*Written yesterday, 07-16-2011*
Yesterday we flew from Jeremie to Port au Prince and were able to visit a crush. Over 50 children ages 6 months to 12 years wait patiently for their adoptive parents to pick them up. It is a stark contrast to the orphanage we served at all week. They use toilets instead of latrines, have air conditioning, are free of scabies and worms, and even spend time in a luxury swimming pool. The home is designed to get the children ready for life in the United States and I think it probably does a good job.
Last year when I got home, my mom asked me if I had wanted to bring home a dozen of the precious children I'd met over the week. I had said no, simply because the smiles on the faces of the orphans in Jeremie were and are so much more genuine then the ones on our American faces. Now, I still feel the same way. I don't want to bring them to the US, but I do want to parent them, to care for them, and to love them. God has called me to.
On Monday morning, I will begin preparing to return to Haiti for an extended period of time. I'm still not sure what God's whole plan for me and Haiti is, however, I do know that He will shut the doors to the path He doesn't want me to take and open others. He will never present to me anything I can't handle. In HIM I find my strength.
I write this blog from 31,000 feet. We are somewhere above Texas. When we land, I will tell my family of what God has called me to do this week. I must admit, I am scared. I know I may meet some resistance. But if God is for me, who can be against me?
God is for you too. PLEASE, let Him in! Let Him fight your battles. Let Him change your heart. Let Him take control. He wants a relationship with you, not just your belief that He exists. Even demons believe He exists yet, they will not inheirit the Kingdom of Heaven...are you headed for the same destination?
The hands I am typing with are covered in scabies. No one else on the trip has them and as I am typing this, God is revealing to me that this is the sign I have been praying for all week. Though they are itchy and look like leprosy, I can only rejoice in this. Why, you ask? Because God has once again used an illness to show me His will. Just like He did when I was diagnosed with epilepsy my junior year in high school, God has directed my feet to the path He has chosen for me. By being diagnosed with epilepsy, God directed me to missions work. And now, with scabies, God has directed me to heal the children who I played with all week, hugged on, and contracted scabies from. I now know what these children feel like everyday. God wants me to fix that.
Pray for me as I start my journey. Pray for my family as we adjust to what God has done in my life. Pray for El Shaddai Ministries as they consider allowing me to work alongside them in Haiti. But most of all, PRAISE GOD for calling me to be His hands and feet.
In Christ,
Lisa
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has annointed me to preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengence of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
July 15, 2011 - Noon
Saying goodbye never gets any easier.
We just returned from our last few hours at the orphanage. Tear marks streak our face and red eyes hide under sunglasses. What an amazing week it has been.
Before we left, all the children gathered on the porch of one of the homes and said a prayer over us. With their hands hovering over our heads, they whispered words none of us could understand. Still, we could feel the presence of the Lord.
We weren't the only ones crying. Louna, my dear, sweet Louna, weeped as I whispered "Lisa renmen Louna" in her ear...I love you. Esterline, clinging to my neck, wiped the tears from my eyes with her tiny thumb. These are precious moments I will always remember.
My God is good. He has once again placed me in the midst of children who understand how much I love them, and even better, how much HE loves them. They truly understand the gospel and I have no doubt we will spend eternity in heaven together.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Lisa
We just returned from our last few hours at the orphanage. Tear marks streak our face and red eyes hide under sunglasses. What an amazing week it has been.
Before we left, all the children gathered on the porch of one of the homes and said a prayer over us. With their hands hovering over our heads, they whispered words none of us could understand. Still, we could feel the presence of the Lord.
We weren't the only ones crying. Louna, my dear, sweet Louna, weeped as I whispered "Lisa renmen Louna" in her ear...I love you. Esterline, clinging to my neck, wiped the tears from my eyes with her tiny thumb. These are precious moments I will always remember.
My God is good. He has once again placed me in the midst of children who understand how much I love them, and even better, how much HE loves them. They truly understand the gospel and I have no doubt we will spend eternity in heaven together.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Lisa
Thursday, July 14, 2011
July 14, 2011-Evening
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
With our last full day at the orphanage complete, our team sits exhausted. Several sit looking at pictures. Several sit blogging. Several sit packing. Several simply sit, doing nothing at all. We are all wiped and we are all wishing tomorrow was still a week away.
Tomorrow we will travel from Jeremie to Port au Prince by air. We will then have the privilege of visiting a crush, a halfway house for orphans being adopted by American families. We are all looking forward to seeing another side of Haiti.
