciples. They were just regular people like you and me! That’s kind of hard to fathom. He could have chosen anyone. He could have chosen kings who were wealthy or people who were well-known and high in society. Instead, the King of Kings preferred ordinary people. I think by using regular people, it brings more glory and honor to him. It reminds others that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I often stand in awe when I think about the journey to Honduras. First of all, for God to call me, of all people, to go is pretty insane. I am the least worthy of anyone I know. I, of all people, didn’t deserve to receive such a blessing. I also can’t help but stand in awe when I realize that there is no way I could have gotten there on my own. It was all God.

The second thing that struck me about these verses is how as soon as God called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John they immediately dropped what they were doing and followed Him. They didn’t wait around and talk it over. They didn’t finish mending their nets or tying up loose ends. They went straight forth to Jesus. I think Jesus should command that kind of attention in our life. Unfortunately, we often don’t take the time to listen and pay attention to God’s call on our lives. I am as guilty as anyone of that. I think at other times, we simply don’t want to do what he expects of us. He may show us the narrow path to follow, but we may choose not to because of what others think or maybe because it just seems too hard.

Speaking of difficult things, Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”. I have found this scripture to be true for as long as I’ve been a Christian. I was saved in my senior year of high school. Before being saved I was willing to sort of go along with the crowd. I would occasionally (not often) go to a party. I would drink when I was expected to drink. Before that, I smoked when it was socially acceptable. After being saved in December of 2001, at the age of 17, I wasn’t the same. My friends didn’t want to hang out with me anymore because I didn’t want to party, cuss, drink, and gossip anymore. I was simply no fun to be around. Even now, when trying to answer the call God has placed on my heart, I face persecution. So many people thought I was crazy for going to a third-world country. So many thought I could stay and do things here. Fortunately, I have grown in my faith a lot the past few years, and especially the past few months. I know that if God calls us to do something, we need to do it, no matter what anyone else thinks or says. Ultimately, it is only what God thinks that truly matters. Our lives should be pleasing to Him.

I don’t want to bore anyone, but I feel like I need to go a step further. Jesus doesn’t just want us to go around and haphazardly do things. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.

I know we all think of Jesus as being the light of the world. He absolutely is the light of the world! Scripture clearly tells us that we are to be the light of the world too though. It is our responsibility as Christians to let his glorious light shine through us. Letting this light shine doesn’t have to be through big, extravagant measures; it can be done by smiling at others. It can be shown by asking someone how they’re doing and actually taking the time to listen and show concern. Maybe you could volunteer your time or visit the sick, elderly, widowed, etc. Maybe you could simply go speak to someone who seems to need of a word of encouragement.

You don’t have to travel half-way across the world to shine your light. Don’t get me wrong; if God calls you to do that, I suggest you do. Nonetheless, we aren’t all meant to do the same thing. God equipped each one of us with unique talents that can help bring glory and honor to Him. If you can sing, sing. If you can play the guitar or piano, then play the guitar or piano. If you can write, then write.

I’m sure some of you are sitting here wondering what your gifts are.  I’m not going to lie; I am still searching for some of mine. For the longest time, I didn’t think I had one. God reminded me time and time again though that we all have something. If you haven’t figured out what yours is yet, don’t fret. Pray that God would reveal them to you, because they are there. God created you for a purpose. He knows that purpose, and in time it will be revealed to you.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… “plans to give you hope and a future”. As a child or a teenager or even in my early twenties, I could have never guessed that I would go to Honduras one day. That definitely wasn’t part of my plan. It was part of His plan though. Getting to where I could see that part of the plan took years of hurt, pain, and frustration. I believe now though, that it was all just preparation for things to come. Just remember that there is a plan. God knows it all. Fortunately, we don’t have to know the entire plan to let our light shine. God will show us the path. We may have to take baby steps, but that’s okay. Follow him one step at a time and let our light shine a little more each step of the way. Be Blessed!

