It always amazes me to hear how God puts things together. I love to hear the stories. I believe God's timing is perfect. He uses different things to keep us in His perfect timing.
John is from India and a pastor at a Christian church in India. He was my nephew's camp counselor a few years ago. My sister in law, Tena, was camp nurse. John came to stay with their family for awhile after camp. My brother and Tena work. We went with John to the zoo. We enjoyed spending time with him. We stayed in touch by email. John and I talked about the work God was doing through us with orphans. Later we talked and John said he felt led to have orphans living in their home. Wow! We had a heart for children in common. John is visiting the U.S. Last night he cooked us an Indian dinner. He told us he had 7 orphans living with them now there are over 20. We enjoyed seeing pictures of his family, church and the children. Then, as we were leaving, he told us that he had used our names in church talking about our working with orphans. Wow! God laying on our hearts to work with orphans had an effect in India. All of those that contributed to that first trip to Ukraine in 07, are joint heirs to a part in this. It is amazing the way God timed our meeting.
"A merry heart doeth good like medicine." Proverbs 17:22
In a time where we had not been seeing much fruit or understanding God's plan, what a awesome blessing that our Heavenly Father saw fit to show us that our work for Him is making a difference. We serve God because we love Him. We love others because He first loved us.
These 2 precious girls, well, they are loving on me lately. These are hugs of wanting comfort, missing us already and knowing we truly care about them. The seeds that were planted this summer....no telling what God will do with them. I hope I hear some of some fruit. But I trust my Heavenly Father knows best and His plan is best.
Yulyia is a dear friend to our family. I met her last summer. Her father in law stopped at a church while they were working. Then he suggested to his son and family they attend the church. We needed a translator last summer. Ricky works with a guy that goes to the church and we have friends there. They told us about her. We called and she came to help. I asked her if I came to her church would she translate for the children. She graciously said yes. She teaches them Sunday School and Wed. night in Ukrainian. God's word in Ukrainian in a small country church in Alabama. Is that not amazing.
The past few days Haley is getting closer to me again. She put up a guard when the girls arrived. Anna was so jealous tonight when I was talking to another little girl her size. She wanted all the attention. So I jump roped with her. (That was a funny sight.) She loved it. Troy and Andrew had the "joy" of serving family by sitting with grandad and cutting grass. They needed to give to others. They went to sleep quickly tonight. They cut the neighbors yard too and worked for 4 hours in the heat.
I was blessed God used me to encourage another homeschool mom tonight. After having a lonely summer I could immediately recognize the symptoms of wanting to talk to an adult. I was also blessed to see a few of my CBS buddies tonight and spend time with them.
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." I Cor 3:6 I don't care which part God uses me for in His work. I just want to be used by God to make a difference in the lives of others.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Our island
My island has 9 children living here with me. I teach them to cook, clean and to be kind. My island has poisionous snakes around it. They remind me of the dangers the islanders face off the island. The island can be lonely with 11 of us here most of the time. Much of my time is spent encouraging the islanders to do what is right.
These islanders have come from 4 very different places with very different baggage. Yes, baggage not luggage. Our islanders came with little if anything. The baggage they carry is from their past experiences that weighs on them in their present life. Luggage is a different story. We will be seeking luggage for two of the islanders will be leaving soon. They will return to their sandy place with the big cold buildings and no parents. We hope they take something they have learned with them. We pray God watches over them.
We occasionally venture off the island. Usually it us just the 10 of us that visit other places. Our unusual language gets us noticed off the island. But rarely do others try to communicate with the islanders. We are at times, on an island in public. Nothing is the world matters but the islanders. There is little time to communicate with the outside world. Usually communications received are wanting us to buy something we don't need.
Sometimes we manage to visit refreshing pools. I enjoy these trips as much as the islanders. A time of refreshing is needed after doing the work on the island. Sometimes the trips are costly and we choose to stay on our island instead of paying the price. Other times there are pools opened to us at no charge and include communication and outlets.
I wonder how many islands there are around. How many others have their own island.