We all got a big laugh tonight when Pastor Dony, the head of El Shaddai Ministries, came to visit. All week when the kids asked us for an item that we didn't have, such as candy or flavored water, they would respond with "you sheesh". The meaning? Stingy. We all enjoyed that Creole to English translation.
I was able to give one of the pillowcase dresses my grandmother made to Esterline today. Esterline is a four year old that weighs about twenty pounds...on a good day. In comparison to a healthy American child, Esterline looks half her age. She was so excited to receive that little dress. When she saw it, her eyes got really big and she immediately started taking off the tattered velvet maroon dress she had on. I will never forget the sweet "thank you" she whispered in my ear later this afternoon.
Pray for our team as we travel tomorrow to Port au Prince!
In Christ,
Lisa
Proverbs 16:3
With our last full day at the orphanage complete, our team sits exhausted. Several sit looking at pictures. Several sit blogging. Several sit packing. Several simply sit, doing nothing at all. We are all wiped and we are all wishing tomorrow was still a week away.
Tomorrow we will travel from Jeremie to Port au Prince by air. We will then have the privilege of visiting a crush, a halfway house for orphans being adopted by American families. We are all looking forward to seeing another side of Haiti.
We all got a big laugh tonight when Pastor Dony, the head of El Shaddai Ministries, came to visit. All week when the kids asked us for an item that we didn't have, such as candy or flavored water, they would respond with "you sheesh". The meaning? Stingy. We all enjoyed that Creole to English translation.
I was able to give one of the pillowcase dresses my grandmother made to Esterline today. Esterline is a four year old that weighs about twenty pounds...on a good day. In comparison to a healthy American child, Esterline looks half her age. She was so excited to receive that little dress. When she saw it, her eyes got really big and she immediately started taking off the tattered velvet maroon dress she had on. I will never forget the sweet "thank you" she whispered in my ear later this afternoon.
Pray for our team as we travel tomorrow to Port au Prince!
In Christ,
Lisa
July 14, 2011 - Morning
I am really excited for today. We have bundled up t-shirts, shoes, and undergarments to take to the kids. Since they rarely get NEW clothes, it will be like Christmas morning to them!
I spent a lot of time in prayer this morning. I prayed that God would reveal to me His purpose for me and Haiti. I'm scared of what He may be trying to tell me. I know that His plan is perfect, and that He will never present to me any situation that I can't handle. Still, I am afraid. I think that's normal when a big change is about to occur. I'm looking to HIM for security.
Are you?
Lisa
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
I spent a lot of time in prayer this morning. I prayed that God would reveal to me His purpose for me and Haiti. I'm scared of what He may be trying to tell me. I know that His plan is perfect, and that He will never present to me any situation that I can't handle. Still, I am afraid. I think that's normal when a big change is about to occur. I'm looking to HIM for security.
Are you?
Lisa
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
July 13, 2011
This posting is kinda all over the place and isn't eloquent at all, but it does show where my heart is right now.
There are moments in life where there is no question that you are in the midst of God's will for You. That's the way I feel when I am here. I've felt God whispering in different ways all week, and I've tried my very best to listen and heed His every word. Yet, I'm still not sure what He is trying to say and to be honest, I'm truly annoyed by it.
Today, while all the kids were enjoying their snack durning VBS, I saw something that startled me so much, I knew that it was God trying to talk to me. I just don't know what.
Louna, one of the older girls that I have gotten to know this trip, took her snack and carefully, making sure none of the other kids saw her, tucked it under her skirt and into her underwear for safe keeping. I could have burst into tears. Louna, precious Louna. Seeing kids trying to hide their food isn't abnormal, but this was heart wrenching. I don't know what else to say about it, nor do I have an explanation for my feelings.
We were able to organize the clinic pharmacy today and I was once again reminded how blessed I am to have healthcare in the United States. These kids need someone here with them who can treat their spider bites, infected lacerations, and urinary tract infections
This trip wasn't meant to be medical, yet I have taken care of numerous children each day. This trip wasn't meant to make me question my life in the US, but it has. This trip, well, this trip has me praying about my future.
Pray for me tonight and ask God to speak clearly to me about His plan for me and Haiti.
Please.
Until every orphan has a home,
Lisa
There are moments in life where there is no question that you are in the midst of God's will for You. That's the way I feel when I am here. I've felt God whispering in different ways all week, and I've tried my very best to listen and heed His every word. Yet, I'm still not sure what He is trying to say and to be honest, I'm truly annoyed by it.
