Woke up this morning to a stash of letters from dear ones. I began to read them one by one and my heart rejoiced. How blessed am I to have friends and family supporting and encouraging me.
Jesus unites us as One in and through Him. My family in Christ standing with me, praying for me, supporting me.
"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." -1 Thessalonians 5:8-11.
Info some of you have asked for:
Skype: Nati7494
Address: Grace of God Children Centre P.O. Box 141 Kaptagat, Kenya. East-Africa.
Lord willing, I'll be keeping in touch with you all through here. Love you all!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Faith and Prayer.
"Not to waver in your conviction that God means what He says is to walk in the footprints of faith." -Elisabeth Elliot.
Sunday morning I decided to say home with my mommy and spend time with her. Not going to CF threw me off a bit. It didn't feel like a Sunday. A close family friend came over and helped us pack donations. As we upacked bandaids and different materials and put them into ziplock bags, weighed, distributed and packed the donations into duffel bags was pretty much my morning/afternoon. As I packed my last dress into my luggage, I had the blues. I thought to myself: In a few hours I will be saying goodbye to people whom I love dearly. My bestfriend Ash threw a goodbye party/worship for me at 6 and I would have to say....I feel loved. I'm so beyond thankful for all the friends and family in Christ that the Lord has blessed me with. People who support me, encourage me, pray for me. My sister Pati and brother Luis got on stage and shared a couple of Bible verses and encouraging words. I sat there with watery eyes realizing how blessed I am at the fact that Jesus has saved my family! My family loves and fears Him. Ash went up and spoke as well. I wept! She's so beautiful. I love my bestfriend. It's awesome to see how God has and continues to grow our friendship. It's Christ-centered and I am so beyond thankful for my sweet Ashley Kalbac. Jeff then went up and asked everyone to lay hands on me and pray.
While I sat there on a highschool room chair, with hands on me, hearing people cry out to Jesus, I began to remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, "No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me." He is so right! There is no truer kindness than when someone keeps me in prayer. To plead, to cry out, to thank, to offer up, to surrender to Jesus in prayer is always needed. He is so faithful. He hears our cries. He answers our prayers. He gives of His grace and strength. He gives us the best example to follow. The perfect and blameless Christ. My sweet sweet Jesus.
Today I read this devotional by Elisabeth Elliot and it said,
"If we look for perfect models of faithfulness, we shall find one and only one--Jesus Christ. All others are flawed, for all others are sinners. Yet Abraham, who had his faults, is held up in the Letter to the Romans as a model of what faith is about. He took God at his word, when human hope was exhausted, "firm in the conviction of His power to do what He had promised" (Rom 4:21 NEB).
Walk, then, in those footprints. Don't try to be Abraham. Don't insist that God fulfill for you the promise given to Abraham. He is not going to make you the father of many nations. But hang on without giving place to the tiniest skepticism, to the promises given to all of us in Christ. "You are complete in Him" (Col 2:10 AV), for example. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27 AV). "God shall supply all your need" (Phil 4:19 AV). "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb 13:5 AV). Not to waver in your conviction that God means what He says is to walk in the footprints of faith."
Faith and Prayer.
Like the song writer once wrote, "if faith can move the mountains, then let the mountains move."
Like I always say, "prayer is always needed."
Sunday morning I decided to say home with my mommy and spend time with her. Not going to CF threw me off a bit. It didn't feel like a Sunday. A close family friend came over and helped us pack donations. As we upacked bandaids and different materials and put them into ziplock bags, weighed, distributed and packed the donations into duffel bags was pretty much my morning/afternoon. As I packed my last dress into my luggage, I had the blues. I thought to myself: In a few hours I will be saying goodbye to people whom I love dearly. My bestfriend Ash threw a goodbye party/worship for me at 6 and I would have to say....I feel loved. I'm so beyond thankful for all the friends and family in Christ that the Lord has blessed me with. People who support me, encourage me, pray for me. My sister Pati and brother Luis got on stage and shared a couple of Bible verses and encouraging words. I sat there with watery eyes realizing how blessed I am at the fact that Jesus has saved my family! My family loves and fears Him. Ash went up and spoke as well. I wept! She's so beautiful. I love my bestfriend. It's awesome to see how God has and continues to grow our friendship. It's Christ-centered and I am so beyond thankful for my sweet Ashley Kalbac. Jeff then went up and asked everyone to lay hands on me and pray.
