Shh... A Secret

Can I tell you something? Several days ago I asked something of the Lord. I asked Him to open my eyes to see His love and to know His presence...and He answered.

I saw the Lord's unfailing love and redeeming power last week while visiting with sweet children who have suffered great injustice and have been rescued and who have fallen in love with their Savior, Jesus Christ.

I saw the Lord's generosity and sacrifice last week as a former student laid a gift hidden by crumpled notebook paper next to me before shyly running around a corner. As I unfolded the paper and beheld the treasure, a beautiful seashell, my heart broke. How could a child part with one of the very few things she could call her own and such a pretty thing at that? She could do so because of what she had been given. She knew that it doesn't matter what you have for yourself, it matters what you have to give.

I saw the Lord's hand last night while talking to a young woman at a church I've never been to before. A woman who has spent the last two years pouring her heart, soul and strength into people in a very rural area of Thailand. A woman who shared that she was so thankful for what we are doing because she has seen such a huge need for good education and knows how difficult it is to breach that gap.

I saw the Lord's love today as people from several cultures and languages gathered together once again to labor together in this vision of helping children break the cycle of poverty and oppression by sharing first and foremost the love and hope of Christ as well as good education and life skills.

I saw the Lord's heart and provision today when two of our former students, some of the reasons we do what we do, were riding a bike on our street as we were driving home. When we climbed out of the car after a long hot day, we were greeted by two smiling faces that I love but don't see every often. I was greatly encouraged after a conversion with them in Thai during which I both understood and was able to ask questions. It was a huge gift, as I often feel confined in my lack of ability in the Thai language.

I saw the Lord's power today when our landlady removed one of the idols on her property, where our school is located. Such an act requires faith that bad spirits will not be angered and therefore lash out. (Please pray for their protection against Satan and spiritual attacks as that is something we do face here. We desire that as the community sees her act they will come to question their idols and their "power". We also desire that this act lead to a profession of faith in Christ and a changed life.)

I'm overwhelmed by the Lord and His goodness. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to see where you are...surrounding me.

The Steadfast Love

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,

His mercies never come to an end,

They are new every morning,

New every morning,

Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord,

Great is thy faithfulness.

On several recent occasions this song has brought tears to my eyes. One being when five Thai children who had been through some of the worst situations I can think of sang this song in Thai as a farewell to their English teacher. I can't even convey in words the sweetness of their voices proclaiming the steadfast love and faithfulness of their God in light of the circumstances of their lives.

The second time this song has caused tears was earlier this week. The last two weeks have been awful, words cannot describe the pain and frustration that overcame virtually our whole team. It was as though we were knocked down in a fight and as we struggled to get up we were hit again and again. Almost all of our deepest hopes were met with painful disappointment. Everyday was a new circumstance that just caused us to say "WHY?"

The battle I have struggled with is believing in who God is more than in what I can see. I can clearly see pain, disappointment, doubts, and fear. But I can not clearly see God as my loving Father and the giver of good gifts. I was reading James 1:2-3 where it is written that we must consider it all joy when we face various trials because the testing of our faith produces endurance. I was thinking about faith as the conviction of truth, the truth that all I am is dependant on Christ. In the midst of these trials that threaten to tear me apart...do I believe that Jesus Christ is good? Do I believe that His love is unending and unfailing? Do I believe that He is faithful to accomplish His good purpose?

In stormy circumstances truth is not always seen and certainly not always felt. However, I am reminded and choose to believe...

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end,
They are new every morning,

New every morning,
Great is thy faithfulness oh Lord,

Great is thy faithfulness.