Today, while all the kids were enjoying their snack durning VBS, I saw something that startled me so much, I knew that it was God trying to talk to me. I just don't know what.
Louna, one of the older girls that I have gotten to know this trip, took her snack and carefully, making sure none of the other kids saw her, tucked it under her skirt and into her underwear for safe keeping. I could have burst into tears. Louna, precious Louna. Seeing kids trying to hide their food isn't abnormal, but this was heart wrenching. I don't know what else to say about it, nor do I have an explanation for my feelings.
We were able to organize the clinic pharmacy today and I was once again reminded how blessed I am to have healthcare in the United States. These kids need someone here with them who can treat their spider bites, infected lacerations, and urinary tract infections
This trip wasn't meant to be medical, yet I have taken care of numerous children each day. This trip wasn't meant to make me question my life in the US, but it has. This trip, well, this trip has me praying about my future.
Pray for me tonight and ask God to speak clearly to me about His plan for me and Haiti.
Please.
Until every orphan has a home,
Lisa
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
July 12, 2011
When I arrived at the orphanage this morning, I immediately went to check on Joanne, the little girl who had the abscess above her eye yesterday. I was excited to find that the swelling had gone down even more and that she was playing with the other kids. Praise God! He truly is the ultimate Healer.
After another morning of VBS, and seeing Shelton play the air guitar to every worship song (he is an absolute hoot), I headed over to see the Mamas. As a gift for my trip, my sweet grandmother had organized the making of pillowcase dresses for some of the girls. needless to say, they were a big hit and the Mamas were excited to get them. I can't wait to see them on the girls!
These kids have come along way since being picked up in Port au Prince after the earthquake, however they still have a long way to go. Fights have been breaking out amongst some if the children, and they all seem to center around jealousy. Please pray for our team as we communicate the need for sharing and fairness to the kids. It's really been hard for us to have to discipline some of the kids, but as Caroline Hunter commented, "we have been called to love the orphans in their good moments and in their bad moments." So true.
Tonight, I remember the words to the song Gerald Trottman wrote with the kids the last time he was here.
Holy One, I believe, I will see Your face. I don't know where I'd be, without amazing grace You're everything, your all I need, I give my heart to You, Lord I surrender. You came to my rescue, Lord I surrender.
Are you surrendering to Christ?
Lisa
After another morning of VBS, and seeing Shelton play the air guitar to every worship song (he is an absolute hoot), I headed over to see the Mamas. As a gift for my trip, my sweet grandmother had organized the making of pillowcase dresses for some of the girls. needless to say, they were a big hit and the Mamas were excited to get them. I can't wait to see them on the girls!
These kids have come along way since being picked up in Port au Prince after the earthquake, however they still have a long way to go. Fights have been breaking out amongst some if the children, and they all seem to center around jealousy. Please pray for our team as we communicate the need for sharing and fairness to the kids. It's really been hard for us to have to discipline some of the kids, but as Caroline Hunter commented, "we have been called to love the orphans in their good moments and in their bad moments." So true.
Tonight, I remember the words to the song Gerald Trottman wrote with the kids the last time he was here.
Holy One, I believe, I will see Your face. I don't know where I'd be, without amazing grace You're everything, your all I need, I give my heart to You, Lord I surrender. You came to my rescue, Lord I surrender.
Are you surrendering to Christ?
Lisa
Monday, July 11, 2011
July 11, 2011
Today was INSANE. I prescribed my first medication and performed a minor surgery (if you can even call it that!)
Levensky felt better this morning, but by the time we got back to the orphanage, he had a fever of 101.
I simply was out of other options. Narrowing down the cause of his fever, I decided to try amoxicillin. I was able to explain to his "Mama" about the dosage with the help of Dou Dou and by the end of the day he seemed to be feeling better.
We started out the morning with VBS going really well and the children loving everything we had planned. Getting them to pay attention and sit still, however, was like trying to heard cats!
ESL classes came next and were a complete disaster. The interpreter, who had proposed to me during VBS, was more interested in showing HIS English skills than in helping the kids. By the end of the hour our team's nerves were completely shot. Looking back on the situation, it was really funny, but in the heat and language barrier, it didn't seem funny at the time.
Right before we were about to leave this afternoon, Erica brought a little girl to me with a large abscess over her left eye. It was so large that her eye was swollen completely shut. It looked like the source of the injury was a bite of some sort, but to be honest with you I wasn't completely positive.