While I sat there on a highschool room chair, with hands on me, hearing people cry out to Jesus, I began to remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, "No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me." He is so right! There is no truer kindness than when someone keeps me in prayer. To plead, to cry out, to thank, to offer up, to surrender to Jesus in prayer is always needed. He is so faithful. He hears our cries. He answers our prayers. He gives of His grace and strength. He gives us the best example to follow. The perfect and blameless Christ. My sweet sweet Jesus.
Today I read this devotional by Elisabeth Elliot and it said,
"If we look for perfect models of faithfulness, we shall find one and only one--Jesus Christ. All others are flawed, for all others are sinners. Yet Abraham, who had his faults, is held up in the Letter to the Romans as a model of what faith is about. He took God at his word, when human hope was exhausted, "firm in the conviction of His power to do what He had promised" (Rom 4:21 NEB).
Walk, then, in those footprints. Don't try to be Abraham. Don't insist that God fulfill for you the promise given to Abraham. He is not going to make you the father of many nations. But hang on without giving place to the tiniest skepticism, to the promises given to all of us in Christ. "You are complete in Him" (Col 2:10 AV), for example. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27 AV). "God shall supply all your need" (Phil 4:19 AV). "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb 13:5 AV). Not to waver in your conviction that God means what He says is to walk in the footprints of faith."
Faith and Prayer.
Like the song writer once wrote, "if faith can move the mountains, then let the mountains move."
Like I always say, "prayer is always needed."
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Rejoicing in Tribulation and Trusting My Sweet Jesus.
It's officially May 17th and there is only 5 days till I leave to Kenya! Words cannot describe how I feel. Wednesday morning was chaotic, there was this huge issue with my dad (he not wanting me to go cause of my safety) and overall spiritual warfare. I spent my morning crying, talking on the phone with my youth pastor,
(side note* Jeff Borton: I can't even begin to describe what a blessing him and his wife Jen have been in my life this past year. Jeff is not only a great pastor/leader, he's a great friend as well. I seriously consider him my spiritual dad. [I know I always say John Piper and R.C Sproul are my spiritual grandpas...well, Jeff is Sproul's son]. He called me up and he stay there on the phone listening to me cry and randomly laugh and explain what was going on. Made a comment about he has never hear someone cry and laugh at the same time before. He always throws in his wise questions. Prayed with me over the phone. The Lord just reminded me (through Jeff) that He knows what He's doing*)
And talking to Laurel (founder of the orphanage) and Michael (the missionary in Kenya) and explaining to them the situation. All I can say is...it was a crazy morning/afternoon.
But then I remembered Paul's words, "Rejoice always, again I will say REJOICE!" (Phil.4:4). Tuesday night and then again on Wednesday night Matt Chandler has talked about that verse. To rejoice is good times and in bad times. Always rejoicing in the Lord.
Rejoicing doesn't always mean being all happy and having "spirit sprinkles" (which the real name is spirit fingers but whatever), it hard times in life. It's saying "God, I know that You are in control. Help me! I surrender. I rejoice because my hope is in You, Jesus!"
I found myself being in one of those emotional and spiritual situations of hardship and suffering. I love my dad, he's not a Christian, I don't except him to trust in His sovereignty concerning me leaving to a foreign country, living across the Atlantic ocean, being on the mission field. It's just hard to deal with his selfishness and his concern about my safety. I am called to honor my father and mother, and I want to be obedient. But it came to a point where I had to choose...well, am I going to stay in Miami because my dad doesn't approve of me leaving or am I going to fear God and obedient and go. Obey Him and go to Kenya. I didn't hesitate to choose. I choose Jesus. I serve a radical and living God! I could care less about my safety, staying home and being comfortable. He has made it do evident that Kenya is where He is leading me. I will follow. No matter what the cost is. Even if it affects my relationship with my earthly father. Jesus is worth it.
