ISAIAH 58:9-11 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
What a gift for God to remind me of this verse and to be faithful to convict my heart when I go astray. How often I point the finger, speak words that do not impart grace and oppress others, when really the issue is in my own heart. Forgive me Lord.
I had the blessing of reconciling with a friend today after months of pointed fingers, both feeling the other had let them down, both hurt deeply, mourning at the loss. But our faithful God interceded and by His grace He will restore and redeem.
We have an enemy who is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He comes to destroy our relationships, breaking our unity in and distracting us from serving Jesus. We desparately need to be on our knees for our relationships remembering that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. May we be aware of the battle and stand with Jesus, remember greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world...we already have victory.
Please Lord, give us your children, hearts that love You and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Give us Your eyes to see, Your mind, Your vision, Your grace, Your mercy, forgive us and purify our hearts. We are a broken people, but You are much greater still...
We look to You...
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. John 15:13
And the second, like this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31
Sunday, August 30, 2009
You are Mine...
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." Isaiah 43:1
You are Mine, you are Mine, You are Mine... I read those three words and could not help but to rejoice. The God of universe was saying to me.. you are Mine. What incredible joy, peace and hope we have in those words. We are the beloved of God. Again I say rejoice! :)
What does it mean that we are His? This list is not exhaustive but I pray it encourages you as it has me.
I am born again (1 Peter 1:23)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2)
I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13,14)
I am set free by the truth (John 8:31-33)
I am eternally secure in Christ (John 10:27-31)
I am one with God the Father and Jesus the Son (John 17:23)
I am God's gift to Christ (John 17:24)
I can rejoice in trouble (Romans 5:3)
The love of God has been poured out in my heart (Romans 5:5)
I have been reconciled to God through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:10)
My old self was crucified wiht Christ (romans 6:6)
I am yielded to God (Romans 6:13)
I have eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23)
I am free from the power of sin (Romans 6:18)
I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)
I am led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
I am confident that all things work together for the good (Romans 8:28)
I am inseparable from the love of God (Romans 8:35)
I have obtained an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
I know the hope of my calling (Ephesians 1:18)
I am able to walk boldy into Christ's presence (Ephesians 3:12)
I am strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16)
I once was in darkness but now I'm in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8)
I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)
Dear believer, the list goes on... rejoice!
"They looked to Him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed." Psalm 34:5
You are Mine, you are Mine, You are Mine... I read those three words and could not help but to rejoice. The God of universe was saying to me.. you are Mine. What incredible joy, peace and hope we have in those words. We are the beloved of God. Again I say rejoice! :)
What does it mean that we are His? This list is not exhaustive but I pray it encourages you as it has me.
I am born again (1 Peter 1:23)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2)
I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13,14)
I am set free by the truth (John 8:31-33)
I am eternally secure in Christ (John 10:27-31)
I am one with God the Father and Jesus the Son (John 17:23)
I am God's gift to Christ (John 17:24)
I can rejoice in trouble (Romans 5:3)
The love of God has been poured out in my heart (Romans 5:5)
I have been reconciled to God through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:10)
My old self was crucified wiht Christ (romans 6:6)
I am yielded to God (Romans 6:13)
I have eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23)
I am free from the power of sin (Romans 6:18)
I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1)
I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)
I am led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
I am confident that all things work together for the good (Romans 8:28)
I am inseparable from the love of God (Romans 8:35)
I have obtained an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
I know the hope of my calling (Ephesians 1:18)
I am able to walk boldy into Christ's presence (Ephesians 3:12)
I am strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16)
I once was in darkness but now I'm in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8)
I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10)
Dear believer, the list goes on... rejoice!
"They looked to Him and were radiant and their faces were not ashamed." Psalm 34:5
Friday, August 28, 2009
Cambodia
Dear Reader,
The following blog is simply all of my updates from our time in Cambodia this summer, cut and pasted together...hopefully I'll get my act together and add pictures
soon...but with school starting...don't hold your breath:)
Thank you for reading and thank you for praying
"They looked to Him and were radiant.." Psalm 34:5
Today is our third day in Cambodia. We got up early ....mostly because we have a newborn to take care of :) (I took the 4am shift after Katherine had been up all night) and then got ready to go to the dump. The dump is where all the trash goes including body parts, sharps...everything. It's also where people live and "work". They have a medical clinic there every Friday to care for the people at the dump. We were able to share Jesus with those who had never heard His name, pray for them and help meet a physical need. Afterward we walked out onto the trash where the people live and work.... words cannot describe. The children were sweet, starving for real love and the spiritual battle was intense.