I ventured to another island the other day. It was a hard place to go. I knew God wanted me to go. Once I arrived it was God lead. He had some things he needed this neighboring island to hear. After counseling and praying for the islanders I returned to my island.
Another day God brought someone to te edge of the island. They needed a time of refreshing and comfort. It was good to share with the neighboring islander.
One of the islanders leaves every morning to provide for the islanders. He enjoys staying up late to spend time with the islanders. He misses so much being gone to provide for us.
Our island serves many purposes, some are unknown.
Many places do not open doors for island groups of 10 or 11. They feel the tribe is too much trouble. I feel sorry for their loss. Many feel the islanders would be too much to feed. We feed them daily. Yes that's 11 a meal, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week (231 a week) and 4 or so weeks a month (over 924 meals a month). These new islanders are hard to fill. They eat about 2 or so snacks a day in addition to the meals. But the God of the island supplies our needs and stretches His dollars.
Refreshing comes from time spent learning the ways of God, seeking His will and learning his Word. Times without the Word are dry and leave islanders parched and dry and well grumpy. The Word and prayer are needed to make the islanders obedient and joyful.
My island, well it's not perfect. But it is where God has us for now.
These islanders have come from 4 very different places with very different baggage. Yes, baggage not luggage. Our islanders came with little if anything. The baggage they carry is from their past experiences that weighs on them in their present life. Luggage is a different story. We will be seeking luggage for two of the islanders will be leaving soon. They will return to their sandy place with the big cold buildings and no parents. We hope they take something they have learned with them. We pray God watches over them.
We occasionally venture off the island. Usually it us just the 10 of us that visit other places. Our unusual language gets us noticed off the island. But rarely do others try to communicate with the islanders. We are at times, on an island in public. Nothing is the world matters but the islanders. There is little time to communicate with the outside world. Usually communications received are wanting us to buy something we don't need.
Sometimes we manage to visit refreshing pools. I enjoy these trips as much as the islanders. A time of refreshing is needed after doing the work on the island. Sometimes the trips are costly and we choose to stay on our island instead of paying the price. Other times there are pools opened to us at no charge and include communication and outlets.
I wonder how many islands there are around. How many others have their own island.
I ventured to another island the other day. It was a hard place to go. I knew God wanted me to go. Once I arrived it was God lead. He had some things he needed this neighboring island to hear. After counseling and praying for the islanders I returned to my island.
Another day God brought someone to te edge of the island. They needed a time of refreshing and comfort. It was good to share with the neighboring islander.
One of the islanders leaves every morning to provide for the islanders. He enjoys staying up late to spend time with the islanders. He misses so much being gone to provide for us.
Our island serves many purposes, some are unknown.
Many places do not open doors for island groups of 10 or 11. They feel the tribe is too much trouble. I feel sorry for their loss. Many feel the islanders would be too much to feed. We feed them daily. Yes that's 11 a meal, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week (231 a week) and 4 or so weeks a month (over 924 meals a month). These new islanders are hard to fill. They eat about 2 or so snacks a day in addition to the meals. But the God of the island supplies our needs and stretches His dollars.
Refreshing comes from time spent learning the ways of God, seeking His will and learning his Word. Times without the Word are dry and leave islanders parched and dry and well grumpy. The Word and prayer are needed to make the islanders obedient and joyful.
My island, well it's not perfect. But it is where God has us for now.
Talking to daddy
Daddy...I know you know what I need before I ask you. Thank you. Thank you for your Holy Bible that shows me how to pray. Daddy I know you are in Heaven and the angels sing your praises because you are the best daddy ever, wonderful and loving. Daddy, I want your will in my life (and in the life of my husband and children) here like your will is done in Heaven. Daddy, thank you soooo much for today providing food for us. (It was so much more than we deserved...even if lunch was left overs....it was a blessing not to have to cook!) Daddy forgive my family when we don't do as we should. Thank you for a greatful heart to forgive others quickly and not hold grudges. Daddy, I'm weak (we are) we have had a hard journey here lately, please keep temptations away from us and the devil too. Daddy, I forgive anyone who sinned against me. I want your forgiveness....thank you. Matthew 6:8-14
And daddy, I love you.
And daddy, I love you.
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