"let My people go that they may serve Me in the wilderness."
Just let that sink in for a minute...
God demanded freedom for His children so that they could wander in the wilderness for forty years, their time there was no accident, it was in fact purposeful: that they might serve God. Now what they did with that time is another story, they complained, rebelled, much like we do ourselves when we can't see our way or don't understand God's purposes in our lives.
Will you be willing to trust His unfailing love and goodness towards you today? Whether you are in the wilderness or on a mountain top, You did not arrive there without His knowledge and good purposes.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
After Hours Outreach, January 28th 2010
You could say tonight began like any other night...we all met up at Laurie and Daryl's and went from there to 7-11 to pray. There were 5 girls tonight and true to form we began the night with being goofy and giggling a lot... even though we faced some hard realities tonight, our sense of joy never left and we simply enjoyed our fellowship as we were out. Some of us even got new nicknames which I could never explain in an adequate way on this blog so I won't even try. :)
When we first hit the track we saw a few girls here and there and at least 3 saw us and disappeared (sometimes...ok, almost all the time, they think we're cops and they run :/ ). Then we saw a group of three girls and Julia, Katie and Lindsey went to talk with them and give them gifts. They recognized them and were friendly but said they didn't need prayer. Katie remembered one of their names (cause she's awesome!) and the girl was blown away, praise God!
The next girl we talked to was approached by Katie, Lindsey and Julia as well and they walked with her for awhile and she began to open up, she had also seen us out there before. She said she wanted to get off the streets right then, but as they continued talking (and she found out they were serious!) she began to back out and told a story about moving back to Georgia where her parents are... it was hard to discern which parts of the story were true. The girls prayed for her and she continued on her way.
The last girl we met absolutely broke my heart, she was 14. At first she looked sort of weirded out by us (Jen and I were talking with her) then I thought she might cry. As she talked about her family and her life I could tell she didn't have a lot of hope and didn't believe much for her future. I asked her if she had a relationship with Jesus, she said yes. I asked her if she knew he loved her and she hesitated a little. I asked her if it was sometimes hard to believe that He loved her because of all she experienced, she said yes. I told her that His love was real so much that He sent us to tell her about it and to offer her hope. She definitely started opening up to us as we continued talking and then I asked her how she got there and soon discovered she wanted to go home but needed a ride, so we took her home. I do believe she was working out there but it was a little bit of a strange situation. Either way, praise God for the conversation we had and that we were able to take her safely home! Once we got her home, I prayed with her and said goodbye.
By this time it was getting late and we were way off our normal track so we decided to head home...but not without a few more laughs on the way ;) Praise God for the joy He gives!
Please continue to pray for these women and for After Hours Ministry, thank you!
When we first hit the track we saw a few girls here and there and at least 3 saw us and disappeared (sometimes...ok, almost all the time, they think we're cops and they run :/ ). Then we saw a group of three girls and Julia, Katie and Lindsey went to talk with them and give them gifts. They recognized them and were friendly but said they didn't need prayer. Katie remembered one of their names (cause she's awesome!) and the girl was blown away, praise God!
The next girl we talked to was approached by Katie, Lindsey and Julia as well and they walked with her for awhile and she began to open up, she had also seen us out there before. She said she wanted to get off the streets right then, but as they continued talking (and she found out they were serious!) she began to back out and told a story about moving back to Georgia where her parents are... it was hard to discern which parts of the story were true. The girls prayed for her and she continued on her way.
The last girl we met absolutely broke my heart, she was 14. At first she looked sort of weirded out by us (Jen and I were talking with her) then I thought she might cry. As she talked about her family and her life I could tell she didn't have a lot of hope and didn't believe much for her future. I asked her if she had a relationship with Jesus, she said yes. I asked her if she knew he loved her and she hesitated a little. I asked her if it was sometimes hard to believe that He loved her because of all she experienced, she said yes. I told her that His love was real so much that He sent us to tell her about it and to offer her hope. She definitely started opening up to us as we continued talking and then I asked her how she got there and soon discovered she wanted to go home but needed a ride, so we took her home. I do believe she was working out there but it was a little bit of a strange situation. Either way, praise God for the conversation we had and that we were able to take her safely home! Once we got her home, I prayed with her and said goodbye.