I was scared that the pressure from the swelling would hurt her eye, so I made the decision to try and lance it. And yes, just like the IV, I had never done this before either. God gave me a sense of peace about it and my fear vanished. I knew that I had to help her and keep her eye healthy.
With Dou Dou and Erica by my side, all gowned and masked, I lanced the sore and drained the infection fluid. I couldn't believe how bad it really was and I grew very thankful that I had gone with my gut instinct. I went ahead and prescribed some amoxicillin for her to fight the infection, but honestly I'm not completely convinced it will do the trick. For those of you medical people out there, what are the symptoms of herpes of the eye, and what is the treatment?
It saddens me to say that I think this is even a possibility, but honestly with what these kids have been through, it wouldn't surprise me.
Keep her in your prayers as she battles this infection. Pray that God will heal not only her wound, but also her past.
In Christ,
Lisa
PS. On a brighter note, Dou Dou brought us Haitian bananas this morning...YUM!
Levensky felt better this morning, but by the time we got back to the orphanage, he had a fever of 101.
I simply was out of other options. Narrowing down the cause of his fever, I decided to try amoxicillin. I was able to explain to his "Mama" about the dosage with the help of Dou Dou and by the end of the day he seemed to be feeling better.
We started out the morning with VBS going really well and the children loving everything we had planned. Getting them to pay attention and sit still, however, was like trying to heard cats!
ESL classes came next and were a complete disaster. The interpreter, who had proposed to me during VBS, was more interested in showing HIS English skills than in helping the kids. By the end of the hour our team's nerves were completely shot. Looking back on the situation, it was really funny, but in the heat and language barrier, it didn't seem funny at the time.
Right before we were about to leave this afternoon, Erica brought a little girl to me with a large abscess over her left eye. It was so large that her eye was swollen completely shut. It looked like the source of the injury was a bite of some sort, but to be honest with you I wasn't completely positive.
I was scared that the pressure from the swelling would hurt her eye, so I made the decision to try and lance it. And yes, just like the IV, I had never done this before either. God gave me a sense of peace about it and my fear vanished. I knew that I had to help her and keep her eye healthy.
With Dou Dou and Erica by my side, all gowned and masked, I lanced the sore and drained the infection fluid. I couldn't believe how bad it really was and I grew very thankful that I had gone with my gut instinct. I went ahead and prescribed some amoxicillin for her to fight the infection, but honestly I'm not completely convinced it will do the trick. For those of you medical people out there, what are the symptoms of herpes of the eye, and what is the treatment?
It saddens me to say that I think this is even a possibility, but honestly with what these kids have been through, it wouldn't surprise me.
Keep her in your prayers as she battles this infection. Pray that God will heal not only her wound, but also her past.
In Christ,
Lisa
PS. On a brighter note, Dou Dou brought us Haitian bananas this morning...YUM!
July 10, 2011
July 10, 2011
*Due to internet trouble, this entry is posted one day late.*
Today was an eventful day, even though we had meant for it to be somewhat relaxed due to the Sabbath. We attended church with the orphans which once again was an amazing experience. It was a good reminder of how God here our EVERY word...no matter what the language, no matter what country we're worshiping from.
This afternoon we got to spend a couple of hours with the kids. While we were there, Lindsay Jurgeluks led me to a child who was extremely dehydrated. Pastor Louise's wife, a Haitian nurse, was setting up the supplies for an IV drip, so I assumed she had everything under control. I was wrong. She wanted me to start the IV! Even though I had never done it before, I decided I would at least try.
Now I bet you are expecting me to say..."I got it! Even though I had never started an IV in my whole life!"
Wrong! Haha. No, I didn't get the stick, but I'm blaming it on Levensky's shrunken, dehydrated veins and the "it's the best we have" waaaayyyy to large needle! :)
After the failed IV attempt, Erica and I decided that it would be best to bring Levensky back to the guest house with us to recuperate. When we got home, we were able to get him to drink some Pedialite and we let him take a much needed nap in the cool-er air. (No air can be considered "cool" in Haiti!) We also brought another orphan, Bobby, with us to keep Levensky company. Needless to say, we have all enjoyed hearing the sweet sounds of two four year olds echo through the house. Now, as I lay here, sweet Levensky sleeps by my side, and I am once again thankful that God has sent me to Haiti to care for his children.
Keep praying for our team,
Lisa
*Due to internet trouble, this entry is posted one day late.*
Today was an eventful day, even though we had meant for it to be somewhat relaxed due to the Sabbath. We attended church with the orphans which once again was an amazing experience. It was a good reminder of how God here our EVERY word...no matter what the language, no matter what country we're worshiping from.