Everyone keeps asking me "why are you so quiet?" honestly, there is so much to take in and process I can hardly make a full sentence. But I see the hand of the Lord here in such a real way, the people are very open to the gospel and the opportunities to minister are endless. All I keep thinking is "I have so much, what more can I do?"
The sights and the culture are familiar, much like when I was in Bosnia... no personal space, very loud and bold people. The streets are crowded, the houses vary from one side of the street to the other... you look to the left its as though you are in the slums, you look to the right you see a mansion.
The weather is incredible! It is sooooo oooooo hot! I feel like I'm on fire! :) Then in the afternoon, dark clouds roll in, the winds kick up, thunder, lightening and rain like I've never seen before! I love it!
We are staying with Katherine and it has been an incredible blessing to see all the relationships she has built and the immeasurable ways God is using her here. She is an extension of God's love and grace to so many, please keep her in prayer.
I will write more soon.
Sunday we leave for the jungle so you will probably not hear from me until we return.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Psalm 10
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 2
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.... why would we attempt to do anything for the Lord apart from prayer?
God has been drawing me to my knees not only for the nation of Cambodia but for the world. We are so quick to do anything but pray and yet this is the place where the battle is won. The enemy isn't even phased by our service for God when it is not accompanied by prayer, prayer that is seeking Him with a repentant and humble heart.
We are a broken people and we need Jesus to heal us, but dare we not even step out in His name without first seeking His face.
It is His work, by His Spirit, we are to be completely dependent upon Him.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit," says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6.... He.... The Lord of heaven and earth will move mountains, He will accomplish that which He said He would do.
I am continually blessed during my time here, my heart is truly broken for that which breaks His heart. I am thankful that I can come to Him freely and ask Him to move mountains.
God bless you,
more soon
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 3
Dear friends and family,
We didn't get to the jungle because the doctors wife is very sick, but God has been keeping us busy with many other blessings especially this precious newborn baby :)
Today we went the relocation housing, a place where they moved people out of the city so they could develop and they have to live in these basically concrete cells, they have nothing at all, all the kids have lice, most of them are very sick and cannot be treated only given something to dull the pain a bit. A small family (2 sisters and a brother) took to me and I held them and played with them while we where there.... I fell in love. The oldest was maybe 6 and she was taking care of the younger two, after sitting with me for about an hour she picked up the youngest and led the two home by herself, it took everything in me not to run after them. This is the norm here in Cambodia, children are not valued and given very little care if at all. Those that are not wanted are sold which is what would've happened to Joshua had Katherine not taken him. Yet we know that God sees and He is moving on the hearts of His children to act and be His hands and His feet to this lost and dying world.
"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord. "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." Psalm 12:5
I am so thankful that I am here to be reminded, my heart is being brought back to all of the things God has shown me before. I really feel refreshed and encouraged while at the same time so heavily burdened, yet knowing that the burden is the Lord's. He is a good God and He is love and I see it daily here.
We are otherwise busy trying to orchestrate Joshua's visit home with Katherine at the end of this month, please pray for this...this is no easy task...yet I believe God can do it.... so we seek His will and press on with much paperwork and several visits to government offices.
The nearby Hope orphanage also occupies our time and is a place that desparately needs your prayers. They are in need of more willing hands to provide strong Christian leadership. The children left to themselves find a great deal of sin to act out in and it is so hard to watch and do nothing. Many of the children are very sweet and want to do well and truly love the Lord, but there are those who are in the midst who seek to lead the others astray and we pray that God would grab a hold of their hearts and lead them in His ways. There are so many culturally accepted practices of abuse here and it is hard to break them, only by His spirit. We need to come to Him in humility and prayer, recognizing that the Holy Spirit has the power to set people free. There are two men and one amazing woman of God (Katherine!) who do love the Lord who serve there Sothea and Tal....yet they are too few. Pray that God would strengthen and equip them and add to their number.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Jacqueline and I are doing well, staying healthy and being blessed!
