It's Tuesday afternoon and we've just come in from clinic. The rain has just started on time as usual. This morning the three interns left with Bro. Matt to go on an outreach to Hoiti. I'm staying back to get in the swing of things in clinic. Andrew and Rachel flew out early Monday morning so now I'm taking care of their dog. I think she is finally starting to like me.. or maybe it's just the food I give her.
Last weekend we went tubing down the river here, and even jumped off a waterfall. I won't tell you how small it was. We came home to find out a man was being carried here, after having cut his leg on accident. When Rachel got to the last stitch, she asked if I wanted to do it. She walked me through the whole process, and I did it! I guess you know you're a rookie when that gives you an adrenaline rush ;)
On Sunday, just about everyone went to Aminawa for the baptism service. There was a great crowd. Lots of people came to watch, and got to hear the gospel. It was a blessing to see young and old alike publicly showing their commitment to follow Christ. How wonderful it was to be there with this church for such an exciting time. Afterwards, a family had made an enormous amount of greens, kao kao, and bananas for us. I'm pretty sure they made enough for the entire village. We left from there to hike towards Benjamin's home. We visited with him for a while mostly just listening. Sometimes that's all that's necessary. They pulled out his guitar and we sang together. Sometimes I forget how much music can refresh the soul. It was medicine for me. I hope it was for Ben.
Because of Him,
Faith
Monday, June 24, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
His Ways are Higher
Hey everybody!!
Sorry it's taken me awhile to blog. I'll try to catch you up on some of the highlights!
Usually flight stories are boring, but here goes mine. First of all, I had a list of things I was praying for before I left for this trip. One of which was to have someone to travel with. I was reading back through my journal before I left, thinking about how God had answered ALL of my prayers but this one. In LA, as I was waiting to board the plane to Brisbane, I overheard a girl say something about PNG. I went over and started talking to her, and turns out she and an entire group of college age students were on their way there to work with New Tribes. We ended up flying all the way to Port Moresby together from LA. On my flight into Brisbane, I sat by an Australian guy who helped me figure out what I needed to do once I got into the Brisbane airport (I would have been so confused otherwise.) I thought God didn't answer that prayer. He did, but not how I expected. His ways are just higher.
When we got to Kanabea a funeral was going on up in the cemetery. We pulled up to the hospital, and all you could hear were people sobbing and wailing. Mrs. Becky told me that the people believe that if you don't wail at someone's funeral that the spirit of the deceased will come back to haunt you. Thankfully some have received Christ as their Savior, and understand this isn't true. Pray that more will come to know Him, and be free from this spirit of fear and bondage.
While at Kanabea, we were waiting to bring little Boaz back to the clinic. Rachel S. had taken him there for more observation, after a large piece of fire wood had been accidentally dropped on him. He didn't look or sound good at all, but yesterday he was walking around. I think I even saw a smile on his face :) God is still a miracle worker. This place is a constant reminder of that.
This is my second night here and it feels like I was just here last week. While we were singing in church tonight, my mind was flooded with memories from last summer. I got to hug necks and shake hands that I thought I never would again. It was one of those "I think my heart my burst" sort of moments. I can't believe God brought me back. It almost doesn't seem real at times.
Part 2 from today:
This morning Lynn came over to teach Rachel W. and I some Pigin. I think my mind is full to overflowing with new words and phrases. We'll pick up next week, and each Thursday after that. I pray that I can catch on quickly.
We also had ladies meeting this morning. It's always one of my favorite parts of the week. Even though I'm still having a difficult time understanding everything that's said, it's good to just be with these ladies. I look forward to the weeks ahead with them.
Til next time!
Sorry it's taken me awhile to blog. I'll try to catch you up on some of the highlights!
