-Streams in the Desert- May 18-
We were under great pressure,… so that we despaired even of life… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
Pressed beyond measure; pressed to great length;
Pressed so intensely, beyond my own strength;
Pressed in my body and pressed in my soul,
Pressed from foes, and pressure from dear friends.
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving His staff and His rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living my life for the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured
The pressure of difficult times makes us value life. Every time our life is spared and given back to us after a trial, it is like a new beginning. We better understand its value and thereby apply ourselves more effectively for God and for humankind. And the pressure we endure helps us to understand the trials of others equipping us to help them and to sympathize with them.
Some people have a shallowness about them. With their superficial nature, they lightly take hold of a theory or a promise and then carelessly tell of their distrust of those who retreat from every trial. Yet a man or woman who has experienced great suffering will never do this. They are very tender and gently, and understand what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, ” Death is at work in us” (2 Cor. 4:12).
Trials and difficult times are needed to press us forward. They work in the way the fire in the hold of a mighty steamship provides the energy that moves the pistons, turns the engine and propels the great vessel across the sea, even when facing the wind and the waves. A. B. Simpson
photo cred: Eva Cranford
When arriving to Nepal, we felt the pain in a surreal way as we looking at the building and into the faces of the people surrounding us. As ministry unfolded and we walked about Kathmandu to show people love with sharing water, cookies, and smiles for a moment of encouragement, I don’t know if I understood what the purpose was.
Then the time arrived that we headed out to the village most affected by the April 25th earthquake. It was said that many of the homes had fallen and many deaths and injuries occurred. So we took a 5 hour bus ride into the mountains and hiked 45 minutes down into the mountain villages as the photo above shows what we saw when we arrived!
Photo cred: Eva Cranford
When we settled into the area we were camping out, our tents surrounds this crumpled church, and our friends settled us into the mountain experience with worshiping our creator in the beauty of His craftsmanship!
Photo Cred: Amber Hoffmann
Photo cred: Eva Cranford
Photo Cred: Amber Hoffmann
Photo Cred: Amber Hoffmann
The church from above was our first task to clean up, so that it could be rebuilt and a the believers of the area could have a new place to meet. So, at the end of the morning, this is what was left. We took a break to have a Nepali meal, that I was able to help make, which gave me the precious opportunity to spend quality time with the women of that village. After lunch, we were sitting, visiting with each other and staring off into the vastness of the valley surrounded by the mountains and its beauty!
Then the 7.3 earthquake occurred, with such a violent shake, that I could not stand, I didn’t know what to do, where to go, to sit or to stand. I looked around to see the mountains moving and listened as they groaned. Then the screams echoed down the crevasses through the valley as fear struck out and more houses fell with pockets of brick dust floated into the air. The Nepali people whimpered in fear and the racers looked around for a plan to be spoken and our sweet Cassady crumbled to sit crying over the screams and the Nepali people.
We packed up our things and hiked out for the safety of our squad, to find refuge in a World Food Program tent being prepared to be filled with food for the people of the mountain villages.
Photo Cred:Eva Cranford
Photo Cred: Eva
The sun setting on our last night at the WFP camp and we left down the morning to return to Kathmandu. Which reminds me that after the shaking of the earth and in our lives there is a promise in Philippians 4:7 ” And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Please continue to pray for this beautiful country and the people of Nepal! Pray for P-squad and all that is set before us and all we are continuing to process through! This season has been rough but y’all are loving us so very well! Thank you so very much!