By this time it was getting late and we were way off our normal track so we decided to head home...but not without a few more laughs on the way ;) Praise God for the joy He gives!
Please continue to pray for these women and for After Hours Ministry, thank you!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
So dance dance like it's the last last night of your life...
I don't think more explanation is necessary... ;)
Here I am to Worship
The children of COH orphanage (the home that Katherine runs) meet every night for worship and Bible study. Here they are singing "Here I am to Worship" in Khmer.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Weekend Away
This last weekend my friend Jen and I (yes, we have the same name :) ) took a road trip to Oakland, CA.
We headed up for the Freedom Summit, a conference about human trafficking and while we were there we stayed with my very dear friends Kurt, Karyn and Samuel Morrill.
The Conference: Jen and I have been serving in a street ministry to pimps and prostitutes (http://www.afterhoursministry.com/ ) for almost 3 years and we decided to attend this conference in the hopes of gaining some resources that might add to our ministry. There were some great speakers, who were very candid and challenging. One speaker closed by saying, "God bless you, God disturb you....in that disturbing may He break you". I love that, certainly God has disturbed me with the reality of what the women face that we meet each week, certainly those truths have broken my heart to the point that I cannot continue on with life without asking God to use me to bring healing and freedom to these women. Most of the information was not new to us and that was a little frustrating because we were looking for new information that we might move forward. Overall we were glad we went, oh and Sara Groves led worship...she is amazing!
Visiting friends: Kurt and Karyn and I became friends when I was in college, we were on the first GCF team that went to Bosnia (they are still taking teams 10 years later!), we also lived in Europe at the same time and were able to visit one another in both France and Germany. Kurt and Karyn have an amazing ministry and are a constant encouragement to me, they are also really fun and we love to laugh together as well as share our hearts for the things of God. We also saw another friend from college at church on Sunday morning, Angela (Mack) Hancock...what a sweet blessing!
Road Trip: Jen put up with my dancing and singing and crazy car games (Hey Cow!!!) for seven hours each way! She is awesome and we had a great time of fellowship together! Not to mention the drive was beautiful! I took tons of pictures like the one of the sunset posted above.
I am so thankful for the many blessings God gives us each day!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Our Fish
yes, I know you think I'm weird for writing a blog about our fish...but if you could just meet them :)
No, seriously. These are the most amazing fish ever! I have never even liked fish and wasnt all that excited about them in the first place but...have you ever had a fish greet you at the door when you come home? Mine do. Have you ever seen fish play with their food like it's a ball, passing it back and forth? I have. Ok, so one of them has a little Hitler mustache, so we call him Hitler. The Other One...well, that's his name..."The Other One". We thought people might think that was strange so we nicknamed them "Doug and Steve" after the Night at the Roxbury guys...because they get all crazy and excited like those guys, "hi, hi, hi, hi" that's what it's like when they see you. :)
Also both of these little guys have had near death experiences (like being dropped down the garbage disposal!) and are still swimming joyfully today...they are stinken amazing!
I love these fish!
Come over and meet them some time!
:)
No, seriously. These are the most amazing fish ever! I have never even liked fish and wasnt all that excited about them in the first place but...have you ever had a fish greet you at the door when you come home? Mine do. Have you ever seen fish play with their food like it's a ball, passing it back and forth? I have. Ok, so one of them has a little Hitler mustache, so we call him Hitler. The Other One...well, that's his name..."The Other One". We thought people might think that was strange so we nicknamed them "Doug and Steve" after the Night at the Roxbury guys...because they get all crazy and excited like those guys, "hi, hi, hi, hi" that's what it's like when they see you. :)
I love these fish!
Come over and meet them some time!
