Happy New Year 2008!
It's been a busy week. I have been sick. I helped with the Christmas meal. I taught the Christmas story to the 3 children's clubs. And I moved into my apartment. I’ve been cleaning and organizing. It’s nice to have space. The dust and lack of sleep this past week made me a little sick (sore throat), so pray that the Lord heals my body, because January 2-6, my team is going on a river trip to minister to 3 communities with an American mission group. I pray God’s blessing on you. Have a Happy New Year! Love in Christ, Rachel
PS. Thanks to those who have mailed me cards and little packages to my Post Office Box. It means the world to me--Josue likes to go to check the PO for me, and is happy when he gets something in the mail!
Updates, poems, and stories of Rachel's missionary journey.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Happy New Year 2008!
I hope you had a Merry Chrismas. I spent it well--although I was sick and in the hospital the weekend before, but God gave me strength to teach at the three children´s clubs the Story of Christmas--it went really well, we have about 150. Thanks for the extra support you sent to help with presents and food. I am feeling better. I have moved into an apartment with a living room, bath, kitchen, bedroom, and patio. I bought a bed (I didn´t own one before). It feels good to be more settled and organized. My dad´s brother, who had kidney cancer, died Christmas Eve, so this has been a difficult year altogether. I look forward to the New Year. I am going on a river trip to do mission work January 2-6 with my team. Thanks for continued prayers for my health, heart, work, and relationship with Josue, who is fine--busy, and a big support to me. Blessings.
I hope you had a Merry Chrismas. I spent it well--although I was sick and in the hospital the weekend before, but God gave me strength to teach at the three children´s clubs the Story of Christmas--it went really well, we have about 150. Thanks for the extra support you sent to help with presents and food. I am feeling better. I have moved into an apartment with a living room, bath, kitchen, bedroom, and patio. I bought a bed (I didn´t own one before). It feels good to be more settled and organized. My dad´s brother, who had kidney cancer, died Christmas Eve, so this has been a difficult year altogether. I look forward to the New Year. I am going on a river trip to do mission work January 2-6 with my team. Thanks for continued prayers for my health, heart, work, and relationship with Josue, who is fine--busy, and a big support to me. Blessings.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Merry Christmas 2007!
God is never in a hurry but spends years of preparation with those He expects to greatly use.
Just as God spent many years preparing the world for Jesus’ arrival, and just as He is preparing His children for our eternal Home, He continues to prepare me for His purposes. It’s hard to remember that His highest purpose for me is to know Him and obey Him, not to save souls—although that is my calling and the desire of my heart. I know He is doing a good work in me, and I will hold on to hope.
It has been a sad year for me, overall, due to my dad’s battle with cancer and death. I am returning slowly into my work with the children’s ministry. To have a routine for the next year, I am in the process of getting a job (and a work visa) to teach English part-time at a private institute. Another change I’m taking to help me emotionally is to move to a small apartment close to the institute and to Josué’s house. It is in a nicer, quieter part of town. It has its own entrance (helpful in storing the motorcycle). For safety, the windows and doors are barred and there is a night guard. And I’ll have more space: living room (to teach English classes), kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and back patio (to hang a hammock and stargaze at night!). I will have telephone and Internet access, which will help me connect more to my friends and family in the States. If I get the job, it will pay the extra $100 per month I’m spending on the apartment that is not covered by my present budget.
Meanwhile, Josué and I along with our team are ministering weekly with the children’s clubs. On December 22, 23, and 24, we will host a party for each of our three clubs (more than 100 children)—the Christmas story; a Christian children’s dance group (Vasti, Josué’s niece, is in that group); songs; games; a special meal of chicken, bread, and hot chocolate; and gifts for each kid.
I will be celebrating Christmas with Josué’s family, which will be a turkey meal with a few shared gifts. I ask for prayer for my emotions and health, and for wisdom in Josué’s and my decisions. God bless you. Thank you for your monthly support, emails, and prayers.
