“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
John 4:34-35 (NIV)
Well, here we go again…
If all has gone according to plan, I am in Nicaragua today with three other members of our ministry team, my husband Tom, along with Nick and Jessica Wright. Tom heads up the Men’s Ministry, and Sports Ministry part of our ministry, and Jessica and Nick head up the School of Hope Child Sponsorship Project that you’ll be hearing lots more about in the days to come. As you read this, we should be in the middle of the rural community of Solidaridad.
Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor? Do you remember a story I shared with you years ago, in 2009, after I’d had a scare in El Salvador? It involved snakes and floods. I confessed publically my fear of encountering snakes, especially during flooding, while on mission. While there, we experienced a volcanic eruption, an earthquake, and a tropical storm…and massive flooding was predicted.
Fear like I’ve never felt before flooded my soul. And I didn’t handle it well. Afterwards, I asked you to help keep me accountable for getting over it, and conquering that fear.
Well, I have, just a little bit. But I’m still working on it. Fact is, I don’t think about it much anymore, but there are times when it still comes to mind. Such as when I’m getting ready to head back to a country known for snakes and floods during the rainy season. And this time, it’s the rainy season in Nicaragua. And snakes there can be as big as a 12-year-old boy’s leg.
One thing I remember most of all about that story, was how I’d been a coward and wouldn’t walk down a fierce looking, overgrown path, in flip-flops, to minister in a church perched in the jungle. Or rather – common woods – as the locals would call them. I begged to go to a city church instead, and Bob, our fearless leader, had mercy on me. Others boldly got off the bus and courageously followed the footpath to victory. Not one of them got snake bit or washed away in a flood that day.
Defeat is what it was to me. And here we go again – to Nicaragua – in the rainy season.
However, sitting here in my quiet, dry office today, I choose to focus on all the Lord has done over the last seven years since that story happened. I choose to remember the grace and mercy He showered on me as I confessed such a lack of faith, asking Him for another chance…which He has given, many times over. I choose to remember how, in the Old Testament, the Israelis struggled and failed over and again with failing faith, and the price they paid for it.
Today, sitting here, I choose to focus on the fact that He has proven, time and again, that He really is able to do exceedingly, abundantly; above all we can ask or think. He really will be with us wherever we go. He really is our strong tower and our help in times of trouble. Because He has proven it repeatedly over the last seven years!
But, that is today, sitting here in safety. And like most of us, my faith often falters and fails. So dear friends, please pray with us, that we will remember what He has done in times past, that we will remain faithful, and that He will do what He does best…bring much fruit that remains!
We’ll be there August 10-15 to break ground on the School of Hope Building Project, child sponsorship program, and to work with the Nicaragua Team in preparation for the 2017 mission trip. You can follow our trip on our FB page – ZMI Family Ministries International.
Next March, God willing, our mission will be for two weeks, involve 2 separate teams of people coming and going, who will help with:
- Three crusades, in three different cities.
- At least 10 Men’s, Women’s and Family Teaching conferences.
- 10 baseball clinics.
- Children’s Bible clubs
- Sewing for Success project.
- Human trafficking victims.
- Medical and Hygiene ministry projects.
- Shoes for Solidaridad
- School of Hope Project
Wew! I get tired just telling about it! So, please, we need you! Please pray now about joining us on mission in 2017! Because He calls us all to the Great Commission.
Because He is on the move in great and mighty ways!
And the Fear Factor? Though there are times in our lives when we are afraid to go where God wants to send us, let’s ask Him to change us – one baby step at the time – that His mercy will see us through, and we will grow towards becoming what He created us to be.
Come with us…we’ll keep the light on for ya…
Until tomorrow,
Your Traveling Partner,
Brenda
Even though we will be bringing a message of peace and hope, we must not neglect to warn those who reject Christ of the eternal consequences. We serve a loving and gracious God, but He is also Holy and Righteous. He will one day judge each and every one of us, and we will stand before Him accountable for our lives. Those who have been forgiven and cleansed with the blood of Christ will receive their inheritance as God’s children, but those who are found guilty will spend eternity separated from God.
“No matter how hard I try, I simply can’t resist (fill in the blank)!” We’re all tempted at some point in life. But, are we really powerless to resist temptation? Perhaps you think, we’re only human; only God can resist temptation, and He’s never tempted because He’s God. And how’s He going to help anyway? He’s not the one facing the temptations that I am. How can He possible understand? Read today’s Dose verses.
that comes from the mouth of God”. Matthew 4:4, NLT Jesus understands very well the physical desires, which tempt us.
The devil and his angels will try to tempt us in our most vulnerable areas when we pursue Christ. He’ll misquote God’s words. Don’t be surprised by it. Be encouraged that Jesus showed us how to resist temptation. It’s by properly applying the word of God and humility! They make the devil go away!