Day By Day I Walk By Faith

Good days.

Bad days.

Hard days.

Long days.

Fun days.

Dull days

Right days.

Wrong days.

Up days.

Down days.

Short days.

Blah days.

Days of serving.

Days of dreaming.

Days of learning.

Days of giving.

Days to laugh.

Days to cry.

Days to jump….

[breathe in and breathe out]

Days to sigh.

People often ask me  

How are your days?  

The truth is --

they are 

days…

days… 

days…

Trying to love those whom He's put in my way.

Trying to live for Him … living at a time…

 just one day.

Knowing that my only purpose here on this Earth

is to love those around me and share His good Word

So, my days are like your days maybe just in a hotter place

loving and laughing and crying and sighing

needing and giving and learning and serving

Praying that in my life His light can shine

and when I mess up -- oh, that flesh of mine

I can get up again and by faith keep walking

walking, running, trusting, ...walking…

Yep, that's what I do, 

each day anew

I fix my eyes on God 

and just like that, I walk!

It's been really neat to see how God puts various people in my life.  Over the last couple of weeks I have had to say goodbye to some after they have been here for months of service, and because of a wedding, some have come back to spend time as well.  I praise Him for all of the people that He puts in my life who two years ago I didn't know or who live in the States and I don't see every day or those new ones who I see from time to time here.  Thanks for everyone who prays, encourages, and sends love my way!  It really helps me keep day to day.

Here's a glance of what God has been up to over the past two weeks in my life!

SUNDAY, MAY 31.  I served alongside Crosspoint Church from Trussville, Alabama for four days helping the oldest kids at Emanuel House learn about team work and unity and relating that to the Bible and giving them real life application.  It was fun to get to know each other better and build unity by passing marshmallows, throwing beach balls, not letting people fall off of the "boat," and building spider webs!  A prayer walk around the community and a special youth event for neighborhood teenagers was part of their week as well.  Praising God for seeds planted and for Pastor Miguel who has plans to plant a church in the area of these youth. Crosspoint, the teachers already continued with some team building activities in class these past two weeks.  Your visit is already making a difference!  [Below is a picture of us at the beach on their last day here since the group took very few pictures during their time with the neighborhood kids.]

  WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3. I visited Monte Cristi, a nearby village, to get the history and pictures for a nursing home that serves many Haitians and dominicans who have nowhere else to go.  These sweet elderly people are so loving and very cared for by a pastor and his staff.  Hope to have a pamphlet with more info soon!   

THURSDAY, JUNE 4. Today was a busy day off from school… but although it was busy, it was my kind of day.  I had more time in the Word and had the opportunity to spend time with people in the community (my love language). 

Mirqueya and I have been trying to teach the girls the importance of time with God in the morning.  And, when we wake up struggling, a little Jesus always helps.  Praying that these little lessons will make a long-term impact in their lives, as their time with us is most likely temporary.

Much of my quiet time was spent reading in a book, The Story, which captures the various stories of the Bible in one continues story and reads like a novel.  This morning I had a chance to read the story of Joseph.  He was lied about, sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, and given a great leadership role.  Then he was accused of sexual sin by Potifer's wife and thrown into prison.  While there he was protected and loved by God, and found out that he had a great gift to interpret dreams.  Daniel used his gift in whatever circumstance even though life had to be incredibly hard away from his family, his people, and in prison.  And in the midst of his struggle, he was able to see God's hand.  He was able to forgive. One of my take aways that I needed this morning: God is the father of redemption and salvation and He has a plan even when we cannot see, and He is present in every situation!  Just keep walking!

I spent much of the late morning and early afternoon visiting a local village called La Paloma where one of the Special Needs teachers, Isa, is from. Her mother does not know Christ as her personal Savior.  The Lord opened the door to share with her about God's holiness, our separation from Him because of sin, the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, and God's great love for us all.  Praying that the seed was planted not only in her life but in others' as well who were able to hear the gospel.



Even though there were no classes, some kids missed the memo, so I decided to give two sweet Emanuel House kids a ride back home when we ran into them walking back in their EH uniforms.  We grabbed some lunch and headed to their house to share a meal with their family who often doesn't have food to eat.  Their grandparents raise 7 kids mostly on their own.  Praising God for letting us run into them right around lunch time and for being able to share a meal together.











FRIDAY, JUNE 5. I picked up an intern, Natalie, from the airport. She will be spending 3 weeks at Emanuel House working with the deaf ministry and helping the teachers with sign language.  I also dropped off Kelsey, another intern who spent a few days with us helping wherever needed and working with my 1st grade class doing some basic physical therapy exercises.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6. We spent the morning doing monthly Kids' club.  We learned about Daniel and His obedience to God even though the king wanted Daniel to pray to him.  I'm reminded that no matter what anyone else says, we are to be obedient to God!

MEMORY VERSE:

But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,

    and I will fulfill all my vows.    For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.

Jonah 2:9

MONDAY, JUNE 8.  Woke up and during my quiet time was reminded that God has a plan for all of us, that God is kind and that He loves us!  Thanking God for such a simple truth that sometimes maybe I forget.  I guess I need to remember that He is present and sees and always wants the best for His people.  Know someone in your life who needs that truth?  A child or an adult?  Like children's books?  Read It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst. It is a book about trusting God!

You can imagine after these two full weeks I am beat!   I am blogging now from my place of rest.  After having visitors, hosting a team, the normal day to day, and teaching 2 days of class this week, I am swamped.  I am hoping that God will renew my mind and rest my body!

PRAYER REQUESTS:
For unity and team work among the ladies in my Bible Study group, teachers at Emanuel House and the team of Kids Club leaders.  That they would feel empowered!

For continued rest, renewal, perseverance and good time in the Word especially over the next few days.

For the twins, that they would know the Lord and more and more know His truths, His character, and His love for them!  They are not believers yet but have heard the Gospel many times.  May God soften their hearts and seeds be planted for them to accept Him in His timing!  May His love surpass all spiritual warfare surrounding them!

God keeps teaching, stretching and molding me.  Praying that He continues to help me walk by faith one day at a time!  Praying that I will rely on His power and strength and not my own.  Praying that He will continue to teach, stretch and mold me so that I can continue to do His work well, love those around me well, and use the gifts He's given me!