13 August 2010

One Year Anniversary

One year ago I had my first meeting. It was a missions conference -  my first missions conference, and my first time presenting what I would be doing in North Africa.  I look back from a year later and am so grateful for what God has done and how God has changed me in the past year.  Everything gets easier the more you do it, but getting to that point takes awhile. I remember hoping that my shaking couldn’t be heard in my voice as I faltered through my first presentation. I am so thankful for University Baptist Church in Atlanta and their loving spirit as they encouraged me. The Lord was so gracious to allow me to have my first meeting among friends.

I see so many different ways the Lord has grown me over the year. I am still me, not eloquent in words, but God has polished me in many ways. I am always nervous to get up in front of people to speak, but hardly shake anymore. My presentation doesn’t always flow well and many times I forget that certain way to say something poignant. Overall, I can see that my presentation is far better than that first time.

Instead of looking at a church in fear, now I can look at the potential friends I will make and potential prayer warriors to enlist (not to mention potential support to get me to North Africa – a necessary evil unfortunately). Each church is unique. One thing that never even began to cross my mind about deputation was leaving a church once you built a relationship with those people. In a missions conference, you have 3 days or more to get to know the people, make friends, and share burdens with one another. Then it’s time to move on to the next meeting. I may not get to see this church again for years. I never anticipated the sadness of leaving after having met such wonderful people.   

God has used this past year to teach me so many things. Just comparing that first presentation to the one I gave Wednesday night, what a huge difference!  I am so thankful that the Lord chooses to use people who are not perfect, just willing to be molded. 

11 August 2010

Ramadan

Living in today’s society, it’s almost impossible not to have heard the word Ramadan. So what exactly is it? Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered to be the holiest of months in Islam. The month of Ramadan is supposedly when Mohammad received the Quran.  From sunup to sundown, Muslim people fast primarily from food and water, but also other forms of indulgence. The purpose of this time is for devotion, inner reflection, and self control. Also, reading the entire Quran during this time is strongly encouraged. For 2010, Ramadan begins today at sundown.

The month of Ramadan is a reflection of the Islamic faith – built on works. Muslim people must strive to be pure and holy so Allah will (hopefully) accept them into paradise. My heart grieves for a people who strive so hard, only to find out one day it was all in vain.

Today I make a request. During the Islamic month of Ramadan (August 11 – September 9th), please join me in devoting a time of prayer each day specifically for the Muslim people.  

·         Ask God to give you a heart filled with love and compassion towards Muslims.
·         Pray for their hearts to be softened to the Gospel.
·         Pray for a specific Muslim majority country each day.
·         Pray the Lord would send more laborers into these fields.
·         Pray for laborers who are already in these fields
o   Direction: open doors to share the Word
o   Communication/clarification: ability to speak with clarity
o   Adaptation
o   Determination/Prioritization – speaking the Word with boldness
o   Reception
o   Protection

10 August 2010

July Update

Believe it or not, July has already come and gone, although the hot weather seems to be never-ending. The Lord has blessed tremendously the past month.

I was privileged to be able to be a part of Vacation Bible School at my home church, Lighthouse Baptist Church.  We praise the Lord for 40 previous souls saved during the week including children, teens, and adults! I am grateful to God He allowed me to be a small part of this great week.

 Prayer Requests
·         Continue to schedule more meetings – filling in gaps for this year and in general for next year
·         Safety traveling – increasing the number of miles traveling this month
·         God to use me to lead more people to Him

Praises
·         Was able to lead 2 girls to the Lord during VBS
·         Lord provided meetings to fill in some gaps
·         God provided financially in many different ways

July Stats:
·         22% of needed support
·         Was able to be in 10 churches total
·         Drove 956 miles
·         Was able to present my burden 6 times
·         Traveled in 2 states: Georgia and South Carolina