Square lake and other watery places

It was early on a Saturday morning when we began our trip out to the village. Stopping to pick up some local friends, it took us nearly an hour and a half to reach our destination despite the location being just on the outskirts of the city. Difficult roads and traffic make for slow progress no matter what time of the day you go.
Taking in some beautiful scenery along the way, we started our journey a little unsure of all that the day would hold, but happy that the rain appeared to be at bay for awhile.
This time of year is in the middle of rainy season where it usually rains all day, everyday. Even the day prior to our trip, the girls' school had to close because flood waters had risen so high making it impossible for many to reach the school and holding classes inside flooded classrooms was not feasible.
But the day of our excursion began with the sun trying to peak out from behind the clouds.

We rode in the car as far as the road would take us and we had to trek the rest of the way on foot carrying food, water, gifts for the villagers and many other odds and ends we would need for the day.
I had to stop along the way to take pictures because the rural environment was just so beautiful.

We crossed small ponds and some flooded areas to reach the place where we would meet with a group of mostly women and children.
There is no running water or electricity in this village, and we met in a home that was one of the largest in the area. Still it was surely not more than a 15'x15' square bamboo hut and we squeezed more than 70 people into the one room structure. It was overflowing and I smiled to myself thinking that if someone else wanted in, they would have to be dropped in from the roof.

Despite being a Saturday, the children of the village had to attend school so we did a program with them first before they went. Zoë taught the children some songs in the local language she had previously learned.

The kids enjoyed jumping around and dancing to the songs. Their smiles were so precious! And when we gave them little packages of candy (Thanks to Lottie!) you would have thought we had given them gold bars.

One of my co-workers who has been living in this country for seven years and is very proficient in the language shared a story with all who were present. She talked about the "lost sheep" and the "lost coin" and related them to how Father will go to great lengths to bring back just one lost soul. I couldn't help but noticing tears gently sliding down the cheek of a lady sitting close to me before she quickly wiped it away.
For some there that day, this would be the first time they had ever heard about J.C. or his Good Book and it was so evident that the Spirit was moving in that place.

Later after the children had gone to school, I was able to share a Good Book story myself despite being so limited still in my language ability. I shared the story of Rahab and how because of Rahab's belief in Him, she and her family were saved from destruction and damnation. I shared with them that her salvation required action. She had to go against the leaders of Jericho to hide the Israelite spies in spite of severe, potential consequences. I told the women that, like Rahab, they needed to have faith in the one true God and boldly follow Him.
Can I just tell you that on my own, I would never have been able to tell this story? In the days leading up to our trip, my language teachers were unable to come to my house (because of flooding) to help me prepare my story. But I realized that Father was telling me that I just needed to be completely dependent on Him and He would enable me to share His story in this language.

Afterwards, one lady told me that another lady wanted to put her faith in Him, so I was so thankful that we had some local believer friends with us who were able to share the gospel clearly to her. They will continue coming to this village to meet with this lady following her decision for discipleship and dunking. These local believer friends (who we call partners) started the work in this village and have just recently had six people to "go swimming."
It's amazing to see how desperate and how hungry these people are for the Word!

Before leaving this home, the owners insisted on cooking for us. Oh my goodness, what a spread they put on for us. It was absolutely delicious. My favorite was a dish called "bay hen" which is a bean curry eaten with rice. It had black-eyed peas and green beans and it wasn't too spicy. Zoë liked the fried potatoes. That dish was a little more spicy, but she likes it hot!
We sat Indian-style on the floor around a small round table, oohing and ahhing over the delicious meal while fellowshipping with our new friends.

After our bellies were full, we headed out to visit some other people whose homes are more difficult to reach. You have to wade in water up to your knees to reach some of these homes, and after a recent incident I had with leeches, I just kept reminding myself to be brave and remember Father was with me. Zoë tromped on ahead of me with some of the others, fearless as usual.

We reached the home of a woman in particular that we especially wanted to meet. She was the first believer in this area and it's because of her testimony that others have come to faith.
She is an invalid. Only 37 years old, after giving birth to her fourth child over nine years ago, something happened to her that makes her unable to walk or even sit up on her own without assistance. Of course, she has never seen a doctor and so the cause of her disease is unclear. I think maybe she had a stroke or something possibly caused from toxemia during pregnancy, but that's just guessing on my part. Right before the onset of this disease, her husband passed away leaving her a widow who is now completely alone. She is completely dependent on the good will of others for her care and well-being. She lives in a small bamboo structure whose floors are so weak that we were afraid would break when we entered the room. There is very little protection from the rain, so everything was soggy. This lady doesn't even have a mat to sleep on. She just lays on the wood plank floor with a small worn-out cushion for a pillow. Her one room hut was completely empty except for a few cats who wandered in and out freely and a few pictures attached to the wall.
Despite all these difficult living circumstances and health problems, this woman believes in Him.

