What is encouragement? According to webster, encouragement is the act of giving hope or promise.
Lately, I have had several people in the churches we have visited tell me that they want to be an encouragement to me. That's good news, right? Well, then they proceed to tell me how dangerous my field is, how poorly my children will be treated, and the difficulties in reaching the people!! What? This is not encouraging to me. Honestly, sometimes I have nightmares after talking to these people.
I got pretty upset about it. However, the Lord spoke to my heart last night and convicted me. I meet missionaries all the time. What kind of impact do I make when I speak to them? Do I encourage them in the Lord and speak of positive aspects of the ministry, or do I point out every difficulty in their path. Not only for missionaries, but to pastor's wives and, well, anyone. My prayer is that I would encourage people to do what the Lord would have them to.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
On the Move
Finally, We are in a hotel room with heat and Joshua just went to sleep. This evening has been pretty eventful. We were staying in a nice prophet house, but the heat wasn't working. We realized that after we unpacked the whole van last night and set everything up just how we wanted it. It was cold. We spoke to the pastor of the church, and he got us a very nice room after realizing he might not be able to fix the heat. What a blessing! He is not even the pastor of the church that we have the meeting booked at. He was just letting us use their prophet chamber.
We were also able to go to a family's house tonight who are on deputation preparing to go the same field we are. They are a little behind us on support and are going to language school somewhere else, but it is nice to be able to get to know some people we will work with in our field in a few years.
Thursday we are going home, and Friday we will be leaving for Florida. I am enjoying deputation more, but I miss home and family. I miss picking my 4 year old niece up from school and keeping her until her mom gets off work. I miss her smiling face.
We were also able to go to a family's house tonight who are on deputation preparing to go the same field we are. They are a little behind us on support and are going to language school somewhere else, but it is nice to be able to get to know some people we will work with in our field in a few years.
Thursday we are going home, and Friday we will be leaving for Florida. I am enjoying deputation more, but I miss home and family. I miss picking my 4 year old niece up from school and keeping her until her mom gets off work. I miss her smiling face.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Deputation Tips
For those of you ladies who are planning on going on deputation. These are some things I have learned in the past year.
*Accept deputation as your new ministry. Understand it is God's will for your life and keep a good attitude.
*People do not understand what you have gone through to get to their Church, and they don't need to. Smile and show interest in the Church when talking to people. Ask questions about the Church and its ministries when you don't know what to say. Always compliment.
*Always have an extra outfit with you. Strange things happen sometimes. Have several extra outfits for children.
*Always have: a lint brush, tide pen, and wrinkle releaser.
*Be ready to present your testimony(salvation, dedication to ministry, and support of husband) and keep it short. Do not use your husbands time to speak!
*Dress nicely and modestly, of course. Watch the little things, such as shoes(difficult to do when your 9 months pregnant and swollen :)) and finger nails.
*Be willing to put your children in the children's program, but do not always assume that they want your 3 month old in their nursery. Especially if their class is for 5 and under and they only have 1 worker. Be observant.
*When going on long trips, I have found that it is easier to take less clothes and wash along the way. You are constantly getting luggage in and out. Then again, I take lots of toys for Joshua. It is easier when he can entertain himself sometimes.
*Be prepared to drive A LOT. Your husband will need to make phone calls and prepare to preach. Learn to entertain yourself quietly while he works.
to be continued...
*Accept deputation as your new ministry. Understand it is God's will for your life and keep a good attitude.
*People do not understand what you have gone through to get to their Church, and they don't need to. Smile and show interest in the Church when talking to people. Ask questions about the Church and its ministries when you don't know what to say. Always compliment.
*Always have an extra outfit with you. Strange things happen sometimes. Have several extra outfits for children.
*Always have: a lint brush, tide pen, and wrinkle releaser.
*Be ready to present your testimony(salvation, dedication to ministry, and support of husband) and keep it short. Do not use your husbands time to speak!
*Dress nicely and modestly, of course. Watch the little things, such as shoes(difficult to do when your 9 months pregnant and swollen :)) and finger nails.
