Working for the Lord

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Col. 3:23, 24

This past week I was in Dallas for our first church group of the summer. To tell you the truth, it's kind of surreal being there now as a missionary, instead of an intern. It's exciting, but it's also intimidating. There's a new level of involvement and responsibility. So I find myself easily wanting to prove to myself and to others that I can handle it and do well in it. It can become a chase for approval. It's tiring and exhausting, because that's not how it's supposed to be.

I started out my week that way, wanting to have the approval of others and focusing too much on that. It quickly wore me down and my focus was off-track. But when I re-focused back to who I was working to please, the God who has brought me to work with TIME Ministries and who gives me the abilities to be effective, the striving to please others faded away. Yes, it's still there as a struggle not to fall into that trap, but when I remind myself of whom I'm working for, the approval of others just doesn't matter as much.

And so how did the week go with this group from Arkansas? Being that it's at a site that hasn't been used for week-long groups in a while, it went well. The group worked on painting a black gated-fence. It took longer than expected, but it also made the church's presence more visible with people out there working, and with a fence that looked new, it shows that the church is occupied and present in the community. The VBS that they did went quite well too. It wasn't a very big group of kids, but still a good amount, around 20 kids. The encouraging part to the VBS was that, according to the pastor, there were many there from the community that had not come to the church before. It was good to see God working that week and to be a part of it. My reward in serving the Lord Christ is far above the approval of others.

Change in Plans

I've more recently understood the words of James 4:15, "Instead you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" Plans are good to put in place, but it's still about following God where He has for you. This summer, I planned to go to Monterrey, Mexico to join with the TIME Ministries missionaries as the summer groups come in. However, due to a more recent up-rise in violence associated with the drug war, summer groups there have been cancelled and redirected to our other sites in Dallas and the Dominican Republic. The missionaries themselves there still feel safe, as the violence is only directed toward those involved in the drug war. However, after much thought and prayer, the decision was made not to bring the church groups into the area because of this shift in the area.

What does this mean for me and my "plans" then? Well, now I will be going to Dallas, Texas for the groups that will be there this summer, as well as to the Dominican Republic for three weeks in July for two or three groups that will be there. I will still be able to visit Monterrey for a short time in between groups one time this summer. Although this is much different than my original plans, I can see that this change in plans also brings about good opportunity. Through this, I will be able to see not only one, but two other TIME Ministries sites under operation. So, though this is different, I am looking forward to what God has in store for us through this summer. I truly do believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Rom.8:28)," and so I know that these plans are better than my own.

As far as long-term, my "plans" are still to move down to Monterrey as a full-time missionary with TIME Ministries when my support is ready. I am still trusting that this is the Lord's will for me, and so I will go "live and do this or that" in Monterrey when I am able and ready.

Missions Conference

Well, it's been a while since it happened now, but recently (about 2 weeks ago) I participated in a missions conference at First Federated, Des Moines, IA. And by participated, I mean I was one of the missionaries! I'm still not actually living on the mission field yet, but I've had my visits (last one in March for 3 weeks) and I've been involved for some 2 years now with TIME Ministries, so I was the missionary representing it at the conference (conveniently, being that I'm the one who lives in the area).

So what did this conference entail? For me, just two days, although the conference went the whole week. First, I set up a display in their fellowship hall with pictures of Monterrey that correlated with "5 reasons to get involved with TIME Ministries" (although I meant to put "5 reasons it's TIME to get involved). The reasons were: 1) Service, 2) Exciting Sight-Seeing, 3) Ministry, 4) A Vision of Missions & the World-Wide Church, and 5) Relationships and Changed Lives.

I was at the church then for their two services, each at which we were briefly introduced and four other missionaries shared a little. In between their services, I briefly spoke with the youth at their sunday-school class, along with two other missionaries.

Sunday night, I visited with one of the small groups and shared a good meal together and some time to share about my ministry and how God has been so good in my life in bringing me to be a part of TIME. There was also another missionary couple there, some Wycliffe Bible Translators from Papa, Indonesia. Did you even know there was such a place? I'd only heard of Papa, New Guinea, the other side of the island apparently. It was a rewarding and encouraging time.

Then lastly, on Wednesday night I headed back to the church for an international dinner buffet, with very good food (more than just tacos). I spent some time afterwards to speak with the youth group, shared along with some time of singing in Spanish, led by one of the local hispanic churches, and again other missionaries. It was nice to be able to be with them, especially as this church has a group going on a TIME trip this summer, where I'll see them again.

