I just returned from an 18 day Mission trip to El Salvador. I helped lead a team of 17 teenagers that were from all over the United States. We partnered with some local pastors there for daily ministry. Each morning we would go to a school and put on a Vacation Bible School for about 120 elementary children and 50 teenagers. After we finished there we headed to a local private High School where we went into the classrooms and helped them practice their English through different topics. At the end of the week we presented a drama to the VBS and the High School and then gave the gospel message. In the afternoons we headed to parks and neighborhoods to present skits, the drama and the gospel message. People gave their lives to the Lord and we saw many miraculous healings. It was exciting to watch God move through all of us. I know we were able to change the lives of many people in El Salvador and give them hope they did not have. Our teams were also able to support and encourage the local pastors. I know each of us came back personally changed in many ways.
I came away with more boldness and faith than I had before going. For those of you who know me I have quite a bit of boldness and faith in God especially in light of everything God has taken me through this year. I was hesitant to go on this trip due to all the lifestyle changes I have in place to help beat this cancer. I desperately wanted to go though because I know the impact these trips have on so many people's lives and I wanted to be used by God to make a difference. I decided to step out in faith and just continue to trust Him as I have all year. I was able to eat some of the food there but mostly I lived off what I brought in my suitcase. I was just so happy to be on the mission field that I didn't care. The first night we were in Garden Valley Texas for training the worship team sang a song by Planet Shakers called Healer. I encourage you to go to YouTube and watch it. It is a powerful song.
These are the words:
Hold my every moment, Calm my raging sea
Walk with me through fire, Heal all my disease
I trust in you, I trust in you
I believe you're my healer, I believe you are all I need.
I believe you're my portion, I believe you're more than enough for me
Jesus you're all I need
Nothing is impossible for you. Nothing is impossible.
Nothing is impossible for you. You hold my world in your hands.
As I sang these words the truth of them poured into my spirit. Cancer does not hold my life or my world in its hands, God does. He is my healer. He can heal my cancer. Nothing is impossible for Him. I will continue to trust in Him. I was filled again with a deep compassion for those who desperately need a healing. As we went to El Salvador I prayed with faith, trusting God for those who needed a physical healing. God was faithful and healed so many people that I was able to pray for.
My encouragement to you is to continue to trust in God. Don't wait until the giant in your land is slain. Let God use you even while you are in the midst of your own battles. Ask Him to help you see others through His eyes. Don't miss any divine appointments He has for you. Start each day by saying good morning to God then tell Him you are willing and ready to be used any way He wants! Get ready to change lives through the power He gives you! Nothing is impossible for God.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
For Better or Worse, in Sickness and Health
When I stood at the altar and said these words to my husband I did not really know what they meant until this year. For both of us this has been the "worse and sickness" year. Together, Sewell and I have faced health issues. He has dealt with painful swelling in his hand from arthritis, constant pain in his joints, iritis (an eye infection) which we think was triggered by the antibiotics they put him on for the dog bite, and the injuries to his arm and leg from being attacked. After 5 weeks the wound in his leg still isn't healed. I have dealt with cancer and lymphedema.
We both lost a parent and we both lost jobs. I am still teaching but lost my coaching job through painful circumstances that were no fault of my own. Sewell just found out he is being transferred to another school which is about 15 minutes further away from where he is now. We loved having him just minutes away from our campus! It will be hard for him to leave the other three Assistant Principals that he worked so closely with these past 4 years and start over at a new school. He did not want to leave but the district can transfer AP's when they want. So, here we go again dealing with another loss. The move takes place June 16th and unfortunately I will be in El Salvador. I wanted to be here for the emotional support but I know God will still be here!
Sewell and I have clung to God and each other as our source of comfort and strength. Through all of it, our marriage and faith has grown. This was part of my devotional reading for the day, "You may scarcely realize the value of your present situation. If you are enduring great affliction right now, you are at the source of the strongest faith. God will teach you during those dark hours to have the most powerful bond to His throne you could ever know, if you will only submit. If you are afraid, simply look up and say, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) Then you will be able to thank God for his school of sorrow that became for you the school of faith." A. B. Simpson
Together Sewell and I have spent 55 years in schools helping others learn. This year, God took us back to His classroom and we are getting an invaluable education. The school of sorrow is not one most of us would enroll in but the longer you are there the more it turns into the school of faith. I believe what we learn here, we will be able to teach others. I have been afraid this year but I have chosen to put my trust in God. Even now I am thanking Him for this year of worse and sickness knowing that I must go through it to reach the better and health. When I get to the other side of all of this I know my faith will be better than ever and I will be enjoying greater health than I have ever experienced before.
Whenever trials come into your life just remember that God is taking you back to school to teach you something. His ministry here on earth was mostly about teaching the disciples and others Heavenly truths. It is no different for your life. Submit to what He wants to teach you and trust Him no matter how challenging and painful the lesson may be. Your education may be over in a few weeks, months or it may take years. I pray I am a fast learner!
We both lost a parent and we both lost jobs. I am still teaching but lost my coaching job through painful circumstances that were no fault of my own. Sewell just found out he is being transferred to another school which is about 15 minutes further away from where he is now. We loved having him just minutes away from our campus! It will be hard for him to leave the other three Assistant Principals that he worked so closely with these past 4 years and start over at a new school. He did not want to leave but the district can transfer AP's when they want. So, here we go again dealing with another loss. The move takes place June 16th and unfortunately I will be in El Salvador. I wanted to be here for the emotional support but I know God will still be here!
Sewell and I have clung to God and each other as our source of comfort and strength. Through all of it, our marriage and faith has grown. This was part of my devotional reading for the day, "You may scarcely realize the value of your present situation. If you are enduring great affliction right now, you are at the source of the strongest faith. God will teach you during those dark hours to have the most powerful bond to His throne you could ever know, if you will only submit. If you are afraid, simply look up and say, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) Then you will be able to thank God for his school of sorrow that became for you the school of faith." A. B. Simpson
Together Sewell and I have spent 55 years in schools helping others learn. This year, God took us back to His classroom and we are getting an invaluable education. The school of sorrow is not one most of us would enroll in but the longer you are there the more it turns into the school of faith. I believe what we learn here, we will be able to teach others. I have been afraid this year but I have chosen to put my trust in God. Even now I am thanking Him for this year of worse and sickness knowing that I must go through it to reach the better and health. When I get to the other side of all of this I know my faith will be better than ever and I will be enjoying greater health than I have ever experienced before.
Whenever trials come into your life just remember that God is taking you back to school to teach you something. His ministry here on earth was mostly about teaching the disciples and others Heavenly truths. It is no different for your life. Submit to what He wants to teach you and trust Him no matter how challenging and painful the lesson may be. Your education may be over in a few weeks, months or it may take years. I pray I am a fast learner!
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