Wednesday morning I woke up at a reasonable hour for the first time since being back from the States. Life is beginning to settle down into routine again.
For a while now the passages of the Bible that reference the Israelites' wanderings in the desert have been coming to mind. I've been thinking a lot about how, as the Israelites traveled, they would build altars in the places the would pass through to remind them of the things God had done. Not altars of sacrifice, but altars of remembrance.
Joshua 4:21-24 (ESV; emphasis mine)
21 And he said to the people of Israel,“When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Now. I am not really a journaler. I have gotten a little better at it. I write down thoughts from time to time. But I wanted to build an altar of remembrance here. To mark what God has done in the past year.
A year ago I bought a ticket. I packed my bags and I headed across the ocean. I left my home, my family, my friends. I landed in Germany. Preparing to start life all over again with people I didn't know. I was welcomed by people who cared for me even though they didn't know me. I was incredibly overwhelmed. My dog died within days of arriving. I had a mild panic attack in German class freaking out wondering what on earth I had done. I was suddenly aware of just how much I needed God.
And over the course of a year He has met my every need. Over and over again. I want you to know how the Lord is mighty. That you may fear him forever. I want to mark this place. I want to return to it and remember His goodness.
Over the past year I have chopped a million carrots. Washed countless heads of lettuce. Cleaned the stove or the sink or washed loads of dishes more times than I want to think about. And God was with me.
I have curled hair. Braided braids. Drove to shopping malls. And God was with me.
I have hugged girls who were homesick. I have been homesick. And God was with me.
I have helped with homework and I have been stumped by Algebra problems. And God was with me.
I have watched as girls who had never been to a standard school before struggled to feel competent. I have listened as girls learn that their parents are moving to another country and they won't get to go "home" to say goodbye to their friends. I have prayed as girls confessed doubts and struggles and sought to determine who God was to them.
In each moment, the mundane or the magnificent, God was there. Prompting me to walk in obedience. Guiding my heart. Showing me my pride. Reminding me of His power. This year I have struggled to find moments that "counted" But in looking back I see that all were important. Each moment is significant to my ministry here.
If you are reading this you are probably a supporter. Be that by prayer or finance, I have lived on your support the past year. The days when I was tired your prayers sustained me. Your kind words lifted my heavy heart.
In the coming year, I will need this support again. Prayerfully a million times over. In terms of finances, I recently received an email confirming what we had heard may be happening. Last year the German government passed a new minimum wage law. Due to this law I have to increase my support by a significant amount in order for my salary to meet that requirement. I currently raise around $1,800 each month. I have to increase my support to $3,200 each month. This number is overwhelming. But as He has been for the past year, I know God will be with me again. If you want to know more about supporting me financially please leave a comment so we can set up a time to talk.
I updated the blog a little bit, so check out the pages to the right!
For a while now the passages of the Bible that reference the Israelites' wanderings in the desert have been coming to mind. I've been thinking a lot about how, as the Israelites traveled, they would build altars in the places the would pass through to remind them of the things God had done. Not altars of sacrifice, but altars of remembrance.
Joshua 4:21-24 (ESV; emphasis mine)
21 And he said to the people of Israel,“When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Now. I am not really a journaler. I have gotten a little better at it. I write down thoughts from time to time. But I wanted to build an altar of remembrance here. To mark what God has done in the past year.
A year ago I bought a ticket. I packed my bags and I headed across the ocean. I left my home, my family, my friends. I landed in Germany. Preparing to start life all over again with people I didn't know. I was welcomed by people who cared for me even though they didn't know me. I was incredibly overwhelmed. My dog died within days of arriving. I had a mild panic attack in German class freaking out wondering what on earth I had done. I was suddenly aware of just how much I needed God.
And over the course of a year He has met my every need. Over and over again. I want you to know how the Lord is mighty. That you may fear him forever. I want to mark this place. I want to return to it and remember His goodness.
Over the past year I have chopped a million carrots. Washed countless heads of lettuce. Cleaned the stove or the sink or washed loads of dishes more times than I want to think about. And God was with me.
I have curled hair. Braided braids. Drove to shopping malls. And God was with me.
I have hugged girls who were homesick. I have been homesick. And God was with me.
I have helped with homework and I have been stumped by Algebra problems. And God was with me.
I have watched as girls who had never been to a standard school before struggled to feel competent. I have listened as girls learn that their parents are moving to another country and they won't get to go "home" to say goodbye to their friends. I have prayed as girls confessed doubts and struggles and sought to determine who God was to them.
In each moment, the mundane or the magnificent, God was there. Prompting me to walk in obedience. Guiding my heart. Showing me my pride. Reminding me of His power. This year I have struggled to find moments that "counted" But in looking back I see that all were important. Each moment is significant to my ministry here.
If you are reading this you are probably a supporter. Be that by prayer or finance, I have lived on your support the past year. The days when I was tired your prayers sustained me. Your kind words lifted my heavy heart.
In the coming year, I will need this support again. Prayerfully a million times over. In terms of finances, I recently received an email confirming what we had heard may be happening. Last year the German government passed a new minimum wage law. Due to this law I have to increase my support by a significant amount in order for my salary to meet that requirement. I currently raise around $1,800 each month. I have to increase my support to $3,200 each month. This number is overwhelming. But as He has been for the past year, I know God will be with me again. If you want to know more about supporting me financially please leave a comment so we can set up a time to talk.
I updated the blog a little bit, so check out the pages to the right!
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