Until I’m Safely Home…

I just felt like I needed to take some time to analyze the book I just read entitled, Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn. I have surges of emotions racing through me right now.

Conviction: I have conviction that I take for granted the five Bibles I'm staring at right now on my book shelf when many people do not own one. Conviction for how I do not cherish the Word of God as I should. Why did it take reading a book to make this a reality? I gave out four Bibles just last week to individuals that did not own one. Why was I not so convicted then? Was it my own pride or self-satisfaction that was more important than actually gifting them with the Words of Life?

Gratitude: I'm grateful that I live in a country where there is freedom to share about Christ. We host Bible studies openly in our home and announce them on the radio. We do not have to hide in underground churches or sing silent songs.

Heaviness of Heart: I am burdened for the people God has placed in our lives that have made Jesus their everything. I think of Lencho. He makes less than a dollar a day to feed himself, his wife, and his family, and yet he diligently studies God's word and now teaches it to those in Dolores. He is being tempted by a better job offer in another city, but so far has remained faithful to calling of pastor. I think of Paulino who was willing to walk four hours one way for a two hour discipleship to learn more so as not to commit heresy in teaching the Bible. I think of the mother down the road that is a victim of domestic violence, but prays for her husband. She knows the pains of physical hunger.

Many people here know about physical hunger, but Lord produce in us a hunger for more of You. Move in this little area of the world, in this zone of Honduras. Make us so that we will be as the deer that pants for streams of water searching for living water in You. Holy Spirit stir this up in the hearts of each church member of each church plant. Strengthen the leaders You have placed in each one. Equip them with Your mercy and grace. I pray for the communities where the sheep wander without a shepherd to guide them. Call forth leaders Lord! Touch the hearts of individuals. Lead us to them so that we can be Your servants that equip them and encourage them. We ask for a revival in this land! I pray that many would turn from their religion and embrace a relationship with You. I pray that the name of Jesus would become more than a bumper sticker or "catch phrase" used in the common lingo. I pray that the Lencas would learn the Person behind this name and bow down in reverence to You. Let this revival begin in our home! I pray that Gabby and Owen will not just hear about you from words we share with them, but will see you in our actions. I pray that they too would develop a compassion for people and a desire to share You with others. I pray that no matter where they go in life or what they do, loving You and sharing about You would be the passion of their hearts. May it never cease to be mine! Uphold us, Father! Help us to keep a Heavenly perspective and to see all trials as "light a momentary troubles."

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beaty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified!" Isaiah 61:1-3

The Hiker - The Missionary

In the barren prairie, the hiker huddles down. The cold northerly sweeps over him, stinging his face and numbing his fingers. The whistle of the wind is deafening. The hiker hugs his knees to his chest, yearning for warmth.

He doesn't move. The sky is orange with dirt. His teeth are grainy, his eyes sooty. he thinks of quitting. Going home. Home to the mountains.

"Ahh. The mountains." The spirit that moved him in the mountains seems so far away. For a moment his mind wanders back to his homeland. Green country. Mountain trails. Fresh water. Hikers hiking on well-marked trails. No surprises, few fears, rich companionship.
One day, while on a brisk hike, he had stopped to look out from the mountains across the neighboring desert. He felt strangely pulled to the sweeping barrenness that lay before him.

The next day he paused again. And the next, and the next. "Shouldn't someone go there? Shouldn't someone try to take life to the desert?" Slowly the flicker in his heart became a flame.

Many agreed that someone should go, but no one volunteered. Uncharted land, fearful storms, loneliness.

But the hiker, spurred by the enthusiasm of others, determined to go. After careful preparation, he set out alone. With the cheers of his friends behind him, he descended the grassy highlands and entered the desolate wilderness.

The first few days his steps were springy and his eye was keen. He yearned to do his part to bring life to the desert. Then came the heat. The scorpions. The monotony. The snakes. Slowly, the fire diminished. And now...the storm. The endless roar of the wind. The relentless, cursed cold.

"I don't know ho much more I can take!!!!!!"

Weary and beaten, the hiker considers going back. "At least I got this far." Knees tucked underhim, head bowed, almost touching the ground. "Will it ever stop?"

Grimly he laughs at the irony of the situation. "Some hiker. Too tired to go on, yet too ashamed to go home." Deep, deep is the struggle. No longer can he hear the voices of friends. Long gone is the romance of his mission. No longer does he float on the fancifulness of a dream.

"Maybe someone else should do this. I'm too young, too inexperienced." The winds of discouragement and fear whip at his fire, exhausting what is left of the flame. But the coals remain, hidden and hot.

The hiker, now almost the storm's victim, looks one last ime for the fire. (Is there any great challenge than that of stirring a spirit while in the clutches of defeat?) Yearning and clawing, the tempation to quit is gradually overcome by the urge to go on. Blowing on the coals, the hiker once again hears the call to the desert. Though faint, the call is clear.

With all the strength he can summon, the hiker rises to his feet, bows his head, and takes his first step into the wind.

On the Anvil- Max Lucado

I don't think I've ever read something that identifies so clearly with the walk of a missionary. There are days that are awesome and exciting to watch God working in the lives of the people where you've been transplanted. And then there are other days, periods of time, when the mere call is what keeps you. Oh, we've questioned. We've questioned ourselves and we've questioned God. We've questioned people. We've asked for confirmations. And He is always so faithful to answer! How long will we be here? I don't know! But I do know that right now, this is the call and each day, although it may be difficult and lonely and not very exciting, is another day to count as a privelege and honor to serve Him. We praise Him in the storms. And we praise Him for the eternal fruit He's allowed us to witness. If it were all just for one, it would be worth it. This month marks five years we've served in Honduras, and He has been gracious to let us witness many transformations, especially my own.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding teh glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart."

2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1

Tests and Testimonies

For every test, there should always be a testimony of God's faithfulness! ~author unknown

This has become the theme of our lives. Tests are certain, but so is God's faithfulness! We face all kinds of tests and trials daily. There are physical trials, emotional trials, internal trials, external trials, spiritual trials, trials within the family, trials within the church, etc. Perhaps for me, the most difficult trial is the test of time. Waiting!
Waiting upon the Lord for guidance,
waiting upon the Lord for an answer;
waiting when I want "my way now!"
And yet, when we WAIT, we SOAR!
The blessings of walking with the Lord, in HIS strength and in HIS power, is ALWAYS worth the wait!

There have been many times in my life that I haven't waited, but there was one time when I did... it was a life-changing decision and one of the most important decisions of my life. It was the choosing my spouse. You see, I had been in a relationship with somebody that I thought was right for me and best, but I'm so thankful that God knows me inside and out and knew that this other guy wasn't HIS best for me. So when that relationship ended, I waited! I waited through many lonely Friday nights. I waited for several years and then my brothers introduced me to this "cool hispanic pastor dude." I was immediately drawn to his character and vision for his future. I was drawn to his relationship with the Lord. But still, this wasn't enough for me. I wanted to hear God's voice tell me, this is "the one." When my precious husband first asked me to marry him, I didn't respond "yes" or "no", but I responded, "please wait!" My poor man was willing to do so! So for the next several days, I asked the Lord for a response. One particular morning, He led me to His word and the verse Isaiah 40:31 that says,
"Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." That morning we went to Mepkin Abbey, a local monestary in my home town. While were sitting and talking, I looked up and saw a bald eagle flying high in the sky. Immediately, this verse lept into my heart and as I was reflecting, I saw a second eagle join the first in the sky and fly off together. God showed me that day, it was okay to join this guy and "soar" together for the rest of our lives! He's always worth the wait!