Oooooo La La

A fact I can't seem to ignore: Sri Lanka is a place known for it's beautiful gemstones, mined from the very land of the nation. That leads me to explain my latest temptation: I am in this land where high-quality, sparkly, shimmery stones are in abundance and available at a much lower cost than anywhere else. It seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase something so precious that I could wear and then pass down to my children. An incredible star saphire doesn't sound so shabby, huh? It would be a heirloom with a story. A personal conflict is attached to this desire though. How can I justify spending any money on these things that really have no value in the kingdom of God? My answer: I can't justify it. My comfort: Isaiah 61:10 "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with jewels." I am already beautifully 'decorated' with treasures from above, and know God has beautiful things in store for my children as well.

oh yeah... some important changes and prayer requests: I am still in Sri Lanka. I said goodbye to 6 of the students at the airport last night. Pray that they have a safe and smooth journey back to Bangladesh. I will be staying in Sri Lanka until things are sorted out with Almas' stolen passport. Pray for it's miraculous return and resolution! Thanks!

when it rains, it pours....

It's monsoon/rainy season in Sri Lanka! By 4 or 5 everyday, it's nearly a gaurantee to look outside and see heavy rain. I actually caved in and bought my first umbrella after waiting 1 hour for the rain to slow. I quickly learned that I should have spent the money to buy a bigger one.

Not only is it raining outside, it's also raining in our spiritual lives. The spiritual attacks keep falling on us. The last few days we reached a point where we've just been waiting for it to stop. We have been waiting for it to calm down so we can move on with our plans. Thankfully God showed us today that by waiting, the enemy has found success. He has kept us from the purpose we are here for. We also realized that we have the biggest umbrella ever in the arms of God and there is no need to be scared by a downpour of rain.

It's time to move out and start fighting for the victories we came for. As we are here fighting, I ask for your prayers. Specifically for Almas who had his passport stolen on the way to the Indian Embassy yesterday. Pray for Etu who is recovering from a strained thumb. And please pray for me as I have never felt such a series of personal spiritual attacks like this. Pray that we would all focus on God more than anything else right now! Thank you!!!

Love Pains

I have spent just over 2 months with 7 other people. We have been through a lot. We've claimed victories and learned from hard times, and we have done it together. We are a family. Any family I've ever been a part of always seems to experience growing pains. This family hasn't been any different.

Recently, I've been struggling as I am facing one of those family growing pains. It seems I can't show love the way I know how. Everytime I try, I am left feeling shunned and rejected. My intention is to help out of love, but it's received as an insult. I have been so frustrated. I care, but I feel hated for caring. I try to express, but I feel misunderstood. Time after time, I walk away feeling rejected. I am frustrated. I can't do anything right it seems. This has been a struggle for me since day 1, but I am reaching a new breaking point. I am feeling too rejected and so torn down. I don't even have a desire to try any more. I am tired and losing the energy to overcome it. Forget love, just get me through this.

Today, as I went to church with this burden, God showed me something incredible. He showed me how much He loves me....how much he has ALWAYS loved me, even when I didn't accept His love. Jesus came to this world in love. Jesus came to save us and express His incredible for us. Jesus came to a world who rejected this love. Talk about pain. Not only did the world reject the love, we beat Him and crucified Him for it. Yet He loved us through it all. Luke 23:34.

I know and never doubt Jesus' love, but I don't always accept ALL the ways He love me. I pick apart my appearence or my character rather than accepting and standing in the confidence of who God created me to be. I turn to coffee or milk for comfort instead of seeking Him. I also think of that nations of people who don't know or accept Jesus. Talk about rejection and hurt. Yet His love never changes. He wants so badly for His children to know and accept this incredible love. He never for a minute compromises it. His love is unfailing.

With all that in mind, hurting over a few people doesn't seem so painful when I think of the whole world that's on Jesus' heart!

Umbrellas and Fist Fights

I intended to post a wonderful update tonight, but I just can't seem to focus. I am filled with a righteous anger. Earlier this evening, I was met by two young men who executed a seemingly planned attack in the middle of the street. As we crossed paths on the sidewalk, the two of them successfully grabbed me in all three of my most forbidden areas. Although I claim a righteous anger, I didn't react in a righteous way. I turned around and walked up to them, yelled a few things about respect, and then punched one after he responded, "Sex me." I'm glad Lisa knows her umbrella can do more than keep the rain away.

I am angry, and I know I should have done things different. I know my response could have created a bigger problem. I didn't think, I just reacted. I was taught to stand up for myself, and that's what I thought I was doing. My pride kept me from just walking on. It's so frustrating that stupid things like this take away freedom. Because of this, I have to take even more caution. Because of this, I have to depend more on others in my personal time. Because of this, I have no way of 'getting away.'