Guaimaca "Note"

I can't write about Guaimaca better than Gracie did. She posted a note on facebook. It was a long note about several of our events. Here is part of the portion about Guaimaca:

"We received the shock of our lives when we arrived in Guaimaca for the 2pm event. The town hall was filled with more than 400 people. Word got out we were coming and they showed up in droves. Dr Chavez the mayor was there. He provided cakes and cokes and we started the event with the list of 100 children. What happened after that could only be labeled as chaos.

Let me interject something here. The poverty in Honduras is so profound there is no explaining it. You can only understand it by being here. And even then there are no words. Christmas for these children, even just a bag with candy, balloon, cookie and a matchbox car is like gold. These children have nothing. There are no toys in their homes, no big tree decorated, no big dinner being cooked. many will only eat beans and tortillas for Christmas dinner in the shack made of wood or adobe in which they live. When Americans do distribution events, we have seen many times sad faces because the Americans ran out and many went home empty handed. That's why we always plan for extra. So no one leaves empty handed.

But we were not prepared for what happened in Guaimaca. After doing the list, more than two hundred children were pushing toward the stage hoping for a gift, not wanting to be left out. We had to abandon listing their names and just count heads. They coming out everywhere. the mayor was trying to maintain control and hold them back as they shoved forward hands raised, voices shouting, "Gracie please give me a gift!" Even mothers begging for their children. "gracie you know me please give me a gift for my baby!" I was broken hearted as I watched the number of gifts in the boxes dwindle and there were more and more children. At the end I had four bags of gifts in my hands and more than twenty people were left."

I (Bridget) will post some pics in the next few days. I just looked at the pictures. None accurately depict what happened in Guaimaca. It was insanity. At one point or another we were all standing at the edge of the stage trying to hold kids back. They (and some parents) were piled on top of each other trying to push one another onto the stage. Most of the time, it was the parents being pushy and sometimes even rude. Due to the poverty, it was understandable, yet a little sad and stressful at the same time.

Men with guns!

After the biggest event the mission has ever seen in Orica (346 gifts given) we headed to a home nearby for lunch. It was the home of Sanchez, an officer who used to be assigned to Gracie. When they would go out to rescue women and children, Sanchez would always be there. He also helped with the Christmas events the first few years. Unfortunately, Sanchez was later moved to a new posta. He and his family still keep in touch with Gracie though. It was his family that we went to visit and have lunch with.

Here is a photo of Sanchez and a fellow officer at an event in 2008:

Lunch was delightful. Unfortunately, Sanchez wasn’t able to attend. Police officers in Honduras only get to visit their families two weekends per month.  Depending on how far their posta is from their home, they may only get to see their families for a matter of hours. Some have to travel an entire day home, have a short visit with their families, and take the long bus ride back to their posta.

During lunch, Sanchez’s three children received gifts. They all loved them & immediately opened them and begin playing with them. We travelled daily with stuff to make sandwiches for ourselves. Lots of people offered to feed us, but it was much safer for us to stick with a bland diet. We didn’t need to chance anyone getting sick. When we arrived at the home for lunch, we were greeted with smiles and hugs. Not only that, but they had gotten us coca cola to drink, chips, and watermelon. During lunch and at other times during this trip, something struck me. As little as people have in Honduras, they still want to give… They all wanted to give out of their nothingness. They would offer coffee, cookies, or juice. They would always find a chair for us to sit in, even if it meant they were all standing. Their sincere hospitality was so touching. Here are some photos:

 Lee helped put together a football figurine.

 I think they got it working!

The man on the right is Sanchez's brother who lives just a few houses down. He was a very nice Christian man. You can see him looking at Shari's leg. He told her that she too was created in the image of God and was no less of a person than any of us just because she was missing a limb. I thought that was very sweet.

Bye, Sanchez's family!

After we left their home, we headed toward Guaimaca for our event scheduled at 2 PM. Earlier on we had already seen a truck with men with big guns standing on the back going up and down the road. Did I mention they had big guns? I have to admit that being in a third-world country and seeing things like that is a little disturbing. I got tense a few times over seeing such things. I always wondered if they would stop us, try to harm us, etc. No one ever tried to stop us, until...