:)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Faith
"The substance of things hoped for...evidence of things not seen."
ok, does anyone ever really think about what these words mean? I claim to have faith a lot but its usually in things that I am fairly certain in, have some confidence that they will succeed, some idea of how things will go... Do I really have faith? God has been challenging me lately to step out into the unknown and let me tell you I have come up with every reason why that is not a good idea! But everytime I decide to take the safe way, my heart is burdened in such a way that I can't fathom just staying in the same place and doing nothing. The truth is I have a choice and God is so good, He'll bless me either way...but is there a way that I ought to take by the prompting of His Holy Spirit that while terrifying in it's unknowns will lead to a deeper knowledge of my Savior, a greater trust in His promises...perhaps more blessing than I could ask for or imagine?
I have been given two words as I've sought the Lord in this matter....
And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Colossians 4:17
And "wait"...Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your path. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4,5 Wait for peace, for God to confirm, for open doors....
My prayer is that I will have great faith, and my prayer is that I will have great patience and a willing heart to take heed the ministry the Lord has given me in His timing.
The great thing about the definition of faith is that it invovles hope...and hope gives life.
ok, does anyone ever really think about what these words mean? I claim to have faith a lot but its usually in things that I am fairly certain in, have some confidence that they will succeed, some idea of how things will go... Do I really have faith? God has been challenging me lately to step out into the unknown and let me tell you I have come up with every reason why that is not a good idea! But everytime I decide to take the safe way, my heart is burdened in such a way that I can't fathom just staying in the same place and doing nothing. The truth is I have a choice and God is so good, He'll bless me either way...but is there a way that I ought to take by the prompting of His Holy Spirit that while terrifying in it's unknowns will lead to a deeper knowledge of my Savior, a greater trust in His promises...perhaps more blessing than I could ask for or imagine?
I have been given two words as I've sought the Lord in this matter....
And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Colossians 4:17
And "wait"...Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your path. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 25:4,5 Wait for peace, for God to confirm, for open doors....
My prayer is that I will have great faith, and my prayer is that I will have great patience and a willing heart to take heed the ministry the Lord has given me in His timing.
The great thing about the definition of faith is that it invovles hope...and hope gives life.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
What in the world happened in Cambodia?
Hi... :)
The internet isnt so great in Cambodia, it's very slow or not working at all. I know I sort of disappeared after we left but now you know why. Have no fear though, I wrote in my journal almost everyday to keep record of all of our adventures. Though to be quite honest its not that thrilling of a story... it's sort of just simple everyday life in an orphanage in Cambodia. We had such a blessed time, so much fun, great fellowship and the Lord was defintely working on our hearts.
24/12/2010
Cambodia...
We finally made it...sigh... :)
After almost a weeks delay because of a seemingly pointless rule concerning my passport...we are here.
It took A LOT to get us here and my prayer is continually that I will not miss what it is that You are doing. You often speak in a still small voice, though as proved last week, sometimes it is more like a freight train...but oh how I long to hear what You have to say.
Well, we left...yesterday? But not without our challenges. First they couldn't find our tickets...my heart sank, yet there was peace, peace that said "if God has chosen to close this door, I accept knowing He has my best interest in mind." Eventually they cleared up the ticket problem but we saw that our flight was delayed 40 minutes...having only 1 hour between connecting flights we feared we would miss our next flight. We text Katherine and we prayed. Praise God they held the plane for our 2nd flight and we even landed in Cambodia a few minutes early!
It took a good 1/2 hour to get our visas and luggage and then we saw a sight that made all the struggles of this last week melt away. There at the exit were Katherine, Jason and about a dozen kids including my Bella! :)
It is incredibly hot...Katherine had warned us that it was cooler and we should bring a sweatshirt...pretty sure that the only use that is going to get is when I leave it here for her :)
We are just settling in here today...Jacqueline of course is surrounded by the children every moment and loving it. Later we will prepare Christmas gifts for the children. Oh yeah...we saw santa's sleigh while out on a walk today...I have pictures!
26/12/2010
The sun is just coming up, already I can hear the sounds of the city...although it is quieter than usual. Yesterday was Christmas, though we will celebrate together today, life just went on as usual...there were no babies in a manger or stars to follow, there were no lights on trees or gifts. At first it all felt very strange but thenn I rejoiced because for the first time, Christmas would be about simply loving my King and living as He did where all other distractions had been stripped away...in fact maybe it's a bit more like that very first Christmas morning. The Savior of world came in all simplicity and humility bringing life to all who would receive Him.