Usually flight stories are boring, but here goes mine. First of all, I had a list of things I was praying for before I left for this trip. One of which was to have someone to travel with. I was reading back through my journal before I left, thinking about how God had answered ALL of my prayers but this one. In LA, as I was waiting to board the plane to Brisbane, I overheard a girl say something about PNG. I went over and started talking to her, and turns out she and an entire group of college age students were on their way there to work with New Tribes. We ended up flying all the way to Port Moresby together from LA. On my flight into Brisbane, I sat by an Australian guy who helped me figure out what I needed to do once I got into the Brisbane airport (I would have been so confused otherwise.) I thought God didn't answer that prayer. He did, but not how I expected. His ways are just higher.
When we got to Kanabea a funeral was going on up in the cemetery. We pulled up to the hospital, and all you could hear were people sobbing and wailing. Mrs. Becky told me that the people believe that if you don't wail at someone's funeral that the spirit of the deceased will come back to haunt you. Thankfully some have received Christ as their Savior, and understand this isn't true. Pray that more will come to know Him, and be free from this spirit of fear and bondage.
While at Kanabea, we were waiting to bring little Boaz back to the clinic. Rachel S. had taken him there for more observation, after a large piece of fire wood had been accidentally dropped on him. He didn't look or sound good at all, but yesterday he was walking around. I think I even saw a smile on his face :) God is still a miracle worker. This place is a constant reminder of that.
This is my second night here and it feels like I was just here last week. While we were singing in church tonight, my mind was flooded with memories from last summer. I got to hug necks and shake hands that I thought I never would again. It was one of those "I think my heart my burst" sort of moments. I can't believe God brought me back. It almost doesn't seem real at times.
Part 2 from today:
This morning Lynn came over to teach Rachel W. and I some Pigin. I think my mind is full to overflowing with new words and phrases. We'll pick up next week, and each Thursday after that. I pray that I can catch on quickly.
We also had ladies meeting this morning. It's always one of my favorite parts of the week. Even though I'm still having a difficult time understanding everything that's said, it's good to just be with these ladies. I look forward to the weeks ahead with them.
Til next time!
Friday, June 14, 2013
Before I leave
Just a few things I wanted to share before leaving..
To my parents.
-Thank you for letting me go. Although some people think you're crazy for letting me do this, I wouldn't be safer in America. Thank you for your willing heart. Thank you for your support. Thank you for letting me be obedient to God.
To my friends, my supporters, you are one in the same.
Thank you for your encouragement and your prayers. It means so much to have friends, a church, and family who are just as excited as you are!
To my God who always goes above and beyond.
-You are always faithful and never cease to amaze me. There were a few big things that needed to be taken care of before I left, and all of them have been. Tickets, check. Visa, check. NCLEX, check. You provided even in the midst of all my worries. You have given me the chance to go back. A chance I thought only came around once.
Please continue to pray with me as I leave tomorrow night, June 15. I can't wait to see how your prayers will change my life, and the lives of those in PNG!!
~ Faith
I Sam. 12:24
Please continue to pray with me as I leave tomorrow night, June 15. I can't wait to see how your prayers will change my life, and the lives of those in PNG!!
~ Faith
I Sam. 12:24
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
My Times are in Thy Hand
Days, Hours, Minutes. They keep getting shorter and shorter. 17 days until graduation. 4 years coming to an end in just a few short days. These years were so amazing, so difficult, so critical. It was now up to me to decide the path for my life. No more riding the coat-tails of my pastor and family. Now it was my decision to follow God.
Freshman year. Moving from a student body of 500, to one of about 10,000. Away from home, from family, from most things comfortable, and I was only an hour away from home. Embarrassingly enough, I was scared, and I strongly disliked my first semester. I had teachers who instilled the fear of God in me, and some who didn't fear God at all. I was awkward, and didn't know how to be a college student. I had fun don't get me wrong, but I would have rather been home. God was using this as a baby step to increase my faith. I was uncomfortable, and I needed him. That much I knew.