On the way to Guaimaca we go driving past this little wooden shack. We almost always rode with the windows down. It was usually cold in the mornings and hot by the afternoon. Obviously, by this time of the day, the windows were down. As we drive by this shack, men with big guns start yelling at us. Gracie was looking in her rear view mirror and began slowing down. At this point, they weren’t just yelling. They were running after us! So, what does my dear friend Gracie do? She stops, puts the truck in reverse, and starts backing up toward them! I looked out the back window and saw men in army fatigues still running toward the vehicle as we were quickly backing toward them. I didn’t have a clue what was happening. I think I was concerned, questioning our safety, and definitely questioning Gracie’s sanity!  

It turns out that these four guys were just military guys wanting a ride. They didn’t have a vehicle. I suppose they always hitch a ride from here to there. They ended up hopping in the back of the truck, guns and all.

 I snapped this picture from the back seat as we were riding down the road:

 All of the boys were very young:

 They even posed for me so I could take their picture.

 They obviously weren't so bad, since they were willing to have their photo taken with me. : )

After dropping them off, we were back on the road to Guaimaca.

Oh, Guaimaca!

Pray

This is something that Gracie wrote last week:

Cindy: It Isn’t Always Easy…

Some people are easier to love than others. Some people are easier to help than others. I find myself struggling with this at times, especially days like today. We have two girls living on the mission: Karla and Cindy. Both are 15 years old and both have been rescued from horrible situations.

Karla, who was abused severely and raped repeatedly by her father for more than a year and left pregnant with his baby, has embraced her rescue. She is a loving, doting mother to Alejandro. She studies hard in school, making academic excellence and wants to be a lawyer and rescue victims of violence. She accepted Christ and was baptized, loves the Lord and has fully decided she is our daughter and this is her home. She embraces God's ministry and is the first to help take care of others, as though she has been called by God to serve alongside us. It is easy to love Karla, and she freely loves in return.

Cindy, on the other hand, is more complicated. She has her good days and her bad days. Today is a bad day. Her history is awful. Since a small baby, she has been sexually molested by about every male member of her family, including her father. In Sept. 2009 she was raped by her cousin. Her mother has not given her any affection, verbally and physically abuses her, and sent her to live with her aunt in 2009. Cindy has some sort of mental damage. It is hard to get a diagnosis here and nobody ever bothered. Between the mental damage and abuse, she is emotionally and mentally a four year old girl. She was never sent to school. Mother says Cindy didn't want to go so she didn't send her.

I remember in 2009 when the rape occurred, the mother wanted to send her daughter to IHNFA because she was incorrigible and wandered the streets and disobeyed. The D.A. sent her to IHNFA in Sept 2009, her cousin was sent to prison until the final trial, and Cindy was forgotten by her entire family. For a year, no one visited her. Sept 9, 2010 was the final court date for her cousin. She cried on her mother's shoulder in the courthouse saying she wanted to go home. Mother didn't want her. The D.A. asked if we could take her so her mother could visit her more frequently since we lived in the next village. In four months, the mother has only showed up twice. She hasn't ever called to talk to her daughter. During visits the mother is aloof and shows no warmth.

Because of the sexual abuse, Cindy wets the bed, almost every night. She began switching mattresses and we had to take the mattresses off the two bunk beds in her room, leaving only the one for her. We bought a mattress cover, plastic, in Tegucigalpa and within 48 hours she had it torn to shreds. She cannot share a room with anyone because she goes through their stuff, steals it, uses it, destroys it, and most seriously, she sexually touches the other girls in her room while they are sleeping. She sexually abused Karla in the first nights here and we moved Karla out of her room. Then when Idalia was here, she went to Idalia's bed in the middle of the night and tried to touch her.

She also goes through spells where she exposes her genitalia to people. This past week, she went to the bathroom took off her clothes, sat on the toilet and left the door open knowing Lee would be coming out of one of the dorms and see her. Fortunately Karla saw this and prevented Lee's exposure. When I was in Choluteca, she was asking questions about Lee being alone in the house at night and if he would be sad sleeping alone and if the doors would be locked when he slept. We assume she was going to try and enter the house and go to his bed. Fortunately we always lock the house doors at night so no one can enter. The teacher, Tutti, stayed here at night during my absence in the refuge with the girls to be a female presence. Also while I was in Choluteca, she wore her pajama shorts and sat in a chair with her legs up and spread showing her genitalia to Tutti and Karla knowing Lee could pass by. She crudely talks about sex and body parts.

