My god is BIG BIG BIG, My god is so so BIG. He's bigger than your
problems, oh YEESS he can solve 'Em. My god is BIG BIG BIG, oh yes he
iiisss. My God is big, big, big....
Imagine these words in a blues
tone being sung by some teens with beautifully trained voices. Auntie
Fabiola works weekly to train these young girls and they learn a wide
assortment of music, but what they may not know is that their song
reaches the heavens and ministers to His people here who are stuck so
very low in their issues.
I am amazed more and more each day
at the Truth of God's word and how much he blesses those who
diligently seek him! (Psalm 119) I'm impressed with how much
character is in fact built through various trials (James 1) and how
you are blessed when you can endure ridicule and judgmental people
(Matthew 5). I am astounded by our God of justice and compassion each
time He fights on the behalf of one of his precious children here in
Arandis. I know it sounds general but there are specific incidents
daily of which I'm made aware of His goodness over and over. When we
pray, He really does listen – when we call, He really does answer
and that is wonderful!
Ismael – whom I was taking care of this holiday thanked me on
the last evening for praying that he'll draw closer to the Lord
because it was working. I was about to question him about this prayer
when he said, "I know you've been praying, God keeps calling to
me to come closer. What should I do when I feel him speaking to me to
come closer?" Open His word my dear boy and listen to all the
words He's already spoken. I love to have one on one time with the
kids and He provided several opportunities for Ismael to spend time
with men. It makes perfect sense for him not to be comfortable with
men as he's always around woman and children. He made this very clear
when I proposed him with the idea God gave me and told him about
these men that wanted to spend time with him. After each interaction,
either with Brother Cyprian, Brother Richard from the Church in
Arandis, or on Skype with a Brother back home; he came back refreshed
and so very grateful for the opportunity. One day we (well, I) lost
his dog. We spent the afternoon looking for him. Ismael didn't think
we'd find him, so why look because he's a cute little dog that was
most likely stolen. I said, well we have to do our part and then
trust God to do His. Ismael then interrupted with, "seek and you
will find!" I agreed. We searched every street in Arandis. We
didn't find him, he was gone, there is no way that tiny dog could
have lasted even overnight. We had to leave town the next day on the
bus for our visit to Rehoboth to see Smithley, his brother. The next
day I called the family coordinator about the Auntie who had also
been beyond our reach and she informed me that because we had been
looking, asking around about the dog, someone "found" him
and brought him back! I called Ismael at the Auntie and Uncle's house
in Rehoboth to inform him of the news. He said, "Ms Anna, that's
great news, right? Our God is alive!" The Auntie and Uncle there
have such a big heart for these kids and they really loved Ismael,
Auntie was crying as she handed him his container full of fat cakes
(small soft roles fried and glazed with sugar) and we were driving
away with Ismael. Coming home, Ismael asked if he could move in with
them and go to school in Rehoboth next year. Lord, your will be
done!
God has blessed me with 12 more weeks here. I have the privilege
of working with several who are being raised up in worship. I look
forward to meeting with them more regularly. There was a day during
the holiday where I just asked them to close their eyes and sing a
very familiar song for worship; but to not look around and mean every
word coming from their mouth. I am telling you - within five minutes,
there were deeper levels of worship they had never experienced. I
could see the teenage insecurities just disappearing and their praise
going right up to the Father. It's so simple, "I lift up my
hands, standing unashamed, I worship you Father, exalting your name.
You've captured my heart, now my life has changed..." but it's
not something that can be set up, only my God can do that! I could
have stayed in that room forever.
Please pray for self-control and discipline to be faithful
to drawing near to Him daily so the devil does not have any place in
their lives. Unity among the body of Christ here – both in the
Church and Children of Promise. All people working together will love
each other and move beyond offenses to further His kingdom. Health
for Ms Nan and Elizabeth. A FATHER and MOTHER within a loving home
for Ismael, Brendan and Annalisa. Guidance for Auntie S and all her
children looking ahead to the future. A principle and more volunteer
teachers for TKCA next year. Thank God for his tremendous support and
for those he's put in our lives to pray for us and get us through
difficult times.
Growing up, I was surrounded by Godly people showing me who God is
and instructing me on worship; it's sad to think these kids have not
had this privilege. It's the very purpose for my existence, for the
rest of my days, I will love God and direct people to Him. Wherever I
am, in whatever form it takes, as I have been guided, I will help to
train and mentor others into living a life of worship.
I want to leave you with this precious thought: Give Thanks to
God! He always leads us in the winners' parade because we belong to
Christ. Through us, God spreads the knowledge of Christ everywhere
like perfume. God considers us to be the sweet smell that Christ is
spreading among people who are being saved and people who are dying.
(2 Corinthians 2:14-16) You are children that God dearly loves. So
be just like him. Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved
us. He gave himself up for us. he was a sweet smelling offering and
sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
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