Here in the Waiting with Jesus

Today is a little hard, but Jesus and I are making it together. I rejoice in Him and He really is worth waiting on. When the time comes I will go to Haiti. Meanwhile I watch and pray...I don't want any other Lover.

The words I got for the Haiti team can be found in John 14:
¹²"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
¹³"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
¹⁴"If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."
How powerful is that? May that team (which left today) call on Jesus' name together. I will be calling out on thier behalf too, every morning at 6 AM. May they have grace and strength, know His peace and let their hearts be broken. May they be opened to how much we need Jesus, and then find in Him strength.

The Love of God

So much GOOD is happening...

I've never been in a place in my life before where so many people have spoken into me. I guess I've lived out my faith so much of the time in a very American way--in that it has always been individualized and all about me--now something is shifting. I don't neglect meeting with God alone on my own...but times of community worship and just being with people are helping me grow in knowing God in ways I never thought possible. For example, I meet a woman named Krista (and kept seeing her everywhere) who has been a missionary in Mongolia--she'll probably read this, Hi Krista!--and when I gave my testimony last Monday, she was so incredibly encouraging. I spoke about being in Haiti and the helplessness while you're there that can overwhelm you. I only lived in that for three weeks--she's been living in that for more than two years! I can't imagine...but it created such a strength in her and a reliance on God. She said she was encouraged by my testimony, but I am far more encouraged by her and her choice to follow God even when it was so hard...she has such a faith.

And that's just one source of encouragement: I feel as though I am literally surrounded by people who keep telling me what they see in me and what they see in my future, who sit with me as I cry though those deep woundings in my heart. It's just so amazing. I'm crying right now as I type it. God is so good...because around this time last year, I had no one speaking into my life--it was so lonely. And now...

It makes me wonder what is ahead. God knows going to Haiti will be hard...hearing from my friends when they get back from their mission trip to haiti this spring break will be hard. My heart will be broken again, I can feel it. God is so good, He's such a guider and a provider. He prepares me for what is ahead of me.

Watch this video of Haitians worshipping. I love them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7bc1b2B3Y

A nation following after God...that is the dream (turning into a conviction) in my heart :)

I keep looking up videos about Haiti on youtube...

Today I typed in "haiti joy" and these are two videos I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRn1JtkQV8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH77vicTfrg

My heart is stirred within me.

Something is going on at my school, the likes of which I've never seen. I live in Redding and Bethel is near our school. Some of their students live on our campus and we've been meeting with them lately: worshipping and praying together, praying for each other. Crazy stuff spiritually...I used to be afraid of all of that--but Jesus is changing me. I want to know Him for all that He is, not just my itty-bitty version. I know that He will protect me and guide me in this time and I trust Him.

More to come...because there is always more of Jesus to be had!!! Revival...reconciliation...God on the move--we are seeing it in Haiti and in our hometown. God is so good!

Haiti...stretching out their hands to Jesus

Haitians surprise me every time!

After I wrote the last post, I ran into some videos about Haiti and a three day fast that went on their recently...I love to hear them sing--that's how I remember them best, singing in church...so to hear a whole city singing was something else altogether for me. Literally everything stopped in that country for three days while they had a time of fasting and prayer. Unbelievable, especially since this is the time of year when they should be having Carnival (which is the original Mardi Gras). Instead, they were seeking God...

My soul is at rest in God. It feels so weird to not have turmoil, but so good. I am ina place where I just trust Him and I trust His plans and His love for me.

They need teachers in Haiti! Lord, send me!

Oh, but I have so far to go...I must learn how to teach in English first and learn Haitian Creole...but...it feels like I'm on my way somewhere, and that is so good.

A group from my school will be traveling to Haiti this spring break. I went to one of their team meetings and was so blessed to be around them, to see the faces of people who will go to the country I love...May your love be so deeply in them that the Haitian people (or anyone they encounter) will feel that love and be transformed by it. You at work through your people--and probably in ways they never expected...

We love You, Lord. We love the way You work.

Check out these videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/kgroder#p/u/4/7mEeGgQRta4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ChGU5LgTSU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ex5UqAU33I

Okay and definitely watch the part in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdXqguIA5Z8

where the Haitian (pastor?) speaks...so good!!! To hear from their mouths what God is doing and how they are turning to Him...wow...now words--God is bringing His new birth for them!!!