There are other things too. She has a fascination with sharp instruments. She steals knives, scissors, box cutters, etc and hides them.  She cuts up her clothes. Anything left on a table is subject to being stolen. Even chemicals are a problem. She drinks bleach, lice shampoo and any other chemical she can get her hands on. Everything is locked up. Lotion, shampoo, dish soap, laundry soap, bleach, medicines, everything has to be under lock and key.

Tuesday Karla left the baby's colic/gas/antispasm medicine on my coffee table in the living room. Cindy is not allowed inside our house. Lee was painting out back, I was out of town, Karla was visiting neighbors with the baby and Santos was occupied. Cindy snuck into the house, looked around, saw the medicine, stole it and drank it all.

During the last few days she has been focused on leaving to return to her mother. Tuesday she was angry because when they went to the pulperia to buy chips, she walked in front of cars and Karla yelled at her. She returned all her gifts, packed her belongings and said she was going to her mother's house. She said she was going to say we abused and Lee touched her. She went on a hunger strike and didn't eat supper or breakfast.

We got through that event but Thursday she did not want to study. She told Tutti she didn't need school because her mother was coming to get her. She told Tutti she wanted to live with her mother so she could find a man in the streets and have sex and make a baby. She told Santos her mind was telling her that she should not be living here, it is not good for her. (Does this mean she is hearing voices?) She had two psychotic type episodes in December. One morning she locked herself in her room and was screaming saying a demon was at her door trying to hurt her. Another day she came in crying saying there were insects all over her blankets. Today she told me voices talk to her at night.

She fabricates boo boos and illnesses to get attention. It got to the point where she was requesting so much medicine and was "cured" 5 minutes later that we did an experiment. We gave her vegetable vitamin supplements saying it was a special herbal pain medicine. 95% of her boo boos and illnesses were cured by this medicine within five minutes. If she came back in 30 minutes still hurting we gave her the regular medicine for her ailment. But she rarely did, she pretty much said that she was cured.

She does things to instigate others, like when we had guests, she put her radio on as high as she could at night so no one could sleep. She insults Santos, Karla, and Tutti. She takes her room apart each morning and soaks all the furniture with water and soap. She is afraid of the dark and turns on every light out back at night. When she is punished for bad behavior (loses permission to go out, or permission to watch tv, or sent to her room to think) she howls and cries and screams, says she wants to die, says no one loves her and she wants go home with her mother.

And this brings us to today. She refused to study today, said she was leaving. Said if her mother didn't come get her today she was going over the fence tonight and find herself a man.

She is so hurt and so confused -  she is a profoundly wounded soul. And so hard to love. I need to talk to her D.A. and her judge. I am concerned we might need a referral to the psychiatric hospital.

Pray that God continues to give us the strength and patience to love her and the wisdom to know what to do. Just because someone is difficult to love, difficult to help, does not mean we surrender. With God, there is no surrender. Only perseverance and victory.

Earlier in the day I received a prayer request from a friend. At 12:18 today Gracie called from Honduras. I had already been praying for her and what I knew was going on, but something hit me today after I spoke to her. To love people and to be thousands of miles away when they are in a time of need is very frustrating. All I or anyone can do in situations like that is pray. I believe that it is our duty as Christians to pray for one another. It doesn't matter if you've ever met the person. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us to pray for all men. The Bible says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty". The Bible also says in Psalm 145:18 that, "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth". Lastly, Galatians 6:2 tells us to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ".

Cindy is on the left:

My request is this: If you read this, please pray for Cindy. Also pray for Gracie, Lee, and Karla who have been living with her and doing everything they can do to love and help her. I learned today that Karla is so stressed that she is throwing up blood. She is also having nightmares. She is afraid that Cindy will do something to hurt her baby. Here are both girls (Cindy on the left with Karla on the right) and the baby on Christmas morning:

I don't have the answers to fix this situation, but I know God does. Pray.

