For a few years now, ever since the Lord redeemed me from a very rough time in my life, I’ve had a thing for pictures and artwork of birds and opened cages. I have been through a healing process through which I learned of my own freedom in Christ, apart from the cage I had found myself trapped in for years before. I’ve also been reminded of this picture of beautiful birds freed from cages as I’ve pursued God concerning my ministry in the Kingdom and as I’ve prayed over women to find the truth of their freedom in Christ like I did.
Then last month, the gentle, kind, and beautiful women at Mission Possible in Bulgaria shared with us what they are all about. They shared about Bulgaria’s past which was jaded by communism. They told stories of a time when even grocery stores were completely emptied of food needed to feed households. They shared how Mission Possible is now doing all they can to provide literacy classes, professional training, food for the hungry, Bible Studies, and support to many Gypsy communities all throughout Bulgaria. Mission Possible publishes Leah Magazine which is a tool that reaches out to women who need the hope of Christ, who are in need, who are at risk, and have history of abuse.
The ladies explained the picture of healing the Lord has given them for the women and I would like to share it with you. Picture a bird in a cage. The bird represents the broken, afraid, and hurting woman that is shut in the cage of her circumstances or past. Then Jesus comes along with His huge heart of love and opens the cage, rescuing and freeing the bird from its cage. But the bird/woman still has the wounds, the pain, and the memories of being locked up inside the cage. But one of the most beautiful things about our Father is that He makes all things beautiful and can use all things for His glory and to make us and those around us stronger. So, He lights a candle and places it inside the cage. The cage then becomes, instead of a cage, a lantern that shines light into the darkness and lights up other cages. Do you understand the picture? He turns all of our suffering into something beautiful in His time and something that can, in turn, bring healing to us and to others. He never intends for our suffering to overtake us but He intends for our complete healing, so much so though that the testimony of our healing can bring others into that same healing. Oh, sweet redemption!
When the ladies shared with us this picture, I was reminded that I was in the right place at the right time. It was then that I was given one of the most precious gifts I’ve ever been given; a necklace made by redeemed women depicting a birdcage with pearls inside with free birds flying outside. I am reminded and again empowered by God to continue sharing my testimony of freedom as often as He gives me opportunity.
So last month we had the honor of working with this ministry and supporting this vision. We helped with a lot of “behind the scenes” things that support the work Mission Possible is doing. We helped to prepare their building for their annual retreat where women from all over come and often find Jesus, leave their cages, and begin to shine for Jesus. We served with a food bank and delivered food to many different gypsy villages and helped to paint a local church. It was such a blessing to be a part of Mission Possible!
With that, I would like to invite all of you to please keep Mission Possible in your prayers. Please pray for the men and women that are running faithfully towards the vision God has given them to see the redemptive power of God work in Bulgaria. Please pray for them as they provide much support to the Christian community and provide countless meals and resources to gypsy communities. Also, please pray for the powerful tool of Leah Magazine. They are distributing this Christian magazine to a huge market without any budget for advertizing. We believe that through God all things are possible and that He is SO faithful!
Thank you very much for your prayers and support!
You can check out Mission Possible’s website at http://mp.org .