This afternoon we got to spend a couple of hours with the kids. While we were there, Lindsay Jurgeluks led me to a child who was extremely dehydrated. Pastor Louise's wife, a Haitian nurse, was setting up the supplies for an IV drip, so I assumed she had everything under control. I was wrong. She wanted me to start the IV! Even though I had never done it before, I decided I would at least try.
Now I bet you are expecting me to say..."I got it! Even though I had never started an IV in my whole life!"
Wrong! Haha. No, I didn't get the stick, but I'm blaming it on Levensky's shrunken, dehydrated veins and the "it's the best we have" waaaayyyy to large needle! :)
After the failed IV attempt, Erica and I decided that it would be best to bring Levensky back to the guest house with us to recuperate. When we got home, we were able to get him to drink some Pedialite and we let him take a much needed nap in the cool-er air. (No air can be considered "cool" in Haiti!) We also brought another orphan, Bobby, with us to keep Levensky company. Needless to say, we have all enjoyed hearing the sweet sounds of two four year olds echo through the house. Now, as I lay here, sweet Levensky sleeps by my side, and I am once again thankful that God has sent me to Haiti to care for his children.
Keep praying for our team,
Lisa
Sunday, July 10, 2011
July 9, 2011
Wow. What an amazing day. After being delayed about an hour at Nashville International, we finally landed in Miami with only twenty minutes to spare. We were all pretty worried that we wouldn't make it, but our God is good and we were able to get to our gate just in time.
When we landed in Port au Prince, Dou Dou had plowed his way through customs and met us right at the gate. I was so happy to see him! (For those of you who don't know who I'm talking about, Dou Dou is the logistics specialist for El Shaddai Ministries...and is also our stand-in body guard! People joke that he is the Haitian Shaq.) After a few brief words with some "friends in high places" (since Dou Dou has the respect of everyone who knows him) we walked straight through customs. No line for us thanks to Dou Dou! A quick ride took us to a smaller airport where we all took a puddle-jumper to Jeremie...it feels so good to be home!
We had a chance to see the kids this afternoon before dinner. We walked all the way up the mountain in the rain to see them, but nothing was gonna stop us from seeing those kids. As we reached the top and came into view of the orphanage, they ran to us and several started yelling, "Lisa! Lisa! Bonswa!" It was the most delightful thing I have ever heard. I wasn't expecting them to even remember who I was, much less my name! They even asked where my father was and were saddened when I told them he wasn't with me this time. (Dad led our trip last summer.) I couldn't believe it. We truly had made an impact last summer.
With children all around me, stroking my face and playing with my hair, I sat down on the front porch of one of the houses. Three small children sat on my lap, two older kids hugging me, and one simply hanging onto my hand...Needless to say, I teared up. Not with saddness or even with "happy tears" as my mom always calls them, but with tears of gratitude.
I could be one of those children. I could be without a mom and a dad, trying my best to survive. I could be longing for affection and attention from someone I had only previously met once. I could be kissing the cheek of a stand in mom. IT. COULD. BE. ME.
Tonight, as I drift off to sleep and perhaps with a few more tears of gratitude streaking my cheeks, I will be praising God for where I was born. I will be praising God that He has burdened me enough to want to care for children who have no one else to love, or to love them back. I will be praising God for the tears I shed this afternoon and for the remembrance of how blessed I truly am.
God has a plan for Haiti. And somehow, I'm supposed to fit into that plan. Pray for me this week as I allow God to speak through me and TO me. Pray that I will be quick to listen to Him, and slow to speak. Pray that I will heed His every command.
Something tells me that God is about to make a big change in my life. I'm ready for it.
In Christ,
Lisa
When we landed in Port au Prince, Dou Dou had plowed his way through customs and met us right at the gate. I was so happy to see him! (For those of you who don't know who I'm talking about, Dou Dou is the logistics specialist for El Shaddai Ministries...and is also our stand-in body guard! People joke that he is the Haitian Shaq.) After a few brief words with some "friends in high places" (since Dou Dou has the respect of everyone who knows him) we walked straight through customs. No line for us thanks to Dou Dou! A quick ride took us to a smaller airport where we all took a puddle-jumper to Jeremie...it feels so good to be home!