More soon,
In Him,
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 4
Today we visited the Killing Fields, one of the places in Cambodia set apart to remeber the genocide that took place under the regime of Pol Pot. While I had studied what I was able and felt I knew quite a bit nothing could have prepared my heart for what I saw today. We saw mass graves in which bones are still being unearthed as the rain loosens the ground, we saw a tower filled with skulls of the victims, it was an incredibly sobering sight. We prayed all morning it seemed, and we were thankful that we could and felt again that this is indeed a land desparate for God's healing.
This afternoon we took Guila one of the orphans on a trip to a local shopping center. This is a very special event. Each week Katherine selects one of the orphans to accompany her to town where they get to select the DVD for the movie night and have ice cream with her and some much needed quality time, it is a very sweet time. He was so excited! It was his very first time on an elevator and he was gripping the sides but he enjoyed it :)
Katherine and Jacqueline went to the orphanage to watch the movie with the kids (Guila picked out Tom and Jerry!) while I stayed back with Joshua who stayed awake the whole time! We had fun together, he is growing so much and is such a sweet blessing from the Lord to all of us.
We are staying with Katherine in a very large home where many missionaries stay and some just passing through, also a lot of young Khmer men and women (mostly men...just one woman!) who are being discipled in the Lord live here. The ministry is called Water of Life and they have a music school here amongst the many other ministries they do throughout Cambodia. Every night those who live here and anyone who is here have a time of worship and Bible study. It is a very sweet time. The young men are learning to study and share God's Word and to be His witnesses, it is a sweet blessing to see! There seems to be a new face here everyday, a missionary from another country shows or returns, it's truly a blessed home and we are so privileged to be here and to get to know all these sweet saints.
Yesterday we spent the day traveling to different government offices in the hopes of finding a way to bring Joshua home with Katherine when she comes at the end of this month but unfortunately we were met with a very closed door. They did give us hope for future visits though. Please pray for Katherine as she decides what to do concerning her trip.
Tomorrow we will go back to the dump clinic again and then I have been asked to teach an English class in the evening at the orphanage.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers,
In His Grace,
Jen
Cambodia 5
"Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harrass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamitites. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Truly God has been revealing great things to my heart during our time here, He has been doing great things and I want to boast in Him all day long.
I thank Him for this time of weakness that He has allowed knowing that He is glorified in all things and when I am weak then I am strong.
Yesterday all three of us realized we were suffering from sickness of some form. Soon after sickness came discouragement and many other weaknesses. We spent much of the day in prayer, I often was in tears and feeling defeated in many areas, the attack was strong. But the Lord reminded me, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world".
We continued in prayer and seeking the Lord and rested our physical bodies. God truly met us.
Last night despite our weaknesses Jesus allowed us to minister to all of the girls from the orphanage, they all came over to our home and we had a girls night. We watched movies and just loved on the girls, prayed over them and it was truly a very sweet time. Truly His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
This morning during church (which is all in Khmer) God ministered the above verse to my heart... so blessed!
Please keep us in prayer that God would heal us from whatever is causing this sickness.... it is not so fun, but its not terrible....hahah praise the Lord!
Please pray for how we will spend our remaining time here, we have two full days left, may we redeem the time, may God be glorified in all things, may be be a blessing to the saints here and may we truly see Jesus in all things.
God bless you and thank you so much for praying,
Jen
Praise the Lord for all that He has done!
Goodbye Cambodia (for now!)
Hello Dear Family,
We landed back on CA soil yesterday afternoon and my heart is so full! I am so blessed to come home to such a wonderful family and yet so broken hearted to leave all those behind who I grew to love so quickly in Cambodia.
The day we left about 6 girls and a couple of the older boys from the oprhanage came with us to the airport to see us off. We could've stayed and hugged and kissed and exchanged "I love yous" all day :)
I fell in love with an eleven year old girl named Srey Oun and she came with us to say goodbye, it was very hard to let go of her, but I know that Jesus has her and Lord willing He will let me come to her and so many other dear ones again someday.
Our time with Katherine and Joshua was priceless, a gift I will never be able to thank Jesus enough for. How awesome is our God to have brought us on the exact day of Joshua's arrival ...only He could've have arranged such a divine appoinment! God began our trip by showing off and He kept doing just that, as Katherine would say "blessing our socks off" daily!