Something I really appreciated about this experience was simply that I was now on the other end of such a conference, being there as a missionary, instead of someone interested in missions. With this conference, as with every year they do it, the missionaries go to speak to various schools during the week. I used to every year be one of those teachers that would have a missionary come to speak in my class, and now this year, I was the missionary (although I didn't go speak to classes because I'm working). It was a neat reminder of how God has brought me to where I am today and how He will use my life as a blessing to others, as it is a blessing to me.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Well, I'm coming to the end of my stay here now in Mexico. I leave already on Tuesday. It's hard to think about leaving when I feel like I'm starting to establish myself here. But it will be good to be back in Des Moines, continueing to serve God's purpose for me there still.

I thought I would have updated more on this blog during my stay, but it easily gets busy and tiring here. A good way to sum up my time here is through a verse that came to mind one morning walking to the church: "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Ps.34:8) Through my visit I have gotten a taste of what's to come, and indeed, the LORD is good! I am so thankful for what God has done in my life to bring me here and what He has in store for me. I know there will be struggles too, and I got a taste of that as well, but I've seen how God helps me and encourages me.

And "campamento," the church's week-long retreat, went well. I ended up only being there essentially 2 full days, which was good, since even that got a bit tiring and overwhelming. The first day was a lot to process and take in and it did get overwhelming, but the next day I felt more relaxed and was encouraged through it all. My prayer for my time there was that I would be able to connect with the church. I feel God answered my prayer in that I now feel more comfortable with them and know more people. God is good.

I ask you please keep in prayer for me as I prepare to go back to Iowa, not only for safe travel, but also for settling back into my life there and as I use my time there in preparation for my eventual return to Monterrey.

Visiting in Mexico

Well, I had a fabulous time with my brother and his family. I made the trip yesterday down to Monterrey. The flights went well, though it was a long and exhausting day. On the last flight I ended up waiting in the airplane for some time before taking off because they had to fix a lighting problem. But, at the end of the day, I was here in Monterrey, Mexico.
It's kind of weird to be back again, especially now that I'm back as a missionary, although not on the official move yet, just a visit. It was weird to think last night that this is where I will be living. But exciting too. I look forward to my time here, both visiting now, and moving here later. God is full of blessings!

A break from the normal routine

Do you ever feel like you're going through the daily routine and you've lost sight of what you're doing it all for? I've been doing now for 5 months the routine of cleaning houses, coming home "free" to do what I like, but really needing to work on what I can with raising support, go to sleep and start over again. I'm thankful, but it gets monotonous and it's easy to lose sight of its purpose.

I've been learning about what it is to "wait on the LORD" and to have confidence in the hope that I have--of getting through to reach the goal of being a missionary in Mexico, of learning about myself to be more effective, and of God's saving love that is made evident through the work of His Spirit and the coming return of His Son. "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" Ps.27:13,14.

I need to be more intentional about continuing to learn what it means to wait for the LORD, in all things, especially in this time in my life I have of waiting, when it is so easy to lose sight of what I'm waiting for.

So, I can be thankful that I will be reminding myself what I'm waiting for as I visit Mexico again. Right now I'm enjoying visiting with my brother and his family for a week. It's so nice to get away and spend time with them, especially my 1-year-old niece, Abigail. She's a very smiley girl and I'm so pleased that she takes to me well. There's plenty to be visiting here, seeing California. I've already eaten at an In 'n' Out, and we'll be going to a zoo, and visiting much more as we're able to. Plus, I'm also able to catch up on "Lost" as they have all 5 series on DVD. I'm starting with the 3rd series as that was when I started to miss out on my favourite TV show. We'll see how far I get. :)

And then it will be off to Mexico for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to it. I'll be there for a church group coming in for their week of short-term missions. I'll help out as needed, but not sure what to expect really. And then the second week I'll go to the local church's retreat that they have for a week. I'm hoping this will be a good time to get connected with the people of this church. Praise God for these opportunities, an enjoyable time of refreshment, and for God's reminders along the way as we "wait for the LORD."

Praise the Lord, I'm starting to see some progress on the support money and pledges coming in! I'm still much in need of support, especially consistent, ongoing pledges. It's still a slow process, but I'm being encouraged. I'm also being encouraged because of the progress I've been making on what I can do with getting in touch with people; actions I am able to control. I've pushed myself more this past month, although I probably need to continue to push myself more.

To be honest, I went through a time of not getting much done and then feeling guilty about it, and avoiding the work to be done. Not that I wasn't doing work, but not focusing on what I needed to, not pushing myself. And then I realized more how I need not be held back by my guilt or shame any longer, because God operates by grace. Nor need I be held back by fear, because God is Almighty and wants to bless me.

So I want to leave you with two passages that reflect this truth:

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

1 Chronicles 28:20 "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."