This month isn’t what is was supposed to be
This month it hasn’t been where it was originally planned to be
This month’s circumstances wasn’t what I wanted them to be
But I’m here
The start of month 9 here in Central America was supposed to start in Nicaragua. We were supposed to be working with a boys home in Dario, Nicaragua. During the month we were supposed to have host prepared food, which from what I’ve heard from other racers is very delicious. We were also excited because we are hosting 2 new girls onto our team. They are part if this program called “Exposure” which allows 18+ men and women to come check out a team on the race for a month. They live with us, do team time/feedback and ministry with us. During this month we would be able to disciple them and basically for them to find out if The Race is something they want to participate in. So with all these great expectations and excitement also came some unexpected news.
Nicaragua has been going through some very hard times with the civil unrest throughout the whole country. So because of that our visas were denied and out flights cancelled by the Nicaraguan Government. So then came the news that this month we would be spending and doing ministry in Panamá. Once we got here we found out we would be working with I C Jesus Ministries. We took twi days in Panamá City and then traveled up to San Felix, Panamá. When we got here we got into our housing for the month. Its a home that has been under construction and is not furnished what so ever, No A/C, no WIFI and no appliances . We also found out the water pump to the house doesn’t work, so we would have to go fill up buckets to take showers in. And to finish it all off we have a very small food budget and the prices of food here are very similar to the USA, talk about being frustrated. I started to look around and think:
“Lord, I just went from A/C and comfortable bedding to this? This sucks why this, why now!”.
What a selfish thoughts this was for me to have. I wasn’t even thanking God for the things we did have! We are a 5 minute walk from a beautiful beach, we have great hosts who love The Lord and we plenty of food/clean water. I was so worried about all these things that I wanted to able to control but I can’t. I have to give this to The Lord. Last night during our prayer time God put this on my heart.
“If you in comfort, how much growth can we actually have. I needed to take you out to the wilderness for a short time. I wanted to take you a place, where it was just you and I. Where through these circumstances you would choose Me. Come, My Son I want to show you something.”
I can already see a difference since that happened last night. I don’t have all these things to distract me from Jesus. I will want to choose Him and that’s how it should be. I want this to be the month where I fell so in love with Jesus that it translates back home. That I don’t go immediately to my phone, TV or other distractions for comfort. I want my comfort to be when I’m in the presence of The Father. That’s all I want. I want to praise Him in the good and the bad. The circumstances are only as bad as we make them out to be. Fall in love with Jesus and you will realize all of this is temporary but Jesus is eternal.
It’s all about how you choose to act in your circumstances. I hope this story about Paul and Silas shows their faith and love for Jesus even in their circumstances!
“The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.”
??Acts? ?16:22-40? ?NIV??
Much Love,
Mack