No one but God

I have so many things and people on my heart and mind today. I have started writing three different blogs, but every single one is going in a different direction. I think the most important thing I can do today... Scratch that. I think the most important thing all of us can to today is realize how big our God is and glorify Him.

If you read yesterday’s blog, you already know I went to church in Athens yesterday morning. I always enjoy the ride to Athens. It gives me time alone with God, time alone to reflect, etc.  I’ve been thinking a lot here lately, but especially the past couple of days, about just how big our God is. He isn’t just God in your home, church, or community. He is the same God to nations throughout the world.

On my way home yesterday, I kept thinking about all of the things that have led me to this point in my life. I thought about how I was born in Ohio. I thought about being moved from there to Florida before I was a year old. After that we moved to Alabama when I was around four years old. Of course, I don’t remember those things, but I know that they are a part of who I am.

I can’t help but contemplate all of the divine orchestration in my life. For the life of me I can’t realize how I ended up from place to place; especially here lately. For example, I can’t explain how I ended up going to school at Athens and how I’ve been blessed since I’ve been there. I hadn’t ever heard of Athens State. I certainly didn’t know anyone there, yet Athens and some of the people there are growing near and dear to my heart. Proverbs 16:9 that, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. I think that’s the reason I can’t explain it all. It was all in His plan and he just let me know that’s where I was supposed to go. He laid out the path and I knew I was meant to follow it.

It’s like Honduras. Who but God could have orchestrated such an amazing journey? Who could have planned that I would move back home after a year of college and eventually get a job with someone who had gone on an Emmaus Walk (which I’d never heard of at the time)? I went on the Emmaus Walk. It was fabulous. No one could have guessed that seeds that had been planted years earlier would be coming to life in the past 6 months. No one could have put Glenda and Gracie together on their walk and then Glenda and I together at work. There is no reason that Gracie and I should have ever had reason to make contact. No one could have planned all of that; No one but God.

No one but God could have placed me at Athens State University right at the time that I was being called to foreign missions. How could I have known that I would meet an amazing woman who had done missions and who would inspire me in such a way? Who could have planned that God would place Rwanda on my heart, put me in touch with this person, and through her, lead me to meet missionaries who go to Rwanda? I don’t now what is to come with that, but that isn’t the point. Again, no one but God could have placed us in each others’ paths.

Think about it. Think about how big your God is. Think about the divine orchestration in your life. Where did your journey begin? Where are you now? Think about your spouse. I know, I know. Some of you don’t want to. Nonetheless, who could have brought you together with your spouse except for God? Who could have created your beautiful children? No one but God could make the beautiful creations that are your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, etc.

No one but God would have sent their son to die for you. That’s why we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 6:20: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”. How can I elaborate? No one but God would make an unimaginable place called Heaven for you to spend all of eternity. Come to think of it, most people on this earth don’t want to spend an hour much less an eternity with one another. God wants to spend all of eternity with us all though. We are His children. Just like you want only good things for your children, He wants the best for you. No one but God is so perfect, loving, and gracious.

How and Who?

Wow! What an amazing day this has been. I feel so blessed and wrapped in love. Not only that, but I find myself falling in love with others… Not in the romantic sense, but in the Jesus sense. I’ve been praying and praying to have a heart like His. I’ve been praying that I have the love that He has for others. I’ve been seeking to learn His ways. During daily frustrations at work and elsewhere, I find myself contemplating how Jesus would have react instead of hastily saying or doing something. Believe me; I’m far from where I need to be. I fail Him every day. He is and will always be working on me. Still, I can feel and see Him moving and working in my life, and it is incredible.  

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. I am overwhelmed with God’s amazing love, mercy, and bigness. Earlier in the week I was invited to a church service in Athens. It was mentioned to me two different times by two different people. Visiting there has been on my “to do” list for months now. I had good intentions, but as we all know, that simply isn’t enough. Anyway, I knew that I had to go. I didn’t just want to. I needed to. It took some doing, but God is faithful and makes a way when it is His will.

