Sun, or Rain?

 

It's another week, and this one started out with sunshine. Sun? Yes, the amazing, rarely-seen-in-April-for-long-periods-of-time sun. Sometimes when I'm looking out the window at yet another rainy day I start thinking of Africa. Will it be sunny all the time? (well, I know there's the rainy season and the dry season) How intense will the rainy season be? Will it rain non-stop, or only once a day? Will I like warm rain, or will it be strange to my Pacific Northwest self? Will I be homesick when there's no rain? Will the streets flood? Will my clothes mold from being damp all the time?

 

Of course, most of these question remain yet to be answered. Other questions come to mind too, regarding food, temperature, how easily I'll learn the language, what sort of friends I'll make, how I'll stay in touch with family and friends, and more.

 



But the Go'd I serve is faithful. He knows my needs. He knows my desires. He knows how far my faith can hold. And He desires the best for me. So why should I not trust Him? Why should I fear the unknown when He is not just beside me, but going before me as well.

"It is the L_rd who goes before you.

He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.

Do not fear or be dismayed."

(Deut. 31:8)

 

Yesterday I shared about my upcoming trip in a local assembly of believers. They were very welcoming and supportive. Just the sort of place to start out in the support raising. =)  Please continue to lift me up to the Father, that I would present my plans and vision well and that the right people would come alongside me in support.

And the plan He has is a good one!

Today I was thinking of a lady who comes from my hometown. When she was preaching at her funeral (yes, you read that right), she talked about Jeremiah 29:11. I remember the way she paraphrased it:

"G-d has a plan for you
and the plan He has is a good one!"

As she stood in front of an overflowing auditorium she spoke joyfully of G-d's faithfulness and excitedly about the future. And she knew her future held an almost certain death from cancer. But it wasn't death that she was excited about... it was the party afterward in heaven! I'll tell you, she was an inspiration for more than a few.

But what about it? Can we trust Him to have a good plan? Even down to the details?

Sure, our brain says. We know His nature and character. But can we exude confidence in the Lo'rd when times get tough? We really only know in the tough times.

But this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope

The steadfast love [chesed] of the Lo'rd never ceases

His mercies never come to an end

They are new every morning

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lo'rd is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore I will hope in Him."

Lamentations 3:21-24

What I've been reading, 1

First off, I've started support raising and such. If you've got a suggestion for a place I should visit or people to talk to, comment below. If you'd like to get my newsletter, click on the link to your right -->

Second, life is going well. I'm starting up a new quarter of teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) Tuesday. I expect it to be fun, as well as challenging.

Third, I thought I'd post some links to things I've been reading lately along with a few comments. For your enjoyment, here we go:

From Relevant Magazine: Why We Need More Women in Ministry:
This isn't your stereotypical "go women, conquer the world" sort of article.  Rather, it addresses the fact that women aren't feeling as valued in the church as they feel in their career or other areas of life. When we consider areas of ministry in the church we would be wise to encourage women to use their specific talents instead of automatically putting them on the decorating committee or in children's church.

Tentmaking: The Life and Work of Business as M_ssions, by Patrick Lai
Although I had to return it to the library before finishing it, this book has been really helpful in showing more areas I need to think about as I prepare to leave for Africa. If you're thinking of doing a "tentmaking" venture, or are supporting someone who's engaged in tentmaking, it's a relevant and very thorough resource.

Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo
What a story! You can watch the movie or see the Broadway play, but there's nothing quite as rewarding as reading the book. Hugo tells a 3-fold story of redemption: that of a convict, a prostitute, and an orphan. In addition to that he shows the contrast of a man caught in legalism and despair, who knows no escape from his destiny. The parallels to the Gospel are countless, and I continue to discover more.

Rachel Held Evans: Turning Hate Mail into Origami
Whatever people may say about RHE, she certainly has a gentle soul and a kind heart. The example she sets in dealing with her opponents is laudable. Could you turn your critics' words into works of art?

So there you go. I've read more than that, but those are some of the highlights. What have you been reading lately?