We were able to visit many of the places Katherine regularly does ministry and meet many of the hearts she touches daily. These same lives touched our hearts in ways we couldn't have imagined and we will never be the same. God is so good.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and encouragement, please continue to pray for:
* Katherine's visit to the states this next week
* Jacqueline and I as we re-enter life in America and take time to process all that God has done
*Cambodia- the nation needs our prayers; pray for healing, pray that God would send many workers into the field, pray that God would break the chains that Satan has used to bind the people especially the religion of Buddhism and the sexual bondage
*Katherine and Joshua- for God's will to be done and for Him to lead at every step
Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14
God bless you all and thank you so much! He is always good and always faithful. We are so thankful to be His hands and His feet and to get another glimpse of His heart for the world, what an incredible privilege.
With Love,
Jen Cecil
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23;1-3
The following blog is simply all of my updates from our time in Cambodia this summer, cut and pasted together...hopefully I'll get my act together and add pictures
soon...but with school starting...don't hold your breath:)
Thank you for reading and thank you for praying
"They looked to Him and were radiant.." Psalm 34:5
Today is our third day in Cambodia. We got up early ....mostly because we have a newborn to take care of :) (I took the 4am shift after Katherine had been up all night) and then got ready to go to the dump. The dump is where all the trash goes including body parts, sharps...everything. It's also where people live and "work". They have a medical clinic there every Friday to care for the people at the dump. We were able to share Jesus with those who had never heard His name, pray for them and help meet a physical need. Afterward we walked out onto the trash where the people live and work.... words cannot describe. The children were sweet, starving for real love and the spiritual battle was intense.
Everyone keeps asking me "why are you so quiet?" honestly, there is so much to take in and process I can hardly make a full sentence. But I see the hand of the Lord here in such a real way, the people are very open to the gospel and the opportunities to minister are endless. All I keep thinking is "I have so much, what more can I do?"
The sights and the culture are familiar, much like when I was in Bosnia... no personal space, very loud and bold people. The streets are crowded, the houses vary from one side of the street to the other... you look to the left its as though you are in the slums, you look to the right you see a mansion.
The weather is incredible! It is sooooo oooooo hot! I feel like I'm on fire! :) Then in the afternoon, dark clouds roll in, the winds kick up, thunder, lightening and rain like I've never seen before! I love it!
We are staying with Katherine and it has been an incredible blessing to see all the relationships she has built and the immeasurable ways God is using her here. She is an extension of God's love and grace to so many, please keep her in prayer.
I will write more soon.
Sunday we leave for the jungle so you will probably not hear from me until we return.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Psalm 10
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 2
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.... why would we attempt to do anything for the Lord apart from prayer?
God has been drawing me to my knees not only for the nation of Cambodia but for the world. We are so quick to do anything but pray and yet this is the place where the battle is won. The enemy isn't even phased by our service for God when it is not accompanied by prayer, prayer that is seeking Him with a repentant and humble heart.
We are a broken people and we need Jesus to heal us, but dare we not even step out in His name without first seeking His face.
It is His work, by His Spirit, we are to be completely dependent upon Him.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit," says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6.... He.... The Lord of heaven and earth will move mountains, He will accomplish that which He said He would do.
I am continually blessed during my time here, my heart is truly broken for that which breaks His heart. I am thankful that I can come to Him freely and ask Him to move mountains.
God bless you,
more soon
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 3
Dear friends and family,
We didn't get to the jungle because the doctors wife is very sick, but God has been keeping us busy with many other blessings especially this precious newborn baby :)
Today we went the relocation housing, a place where they moved people out of the city so they could develop and they have to live in these basically concrete cells, they have nothing at all, all the kids have lice, most of them are very sick and cannot be treated only given something to dull the pain a bit. A small family (2 sisters and a brother) took to me and I held them and played with them while we where there.... I fell in love. The oldest was maybe 6 and she was taking care of the younger two, after sitting with me for about an hour she picked up the youngest and led the two home by herself, it took everything in me not to run after them. This is the norm here in Cambodia, children are not valued and given very little care if at all. Those that are not wanted are sold which is what would've happened to Joshua had Katherine not taken him. Yet we know that God sees and He is moving on the hearts of His children to act and be His hands and His feet to this lost and dying world.