Sophomore year. On my own, in an apartment for three. I lived with my best friends, Julia and Ashley. Accustomed to the college routine, my life was easier. The friendships I had grew stronger and new ones were forged. My best friend got engaged and life was great. I figured out I could breathe, that I didn't have to be stressed all of the time. I was comfortable. I didn't seek God like I should have because I could do college on my own now. I applied for nursing school, certain I would be accepted. I had the good grades, the ACT score, etc, right? Wrong. God ripped my comfort out from under me again. You can read about this here. God was teaching me the importance of relying on him. To never succumb to self-sufficiency. He was teaching me to wait on him in more ways than one.
My prayer over the next few months was that God would continuously change my heart to be more like His. That He would show himself strong in my life. That I wouldn't take the credit for the things that God was doing in my life, or rather that it would be impossible to take the credit.
Junior year. First day. I'm at peace and trusting God's plans for this semester. I'm excited. I'm not in nursing school for a reason, and life is good. The phone rings. I go to nursing school the next day. I'm not sure what or how this happened, but I do know that I can't take credit for it. It was a God thing. The entire first semester was a constant struggle to keep my head above water. I daily had to give my fears of inadequacy up to God. Oddly enough this was one of the sweetest times I've had through college. I literally felt God holding my hand on most days. Through this daily process of seeking God just one day at a time, He surprised me with an opportunity to go to Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea was amazing. If you have spent any time around me over the last year, you've heard me talk about it. If you want to read about that, this blog is full of posts from PNG.
Senior year. At first confusion, frustration, and fear crippled me. I had just come home from one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and now I was back in a place where it seemed almost no one wanted to spend 10 hours talking to me about it. I was being selfish. I wanted to whine and complain that no one understood or even cared. I had forgotten about the people around me. My family, my friends, my class-mates, my hospital patients, and strangers. That's a tough lesson to learn. It's easy for me to have my planner all filled in, go about my day, and cross off the tasks as I do them. So I prayed for focus, but specifically focus on my Savior. Jesus never stuck to a planner, He sought out opportunities to minister. It's still something I have to pray about daily, and most times more than once a day.
For much of my senior year, I had no idea what I was supposed to do after graduation. Again, I had to learn to wait for God's answer. I finally decided that I would apply to jobs locally, work, save money, and see where God led next. Then an opportunity for me to return to Papua New Guinea arose. After prayer and counsel from my pastor, family, and friends the decision was made. I am going back. I am overjoyed. Of all people, I don't know why the Lord is giving me an opportunity to return. Someone recently prayed over my trip to PNG. They asked God to make me uncomfortable while I am there. At first I wanted to shout, "No! don't do that to me!" Then I realized comfort doesn't allow for growth. Why would I want to remain stagnant? To not be changed by the end of my time spent there? I am thankful for that prayer. It scares me, but ultimately it's what I need. What we all need really. To be uncomfortable. To be in a place where we can't do it on our own.
I am excited about the next few months. What comes after that? I'm not sure. If I had to guess? Waiting, trusting, praying, waiting, praying, trusting. And that's ok. I know it's not going to be an easy peasy life outside of college. It wasn't during college. I still have lessons to learn, and lessons to re-learn. I am dependent on Christ. My times are in His hand.
Freshman year. Moving from a student body of 500, to one of about 10,000. Away from home, from family, from most things comfortable, and I was only an hour away from home. Embarrassingly enough, I was scared, and I strongly disliked my first semester. I had teachers who instilled the fear of God in me, and some who didn't fear God at all. I was awkward, and didn't know how to be a college student. I had fun don't get me wrong, but I would have rather been home. God was using this as a baby step to increase my faith. I was uncomfortable, and I needed him. That much I knew.
