Dear Readers,
I would love to update you as to where I am at the moment and what I was doing last month! Currently I am in Pacasmayo, Peru on the coast, so I will be celebrating Christmas in warm weather. Last month I was in Quito, Ecuador which is pretty much on the equator. We went and got to experience what it was like on one of our adventure days. Here is a picture of what it looked like (with me in it :D):
In Quito, we stayed with Inca link and they partnered us with a ministry for the month. Our hosts where Fabi and Mabe. Some of the sweetest and most godly people you will meet. Upon meeting Fabi the first time, I knew he would love us well and was excited to see what the month would bring.
Once we arrived to Casa Blanca, he gave us the house rules. We would not be having WiFi for the month. His reasoning is that the house was a place of worship. I loved this idea. Ready to embrace it. He explained that everything we do; we can do it in worship to God. From being intentional with spending time in prayer and in His word to washing the dishes and taking a shower. It reminded me how of Brother Lawrence, who practiced being in the Presence of God. Fabi was a great example of this being lived out. Everything we do, do it out of love for God, Our Father. Fabi had 5 principles to live by for the month, which I am taking with me onward. They are: Choose Joy, Give 110%, Love Covers All, Challenge by Choice, and Be Here Now.
Even if the circumstances are not ideal, what you expected choose joy. Praise God, worship and thank Him for what He has given us and, in that place, you will find a place of deep joy and freedom. This month God taught thankfulness. November is a month where thankfulness is more present in our minds, and He took me a little deeper. When we do not have, we can choose to thank Him for what He has given us. When we are lacking, we can choose to thank Him for His faithfulness and His provision. Our God, our Father is faithful to provide.
Matthew 6: 25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what will you eat or what will your drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are they not of more value than they? And which one of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious saying, “what will we eat” or “what will we drink?” or “what will we wear?” For Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
This scripture came to mind as I was thinking of thankfulness. Our Heavenly Father, loves us. He cares for us; He provides for us. Even when we do not have, He is faithful to provide what we need. May not be what we want or desire, but He provides what is needed for us. Instead of worrying about the things we lack, we should focus on the kingdom of God, being grateful for who He is and what He has done.
Being in a state of gratefulness, brings us to a place of joy. No matter what the circumstance is. I have loved learning this lesson and going deeper in the area of gratefulness. It has grown my love for My heavenly Father, He is so, so good. On Thanksgiving, we had a beautiful American Thanksgiving (Fabi made us a delicious turkey!), but we did something that I had not really experienced on thanksgiving. We went around the table and said three things we were thankful for in the past, present and future. With the past I was reminded of His faithfulness, the present of His goodness for the day, and for the future His faithfulness to His promises He gives. Gratefulness produces so many fruits! Out of a grateful heart an abundance overflows. This all came from a “Choose Joy” phrase and allowing God to lead and teach, guide me.
At this point, I think I may break up my blog post in sections. God has taught me so much this past month and as I am sitting here writing, there is so much more to share. God is so good, loving, kind, and sweet.
An area right now that I am being in an attitude of gratefulness and trust is for the sell of my home and to be fully funded. He definitely has me in a place of trust and surrender. This month is my last month of finances for my home. I am hoping that it will go under contract before the end of the month, yet I am trusting that God has a plan for my home. I am not stressed which is a testimony of who He is. I know that He has brought me to where I am currently. In that I believe that He will provide the finance/selling of my home in His perfect timing and my job is to surrender “my control” and trust Him. The same is for the last two thousand I need to be fully funded for the World Race. Both are hinged on this month. But both are areas to be grateful for how He has been faithful so far and How He is going to be faithful in provision for the needs I have with them.
Thank you for taking the time to read today and I will be writing a new blog soon to continue what I have learned this past month. Currently this month I am in Pacasmayo, Peru on a Beach and I am about to begin first day of ministry today. We will be working with children and at night teaching English classes. I am praying for this month, intentionality with the people I meet. I would love to leave a mark of His love each place we go.