God is so good! My dad got to talk to my missionary contacts and got more information on my trip and now he is more at ease about me leaving. Which that itself is an answered prayer!
These sweet words came to mind today, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10.
Oh what Grace! That He is with me, is my God, He strengthens me, He helps me, He upholds me in His righteous right hand. Oh what Grace! That I can call upon my sweet sweet Jesus and He is there. He is always there.
(side note* Jeff Borton: I can't even begin to describe what a blessing him and his wife Jen have been in my life this past year. Jeff is not only a great pastor/leader, he's a great friend as well. I seriously consider him my spiritual dad. [I know I always say John Piper and R.C Sproul are my spiritual grandpas...well, Jeff is Sproul's son]. He called me up and he stay there on the phone listening to me cry and randomly laugh and explain what was going on. Made a comment about he has never hear someone cry and laugh at the same time before. He always throws in his wise questions. Prayed with me over the phone. The Lord just reminded me (through Jeff) that He knows what He's doing*)
And talking to Laurel (founder of the orphanage) and Michael (the missionary in Kenya) and explaining to them the situation. All I can say is...it was a crazy morning/afternoon.
But then I remembered Paul's words, "Rejoice always, again I will say REJOICE!" (Phil.4:4). Tuesday night and then again on Wednesday night Matt Chandler has talked about that verse. To rejoice is good times and in bad times. Always rejoicing in the Lord.
Rejoicing doesn't always mean being all happy and having "spirit sprinkles" (which the real name is spirit fingers but whatever), it hard times in life. It's saying "God, I know that You are in control. Help me! I surrender. I rejoice because my hope is in You, Jesus!"
I found myself being in one of those emotional and spiritual situations of hardship and suffering. I love my dad, he's not a Christian, I don't except him to trust in His sovereignty concerning me leaving to a foreign country, living across the Atlantic ocean, being on the mission field. It's just hard to deal with his selfishness and his concern about my safety. I am called to honor my father and mother, and I want to be obedient. But it came to a point where I had to choose...well, am I going to stay in Miami because my dad doesn't approve of me leaving or am I going to fear God and obedient and go. Obey Him and go to Kenya. I didn't hesitate to choose. I choose Jesus. I serve a radical and living God! I could care less about my safety, staying home and being comfortable. He has made it do evident that Kenya is where He is leading me. I will follow. No matter what the cost is. Even if it affects my relationship with my earthly father. Jesus is worth it.
God is so good! My dad got to talk to my missionary contacts and got more information on my trip and now he is more at ease about me leaving. Which that itself is an answered prayer!
These sweet words came to mind today, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10.
Oh what Grace! That He is with me, is my God, He strengthens me, He helps me, He upholds me in His righteous right hand. Oh what Grace! That I can call upon my sweet sweet Jesus and He is there. He is always there.
Monday, May 7, 2012
In the Gentle Stillness of Reading
After a long day of shopping for gifts with my mommy, I got home and decided to brew a cup of tea and start reading a new book. I looked through my collection of Elisabeth Elliot books and I chose Through Gates of Splendor. Why did I pick this book? I have no idea, but I'm glad I did! I just finished reading the first chapter and I feel as the Lord has whispered in my ear and reminded me of The Mission and of His faithfulness/guidance.
The first chapter was titled, "I Dare Not Stay Home," it was based on Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming's calling to Ecuador.
Elisabeth Elliot writes, "Sure that he belonged to God by faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Jim was equally sure that the God who had redeemed him would also guide him. 'I am as sure of His direction as I am of His salvation,' he used to say."
