The last week in October we were in De Ridder, I wrote down the faithfulness of the Lord each day and wanted to share what he had been doing.
Monday 10/26: I spent all day methodically cutting a square in to the ceiling with Emma. She crushed it! We worked well as a team and I got to watch her take charge with the circular saw. The homeowners sat in the living room all day and we got to hear bits and pieces of her life. It was sweet. Also, they let me drive the van to ministry! I haven’t gotten to drive in months and it was a gift for sure.
Tuesday 10/27: Emma, Madison and I finished the living room. Then Madison and I joined forces with Samson and Ben in the bedroom and while we were tarping the ceiling, it was hanging down – the window casted a blue light on the room and we pretended we were swimming in the ocean. Childlike faith! It really reminded me of kid-joy. Since we were working for free, we walked with complete freedom. But if we had been hired we wouldn’t have had as much freedom. Similarily to salvation – if it is works based there is less freedom than faith based salvation. Also Layna hit herself with her crowbar and got a little cut in her head and I got to take care of her and it was a little reminder of why I love medicine and bringing physical healing.
Wednesday 10/28: We were assigned a backyard job! First one! Again just a lot of goofy laughter. At lunch, it poured rain and Layna slip n’ slided across the tarp with Madison. I got to have some good conversations while pushing my body to exhaustion. At the end of the day, Layna and I put on trash bags and looked like little chickens. Also I was reminded how grateful I was to be physically fit, which allowed me to do some of the hard manual labor. Right when we were about to leave, their son came back – his name was lane – and he kept running from us then peaking out his head just enough. Lastly Madison & Jen came to me with stuff they were working out with the Lord which made me feel loved and trusted.
Thursday 10/29: Being back with nature – the property extended so far. I didn’t do much work today, but I got to talk to Samson, Ben and Layna about rest. I challenged them to go on a prayer walk. During mine I openly talked to the Lord and enjoyed the freedom in being alone. I came upon a pond and sand a song to the Lord. We declared the land holy and prayed abundance over the land. Ben and Sam later said they had never operated with God in that way and it was just what they needed. Wow!
Friday 10/30: We went to a property with 4 generations and one of the kids went to the youth group at the church we were staying at. It was again a very beautiful outside day. I talked to the great grandmother for hours. They offered us coke IN GLASSES. It felt just like central America. Sarah – the great grandmother had Alzheimers, over and over again she asked “what does your shirt say?” We explained our mission about 6 times and wrote down the passage for her of the good samaritan. I saw a glimpse of the fathers compassion and patience for us when we consistently ask him the same questions.
This week was filled with the Holy Spirit and man was I moved by each of our homeowners. Reach out with any questions or if you want to know more about a certain story or if you want to partner with me financially! I am still fundraising for ministry in the spring.
With love,
El