At church today where husband and wife missionaries. They travel to India and Rwanda. I read “Left to Tell” by Imaculee Ilibagiza on the way to and from Honduras on the plane. It is about the Rwandan Holocaust/Genocide and was written by a survivor. It was one of the most amazing books I’ve read in awhile. Rwanda has been on my heart and mind ever since.

I was not only blessed with the amazing opportunity to meet this couple, but I was also invited to lunch with them and another family that I am growing increasingly fond of. At church and during lunch I heard some amazing stories: Stories of thousands of people in Rwanda coming to Christ. Stories of the same people who were once segregated, living together. Stories of people who once hunted and murdered others, now living in peace with the people the once hated with such a dark, evil passion. Only God could make such dramatic changes.

I also heard a little bit about India. People in India have never even heard the name of Jesus. Can you imagine? Let that sink in for a moment... People here in the states may choose not to accept Jesus as their personal savior, but they’ve more than likely heard His name at some point. People in India and other countries have NEVER heard His name. It makes me think of Romans 10:17, which says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. We know the word of God. They don’t. Who do you suppose is going to tell them? How will they learn of the one true God? How are they to know that Jesus came and died for their sins? Who is going to tell them that there is a life beyond this one that is far better? Who is going to tell them of that place where no more pain and suffering exists? How are they to know the glory of God and that they can spend eternity in a place called Heaven where you never have to deal with the battles of the flesh?

I just thought of an email that I received several years ago. It said:

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got upset about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.

I could only think about work when I read this before, but not anymore. I am now thinking about the body of Christ. We have a work to do. All of us. We can all do something – Everybody. Don’t wait on Somebody or Anybody else to do it. Chances are that Nobody will do it.

Faith comes by hearing. Hearing comes by the word of God. So, who is going to tell these people that have never heard, and how are they going to hear if we don't go?

Elves Out of Control!

As promised, it is time for the "Elves Out of Control" Blog. You will find that the only elves that were really out of control were Kristian and Lee. The two of them by themselves were enough to handle, but together they were definitely a handful. Kristian (Gracie & Lee's nephew) is so random. You never knew what he would be saying or doing at any given time. Lee was the same way. One second he would be sitting quietly and the next he would be up dancing and being silly.

 I think Lee is going "gangsta" in this one

 I'm not sure what is happening here:

 Lee trying to keep the gifts for himself.

 A tape mustache? hmmmm

Shari had some silly moments too.

I tried to stay in control. Of course, I got sick shortly after this photo, so yeah...

 Lee was ready to get this event started!

  Or maybe he just had too much coffee this morning.

 Cindy came to that event too!

 Lee made himself laugh so much that he was on the floor!

 Lee was always misbehaving. At this point, he knew he was in trouble!

 He knew Kristian was about to come after him, so he gave himself up. 

 The capture!

Here is his mug shot:

Lee was just too out of control, so we had to lock him up!

Look how sad he was after being put on elf probation.

Uh oh... Kristian let him out & he's about to be on the loose again!

But look how appreciative he was to be out and about again! Poor Kristian looks scared!

Shari couldn't watch. She had to cover her eyes with her hat.

Kristian took his job of watching elf Lee very seriously.

 I'm not sure what was going on in this picture. I look content, but Lee... I just don't know about that guy. He must have been in trouble again.

He had a lot of fun at the event at the mission in La Ermita, but noticed we kept him inside the gate!

 Look at that crazy guy trying to hurt Kristian so he can get out!

 Kristian must have gotten the better of him. He looks like he's begging him to be free in this picture.

Fortunately, we were mostly able to keep the boys under control. It wasn't long after these last pictures were taken that some young boys across the road were shooting fireworks. They would light them and throw them. The front yard of the mission caught on fire and Kristian ran out to put it out with his flip flop. Lee and Kristian were always getting into some sort of trouble. As you can see, they kept us entertained. In all seriousness, they were the best elves anyone could have asked for. They would do anything that you asked of them and never complained. Thanks, guys!

Oh, I almost forgot. We had another crazy elf. She was always so busy that it was hard to capture her in a photo. I got one though!