I just spent the past two days working in a rice field in a village in Thailand, and I learned two things. (Actually more, but two that I will share with you).
1. I was meant to live in a village.
2. What we were preparing the field for, is what the Lord has been doing in my life for the past 6 months.
Village life is simple, yet complex. You live in a small community, you live simply, you know your neighbors, you help each other out, and you work really, really hard. I love the community, I love the simplicity, I love the peace you feel in the middle of a field surrounded by beauty with the sound of nature whispering in one ear, and the Lord in the other.
The first day in the field we were preparing the fields to be burned. We had to spread the old rice stalks over the fields to dry so that they could be burned to prepare the soil for the next harvest. It was a lot of work, but the analogy of it was wonderful to ponder as I sweat the day away. For the first few months, the Lord asked me to spread out the junk from the last 23 years of my life. These included lies, things that I allowed to define me, things that I had clung to, false identities, bound legalism, etc. In the months following, He had dried them up and allowed them to burn in order to prepare the soil for new things. Then He planted new seeds, watered them and has been watching excitedly as they have been growing, flourishing, and joyfully reaching for the Son. It has allowed me to freely reach out, to shine His glory and to share His love with others as I grow in His love for me. The past few days in the village have included hard work, as well as rest. Rest in His plan, rest in His timing now and in the future, rest in the beauty that He has created while listening to life sing it’s beautiful melodies as I work, walk, sit with new friends, and fall asleep with the windows open to receive all that the world has to offer. I am blessed to be where I am, I am blessed to be entrusted with much and to go forth to share that with people in the world who are starving for more.
When I came back from the village, I felt a need to check my World Race account, knowing that my Lord is faithful and that He has good things in store. I found that not only was I FULLY FUNDED, but I was overly funded. What a sweet blessing to be shown over and over again the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord, and to be shown that nothing (not even $15,500) is too big for Him. He laughs at our toil and picks us up to move us along, while blessing us repeatedly along the way. The first huge thank you goes out to Him. He is good….He always has been, and He always will be.
The second HUGE thank you goes out to all of you. My family, my friends, my church, my community, people I know well, and people I know not so well. You have given as the Lord has gifted and directed. You have loved me well through prayer, words of encouragement, life updates, excitement, sharing your growth in the Lord, etc. It has been amazing to watch the church (all of you) come around me as I step out into obedience, scared as ever, but knowing where the Lord was calling me. You have been faithful as the Lord has been faithful, and I am forever grateful. I could not be more loved or feel more blessed! Thank you for allowing me to come 6 months, and for allowing me to stay for the next 5 months to continue to share how good our God is with those who may have never had His sweet name spoken into their lives. I am not the only one out on the field. You have all been a part of this walk and you have shared Christ with people in six countries so far and will continue to share Him in the next five as well as back in the States. Here are some faces of people that you have blessed:
Carlos in Honduras, who is no longer in a poor neighborhood involved in gangs, but in a loving home learning who he is in the Lord.
Reyna in Honduras who had an encounter with the Lord while we were with her.
Villagers in Parramos, Guatemala who got to hear about the Lord as they received food bags that He blessed them with.
Our sweet little neighbor family in Guatemala who were comforted by the Lord and found joy in Him while going through a hard time.
Children in Nicaragua who aren't with their families but still loved by their Heavenly Father.
Children in a gypsy village in Romania, who are learning that their worth is in the Lord, not in materialism, alcoholism or anything else that is of the world.
Elderly in Moldova like Alexandra & Ijoan who are often forgotten by the world, but not by the Lord.
College students in Thailand who get to learn English, drink coffee, and be loved by the Lord through actions and who are hungry for something more than idolatry and vanity.
These faces and many more are the people you have loved well. You may never hear their full stories, but I hope you know the impact you are having on their lives. I want to say thank you on their behalf as well. Keep being the church, keep growing in Him, and keep sharing His love.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I love you all!
