Friends & Family,
In 2 Chronicles God appears to King Solomon and says to him "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." King Solomon's answer was one that not many of us today may say. He didn't answer of the riches or honor he desired for the Lord God to give him, instead he replied, "...Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Chronicles 1:7, 10) What an amazing response right?! King Solomon had so much faith in his Father, he knew he was not "worthy" or able to lead God's people without the God being actively involved in his reign as king. Solomon knew that although he sat upon the throne of Isreal, he still was not the King over all. How often do we think like this. Do we frequently realize that the one who should be sitting upon the throne of our lives is not us, but the Creator of the heavens and earth, the one who perfectly placed every strand of hair on our heads, the one who knew us while still in our mothers womb.
The last few weeks here in the DR have been that of joy and pain, happiness and grief.. When I returned back to the DR from my short visit to the states I was lucky enough to spend some time with my brother. One of the greatest memories I will have in my whole life is being able to minister next to such a man of God. While he was here we visited some villages participating in prayer walk and other sorts of ministry. I mentioned in my last blog about the witch doctor I had met in a village called La Mallita. One day Josh and I decided to go visit the witch doctor and take some new tarps to the church there (which consists of about 5 benches and a tarp with an insane amount of holes in it). We spend some time talking with the pastor of this tiny church, and thankfully got there just as he had started to sew all the holes on this terrible tarp. We told him he could stop sewing because we had a new tarp to replace it. He was so thankful and received it with so much love. We talked to him about his desires of having a church building or a new roof placed over that they had now. He so badly wants a church, but said the land owner would never allow it. After talking for a while we exchanged information and we told him we would be in touch. When we were done there we walked across the village to where the witch doctor lives. He was sitting outside on a bench with a friend. I walked up to him and asked if he remembered me from the previous visit, he just got this grin on his face (probably thinking "if I say no will she leave.") The first time I visited him he was very negative and argumentive about the conversation of Christianity.. This time, he was willing to talk and communicate. I learned some interesting things about him and his live, and was also able to share the Gospel with him. Watching my brother share with this man was amazing. It was weird though because at times I would be in the middle of a sentence and this man would answer me, agree with me, shake his head, or respond before I was done speaking. It was honestly as though he understood every word that was coming out of my mouth. Even the guy we had translating said to Josh and I as we drove away "Did he understand you? I was going to ask him if he understands you but is still making me translate!!!" We left that day not feeling encouraged, but excited that this man has come so much further. I returned about a week later, when I got there he was so angry, wanted nothing to do with me, and was throwing stuff around. I was so scared and decided that I would politely say "God bless you" and walk away.. Right before the group I was with was ready to leave, I decided to walk over just one more time, if for nothing else than to just stand outside his house and say a prayer for him. When I got there he was sitting on a rock staring up at me with a look in his eyes that seems as though he was in a battle so fierce that I couldn't even begin to comprehend it. I didn't get to speak a word and he said "I know God's way is better, I know I need him, I just can't until this contract with the enemy is over." I almost burst in to tears, but trying not to show my weakness I just sat down beside him. We didn't have an hour long conversation or debate Christianity. Instead I said to him, "Today is the day of salvation, today I desire to get to know my brother in Christ." He again, as usual, replied "Un Dia (one day)." I smiled at him, reminded him that we are not promised a single second more on this earth, and told him I had one last question. As he smiled at me weakly I simply said "do you understand what I am saying? Do you understand my words before they are translated, do you speak my language?" The whole time I am saying this he is LAUGHING, shaking his head, and staring at the ground. His answer was simple, as he stared right into my eyes "No." I guess I will never know, at least not today, if this man really does understand me (all signs point to yes).. All I know is there is a man DESPERATE for the love of Christ to take over his soul. A man who, once released from the grip of the enemy, will work his whole live to serve our risen Savior. Tomorrow I am going back.. please pray for him, for our conversation, and the safety of the few of us going out.
I never know what I will face from day to day.. I never know how far out of my comfort zone the Lord will call me, all I know is that I desire to serve him, every single day, in whatever way he calls me. As King Solomon, I am not able nor am I worthy of leading His people without his presence, but when our hearts desire is for wisdom and knowledge, the Lord will reward us.
I ask that you please continue to pray. As times start to get desperate here in the DR and we see the increase in spiritual warfare I ask that you remember us in your prayer life. Be encouraged my friends, the Lord of our lives is moving in mighty ways, not just here in the DR but my prayer is in your lives as well!!!! Thank you all for your continued love and support.
