Let me begin by recapping.
We have been in Albania for two weeks now. The first week we spent debriefing with our squad. That is a time of rest, worship together and spiritual growth as our squad leaders, mentors and coaches take the week to pour into us.
This past week we helped facilitate a camp for an Albanian outdoor club run by the peace corps. We were involved in running activities like climbing, archery and the obstacle course, food prep, cleaning and maintenance, and helping with farm activities for the week. I worked on the farm, while pablo worked with the kitchen crew keeping us all well fed for the week.
It has been a week of hard work and learning how to persevere when you are tired, sweaty, and bored of eating carbohydrates for every meal. But Paul’s words in Philippians 4:12 “…I have learned the secret of being content in all circumstances…” come back to me. He doesn’t really share that secret he has learned with us except that he finishes by saying “…I can do all things through Christ…”. I now believe its a secret you learn by walking through it.
What ever you are walking through today, remember Paul’s words. If he can find joy sitting in a jail cell, eating prison food, missing his family and friends, and who knows what else he suffered, then what does God what to do with YOUR situation? For me personally, He is teaching me to set aside my comforts to serve His people, no matter if I feel like they deserve it, or need it, or if it will even make a difference.
I encourage you to read Philippians 1-4 in your devotions this week. Ask God how he wants to use your “chains” to bring him glory.
We are missing you all this week. Please keep us lifted up in prayer as we are both battling colds and trying to give our all. Please also keep our financial situation in prayer. We need $4,700.00 before October 1, 2014. Any emails, words of encouragement or even just a note to say hi would be so encouraging! Love in Christ,
Pablo and Brooke
