Fearless

Being brave is living a life of LOVE despite fears (not without fears). Love fearlessly because you are so in love with the God who casts out all fears. God is love. God is perfect. Perfect love cast out fears.

Before coming to Haiti this summer, I set a theme for my trip-fearless. When I think of the word 'fearless', I think of being totally surrendered to Christ. I think of trusting God without any limits. I think of being so head over heals for God that the consequences don't matter. I think of faith. When I lost twenty members of my Haitian family, Satan shot a bullet into my faith. My faith didn't shatter because of the power of the Holy Spirit, but God allowed a hole to be made. Why would God allow that? Because of that hole, I had to relearn to trust God. It's like having an accident and having to relearn how to walk, but you've known how to walk since you were a baby. You know how to walk you just have to execute your knowledge. Luckily for us, we serve the author and perfector of our faith. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and say down at the right hand of the throne of God."

 God allows adversity to strengthen our faith not increase our fear. The opposite of fear is faith. Without faith, we are nothing. So many times this week I felt the power of The Lord taking away fears. One day on our way to VBS at Davidsons church, I couldn't contain a smile because I was so at peace. Only my God can do that! Did all my fears disappear at once? No, it's a process, but I'm surrendering myself to God so that the process glorifies Him immensely.

We had an incredible team serving with us in Jacmel this week. The most inspirational thing I learned from this team was the power of prayer. While I am dealing with fears and giving my whole heart to The Lord everyday, prayer is vital. Prayer is a gift from God and He wants us to use this gift without ceasing. The fact that we can have a conversation with the God of the universe still amazes me. Prayer allows us to align our lives with God's will. Prayer is a gift and a command. Similarly, spreading the gospel is a gift and a command. Every command that The Lord gives us through His Word is a gift. Another command is giving God our whole lives as living sacrifices. Romans 12 says this is our spiritual act of worship. Giving God yourself is actually a gift for you. When you are all His, you receive the peace, joy, and remarkable love in huge measures. This is my prayer, that I might wake up every morning and give my whole heart, fears and weaknesses and all, to The Lord so I can worship Him and so I can be used by Him. I pray that every single thing I do is a result of my love for my great Savior. Not only do I benefit from living a life of fearless love, but the people in need of Christ all around me can see the perfect love of our great God.

Highlights of my week:

 1. I got to hang out with the great Peters family in a beautiful setting at Hotel Cyvadier.

2. I got to see the excitement of Haitians wanting to learn English as the team did ESL.

3. I get to hear how God is working out plans for the future of Children's Hope.

4. I started Bible Study with the older kids and it was nothing short of a huge blessing!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship."

Romans 12:1

To God be the Glory!

Hands

The Hands that created this world are the Hands in which you are held. The Hands that calmed the storm are the Hands in which we are held. The Hands that were pierced for us are the Hands in which we are held. We are not only held in His Hands but also engraved in His Palms. We are never leaving. He calls us with outstretched hands urging us to follow Him. When we hold on to our Father's Hand, we can remain content, we can be a part of God's work, and we can follow him to the impossible. Just hold on to your Father's Hand. We are in the palm of His Hand so rejoice and lift your own hands in praise to this great God.

Sunday morning, we traveled up the mountain in the back of the truck to church. Isaiah 49:16 was preached in the small church as we stood along side our passionate, Haitian worshippers. This laid the foundation for the rest of the week. The analogy of being God's Hands and Feet is so powerful and such an honor to be a part. 

We have had the opportunity to be God's Hands this week in several ways. We did VBS four days this week, we went evangelizing (3 came to know Christ!), and we spent time with kids in the community. This is what we did but God used our hands to be His Hands of compassion by holding the hand of a little child, clapping to music in the church, and planting seeds in hopes to expand our heavenly family. 

This past week, one of the devotionals was about the aroma of Christ. An aroma that is strong and can be sensed just in someone's presence. As a family invited us in their home while we were evangelizing, you could just feel the aroma of Christ in their home. This challenged me to wondering if Christ's spirit is overflowing in my life so powerfully that people can sense Him just in my presence. This is possible because we serve a compassionate, all-powerful God!

We have so many new kids here at Children's Hope and they are precious! It is so fun getting to know each of their personalities! The kids seem to be doing great!

Geralda and Wilda joined us for Church on the Beach!

Silly girls!

Watching a soccer game!

"But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" -- Nehemiah 6:9