After finishing a busy morning looking after children I came outside to see a few of the women in session racing towards me. As they frantically ran past they shouted at me, “Whales!! Come see the whales!” With excitement rising I ran to follow and see these mysterious creatures. It was awe inspiring to watch these majestic mammals rise out of the water to release a spout of water before disappearing once again. I was in amazed at the depth of emotion rose in me when I caught glimpses of the killer whales (three of them, just so you know). I found myself tearing up and realized when I looked at the other people on the boat that I was not the only one. The kids were balls of excitement and joy while the adults were glowing with emotion. I’m not sure what it was that brought such emotion forth for anyone else but for me I think these killer whales are the ultimate pictures of freedom. Living at peace in their surroundings they go about their business with out worry or fear. Seeing them was a reminder that in the same way I am free through Christ. His death and my choice to follow Him allows me to roam without worry or fear because I know God is watching over me and nothing can separate me from his love, not even death.
“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8.
Since that day, about two weeks ago, two people in session have gotten baptized in the ocean being reborn into freedom, which is SO exciting and another participant has chosen to be baptized with her son following graduation of the program! However these victories make our spiritual battle continue on in intensity. Please pray for protection over these newly baptized lives and the rest of participants as well as for us on staff on the front lines trying to show God’s message of love and freedom through Christ.
Seeing an eagle fly is beautiful and you can imagine what it would be like to fly but until you truly do you’ll never know. Please pray for a hunger in the people here to not just see God in others but to pull him close and allow Him to enter hearts. God is so good and his creation is beautiful.
Be Blessed.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Time flys.
I have had such a busy time here already. I’ve only been living in Esperanza for almost a month but so many things happen in one day that it seems like I’ve been here way longer than that. However at the same time all I can think is, “Whoa, time has flown by.”
We are just ending the second week of the six-week session here in Esperanza. I’ve never been involved in a session here before but from what I’m told this has been one of the most intense first couple weeks. There has been so much spiritual battle for these people’s souls. There have been days where I’ve been so anxious or uneasy but nothing has been wrong with me personally. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Please pray that as a staff we are united under a banner of love and grace. Pray against the enemy and his lies that have festered in the many hearts here. God is a good and powerful God full of grace, mighty and majestic and through Him we can do all things. Pray that we remember this as all times and rely on His strength and not our own.
We are just ending the second week of the six-week session here in Esperanza. I’ve never been involved in a session here before but from what I’m told this has been one of the most intense first couple weeks. There has been so much spiritual battle for these people’s souls. There have been days where I’ve been so anxious or uneasy but nothing has been wrong with me personally. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Please pray that as a staff we are united under a banner of love and grace. Pray against the enemy and his lies that have festered in the many hearts here. God is a good and powerful God full of grace, mighty and majestic and through Him we can do all things. Pray that we remember this as all times and rely on His strength and not our own.
As well as the session God has really been working to refine me in the fire so to speak. I’ve never felt more vulnerable and insecure anywhere ever but I’ve also never felt so at peace knowing that this is where I’m supposed to be. I’m learning to be content just doing what I can for the Lord and accepting the things I can’t. Please note that I said I am learning and still have many moments where guilt sneaks up on me and begins to nag at me saying I should be giving more however I always hear a still small voice whisper that all I am is enough. I’m realizing more and more that life with Christ is quite the journey!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7
Please keep myself, the staff here and the participants working through the brokenness we all have in your prayers as we continue to fight for God’s kingdom to be advanced and for these people to experience His amazing grace and love that he offers to every person.
Be blessed.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-7
Please keep myself, the staff here and the participants working through the brokenness we all have in your prayers as we continue to fight for God’s kingdom to be advanced and for these people to experience His amazing grace and love that he offers to every person.
Be blessed.
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