Thursday, June 25, 2009

Open our eyes...to reality.

While reading in 2 Kings 6 today, I came across a story from Elisha's life that really struck me. Some men were searching for him to capture him and had surrounded the city of Dothan (where he was) during the night; his servant woke up early the next morning and basically freaked out [definately the natural thing to do, freak out and say, what are we going to do?!?] Soo 2 Kings 6:16-17 is Elisha's response, "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
After this, the passage goes on to Elisha asking God to take away all the men's sight and he makes them think they are in the wrong city ect, -just read the chapter from the Word, it's sweet!-
One random thought about this passage: I thought it fit purdy well to the theme/title of my blog, "Abre mis ojos"
But this passage is just so cool, because it shows the reality of the super-natural and God's abiding presence. The theme at camp this summer is Stand, based off of Ephesians 6:10-20. We need to put on the armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes and need to remember "our struggle is not against flesh and blood". Elisha knew that crisis he was encountering was not only what it appeared to be from a physical point of view. He saw the larger picture and prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened to those who were with them! Remembering our struggle is not against flesh and blood can go both ways of seeking the Lord's super-natural help [maybe it won't be hills full of horses and chariots of fire, but He is in control], but we also need to remember that Satan is alive and roaming, looking for every opportunity to make us Christians ineffective in the Lord's work.
p.s. I love that Elisha is almost always referred to as "the man of God", and yes, I realize this was in the OT times and was a prophet of God...but I still think it's ok to ask, what do I need to do to stand out and be referred to as, "a woman of God"?

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Here I go...and here I come!

I love the Senior Staff this year! Everyone moved in a couple weeks ago, and I have loved the community developing already. Our first day of the real camp season begins tomorrow, so that is very exciting, but the awesome part of training and guest group weeks are that we are all living in the staff house together still :)
I have loved the evenings of swimming at the lake, fishing, worship times, and lots of talking and prayer. Two things that strike me and excite me the most about our staff is commitment to prayer and a steadfastness to the Word. Last summer I grew a lot and thought according to the Bible and through an eternal perspective more than any time in my life, but this year I am learning a ton about the power of pray and about community. This past semester at school I was really lacking community and felt like a part of myself died a bit, the past few weeks have brought a lot of healing. Another thing that made me feel so much more alive in the past week was going to work in downtown South Bend last weekend at a ministry for people trying to get a new start to life. I have missed Lizzy and the other kids in Grand Rapids and missed going downtown to meet with the homeless in GR also, so serving in South Bend with our staff was an awesome opportunity. I played with a little girl and little boy who did my hair, played with action figures, and just made my week! There was karaoke going on a lot of the time we were inside which was a ton of fun to sing along and dance with the kids too.

Ok, well I rambled there a lot, but the title of this is "Here I go...and here I come!"
I have been at camp and loving that (other than some long, stressful days lol), but a week from today I fly out! I am going to Kenya and cannot wait to see God working and to witness the church fully alive in Africa. I will write updates on here often and would love for your support through many and constant prayers! God [through the awesome body of Christ] has already fully provided for my financial support!!!!!! I will be working in the business office at Tenwek Hospital compound assisting the lady who organizing everything having to do with the guests coming to serve at the compound. I will also be working with the community help group, the local school and orphanage, and helping to teach a Sunday School once or twice too. There are many opportunities presented within the hospital that I may encounter that I could really use extra prayers for... I will have the opportunity to make rounds with a chaplian, sit with individuals while they pass from this life into the next, and may even have to do small tasks to help out if there is a large accident while I am there(bus accidents are common there). Needless to say, it is uncertain what I will experience and can only rely on Christ for strength for everything. Also, a very basic thing to know in my head but when working through it, the language barrier I know will be very frustrating when I just want to be able to connect with the Kipigis and other local people in Kenya.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the blah blah blahness of anything I write on this blog. Have a great day. Keep smiling and strive to be blameless until the day of Christ's return!