"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord. "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." Psalm 12:5
I am so thankful that I am here to be reminded, my heart is being brought back to all of the things God has shown me before. I really feel refreshed and encouraged while at the same time so heavily burdened, yet knowing that the burden is the Lord's. He is a good God and He is love and I see it daily here.
We are otherwise busy trying to orchestrate Joshua's visit home with Katherine at the end of this month, please pray for this...this is no easy task...yet I believe God can do it.... so we seek His will and press on with much paperwork and several visits to government offices.
The nearby Hope orphanage also occupies our time and is a place that desparately needs your prayers. They are in need of more willing hands to provide strong Christian leadership. The children left to themselves find a great deal of sin to act out in and it is so hard to watch and do nothing. Many of the children are very sweet and want to do well and truly love the Lord, but there are those who are in the midst who seek to lead the others astray and we pray that God would grab a hold of their hearts and lead them in His ways. There are so many culturally accepted practices of abuse here and it is hard to break them, only by His spirit. We need to come to Him in humility and prayer, recognizing that the Holy Spirit has the power to set people free. There are two men and one amazing woman of God (Katherine!) who do love the Lord who serve there Sothea and Tal....yet they are too few. Pray that God would strengthen and equip them and add to their number.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Jacqueline and I are doing well, staying healthy and being blessed!
More soon,
In Him,
Jen Cecil
Cambodia 4
Today we visited the Killing Fields, one of the places in Cambodia set apart to remeber the genocide that took place under the regime of Pol Pot. While I had studied what I was able and felt I knew quite a bit nothing could have prepared my heart for what I saw today. We saw mass graves in which bones are still being unearthed as the rain loosens the ground, we saw a tower filled with skulls of the victims, it was an incredibly sobering sight. We prayed all morning it seemed, and we were thankful that we could and felt again that this is indeed a land desparate for God's healing.
This afternoon we took Guila one of the orphans on a trip to a local shopping center. This is a very special event. Each week Katherine selects one of the orphans to accompany her to town where they get to select the DVD for the movie night and have ice cream with her and some much needed quality time, it is a very sweet time. He was so excited! It was his very first time on an elevator and he was gripping the sides but he enjoyed it :)
Katherine and Jacqueline went to the orphanage to watch the movie with the kids (Guila picked out Tom and Jerry!) while I stayed back with Joshua who stayed awake the whole time! We had fun together, he is growing so much and is such a sweet blessing from the Lord to all of us.
We are staying with Katherine in a very large home where many missionaries stay and some just passing through, also a lot of young Khmer men and women (mostly men...just one woman!) who are being discipled in the Lord live here. The ministry is called Water of Life and they have a music school here amongst the many other ministries they do throughout Cambodia. Every night those who live here and anyone who is here have a time of worship and Bible study. It is a very sweet time. The young men are learning to study and share God's Word and to be His witnesses, it is a sweet blessing to see! There seems to be a new face here everyday, a missionary from another country shows or returns, it's truly a blessed home and we are so privileged to be here and to get to know all these sweet saints.
Yesterday we spent the day traveling to different government offices in the hopes of finding a way to bring Joshua home with Katherine when she comes at the end of this month but unfortunately we were met with a very closed door. They did give us hope for future visits though. Please pray for Katherine as she decides what to do concerning her trip.
Tomorrow we will go back to the dump clinic again and then I have been asked to teach an English class in the evening at the orphanage.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers,
In His Grace,
Jen
Cambodia 5
"Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harrass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamitites. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Truly God has been revealing great things to my heart during our time here, He has been doing great things and I want to boast in Him all day long.
I thank Him for this time of weakness that He has allowed knowing that He is glorified in all things and when I am weak then I am strong.
Yesterday all three of us realized we were suffering from sickness of some form. Soon after sickness came discouragement and many other weaknesses. We spent much of the day in prayer, I often was in tears and feeling defeated in many areas, the attack was strong. But the Lord reminded me, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world".
We continued in prayer and seeking the Lord and rested our physical bodies. God truly met us.
Last night despite our weaknesses Jesus allowed us to minister to all of the girls from the orphanage, they all came over to our home and we had a girls night. We watched movies and just loved on the girls, prayed over them and it was truly a very sweet time. Truly His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
This morning during church (which is all in Khmer) God ministered the above verse to my heart... so blessed!
Please keep us in prayer that God would heal us from whatever is causing this sickness.... it is not so fun, but its not terrible....hahah praise the Lord!