I was anxious to meet this lady, having heard so much about her, yet I was so saddened to see her conditions. Thanks to Lottie, she was given a new blanket. She was given food and water. She was prayed over and she was loved on.
My co-worker and I attempted to sing for her the song "How great Thou art" although we were having trouble singing through our own tears, while holding back sobs.
The scene was just so dismal.
I can't imagine living her life... laying on that hard floor all day, everyday just waiting on someone to bring you a little rice (hopefully once a day) or clean you up or come talk to you.
Yet despite her somewhat seemingly purposeless existence, she is leading others to Father. Talk about an example.

The mud that we slogged through on the way out didn't seem as difficult on our return trip. I couldn't stop thinking about the people we had met and the sights we saw. I kept thinking about how much I take for granted. I have a nice place to live. I have a comfortable bed to sleep in at night. I have food whenever I want it. I complain about the traffic and the weather and so many other worthless grouses.

When we finally arrived home at our apartment in the city in the early evening, we were completely worn out. Physically, mentally, emotionally... we were wiped. I headed straight for the shower, anxious to wash off all the mud and sweat and exhaustion from the day.
And when I laid my head on my pillow that night before drifting off to sleep, I thanked Father for the day.
I feel so fortunate. Not just because of my blessings or my possessions. I feel fortunate to get to live in this place and do this "job" and experience firsthand Father moving among the lost, calling them unto Himself.
It is hard, for sure. But more than anything, it is pure joy.

Would you please lift up the people of "Square Lake" and our local partners who are trying to bring the Light into this village?
Ask that just as the water from the rain is overflowing throughout this village, so would the never-ending water that Spirit brings.


And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. - Matthew 7:25

Transfixed

Once a year we have a week-long meeting with all of our co-workers throughout Southeast Asia. We come together for a time of refreshment, encouragement, challenge and growth. It's a much-needed time for us to be re-fueled for the work.
This year we got to hear some really awesome preaching - it's the kind that you just don't want to end. The speakers lead you into the presence of God and you want to just sit in the warmth of His light continually.
Throughout the week we were compelled to take a closer look into our own lives to discover any hindrances keeping us from completely fulfilling what He calls us to do.
Many times in my life I have felt Him calling me to do things that I don't completely understand. I just know it's what He's telling me to do, so that's what I do.
Lately though I've been feeling more that there are not things He wants me to do, but instead, things He wants me NOT to do.
He's been telling me NOT to speak at certain times or to certain people. Rather He says, "Be still. Be quiet. Listen. Wait."
In the form of confession I humbly share that in my sinfulness, I try to do things on my own. So many times I forget to let Father lead me, and I jump out in front doing what I think He wants me to do. I forget to let Him be in control, stupidly thinking that I have any power of my own to do this job or live the life He wants for me. And can I tell ya, living like that is just exhausting.
It's fruitless and weary and draining. It's just plain hard, and ultimately, it's not what He wants of me.

The theme of our company meeting that week was "Transfixed" and when I walked into the meeting hall the first day I noticed huge signs with the word emblazoned on them. Using my handy cell phone dictionary, I looked up the word to discover the word's accurate definition upon which I found it means, "to be motionless with wonder and astonishment or in honor of one's amazement."
Motionless?
"If we're motionless, how do we do any good? How can we do the work?" I thought to myself.
Oh, I'm so dense sometimes.

Over and over in my life, Father is continually leading me back to His word in Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I am not doing ANYTHING. I am just spinning my wheels when I try.
It is HE who does everything and who has all power.
And when I try to do it on my own is when I become sick, dispirited and burned out.

During our short vacation and in the days following our meeting since we've returned home, I feel as if Father has given me rest. I have tried less to "do" things and instead tried more to follow. But it is a continual struggle for me and your prayers to this effect are greatly appreciated.
Ironically in these days when I've tried to do less, my language ability seems to have increased, and thereby my ability to communicate His message likewise increased. I guess doing less = doing more.

Oh, if only this would apply to my house cleaning too....