Sophomore year. On my own, in an apartment for three. I lived with my best friends, Julia and Ashley. Accustomed to the college routine, my life was easier. The friendships I had grew stronger and new ones were forged. My best friend got engaged and life was great. I figured out I could breathe, that I didn't have to be stressed all of the time. I was comfortable. I didn't seek God like I should have because I could do college on my own now. I applied for nursing school, certain I would be accepted. I had the good grades, the ACT score, etc, right? Wrong. God ripped my comfort out from under me again. You can read about this here. God was teaching me the importance of relying on him. To never succumb to self-sufficiency. He was teaching me to wait on him in more ways than one.
My prayer over the next few months was that God would continuously change my heart to be more like His. That He would show himself strong in my life. That I wouldn't take the credit for the things that God was doing in my life, or rather that it would be impossible to take the credit.
Junior year. First day. I'm at peace and trusting God's plans for this semester. I'm excited. I'm not in nursing school for a reason, and life is good. The phone rings. I go to nursing school the next day. I'm not sure what or how this happened, but I do know that I can't take credit for it. It was a God thing. The entire first semester was a constant struggle to keep my head above water. I daily had to give my fears of inadequacy up to God. Oddly enough this was one of the sweetest times I've had through college. I literally felt God holding my hand on most days. Through this daily process of seeking God just one day at a time, He surprised me with an opportunity to go to Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea was amazing. If you have spent any time around me over the last year, you've heard me talk about it. If you want to read about that, this blog is full of posts from PNG.
Senior year. At first confusion, frustration, and fear crippled me. I had just come home from one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and now I was back in a place where it seemed almost no one wanted to spend 10 hours talking to me about it. I was being selfish. I wanted to whine and complain that no one understood or even cared. I had forgotten about the people around me. My family, my friends, my class-mates, my hospital patients, and strangers. That's a tough lesson to learn. It's easy for me to have my planner all filled in, go about my day, and cross off the tasks as I do them. So I prayed for focus, but specifically focus on my Savior. Jesus never stuck to a planner, He sought out opportunities to minister. It's still something I have to pray about daily, and most times more than once a day.
For much of my senior year, I had no idea what I was supposed to do after graduation. Again, I had to learn to wait for God's answer. I finally decided that I would apply to jobs locally, work, save money, and see where God led next. Then an opportunity for me to return to Papua New Guinea arose. After prayer and counsel from my pastor, family, and friends the decision was made. I am going back. I am overjoyed. Of all people, I don't know why the Lord is giving me an opportunity to return. Someone recently prayed over my trip to PNG. They asked God to make me uncomfortable while I am there. At first I wanted to shout, "No! don't do that to me!" Then I realized comfort doesn't allow for growth. Why would I want to remain stagnant? To not be changed by the end of my time spent there? I am thankful for that prayer. It scares me, but ultimately it's what I need. What we all need really. To be uncomfortable. To be in a place where we can't do it on our own.
I am excited about the next few months. What comes after that? I'm not sure. If I had to guess? Waiting, trusting, praying, waiting, praying, trusting. And that's ok. I know it's not going to be an easy peasy life outside of college. It wasn't during college. I still have lessons to learn, and lessons to re-learn. I am dependent on Christ. My times are in His hand.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
Last Friday night I watched one of my dearest friends get married. As they knelt to pray in the middle of the ceremony, I knew I was watching something far more beautiful than any love story out of Hollywood. My friends have allowed God to direct their paths, and by doing so He led them to each other.
Last Friday night I watched one of my dearest friends get married. As they knelt to pray in the middle of the ceremony, I knew I was watching something far more beautiful than any love story out of Hollywood. My friends have allowed God to direct their paths, and by doing so He led them to each other.
I have been friends with Hannah since we were both 14. Our friendship started at a youth camp,and has kept me sane throughout high school and college. It seems like we should still be staying up until 2 am wondering about who we would one day marry, making treks through Goodwill to find the craziest outfits, or ruining a spaghetti meal together. It has been such an honor to see God work behind the scenes in bringing Jacob into her life, and how through this adventure He has gotten all of the glory!