*Be willing to put your children in the children's program, but do not always assume that they want your 3 month old in their nursery. Especially if their class is for 5 and under and they only have 1 worker. Be observant.
*When going on long trips, I have found that it is easier to take less clothes and wash along the way. You are constantly getting luggage in and out. Then again, I take lots of toys for Joshua. It is easier when he can entertain himself sometimes.
*Be prepared to drive A LOT. Your husband will need to make phone calls and prepare to preach. Learn to entertain yourself quietly while he works.
to be continued...
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Time to Go!
Wow, this Christmas was better than I expected! The Lord blessed in many different ways and gave me one of the best Christmases that I have ever had! I thank Him for that.
David and I went to the summit this weekend. It went very well. We learned a lot and were able to speak to several different people about missions. Please pray for a girl named Tess who has an interest in ministering to muslim women.
Tomorrow, we are going to a church about an hour from home. Then on Tuesday we leave for West Virginia. We will be in several different states this month and will only be home a couple of days at the end of the month for Joshua's 4 month doctor's appointment. This is definitely not my cup of tea, but the Lord is giving me more of a peace about it. I pray that He will continually make His desires for my life my desires.
David and I went to the summit this weekend. It went very well. We learned a lot and were able to speak to several different people about missions. Please pray for a girl named Tess who has an interest in ministering to muslim women.
Tomorrow, we are going to a church about an hour from home. Then on Tuesday we leave for West Virginia. We will be in several different states this month and will only be home a couple of days at the end of the month for Joshua's 4 month doctor's appointment. This is definitely not my cup of tea, but the Lord is giving me more of a peace about it. I pray that He will continually make His desires for my life my desires.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas!!
I am so excited about Christmas this year. I actually put up my tree before Thanksgiving. It is so much more fun when you have a child to share it with. Of course, Joshua isn't old enough to understand what is going on, but soon he will. I thank the Lord for His precious gift, the Lord Jesus! As a parent, I think about the joy that Mary must of felt when she had Jesus. Wow, what a privilege. I can't really understand why God humbled Himself and came to earth to live a perfect life and die on a rugged cross for my sin, but I'm glad He did. I thank the Lord for saving my soul!
As this time of the year approaches, I can't help but think about the Christmases I will be away from my family and friends. It saddens me. I don't really know how I am going to handle it. I pray that I will be able to hold it together, especially for my husband and my son. I would appreciate your prayers.
As this time of the year approaches, I can't help but think about the Christmases I will be away from my family and friends. It saddens me. I don't really know how I am going to handle it. I pray that I will be able to hold it together, especially for my husband and my son. I would appreciate your prayers.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Life
I can't believe that I haven't written in so long. I will try to write more often. We have been in meetings close to home this month and have been able to visit with family and friends. It has been nice. The Lord has blessed, as David has been faithful in making phone calls, and had given us several meetings.
I thank the Lord for my wonderful husband! Monday was our anniversary! We celebrated this past Saturday and had a great time. However, it was the first time I left Joshua. He was with my mom, so I knew He was fine, but I missed him. I cried.
Sunday night we went to a Church and the service really touched my heart. The preacher preached out of Philippians 4. He said to claim verse 13, we must meet some requirements in the beginning of the passage. He said the first one was to stand fast. I pray that the Lord will help me to stand fast in the word and prayer and witnessing. I pray that I will do my part and stay in His will so that He will strengthen me so that I can do all things.
I thank the Lord for my wonderful husband! Monday was our anniversary! We celebrated this past Saturday and had a great time. However, it was the first time I left Joshua. He was with my mom, so I knew He was fine, but I missed him. I cried.
Sunday night we went to a Church and the service really touched my heart. The preacher preached out of Philippians 4. He said to claim verse 13, we must meet some requirements in the beginning of the passage. He said the first one was to stand fast. I pray that the Lord will help me to stand fast in the word and prayer and witnessing. I pray that I will do my part and stay in His will so that He will strengthen me so that I can do all things.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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