Here in Addis, western culture is definitely having an
impact. Products are trickling in … things like hair color, coffee mate, even
snickers bars. Also, our holidays are being seen. This past week, I’ve noticed
reds and pinks on mannequins in stores and special Valentine’s Day cards and
candy being sold. Even macchiatos, a favorite coffee drink, seems to have reminders this week of the approaching holiday...
I’ve been reading through the “book” I’ve been trying to
write since moving to Ethiopia. The plan is still to finish it, this is the
year. J
But over this weekend, as I flipped through the many chapters already penned, I
chuckled at the memories written. And smiled through others. Other chapters,
noting hard lessons learned and hard falls, were hard to read. Many times I
have fallen down and have gotten lost. But God remained. And continues to
remain. Through all seasons. It’s shocking that kind of love.
A song had been born in my heart, a love ignited. Those times I’ll never forget. And the song is still in me. I can relate well with what David talks about in Psalms…
John 10:10
The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life and life to the full
What a great God we have!
For those celebrating the
Valentine’s Day holiday this coming week, don’t let Satan trick you. For I know
even if you are married or have a relationship, there can be loneliness. Know
that you are loved by God. He says it in His Word and has paid for it with the
life of His Son, a free gift for you to take or not to- your choice. But your
sin can be covered and you can enter into the greatest relationship ever
imaginable. May it be so. Let Him give
you a song!!!
Praises/Prayer Requests
For a single person, this holiday can be a grate on your
nerves. A time when Satan can mess with your mind and make you think of what
you seemingly lack instead of what you have. He’s the great deceiver and robber
of joy. I’ve felt him already trying to say things to me.
But what I know without a doubt and have been trying to
focus on is God loves me. He has proven without a doubt- His unconditional,
unwavering love. It’s been a foundation to stand on; a refuge to rest in. It’s
a love to be embraced, wowed by, and wooed by. I’m just amazed looking back at
my life that God has remained with me, for me, it’s been so undeserved.
1 John 3:1
See what great love
the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God.
God doesn’t go offline or turn his phone off. He doesn’t
disconnect or go on vacation. He waits for me to seek Him. He’s not pushy, but
patient. And even if I seek other things first and most for a long time, He still
doesn’t leave. This is unconditional
love.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are
unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.
I was thinking about how a long time ago, God gave me a
song. He changed my path and gave me a rhythm, a heartbeat for Him. I remember well when the song took hold.
It was in Haiti ...
I’d been living in Haiti maybe
two months right after college. I was at my lowest point in every way. I felt
separated from all I knew. The sun and wind and inability to communicate had
wiped me and humbled me.
Night after night- I slept on
the roof our mission because it was cooler there and there was a breeze. I
could sit up in bed and see the ocean. Our compound sat on a hill overlooking
the town.
It was under that immense sky,
night after night, I saw and felt the bigness of God and the smallness of me.
Wind and sudden rain storms would often pound me into my mattress. I remember silently crying many nights for all
that seemed lost and I would cower in my bed sheet from the rain and wind and
bats that would swoop overhead.
But somewhere in that time,
there was change.
I began to peek out and marvel
at the sky. Hear the waves, and marvel at the Maker of it all. And I began to
hear God speak to me. About His love, His mercy, His plan for my life.
Over time, my hands didn’t stay cowered
in that bed, but they began to raise. And I remember singing in my bed to God.
And I’m not a good singer, but a song welled up in my soul that I couldn't
contain.
I remember even in the mornings,
I’d rush to get coffee and then eagerly return to that same bed to sit a while
longer to be with God and watch the sun rise.
A song had been born in my heart, a love ignited. Those times I’ll never forget. And the song is still in me. I can relate well with what David talks about in Psalms…
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry land where there is no water … because your
love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long
as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied
with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my
bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because
you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you;
your right upholds me…
Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth
Since those Haiti days, Satan
has tried to steal my song, my focus, and I’ve had some major falls. And Satan
continues to try to mess with my joy and peace. But God has been forever
present and has remained and I’m so very thankful. We have victory in Jesus Christ and no weapon
formed against us shall prosper. We have a refuge, a hiding place, and a firm
foundation to stand on that can weather any storm. We have a good Shepherd to
lead us and strong arms to hold us. May we not forget that!!!
John 10:10
The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life and life to the full
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd … He leads me
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against me shall prosper, this is the heritage of the
servants of the Lord, their vindication is from me…
Psalm 27
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid … in
times of trouble, He will hide me and set me up upon a rock … Wait on the Lord
and be of good courage… and He shall strengthen thine heart.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble
These past five weeks in 2017
back in Ethiopia since my Christmas/New Year time might have set a record for
busyness for me. I had way too many classes, way too many papers to grade, and
way too much going on. But just this past Friday, I turned the last thing in.
And now can return to a more normal pace. Looking back, how did it all get
done? It was only because God was with me. He gave extra hands and energy and
creativity to finish and that’s the only way it can be explained.
Tomorrow, Monday, I will climb
the mountain behind my school with some of our Protestant students to celebrate
the semester’s end and pray for the way ahead. As I sit on that mountain
tomorrow, I know my heart will remember the song and feel the song, the
heartbeat that God gave me and continues to give me to be for Him and with Him
always.
I’m so grateful for the One who
loves me and will never leave me!
Psalm 73:22-28
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and
ignorant; a brute beat before you. Yet, I am always with you; you hold me by my
right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into
glory. Who have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides
you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my
portion forever. … It is good for me to be near God. I have made Him my refuge…
Psalm 98:1
Sing to the Lord a new song
Isaiah 54:4-10
Do not be afraid; … you will forget the shame of your youth ... for
Your Maker is your husband- The Lord Almighty is His Name- the Holy One of
Israel is your Redeemer; … with deep compassion, I will bring you back … though
mountains be shaken and the hills removed, my unfailing love for you will not
be shaken..
May we stand confident in God’s
love for us, with His song in our heart! And we may we tell others of Him!
Thank you God for all!!!
Thank you God for all!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
-A huge praise for the past five
weeks- the classes finished, the classes that began, the mountains and valleys
passed through. I praise and thank God
for helping me. Thank you for praying!!!
Here is one class that finished and one class that began...
Here is one class that finished and one class that began...
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| Leadership Developing in Youth Ministry, January Intensive Class |
 |
| Evangelism and Discipleship Class |
-Another huge praise- my work
permit / residence visa processed successfully. This is a big deal in this part
of the world, and somehow in the busyness, God pushed it through. So thankful!
-Please pray for my spring
schedule- at ETC, the three classes I’m teaching- that God will bless those
times and use me to help build the church here in Ethiopia. I’m grateful for
the opportunity to teach!
-Pray for Hope students, now on
break for a few weeks, for a good time of rest and reflection; then a good
start to the spring semester starting later this month.
-Pray for my sister Noel and a
team in Jamaica this week, that God will bless their trip!
 |
| so proud of my sister |
-Keep my parents in prayer, they’re
great and so much loved!
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| my Mom and Dad on a recent vacation in South Florida, they're too cute :-) |
-Please pray for me, that Satan
will stay away from me and if He comes around, I can stand strong against Him. He’s
always lurking. May God keep his song in my heart always.
Thanks so much for your prayers.
Let me know how I can pray for you as well.
BLESSINGS from Ethiopia! May God
be the strength of your heart and your portion forever!
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