Jessica
In 2 Chronicles God appears to King Solomon and says to him "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." King Solomon's answer was one that not many of us today may say. He didn't answer of the riches or honor he desired for the Lord God to give him, instead he replied, "...Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Chronicles 1:7, 10) What an amazing response right?! King Solomon had so much faith in his Father, he knew he was not "worthy" or able to lead God's people without the God being actively involved in his reign as king. Solomon knew that although he sat upon the throne of Isreal, he still was not the King over all. How often do we think like this. Do we frequently realize that the one who should be sitting upon the throne of our lives is not us, but the Creator of the heavens and earth, the one who perfectly placed every strand of hair on our heads, the one who knew us while still in our mothers womb.
The last few weeks here in the DR have been that of joy and pain, happiness and grief.. When I returned back to the DR from my short visit to the states I was lucky enough to spend some time with my brother. One of the greatest memories I will have in my whole life is being able to minister next to such a man of God. While he was here we visited some villages participating in prayer walk and other sorts of ministry. I mentioned in my last blog about the witch doctor I had met in a village called La Mallita. One day Josh and I decided to go visit the witch doctor and take some new tarps to the church there (which consists of about 5 benches and a tarp with an insane amount of holes in it). We spend some time talking with the pastor of this tiny church, and thankfully got there just as he had started to sew all the holes on this terrible tarp. We told him he could stop sewing because we had a new tarp to replace it. He was so thankful and received it with so much love. We talked to him about his desires of having a church building or a new roof placed over that they had now. He so badly wants a church, but said the land owner would never allow it. After talking for a while we exchanged information and we told him we would be in touch. When we were done there we walked across the village to where the witch doctor lives. He was sitting outside on a bench with a friend. I walked up to him and asked if he remembered me from the previous visit, he just got this grin on his face (probably thinking "if I say no will she leave.") The first time I visited him he was very negative and argumentive about the conversation of Christianity.. This time, he was willing to talk and communicate. I learned some interesting things about him and his live, and was also able to share the Gospel with him. Watching my brother share with this man was amazing. It was weird though because at times I would be in the middle of a sentence and this man would answer me, agree with me, shake his head, or respond before I was done speaking. It was honestly as though he understood every word that was coming out of my mouth. Even the guy we had translating said to Josh and I as we drove away "Did he understand you? I was going to ask him if he understands you but is still making me translate!!!" We left that day not feeling encouraged, but excited that this man has come so much further. I returned about a week later, when I got there he was so angry, wanted nothing to do with me, and was throwing stuff around. I was so scared and decided that I would politely say "God bless you" and walk away.. Right before the group I was with was ready to leave, I decided to walk over just one more time, if for nothing else than to just stand outside his house and say a prayer for him. When I got there he was sitting on a rock staring up at me with a look in his eyes that seems as though he was in a battle so fierce that I couldn't even begin to comprehend it. I didn't get to speak a word and he said "I know God's way is better, I know I need him, I just can't until this contract with the enemy is over." I almost burst in to tears, but trying not to show my weakness I just sat down beside him. We didn't have an hour long conversation or debate Christianity. Instead I said to him, "Today is the day of salvation, today I desire to get to know my brother in Christ." He again, as usual, replied "Un Dia (one day)." I smiled at him, reminded him that we are not promised a single second more on this earth, and told him I had one last question. As he smiled at me weakly I simply said "do you understand what I am saying? Do you understand my words before they are translated, do you speak my language?" The whole time I am saying this he is LAUGHING, shaking his head, and staring at the ground. His answer was simple, as he stared right into my eyes "No." I guess I will never know, at least not today, if this man really does understand me (all signs point to yes).. All I know is there is a man DESPERATE for the love of Christ to take over his soul. A man who, once released from the grip of the enemy, will work his whole live to serve our risen Savior. Tomorrow I am going back.. please pray for him, for our conversation, and the safety of the few of us going out.
I never know what I will face from day to day.. I never know how far out of my comfort zone the Lord will call me, all I know is that I desire to serve him, every single day, in whatever way he calls me. As King Solomon, I am not able nor am I worthy of leading His people without his presence, but when our hearts desire is for wisdom and knowledge, the Lord will reward us.
I ask that you please continue to pray. As times start to get desperate here in the DR and we see the increase in spiritual warfare I ask that you remember us in your prayer life. Be encouraged my friends, the Lord of our lives is moving in mighty ways, not just here in the DR but my prayer is in your lives as well!!!! Thank you all for your continued love and support.
Jessica