Please pray for how we will spend our remaining time here, we have two full days left, may we redeem the time, may God be glorified in all things, may be be a blessing to the saints here and may we truly see Jesus in all things.
God bless you and thank you so much for praying,
Jen
Praise the Lord for all that He has done!
Goodbye Cambodia (for now!)
Hello Dear Family,
We landed back on CA soil yesterday afternoon and my heart is so full! I am so blessed to come home to such a wonderful family and yet so broken hearted to leave all those behind who I grew to love so quickly in Cambodia.
The day we left about 6 girls and a couple of the older boys from the oprhanage came with us to the airport to see us off. We could've stayed and hugged and kissed and exchanged "I love yous" all day :)
I fell in love with an eleven year old girl named Srey Oun and she came with us to say goodbye, it was very hard to let go of her, but I know that Jesus has her and Lord willing He will let me come to her and so many other dear ones again someday.
Our time with Katherine and Joshua was priceless, a gift I will never be able to thank Jesus enough for. How awesome is our God to have brought us on the exact day of Joshua's arrival ...only He could've have arranged such a divine appoinment! God began our trip by showing off and He kept doing just that, as Katherine would say "blessing our socks off" daily!
We were able to visit many of the places Katherine regularly does ministry and meet many of the hearts she touches daily. These same lives touched our hearts in ways we couldn't have imagined and we will never be the same. God is so good.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and encouragement, please continue to pray for:
* Katherine's visit to the states this next week
* Jacqueline and I as we re-enter life in America and take time to process all that God has done
*Cambodia- the nation needs our prayers; pray for healing, pray that God would send many workers into the field, pray that God would break the chains that Satan has used to bind the people especially the religion of Buddhism and the sexual bondage
*Katherine and Joshua- for God's will to be done and for Him to lead at every step
Remember 2 Chronicles 7:14
God bless you all and thank you so much! He is always good and always faithful. We are so thankful to be His hands and His feet and to get another glimpse of His heart for the world, what an incredible privilege.
With Love,
Jen Cecil
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23;1-3
Thursday, August 27, 2009
No Fear
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
"...has not..." those two words hung in the air like a thick fog. A fog that surrounds you and you know that there is something so beautiful, like a vast ocean on the other side, yet you can't see it and can hardly imagine a time when you will be able to.
When I consider those closest to me, the ones I have taken a risk with, at some point fear has taken over. Fear that keeps me from giving through the pain, fear that keeps a smile on my face when my heart is breaking, fear that causes me to withdraw and remain silent, fear that tells my heart "true love doesn't exist", fear that tells my heart "you are not needed, not sought after", fear that says, "when they find out who you really are, they will leave".
I want to be able to say all the right things right now... I know what they are. But the truth is my heart is not convinced. I long for it to be so and will take all the broken pieces of my heart, all the doubts and confusion to the foot of the cross, to my Savior, the one who can heal, the one who can make me whole.
Fear will remain until it is replaced by faith, faith in the one who is Love. My heart's desire to fully understand how great His love is for me, to see myself as I am in Him, whole, pure, beloved,
sought after, worth Him giving up His life for me...infinitely valuable.
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." Isaiah 43:1
"...has not..." those two words hung in the air like a thick fog. A fog that surrounds you and you know that there is something so beautiful, like a vast ocean on the other side, yet you can't see it and can hardly imagine a time when you will be able to.
When I consider those closest to me, the ones I have taken a risk with, at some point fear has taken over. Fear that keeps me from giving through the pain, fear that keeps a smile on my face when my heart is breaking, fear that causes me to withdraw and remain silent, fear that tells my heart "true love doesn't exist", fear that tells my heart "you are not needed, not sought after", fear that says, "when they find out who you really are, they will leave".
I want to be able to say all the right things right now... I know what they are. But the truth is my heart is not convinced. I long for it to be so and will take all the broken pieces of my heart, all the doubts and confusion to the foot of the cross, to my Savior, the one who can heal, the one who can make me whole.
Fear will remain until it is replaced by faith, faith in the one who is Love. My heart's desire to fully understand how great His love is for me, to see myself as I am in Him, whole, pure, beloved,
sought after, worth Him giving up His life for me...infinitely valuable.
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." Isaiah 43:1
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