"He (Jim) was given new assurance, and wrote to his parents of his intention to go to Ecuador. Understandably, they, with others who knew Jim well, wondered if perhaps his ministry might not be more effective in the United States, where so many know so little of the Bible's real message. He replied: "I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. What if the well-filled church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust of their Bible covers."
"This problem of meeting a culture with truth from God is the most difficult kind of thing. One comes as a renovator, a conditioner of society, and society is in no mood to be conditioned. The fixedness of the human mind is the 'wall of Jericho' to Gospel preaching. God must shake, or there will be no shaking.
Jim wrote to Pete: "I would certainly be glad if God persuaded you to go with me, but if the Harvest-Chief does not move you, I hope you remain at home. To me, Ecuador is an avenue of obedience to the simple word of Christ. There is room for me there, and I am free to go. Of this I am sure. He will lead you too, and not let you miss your signs. The sound of "gentle stillness" after the thunder and wind have passed will be the ultimate word from God.
Pete once wrote to his fiancee: "I think a 'call' to the mission field is no different from any other means of guidance. A call is nothing more nor less than obedience to the will of God, as God presses it home to the soul by whatever means He chooses."
"Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries." -Psalm 60:12
Reading about these two young men and their passion for God and His calling to the mission field has been such an encouragement to me. It amazes me how our God is the same back then, today, and forever! Jesus assured them of His will for their lives, and He does that same thing to me. His assurance and guidance is what I cling to. His Gospel and His promises. The Truth and The Mission. Being obedient to His calling. Dying to self and doing His will.
Abba, it is through You and through Your power that we fight the good fight, and strive towards finishing the race, we shall do this valiantly! With bravery. Help us to be bold for the sake of Your name. For the sake of the Gospel. Let the nations be glad. Let the nations hear the beautiful name that is Jesus and know Him. That we may proclaim repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:47). That you would be glorified and magnified. Be worshiped, O LORD.
The first chapter was titled, "I Dare Not Stay Home," it was based on Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming's calling to Ecuador.
Elisabeth Elliot writes, "Sure that he belonged to God by faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Jim was equally sure that the God who had redeemed him would also guide him. 'I am as sure of His direction as I am of His salvation,' he used to say."
"He (Jim) was given new assurance, and wrote to his parents of his intention to go to Ecuador. Understandably, they, with others who knew Jim well, wondered if perhaps his ministry might not be more effective in the United States, where so many know so little of the Bible's real message. He replied: "I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. What if the well-filled church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust of their Bible covers."
"This problem of meeting a culture with truth from God is the most difficult kind of thing. One comes as a renovator, a conditioner of society, and society is in no mood to be conditioned. The fixedness of the human mind is the 'wall of Jericho' to Gospel preaching. God must shake, or there will be no shaking.
Jim wrote to Pete: "I would certainly be glad if God persuaded you to go with me, but if the Harvest-Chief does not move you, I hope you remain at home. To me, Ecuador is an avenue of obedience to the simple word of Christ. There is room for me there, and I am free to go. Of this I am sure. He will lead you too, and not let you miss your signs. The sound of "gentle stillness" after the thunder and wind have passed will be the ultimate word from God.
Pete once wrote to his fiancee: "I think a 'call' to the mission field is no different from any other means of guidance. A call is nothing more nor less than obedience to the will of God, as God presses it home to the soul by whatever means He chooses."
"Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries." -Psalm 60:12
Reading about these two young men and their passion for God and His calling to the mission field has been such an encouragement to me. It amazes me how our God is the same back then, today, and forever! Jesus assured them of His will for their lives, and He does that same thing to me. His assurance and guidance is what I cling to. His Gospel and His promises. The Truth and The Mission. Being obedient to His calling. Dying to self and doing His will.
Abba, it is through You and through Your power that we fight the good fight, and strive towards finishing the race, we shall do this valiantly! With bravery. Help us to be bold for the sake of Your name. For the sake of the Gospel. Let the nations be glad. Let the nations hear the beautiful name that is Jesus and know Him. That we may proclaim repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:47). That you would be glorified and magnified. Be worshiped, O LORD.
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