We've only been here 2 days...it's amazing to see all the work Katherine does for just one day. Everything must be hand washed, if you want hot water you have to boil it, there are ants everywhere and it seems no cure, she has 30 little ones running to her for love and affection at all hours of the day...and she loves and loves and pours out all that she has all day long.
Yesterday as I thought about not doing my own devotions because Katherine had shared with us from hers....You spoke so clearly "if someone ate a plate of food in front of you would you be full?" Certainly not....forgive me Lord.
I've spent a little time with Bella, she draws close and then pulls back. She has a mom and a sister and even a grandmother who love her very much but because they cannont care for her they send her here. I cannot imagine her heartbreak...O that she would find her hope and comfort in you Jesus.
As for today, I say "whatever Lord, I am Yours."
27/12/2010
Each day I am up before sunrise...as the rooster crows. It's a bit windy today and feels refreshingly cool.
Yesterday was a sweet day, we gave the kids Christmas gifts and they were so thankful, we also prayed together and sang together. Then we had dinner and a party with the Water of Life boys and staff and they gave us gifts! Such kindness is beyond me, but it is just like You Lord.
28/12/2010
Yesterday....oh yesterday!
In the morning we took the kids to the playground at the mall...they loved it! You have to remember these kids dont go to the mall, they dont ride escalators and elevators...the simplest things are an adventure for them. While we were there I was able to buy some much needed supplies for Katherine and when we came home I unclogged her bathroom sink (which had been stopped up for who knows how long...but she had given up on it!) It may seem small but it really is nice to have a sink!
Then some of the girls babysat Josh so that Katherine, Jacqueline and I could have a girls day out and we headed to the salon. They had their hair and toes done and I my toes and nails...we felt like princesses!
In the evening we watched the kids for an hour or so and it was pretty chaotic. One boy has been acting out and the more he is disciplined the more he acts out. It is so hard to care for all the kids in the ways that they need, in fact it is impossible with the number of hands who are here...Lord, the laborers are few, please stir up the hearts of your servants.
Today we will go to the village to see Marie, I am very excited! We will also get to attend Jason's Genesis class, may we be a blessing to those we see today.
This day is yours Lord, thank you
30/12/2010
Its been a couple of days so I will try to recap...
On Tuesday we went to the village to see Marie, we piled I think...18 kids in a van and drove about an hour and a half. When we got to her home we were told by her grandmother that she was in school. So we walked to the school to take her home (you can basically come and go from school in Cambodia, there is really no accountability). When we got to the school EVERYONE came out to see the white people and half the village followed us!
All of our kids quickly ran into the river where they swam and played....it was a little too brown to tempt me.
We played games and visited for awhile.... a local woman offered Katherine the baby still in her womb (this is also not uncommon as children are just another mouth to feed and most parents are really detached) needless to say Katherine was shocked and saddened by the question... we need to remember to pray for this mom and so many others.
Joshua loved being out there and playing with all the kids. Eventually Katherine wants her orphange to be in the village.
Yesterday (wednesday) we joined Water of Life for prayer and then took several of the girls to a ministry called Open Arms where they receive a tea party and beauty treatment (hair or nails done) it was very sweet!
I had a migraine so I sort of just laid low, in fact all of us were feeling a little under the weather. We did spend some time playing with the kids and cut all of their nails.
I feel like I'm just starting to settle in and get comfortable and we only have 2 days left...it will be good to be home though, there is much to pray about.
New Year's Eve...Cambodia
Tonight we had dinner at Mordecai and Twans' house...it was so much fun and a great encouragement too.
When we came home I gave Bella her gifts ( a bracelet with her name engraved on it and a pillowcase from my mom) she cried and told me that she needed me and missed me. Then I shared with her more about what her name means and how Jesus cares for her. I prayed for her then she decided to give me a very long Khmer lesson :) I know that God has brought this little girl into my life and I pray fervently for wisdom and faith regarding her. The last thing I want to do is add to her pain and often I feel that I do because once again she is being left by those she loves. I pray that she will have a family that stays...whomever and however God chooses.
