Hey y'all.
First off, last time I posted, well, maybe it was over thought. (I deleted the post from the blog.) So I feel I should state something about that. When I got back home from Africa my boyfriend of about.. 4 months proposed... and we almost lasted 2 months, before the whole thing was completely called off. I'm not going to say specifically why it was called off, but I will say this: God gives and takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord. God has provided for me in ways that are beyond measure... and I am so thankful He has.
So... ever since stepping off that plane from Africa - (or really on the plane to Africa), things got a little crazy. Life has defiantly had it's ups and downs - and it's showed itself in my personal ministry. I won't lie to y'all... these past few months have been hard. I am so thankful for your many prayers. ;)
The last blog post that is still up asks for prayer for ministry here, in the states. Not only did my heart felt drawn to this, but I had an assignment in two of my four classes that made this hope and dream mandatory. Personal issues got in the way, and so I had a slow start. However, I did start working with internationals here in Louisville. I'm working on building relationships with a few people, so pray that those relationships grow - in order that I may share my life and my heart... and our Christ with them.
Please pray for more opportunities to build relationships - and the boldness to share Christ when the situation arises.
I also have some sort of big news -- I'm going back to Brazil for a third time. This time, the work will be among the Quillombolas along the Amazon River. The trip will be this summer, for two weeks. I believe my heart never left Brazil.. however, I do have a very special place in my heart for Africa... and I'd like to return there some day. I'm beginning to think it's not really that I'm called to a 'place'... it's more that I'm called to proclaim the name of Christ to people who have never heard it.
For more information on Brazil - as well as a cool little link for online donations, please go here.
I'm also pleased to announce that God has provided in another big way as well. As I am writing this I'm sitting on my couch in my first apartment! God has provided jobs and money to provide a home so I can continue to go to school here. (So now I'm up to 3 part time jobs.) Quite something isn't it? As one of my bosses said, "Just when you thought everything was falling apart, here it is coming together." - Praise God, He provided... and I'm more than sure this won't be the last time.
Honestly, when I think of the godly men and women whom I'd like to be like, I think of those who gave it all... and really put all of their trust in Him... Like George Muller and Adoniram Judson. (If you don't know who they are, I strongly encourage you to google and/or read biographies about them.) Muller never asked for anything.. and ran orphanages simply by prayer alone... or should I say, God ran orphanages though Muller. Judson was one of the first American overseas missionaries - and he devoted his life to reaching the Burmese people, losing several wives and many children along the way. I dare to say the lives of these men were not easy.... but oh how they were worth it! Oh how it gave glory to God!
As Muller once said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible.
There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith
begins where man's power ends.”
... and it is there where true worship starts. Praise God for who He is, when we fail so miserably. It's not because we're worth it... it's because God's worth it, and he deserves all glory and honor.
Through the hardships this semester, God has also really opened by eyes to the hurting of this world... to all the sin and evil that strives so deep within us - that the consequences of sin so thrive among our communities - and Bible College is not immune. There are so many... broken people around us. I want to encourage all of you to reach out and show Christ's Love to one another... be the Church. Reaching out doesn't mean we're perfect or without broken lives ourselves... but we know the One who can mend every broken part... because He created it in the first place. He created us to be whole.. He created us so that we might know Him and give Him glory... and that is where that... empty gap is finally filled.
Keep praying brothers and sisters. Keep striving in Christ. Love y'all.
Emily