Our team is doing some painting at the Salvation Army. This place is filled with girls who have been raped (usually by their own family members). The courts send them there to provide a safe place for them and the babies. A safe place, but a prison in a sense, and all because of NOTHING they did. Now they have to adjust to a new life. They have to deal with the hurts, pains, and bitterness with complete strangers. I have a new burden for them after tonight.

Please do not worry about me. Please do not feel sorry for me. Instead, PRAY. Pray for Lisa, Etu, and my protection. Pray for all the girls in Sri Lanka. And as angry as I am, I ask you to also pray for the men that cause these pains. I will join you in that final prayer tomorrow after I work on forgiveness.

Snakes, Spiders, and God

Our team is back in the big city of Colombo. God was faithful and protected us from all poisonous spiders and snakes. As we spent 2 weeks in a village outside of Kurunegala, we now understand this place is filled with more thans just spiders and snakes. We learned that a strong presence of God dwells there as well.

God led us to all sorts of people with all sorts of needs and prayer requests. It was a time of encouraging new and old Christians. We saw how God uses our prayers in powerful ways and learned how important it is to stay sensative to the Holy Spirit's leading. My favorite experiences always come from home visits. One night, we went to a home to pray for a young girl who had become very sick and was left with a mentally sickness. It was a family of new Christians. As we were praying, some of us felt a need to walk through the home and bless each room. The family eagerly agreed. Through doing all this, we realized that the family still had Buddhist strongholds in the house. We were able to educate the family and encourage them to put all faith in Jesus. I love the ways God leads us!

Another house we visited required us to take a 30 minute hike up the mountain. We were warmly welcomed and found most of the prayer requests were directed toward broken marriages. One woman asked us to pray for her husband who is the area's leader of a group that worships satan. Later, as we were traveling back down the mountain, we ran into this woman again. This time she was with her husband, and he allowed us to pray for him! There was a language barrier, but we saw a change and believe God softened his heart as we prayed in Jesus' name. I love the way God leads us!

As I reflect on all these experiences, I am so encouraged in my personal walk. It's time for me to start seeking God as I make decisions regarding my next step. Where is God leading me after this experience? So many times, i feel so blind. I want to see my path, I want to see my destination, but I don't see anything. I reflect on these two experiences and see that God's ways are so much more perfect than mine. We went to a house to pray for a sick child and God used us to cleanse the house of idol worship. We went to the mountain to encourage Christians, and God also used us to pray for a leader of another false religion. Just when I think I think I know where I am going and my purpose, God shows me He has so much more in store for me.

I've decided that it is o.k. to walk blindly as long as I am following the One who knows the way.

Village Life in Sri Lanka

Today I learned a lot about village culture in Sri Lanka, mostly about the tradition of celebrating young girls’ body changes that allow childbirth. Today we went to a puberty party for a 12 year old girl. I got the honor of shopping for a gift for her. I made a fool of myself in the city, trying to figure out what is a normal gift for this kind of thing. “Not birthday……Pu-ber-ty.” “Little girl, body changes, now woman. Celebration.” It’s so funny to think of the cultural differences. When I got my ‘womanhood,’ I cried and hid in my room for three days. It was my big secret until a year later when I finally accepted it as normal. Now my ‘womanhood’ is assumed, but it is still my monthly secret. In Sri Lankan villages, a girl’s newfound womanhood is broadcasted to the community and a big feast is held for everyone to come and celebrate. It is a celebration of the ability to have children, which is a good reason to celebrate. I think I’ll keep it my secret until I have a baby, then I will celebrate.

Another thing about Sri Lankan village life: Tarantulas. Yes, they are monthly visiters to the house we are staying at. A month ago, the man of the house caught one in their bedroom. Even a month after death, he warned us not to touch it as the hair may still be poisonous. Knowing I sleep with huge, hairy, poisonous spiders makes sleeping on the cement floor so much more comfortable. I can’t even bring myself to tell you about the snakes. Let’s just accept one creepy creature at a time.

Old MacDonald had some..... LICE

EIEIO.......

First, i want to thank you all for the prayers and encouragement in my time of 'homesickness.' I am strengthened and doing so much better!! Instead of fighting homesickness, i have began my fight against lice. I declare it a priviledge to have it. Although I am the only member on the team thus far to collect it, i use it as a trophy to say that i loved the kids at Shechem (the foster day care) the most.

We have moved now from Colombo to a village area up the mountain of Sri Lanka. I must say that this may be my only chance to update for a few weeks. We have begun some village ministry, including laying cement for a 40 foot water well. Today, we were part of a 3 hour sunday service where we experienced the LIVING JESUS. In Jesus name, a demon was cast out, and eye was opened, healing began in a painful knee, peace was brought to a woman in a hard situation, and we believe Jesus is still at work as we prayed for many other things. God is so good.

I have so much to say, but I must catch the last bus out of the city into the true boon-dogs. Thanks again for all your prayers. I love you all!! God Bless.