Katherine and I are sitting on the balcony now, waiting to ring in the new year. There's no other place I'd rather be. Thank you Father for your very good gifts.
1/1/11
The longest day...
On par with our outbound travels we had a few hiccups with our return flights as well. We had to leave a day early and change airlines. We wound up traveling through Bangkok, Thailand and used our 8 hour layover to head to the largest market in the country where we got a foot massage, ate a doner and each bought a dress!
We took off for LAX at 7:30 pm and arrived at 6pm...how's that for time travel?!
We're home and we are so thankful for all that God has done and looking forward to what He will do.
We both caught a cold and would love your prayers for healing and for some good sleep too :)
Please keep the missionaries from Water of Life in your prayers, they are so dear to us and such incredible servants.
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement, we couldn't have done it without you!
In His grace,
Jen
The internet isnt so great in Cambodia, it's very slow or not working at all. I know I sort of disappeared after we left but now you know why. Have no fear though, I wrote in my journal almost everyday to keep record of all of our adventures. Though to be quite honest its not that thrilling of a story... it's sort of just simple everyday life in an orphanage in Cambodia. We had such a blessed time, so much fun, great fellowship and the Lord was defintely working on our hearts.
24/12/2010
Cambodia...
We finally made it...sigh... :)
After almost a weeks delay because of a seemingly pointless rule concerning my passport...we are here.
It took A LOT to get us here and my prayer is continually that I will not miss what it is that You are doing. You often speak in a still small voice, though as proved last week, sometimes it is more like a freight train...but oh how I long to hear what You have to say.
Well, we left...yesterday? But not without our challenges. First they couldn't find our tickets...my heart sank, yet there was peace, peace that said "if God has chosen to close this door, I accept knowing He has my best interest in mind." Eventually they cleared up the ticket problem but we saw that our flight was delayed 40 minutes...having only 1 hour between connecting flights we feared we would miss our next flight. We text Katherine and we prayed. Praise God they held the plane for our 2nd flight and we even landed in Cambodia a few minutes early!
It took a good 1/2 hour to get our visas and luggage and then we saw a sight that made all the struggles of this last week melt away. There at the exit were Katherine, Jason and about a dozen kids including my Bella! :)
It is incredibly hot...Katherine had warned us that it was cooler and we should bring a sweatshirt...pretty sure that the only use that is going to get is when I leave it here for her :)
We are just settling in here today...Jacqueline of course is surrounded by the children every moment and loving it. Later we will prepare Christmas gifts for the children. Oh yeah...we saw santa's sleigh while out on a walk today...I have pictures!
26/12/2010
The sun is just coming up, already I can hear the sounds of the city...although it is quieter than usual. Yesterday was Christmas, though we will celebrate together today, life just went on as usual...there were no babies in a manger or stars to follow, there were no lights on trees or gifts. At first it all felt very strange but thenn I rejoiced because for the first time, Christmas would be about simply loving my King and living as He did where all other distractions had been stripped away...in fact maybe it's a bit more like that very first Christmas morning. The Savior of world came in all simplicity and humility bringing life to all who would receive Him.
We've only been here 2 days...it's amazing to see all the work Katherine does for just one day. Everything must be hand washed, if you want hot water you have to boil it, there are ants everywhere and it seems no cure, she has 30 little ones running to her for love and affection at all hours of the day...and she loves and loves and pours out all that she has all day long.
Yesterday as I thought about not doing my own devotions because Katherine had shared with us from hers....You spoke so clearly "if someone ate a plate of food in front of you would you be full?" Certainly not....forgive me Lord.
I've spent a little time with Bella, she draws close and then pulls back. She has a mom and a sister and even a grandmother who love her very much but because they cannont care for her they send her here. I cannot imagine her heartbreak...O that she would find her hope and comfort in you Jesus.
As for today, I say "whatever Lord, I am Yours."
