God's good stuff

I have two very concrete and beautiful testimonies to share with you...one today and one tomorrow... both that just continue to move me...not just to a feeling or an emotion, but to a better place with Him and others.

Our little family has been struggling quite a bit these past few months.  We have been working and living at the Seminary almost entirely alone until recently (aside from the students we are here to minister to), and while our Haitian family has been around us and alongside of us, the heavy burdens of feeling ultimately in charge of administration, finances, maintenance, operations, security, teaching, internet, electricity...etc., have been wearing on us, Matt especially.

While many are ready and anxious to help, there are just a lot of things that need done that no one is trained or experienced to do, so Matt has been filling a lot of gaps that he also isn't trained or experienced or wired to do.   Ever present needs for help and funding and teachers, translators, maintenance, etc., are ever wearing.

"The life of the missionary", sure.  But it sure can be exhausting and frustrating!  Matt even continues to be plagued with feeling sick, vomiting and stomach pain, and I can't help but think that stress is contributing!  (A stateside doctor is helping us narrow down some possible issues, as well)

Lately, I've been praying over-time for Matt, that the Lord would help show him what things need to just be let go in light of keeping sanity, and that He would restore unto Matt the joy of His calling and work.

For some reason, the last few days have been especially hard, and we prayed together last night late into the night that God would restore us, give us a new perspective, change things, move, work, give peace.

I was then up with the girls a record number of times through the night, and when they both got up at 5:30, Matt took them out to the main room so Mommy could sleep a few minutes.

At 6:00 am I awoke to the guys singing, a very common sound here at Emmaus.  However, it was much too loud to be coming from the nearby chapel, and I realized that they were in the next room.  I threw on a dress and came out only to see a group of six young men standing in a circle around Matt and our jammied girls, singing their hearts out.

I took a mental picture and joined Matt in the middle, a bit amazed (this has never happened before) as the singing turned to prayers, six of our brothers lifting us up individually, but together.  As they prayed, I singled out one voice after another, listening to bits of their prayers, claiming them for our little family.  Belony prayed for peace.  Mogene, for healing.  Augustin prayed for energy and wisdom, Gesner for joy for us each.

Astounded, I listened to each of these men, NONE of whom were aware of our recent burdens or feelings, ask God for EVERY single thing that we had been praying for last night.  For EVERY single thing that I have felt we need, and more.  Neither pajamas or the early hour diverted His precious presence, and intimately blessed, I looked up to see Matt's face shining with the same joy and awe that mine was.

When the men finished, together we prayed a series of common Haitian repetitive prayers, affirming and cementing in what we were asking the Lord for.

Bless the name of Jesus.  
     Bless the name of Jesus.
Jesus, for joy.
     Jesus, for joy.
Jesus, our security.
     Jesus, our security.
Jesus, for healing.
     Jesus, for healing.
Jesus, for wisdom.
     Jesus, for wisdom.
Jesus, before us.
     Jesus, before us.
Jesus, behind us.
     Jesus, behind us.
Jesus, beside us.
     Jesus, beside us.

We rose together, all shaking hands as is the custom (starting and finishing with holding hands), and Belony said, "We each felt very strongly this morning that God wanted us to come and pray for you.  Each of us.  We don't know why, but we trust Him, and were pleased to obey."

I hope you have goosebumps, as I do.  There may be a lot of things lacking in Haiti.  There may be a lot of things lacking.  But one of those things is not faith.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that God told each of those men this morning to come and pray for us.  There can be no coincidence.  We were up into the night last night, begging His help.

I know God sent them, and I know that while these students may have no money, no jobs, no family, no healthcare, no possessions...they are walking close enough to our Father and are surrendered enough to Him to hear His still, small voice.  And while they did not understand why He was saying what He was, they had the faith and the discipline to obey.  Immediately.

We may work in many places throughout our lives, with people that "have" far more than our current family, but I'm not sure that we will ever meet a people with more abandoned faith than those around us now.

Healing and recovery when my mom left us for Jesus was a long road, but I could vividly recount to you the day, standing knee-deep in icy water under the Haitian sun scrubbing laundry in Port-au-Prince, that He met me and put me on that road.

Healing and restoration are a long process, for sure.  But there has to be a starting point, and I believe that comes only by a work of God.  A moment of healing in His presence that puts you on that road.

Christ in Belo, Mogene, Gregori, Augustin, Gesner and Devicouer did what only He can do this morning, and I am so grateful!

When God talks to someone else about you, it sure makes you realize His love for you in a new way!

Grateful this morning that He loves us each, that He cares for us each, that we have obedient brothers in Him, and that His plan for ALL of us includes joy, healing, peace that passes understanding and GOOD stuff (to borrow a theological term from Charlie).

Praying the same for you today!