Have a blessed Christmas! Love in Christ, Rachel :)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” –Jesus (John 14:27)
God is never in a hurry but spends years of preparation with those He expects to greatly use.
Just as God spent many years preparing the world for Jesus’ arrival, and just as He is preparing His children for our eternal Home, He continues to prepare me for His purposes. It’s hard to remember that His highest purpose for me is to know Him and obey Him, not to save souls—although that is my calling and the desire of my heart. I know He is doing a good work in me, and I will hold on to hope.
It has been a sad year for me, overall, due to my dad’s battle with cancer and death. I am returning slowly into my work with the children’s ministry. To have a routine for the next year, I am in the process of getting a job (and a work visa) to teach English part-time at a private institute. Another change I’m taking to help me emotionally is to move to a small apartment close to the institute and to Josué’s house. It is in a nicer, quieter part of town. It has its own entrance (helpful in storing the motorcycle). For safety, the windows and doors are barred and there is a night guard. And I’ll have more space: living room (to teach English classes), kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and back patio (to hang a hammock and stargaze at night!). I will have telephone and Internet access, which will help me connect more to my friends and family in the States. If I get the job, it will pay the extra $100 per month I’m spending on the apartment that is not covered by my present budget.
Meanwhile, Josué and I along with our team are ministering weekly with the children’s clubs. On December 22, 23, and 24, we will host a party for each of our three clubs (more than 100 children)—the Christmas story; a Christian children’s dance group (Vasti, Josué’s niece, is in that group); songs; games; a special meal of chicken, bread, and hot chocolate; and gifts for each kid.
I will be celebrating Christmas with Josué’s family, which will be a turkey meal with a few shared gifts. I ask for prayer for my emotions and health, and for wisdom in Josué’s and my decisions. God bless you. Thank you for your monthly support, emails, and prayers.
Have a blessed Christmas! Love in Christ, Rachel :)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” –Jesus (John 14:27)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Hope
Death is a birthing canal into a greater part of the same life. Truly as a baby exits the womb. The baby is the same person before and after but living in two distinct worlds. We all die. And we all live forever. Can a man shorten his days? They are in God’s hands. One must be hopeless to take his life. With even a spark of hope, one lives. Each of us has the Spirit of God breathed into us. It’s what makes us different from animals. The greatest joy is assurance of eternity from the day of salvation. Even in my despair concerning the death of my daddy, whom I miss so much, I believe. I believe in God, in His love, in His control, in Heaven. I believe my daddy is there with God. I believe I have a purpose. I believe I have been chosen as His daughter. I believe I have been called to serve Him all the days of my life. Today, 2 months after the death of my daddy, I mourn, I weep, I grieve from the deepest part of my soul. But I am not without hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope.”
Prayer Requests:
a new apartment where I can get better rest
my relationship with Josue
health (feeling a little sick: stomach, back)
safety (in house, on motorcycle)
Christmas ministry with the kids (additional money to provide food and gifts)
Death is a birthing canal into a greater part of the same life. Truly as a baby exits the womb. The baby is the same person before and after but living in two distinct worlds. We all die. And we all live forever. Can a man shorten his days? They are in God’s hands. One must be hopeless to take his life. With even a spark of hope, one lives. Each of us has the Spirit of God breathed into us. It’s what makes us different from animals. The greatest joy is assurance of eternity from the day of salvation. Even in my despair concerning the death of my daddy, whom I miss so much, I believe. I believe in God, in His love, in His control, in Heaven. I believe my daddy is there with God. I believe I have a purpose. I believe I have been chosen as His daughter. I believe I have been called to serve Him all the days of my life. Today, 2 months after the death of my daddy, I mourn, I weep, I grieve from the deepest part of my soul. But I am not without hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, “But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope.”
Prayer Requests:
a new apartment where I can get better rest
my relationship with Josue
health (feeling a little sick: stomach, back)
safety (in house, on motorcycle)
Christmas ministry with the kids (additional money to provide food and gifts)
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