Line of Defense

Upon finding our home in Ireland, we quickly noticed that we had a strawberry patch already developed in the back garden. It was winter time, but the anticipation set in of what was to come. We researched what maintenance would be best for the kind of strawberry patch we had before Spring arrived. Slowly we began to see a change. First it was the buds of the flowers. Then came the blooms of the flowers, and finally the fruit!

Excitement of eating our very own strawberries was in all of the family. We watched the strawberries grow in size and darken in color. Plans of making strawberry jams, pies, breads were on the brain. The day arrived when we thought we would take our first pick.

We gathered a bucket to collect the strawberries and the family headed out only to find that the largest, most ripened strawberries were already eaten by none other than bugs! We stayed optimistic and thought maybe it was just these first few that we found. To our dismay, the bugs had the first pick long before our day of delight. Our reaction was to research what we could do now to the patch in hope of saving the strawberries to come. From what we could find, there really wasn't a good method of defense on our part with a strawberry patch low to the ground without using chemicals.

After a few days of this discovery, the thought came to mind, "How grateful I am that God has given His children the means to defend the enemy!" His Word is our line of defense. As we read the Word of God, we not only equip ourselves to fight against the enemy, we become more aware of the enemy before the fight. We do not have to live helpless awaiting the enemy to devour us. God has blessed us with His Word!! 

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

DREAM 2015

 After weeks of preparing, shopping and praying, we set off for DREAM 2015 last week. Kendra was asked to oversee the creche, which is similar to our nursery/preschool. She prepared the sessions for the 1-3 year olds. The overall theme of the conference was “Made for More”. There was a morning and evening session each day with a total of 5 sessions. 

Upon arrival, we quickly began unloading and setting up this “Creation” themed room for these little ones. We should’ve taken pictures of the before scene (meaning before the children arrived). With a team of 12 rotating throughout the sessions, we cared for, prayed for, played with, and had moments of teaching for 25 young hearts. 



How did it turn out? We didn't use every activity prepared for them. In fact, we weren't brave enough to bring out the colored rice, or many of the other sensory play items for fear of creating even more of a mess than we already had. We also weren't able to use every story board planned, or even have a time for songs each session. The story blocks that were made soon became presents to unwrap rather than blocks to stack during the first session. There was no schedule, and it may have even looked like chaos to some.

However, a verse came to mind in 1 Corinthians that says, "Let all that you do be done in love." It was a true pleasure for us to oversee this age group. The greatest highlight was giving parents the opportunity to engage in the worship service without being called. Each session we were able to call fewer parents. 

I can remember a time in ministry when I would've been frustrated at the situation. Thinking about all the hours of preparation, and walking away disappointed. I praise God for the growth He has done in me to walk away rejoicing for the gift we were able to give others. How rewarding it feels!!

WITH or WITHOUT

The above verse in Philippians has crossed my mind over the past couple of weeks several times. I would like to believe that I would be strong enough to say I am content in any situation; however, after walking along a refugee the past couple of weeks, I wonder how strong would I be?

For several weeks, I would see a particular lady at early morning prayer on Thursdays. She was obviously at the end of her pregnancy. It was the week that she was due when I found out she was a refugee from Nigeria, she didn't know anyone except a couple of people in the church, and this was her first baby. I would have never known these circumstances from her smile she had each time I saw her. She looked and sounded as if joy filled her life in every way.

When I began to investigate a little further, I found out that she was climbing 7 flights of stairs each time she went out, and she was to walk to the hospital when it was time for the baby. Her response was that it was good exercise. Once she had the baby, she was to travel to another town about an hour away for other instructions. I thought "oh, she'll go home and in a week or so, they'll move her." I was surprised to find out that she had a friend pack her belongings while she was in the hospital, and when she left the hospital she boarded a bus with her newborn and went to Portlaoise. 

I began to think of my own experiences with having a baby: how many visitors I had, how much baby stuff I received in showers, how all of our kids had a nursery, etc...My heart broke. This is not the first time I have seen lives with such little, and thought how blessed my life has been. Her story challenged me once again to be very grateful each and every day, and to share the goodness of God with others. 

God orchestrated this lady to go to Porlaoise where we were able to connect her with some other missionary friends and a great church. We are looking forward to hearing how she is doing over the next few months. 

To answer my question, how strong would I be? I know from Paul's next verse that we all can be strong in any situation...