We had a chance to see the kids this afternoon before dinner. We walked all the way up the mountain in the rain to see them, but nothing was gonna stop us from seeing those kids. As we reached the top and came into view of the orphanage, they ran to us and several started yelling, "Lisa! Lisa! Bonswa!" It was the most delightful thing I have ever heard. I wasn't expecting them to even remember who I was, much less my name! They even asked where my father was and were saddened when I told them he wasn't with me this time. (Dad led our trip last summer.) I couldn't believe it. We truly had made an impact last summer.
With children all around me, stroking my face and playing with my hair, I sat down on the front porch of one of the houses. Three small children sat on my lap, two older kids hugging me, and one simply hanging onto my hand...Needless to say, I teared up. Not with saddness or even with "happy tears" as my mom always calls them, but with tears of gratitude.
I could be one of those children. I could be without a mom and a dad, trying my best to survive. I could be longing for affection and attention from someone I had only previously met once. I could be kissing the cheek of a stand in mom. IT. COULD. BE. ME.
Tonight, as I drift off to sleep and perhaps with a few more tears of gratitude streaking my cheeks, I will be praising God for where I was born. I will be praising God that He has burdened me enough to want to care for children who have no one else to love, or to love them back. I will be praising God for the tears I shed this afternoon and for the remembrance of how blessed I truly am.
God has a plan for Haiti. And somehow, I'm supposed to fit into that plan. Pray for me this week as I allow God to speak through me and TO me. Pray that I will be quick to listen to Him, and slow to speak. Pray that I will heed His every command.
Something tells me that God is about to make a big change in my life. I'm ready for it.
In Christ,
Lisa
Friday, July 8, 2011
Less than 12 Hours Until Departure
For the past several days, I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I am taking two summer courses (one of which is elementary statistics...yuck) while working a part time job, teaching a 5th grade girls connect group class, and fitting in trips to camp and to Haiti...Needless to say, I am at this very moment quite frazzled. It's almost midnight and I have to be up by 6 to make it to the airport in time. So why, you ask, am I blogging? Well....
As I sit here packing my final bag, I keep running through a list I made weeks ago of items that I simply can't forget to take with me. Items such as certain medications (malaria medication of course!), a battery powered fan, my Bible, a flashlight, instant coffee. Items you simply can't get in Haiti. Though these have all made it successfully into my checked bag, there is one thing that I keep forgetting...
This item isn't necessarily something I need to pack, but it is something that I definitely need to take with me to Haiti. It's a simple thing called the armor of God. I find it really funny that for some reason, my mind races and races about the things that I would simply "die without" if they didn't make it with me to Jeremie, yet I have once again forgotten to put on all my spiritual armor before I venture out into the "real world".
Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 6, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to this , take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the Lord's people..."
I have my belt of truth buckled. The truth the the Lord loves His people and above all else wants them to love Him too. My breastplate of righteousness is ready to go. I know who I am in Christ. I know that I am perfectly blameless in His sight and that I can go to Him with any of my problems. My feet are ready and go in peace. They walk in the direction the Father is leading me. My shield of faith lays in my left hand, while my right hand holds the word of God. I am ready to protect and defend, not just myself, but others around me as well from the flaming arrows of the evil one. I am adorned with my helmet and I am ready to defend my faith.
Are you?
Don't forget your armor,
Lisa
As I sit here packing my final bag, I keep running through a list I made weeks ago of items that I simply can't forget to take with me. Items such as certain medications (malaria medication of course!), a battery powered fan, my Bible, a flashlight, instant coffee. Items you simply can't get in Haiti. Though these have all made it successfully into my checked bag, there is one thing that I keep forgetting...
This item isn't necessarily something I need to pack, but it is something that I definitely need to take with me to Haiti. It's a simple thing called the armor of God. I find it really funny that for some reason, my mind races and races about the things that I would simply "die without" if they didn't make it with me to Jeremie, yet I have once again forgotten to put on all my spiritual armor before I venture out into the "real world".
Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 6, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to this , take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the Lord's people..."
I have my belt of truth buckled. The truth the the Lord loves His people and above all else wants them to love Him too. My breastplate of righteousness is ready to go. I know who I am in Christ. I know that I am perfectly blameless in His sight and that I can go to Him with any of my problems. My feet are ready and go in peace. They walk in the direction the Father is leading me. My shield of faith lays in my left hand, while my right hand holds the word of God. I am ready to protect and defend, not just myself, but others around me as well from the flaming arrows of the evil one. I am adorned with my helmet and I am ready to defend my faith.
Are you?
Don't forget your armor,
Lisa
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