I recently received an email reminding me that the next funding deadline is fast approaching. In the past two months the thought of this next deadline has brought me much anxiety.
In Puerto Rico, I had the privilege of working at Cristo Pobre.-a soup kitchen that served breakfast, lunch and offered rehabilitative care to those who are un-employed and living on the streets of Ponce. I met drug addicts, ex-cons, and a few average Joes just trying to find a job. The impact that I had there was small. However, the impact God had over that dingy soup kitchen was far greater. We walked into that building seeing hardened, hopeless faces. In the short time we were there we began to see those ridged expressions soften and laughter and joy were beginning to become the norm as we played card games, guitar, listened to the stories of their lives, heard their testimonies and prayed with these beautiful people. We scrubbed years worth of dirt and finger prints off of tables, chairs, walls and counters. Every ounce of energy that the Lord poured through us to make that place shine with his love I know has left a permanent mark on the hearts of those we met there.As well as our own hearts.
In the Dominican Republic we were blessed with the most amazing hosts, the Dominquez Family- missionaries that completely captured my heart. I am so grateful for all I have learned from Pastor Ruben, his wife Vicky and to the four of their eight extremely gifted and loving children.
Our work in the DR consisted of prayer walks where we walked through neighborhoods and quietly prayed for the people and places we saw along the way. We were able to serve to children of the community by loving on them by teaching them English. We were able to get to know the families of the two churches the Dominquez family has founded and pray with and serve them. We were able to help the Dominquez family take their first steps in making their vision for their property in the Dominican to become a place where they can host future missionary groups and build a children’s home.
The relationships we have built in these past two months will be forever in my heart and these people, young and old, who God has brought into my life have taught me so much in such a short amount of time.
But God isn’t finished with me yet.
This is not all the Lord has for me. My race will not end here after month three.
As I write this blog I am not filled with dread, worry or anxiety about whether or not the Lord will provide the $1400 I need to continue on this journey. I am filled with peace knowing that the Lord brought me to this place. And will keep me here. As I sit here in the desert of Bolivia writing this I know that this is where He wants me to be. This is a chapter of my life that He has not yet finished writing.
At this point in my race, I have learned that more times than not, we will not see the fruits of our labor. We may not see the effect we have on a city or small town just by our presence. What I am just beginning to see are the changes the Lord is making in me.
God WILL provide the funds to let me finish this race.
He WILL make me into the powerful, strong, bold woman I desire to be.
This post WILL reach those who WILL feel led to help.
And I WILL be writing a post telling my testimony in the amazing ways the Lord provides when we trust him above all else.
