Jeremiah/ One Week

This week
I woke up in Haiti
I have flown in a small 19 seater aircraft out of Haiti
I have run at least 11 miles
I have woken up to a massive thunderstorm
I have met 15 pastors from across the United States, and heard them teach
I have dragged myself up the inside of a 45 ft tube slide using a rope
I have been pulled out of bed to paint the books of the Bible on wooden blocks at 11pm
I have discovered that changing a flight on Jet Blue costs the same as canceling it
I have picked up a baby lamb
I have had to do my laundry twice in 4 hours because someone put my detergent bag in the dryer and it exploded all over my clean laundry
I have stood 30 feet above a hammerhead shark with a warm ocean breeze blowing at 9pm
I have heard 20 students describe how in the last couple weeks, suffering led to hope and transformation in their lives

And this is the life that God has called me back to. I look back at this week in surprise. What a strange, diverse, trying, wonderful thing. In one week I have sacrificed, I have been rewarded, I have been moved, I have worked, I have played, I have been blessed, and I have blessed others. This is just one week. Life down here is full and sincere. The blessings are huge because the sacrifices are huge as well.

I enjoy the diversity. I enjoy the unexpected. I am honored to assisst in the discipleship of twenty students. They are dear friends now, with pains and struggles and fears. They are growing and learning huge lessons. I am privilged to pray for them, to listen to them, and to point them always to Christ.

I have been reading through Jeremiah for my personal devotions. I am convinced that God wrote that book for me!!Nearly every chapter has systematically applied to my life during this season and God has spoken huge things to me from out of this book. Most recently He addressed my plans for my future, which were not His.

Jeremiah 42-44 talks about the Israelit'es rebellion. They tell Jeremiah to speak to the Lord and they will do what he tells them, but when they hear they do not obey. He tells them to stay where they are and God will bless them, but if they go down to Egypt, a place of security and comfort, then they will be destroyed.
God has clearly told me that He desires I stay here until He tells me otherwise. My original plan was to go back to Idaho (comfort and security) and get a job. But that was not from God's leading, but my own insecurities. I am excited about remaining committed to the ministry down here, and watching God supply for my needs because I am totally and completely helpless to provide anything for myself. I am desitute in Him, but He has promised to be faithful!!

As always, your prayers are like gold!