Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

"When God places people in your life who are in need, He is aware of what they lack, and He knows He has given you the resources to meet those needs. You know God does nothing by accident." (Blackaby)

How true these words are and yet, what a comfort to know that I can read them backwards, thus:

"When God places you in others lives because you are in need, He is aware of what you lack, and He knows He has given them the resources to meet your needs."

Last night I poured out my heart to a friend.

As she listened, she heard my hurts - my burdens and she bore them with me.
But as she spoke, she fixed my gaze - my attention and she fulfilled the law of Christ.

My attention had been on the choices of others that wound not on the Sovereignty of God that heals.

She said: "You have to realize that God does give us a choice. And just because [someone] has made this choice, or [so-and-so] have made that choice doesn't mean that this is necessarily God's best for them. But He will take their choices and make them good."

How refreshing to know that God's in control of all things. Even when it looks like everything is crazy, mixed up, and going down the tubes!

It's the little things He does that blow my mind...

Tonight (06/21/06) Jeannine Brabon is staying with us - one of my missionary heroes! She came tonight and first thing out of her mouth was: "Do you know of anyone who could take medical supplies to Haiti?" She explained that a neighbour friend had some extra supplies and did not want to simply throw them away. I said that, yes we could use them. It wasn't until after we had unloaded the supplies (ACE bandages, zinc oxide dressings, and white bandages) that coming into the house she asked me: "You are a nurse?" to which I replied in the affirmative. "Really?" to which I again replied in the affirmative and added: "I'm going to Haiti in July to start 5 months of language study before working at The Clinic in Cap." "Well" she said, "I guess I did come to the right house!" 

I'm not at the moment 100% sure how, but I've got a feeling those supplies are in for a double blessing :D at the moment I'm awed at Him putting Jeannine under our roof - long story there...just quick - we were meant to have some of the board of director guys stay but at the last minute they got booked into a hotel. So late last night when we got a call asking if Jeannine could stay? we could (thankfully) say "Yes!"

How awesome to sit at the kitchen table and hear her recount stories. Stories of her life and struggles. Of getting to the mission field and since she was a returning MK others thinking she knew the ropes when she didn't, of her father dying of a massive heart attack just months after her arrival on field to help with the ministry, of praying for someone she hardly knew back in the States as a way of keeping from slipping into despair and frustration, of spiritual warfare that has caused physical pain..

She told how she had left her country of service having seen 191 people come to know the Lord in a set time frame - yet she'd been praying for 200 - and even though as she came back to the States thinking "People in the States are so hard" God put her in the right place at the right time resulting in NINE people coming 'into the Kingdom'! and then on the plane He gave her one more, what in Creole is called a "degi" - a little bit extra - God had not just given her 200 but 201! 201 people whose names are now written in the Book of Life! Hallelujah!

How fast things change...

I have been praying for an August departure date and here God is letting me go to Haiti in the middle of July! In preparation for the upcoming hot and humid weather I have cut my 'lucious locks' and have a much shorter and cooler 'do'! I love it!

I have been released for my first two years of service in Haiti with One Mission Society starting with a five month language study stint in Port-au-Prince, staying at OMS's guest house - "The Villa".

Villa Ormiso, Rue Roucourt, Carrefour, Ouest, Haiti
Courtesy of Google Maps

Photo courtesy of Google Maps

I will be leaving July 25th and Lord willing coming back December 17th to see friends and family for Christmas before heading back to Haiti in the new year to start work at Bethesda Medical Center! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.