Although we will be missing you terribly in the months to come, I know you are right in the center of God's perfect plan for your life! I am so thankful for your friendship, Hannah! I am excited to see the rest of your story unfold :)
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Clouds of Faithfulness
Over the past few weeks God has been reminding me again and again to recall his faithfulness. He commands us in His word to do this numerous times. One example comes from Joshua 4, when the Israelites cross over the Jordan. He tells each tribe to take a stone from the river to have as a memorial, so they will remember that God was the one who parted the water for them.
Many of you remember being asked to pray for us this summer, as we attempted to fly from the mountains of PNG to the coast of Port Moresby. We waited for 2 days in thick cloud and fog coverage, and were finally able to fly out on the third day. All the glory be to God!
But, it wasn't until right before school started that God used our experience to teach me a valuable lesson ... Sitting in the middle of a cloud, that only allowed for 50 feet visibility, it seemed almost impossible that we would get a plane ride out. While we were waiting, I wondered numerous times, "God, are you going to get us out on time?" I had no idea what might happen, or the reason for the delay. My faith had to increase, and God had to show me that no matter what happened He would work it out for good.
On that third day, we were able see God's glory in a whole new light. I firmly believe had we gotten out on Tuesday that we wouldn't have appreciated his goodness as much. We wouldn't have seen the magnitude of His power had it been two days prior either. He wanted to show Himself strong in our lives. To show us personally how much He cares about us, and in turn cause our love for Him to increase. I realized it, as I was looking at a picture of me and my teammates waiting in the bleak fog. It was almost like God audibly said, "Faith, I am looking for someone who will be willing to wait on me, or to "sit through the fog" so that I can show myself "strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."
Right now, I am a senior in college with a future known only by God. Instead of, "are we gonna get out on time?" It's "God, what do you want me to do after I graduate?, Will I even pass my classes? Are you going to open the door for me to go back?" Just like He knew all along we would make it out on time, he knows the answers to all of these questions. While going through this "fog" I can't see the outcome, but I am learning to simply "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" knowing that His timing is best. I can look back on those three days, and many other times in my life as a memorial of God's faithfulness. He ultimately wants for us what will draw us closer to him, even if it means going through a little fog and cloud of uncertainty to get there.
Many of you remember being asked to pray for us this summer, as we attempted to fly from the mountains of PNG to the coast of Port Moresby. We waited for 2 days in thick cloud and fog coverage, and were finally able to fly out on the third day. All the glory be to God!
But, it wasn't until right before school started that God used our experience to teach me a valuable lesson ... Sitting in the middle of a cloud, that only allowed for 50 feet visibility, it seemed almost impossible that we would get a plane ride out. While we were waiting, I wondered numerous times, "God, are you going to get us out on time?" I had no idea what might happen, or the reason for the delay. My faith had to increase, and God had to show me that no matter what happened He would work it out for good.
On that third day, we were able see God's glory in a whole new light. I firmly believe had we gotten out on Tuesday that we wouldn't have appreciated his goodness as much. We wouldn't have seen the magnitude of His power had it been two days prior either. He wanted to show Himself strong in our lives. To show us personally how much He cares about us, and in turn cause our love for Him to increase. I realized it, as I was looking at a picture of me and my teammates waiting in the bleak fog. It was almost like God audibly said, "Faith, I am looking for someone who will be willing to wait on me, or to "sit through the fog" so that I can show myself "strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."
Right now, I am a senior in college with a future known only by God. Instead of, "are we gonna get out on time?" It's "God, what do you want me to do after I graduate?, Will I even pass my classes? Are you going to open the door for me to go back?" Just like He knew all along we would make it out on time, he knows the answers to all of these questions. While going through this "fog" I can't see the outcome, but I am learning to simply "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him" knowing that His timing is best. I can look back on those three days, and many other times in my life as a memorial of God's faithfulness. He ultimately wants for us what will draw us closer to him, even if it means going through a little fog and cloud of uncertainty to get there.
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| Just waiting :) |
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