•Joy of the Redeemed & Hope for Restoration•
“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,”Be strong, and do not fear,for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course,nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing,crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”
Xin Chao from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam! Cheers to month five! This month is a really special month. Our first team changes (so blessed by two amazing teams, so amazing they move me to tears!), our final month in beautiful South East Asia, and a month filled with lots of babies!
Our team, Bloom, is partnering with an amazing family at their care center. Boy oh boy, this place is so special! The father of the family, had a dream from God about caring for the children in his community during his time at his YWAM discipleship training school, twenty years ago in the Philippines. As a child, he was abandoned and has since had a growing passion to care for children. The family lives at the center as they decided to put a pause on building their home in order to give more to the center and their community. With two children and an amazing wife, he is an outstanding father and husband! An amazing example to all.
The center cares for babies and teaches English to the children and teenagers in the community while sharing the good news of Jesus. The caregivers and students have come to Jesus! It is so beautiful. Our team is so honored to be with this family and the teach and care for the children. The babies are so fun and always make us giggle! Though they do often try to bite and hit each other, they are so lovable and truly are so sweet!
Vietnam is a communist country. There is a law enforcing that it is illegal to share your faith. The police keep a close eye on the center and the government states that any action, up to the persecutor, can be taken to stop the sharing of faith. The beautiful thing about Vietnam is that you almost wouldn’t know that this law is enforced because the people are so fearless! The church gathers in a home and though the government has tried to stop the gatherings, more and more people keep coming! They pray and sing with all their hearts, without fear! This family shares their faith with deep gladness and boldness. Fearlessness is so powerful and freeing, going beyond any law. Jesus is their Lord and Savior and that is their law. So beautiful!
Thank you so much for reading and for your encouragement and love! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
