Thursday, May 16, 2013

Togo

I Thessalonians 1:2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers

 
They are home, thank you all for praying, updates on the trip to come.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Africa update...






I heard from Jacob today. The Local Pastor in Togo, (orchestrator and leader for our team) and  his family deeply need our prayers. They lost their 12 year old daughter the second day the team arrived there, in an accident, her name was Faith.. The funeral and ceremonies are tonight and tomorrow. The grief for this family is heavy on all of them right now.Faith has two sisters, Joy(15)and Hope(7) who are missing their sister very much. Lets pray for comfort and shelter only our God can give them. And let's ache for this family's loss with them.
( John 11:35  says "Jesus wept") 

2 Corinthians 


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.


Restoration


Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him,

I ran today and while I ran the weight of my world came on my shoulders, my hurts, my anxieties, all the things that can stifle my breath and I poured self pity all over myself as I ran even faster and harder.
As my self pity hit its peak I noticed out of the corner of my eye a women in a wheelchair waiting for a ride outside a medical office.
She waved her frail hand in a friendly hello as I ran swiftly pass her. My heart was hit immediately with extreme guilt as I ran healthily by, even though I only caught her eyes for a moment I could tell she wanted to be me right then...maybe just for this run...How long has she been confined in her chair? how many more years will she suffer, and wistfully watch healthier, stronger people? Only recently was I in such a weak physical state that I begged God for restoration and healing. In this moment I thanked God for the ability to run now,for the ability to take in deep breaths on my own. I've seen many of my loved ones suffer from illness and disease I remember them just wanting one day or half day where they felt well enough to go for a short walk in the sunshine.
Father, how can I be so blinded some days to the bountiful blessings you have given me?! I thought of the ones in the New Testament who were restored to health by the touch of Jesus himself. What miracles!
Luke 8:48Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

How they must have felt? How effective they must have been afterwards? Their faith was strengthened in the Healer!
Help us Lord to be grateful for each day in the difficulties and in the joy. Remind me of my restoration in you every day,
good or bad.