27/12/2010
Each day I am up before sunrise...as the rooster crows. It's a bit windy today and feels refreshingly cool.
Yesterday was a sweet day, we gave the kids Christmas gifts and they were so thankful, we also prayed together and sang together. Then we had dinner and a party with the Water of Life boys and staff and they gave us gifts! Such kindness is beyond me, but it is just like You Lord.
28/12/2010
Yesterday....oh yesterday!
In the morning we took the kids to the playground at the mall...they loved it! You have to remember these kids dont go to the mall, they dont ride escalators and elevators...the simplest things are an adventure for them. While we were there I was able to buy some much needed supplies for Katherine and when we came home I unclogged her bathroom sink (which had been stopped up for who knows how long...but she had given up on it!) It may seem small but it really is nice to have a sink!
Then some of the girls babysat Josh so that Katherine, Jacqueline and I could have a girls day out and we headed to the salon. They had their hair and toes done and I my toes and nails...we felt like princesses!
In the evening we watched the kids for an hour or so and it was pretty chaotic. One boy has been acting out and the more he is disciplined the more he acts out. It is so hard to care for all the kids in the ways that they need, in fact it is impossible with the number of hands who are here...Lord, the laborers are few, please stir up the hearts of your servants.
Today we will go to the village to see Marie, I am very excited! We will also get to attend Jason's Genesis class, may we be a blessing to those we see today.
This day is yours Lord, thank you
30/12/2010
Its been a couple of days so I will try to recap...
On Tuesday we went to the village to see Marie, we piled I think...18 kids in a van and drove about an hour and a half. When we got to her home we were told by her grandmother that she was in school. So we walked to the school to take her home (you can basically come and go from school in Cambodia, there is really no accountability). When we got to the school EVERYONE came out to see the white people and half the village followed us!
All of our kids quickly ran into the river where they swam and played....it was a little too brown to tempt me.
We played games and visited for awhile.... a local woman offered Katherine the baby still in her womb (this is also not uncommon as children are just another mouth to feed and most parents are really detached) needless to say Katherine was shocked and saddened by the question... we need to remember to pray for this mom and so many others.
Joshua loved being out there and playing with all the kids. Eventually Katherine wants her orphange to be in the village.
Yesterday (wednesday) we joined Water of Life for prayer and then took several of the girls to a ministry called Open Arms where they receive a tea party and beauty treatment (hair or nails done) it was very sweet!
I had a migraine so I sort of just laid low, in fact all of us were feeling a little under the weather. We did spend some time playing with the kids and cut all of their nails.
I feel like I'm just starting to settle in and get comfortable and we only have 2 days left...it will be good to be home though, there is much to pray about.
New Year's Eve...Cambodia
Tonight we had dinner at Mordecai and Twans' house...it was so much fun and a great encouragement too.
When we came home I gave Bella her gifts ( a bracelet with her name engraved on it and a pillowcase from my mom) she cried and told me that she needed me and missed me. Then I shared with her more about what her name means and how Jesus cares for her. I prayed for her then she decided to give me a very long Khmer lesson :) I know that God has brought this little girl into my life and I pray fervently for wisdom and faith regarding her. The last thing I want to do is add to her pain and often I feel that I do because once again she is being left by those she loves. I pray that she will have a family that stays...whomever and however God chooses.
Katherine and I are sitting on the balcony now, waiting to ring in the new year. There's no other place I'd rather be. Thank you Father for your very good gifts.
1/1/11
The longest day...
On par with our outbound travels we had a few hiccups with our return flights as well. We had to leave a day early and change airlines. We wound up traveling through Bangkok, Thailand and used our 8 hour layover to head to the largest market in the country where we got a foot massage, ate a doner and each bought a dress!
We took off for LAX at 7:30 pm and arrived at 6pm...how's that for time travel?!
We're home and we are so thankful for all that God has done and looking forward to what He will do.
We both caught a cold and would love your prayers for healing and for some good sleep too :)
Please keep the missionaries from Water of Life in your prayers, they are so dear to us and such incredible servants.
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement, we couldn't have done it without you!
In His grace,
Jen
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