Dear Brothers and sisters,
As I have reflected these last few weeks on what to write, I have to be honest, I was at a total loss. I have been praying and talking with my family about how I can write something encouraging, when life's waves are crashing down on us.. However, the truest words I have ever heard were "we still praise Our God, even in this storm." We praise our God, because we know that no matter how many of those waves come crashing down, He is STILL holding our hand. As most of you know, our family has endured some difficult times over the last few weeks, but thank God, we have become way stronger and WAY closer than ever before..
Being home from the Dominican Republic these last 4 weeks have been quite a life changing experience. I thought the only life changing experiences I could have would be there, serving others.. The life changing part has been that I am able to see Christ clearly, every single day. You see, I serve in the Dominican, hoping to change lives, and share with you often of the difference I hope I am making or the lives I hope I may touch some day. And now, I recognize very clearly that the life that has been touched, the changes that have been made, have been to my own life.
If you would have asked me 6 weeks ago if I had a problem with loving others and forgiving others, I would have said "No, I can forgive anyone at anytime, I can love those who even hurt me." The truth though, I was answering that question with "I can." It hasn't been until the last 3 weeks that I have learned a very important lesson that I would like to share with you, the fact that "I can" instead of "I can with Christ" is not a possibility.. "WITH Christ, all things are possible."
Reflect for a minute on these words that I have shared with you before, "I will sing to my God my King, for all else fades away. I will love with this heart You've made, for You've been good always." Sometimes we find ourselves at a place when we don't want to sing, when we feel that we have absolutely no love to give.. We find ourselves there and ONLY through our faith and trust in the Lord of Lords do we realize that no matter how bad things get, no matter how many special people you lose in life, there IS a reason to sing.. You see, I am finding a reason to sing, because MY God has been so good to me. He has delivered me time and time again, He has given me a family that I would never ever want to live without, he has given me the HONOR of serving him through ministry. I am able to love because MY God loved me, even when I didn't deserve it.. Who am I to think that another person does not deserve this same respect. The people of the Dominican Republic are the ones who taught me this. The actions shown through them, the words I've heard from them, was the Holy Spirit preparing me for rocky times like these.
A couple months ago I went to a conference for some of the villages Pastors, they discussed their beliefs, opinions on cultural issues, and relational issues.. At points it seemed like things were going to get a little heated, however, at the end of the day everyone was able to sing in Praise to God as a united church, hug one another, offer a hand shake and a smile. You see, they all had reasons to be "upset" or to turn to another and say "what on earth are you talking about." But, because of the love of Jesus Christ, they were able to continuously love each other. I never thought that day would be of much use, but now that I need to HAVE the ability to forgive and love, I look at such people as these and pray for their strength and courage to be able to look past my own hurt feelings. I am thankful for this experience, because I have been taught the importance of living with the love of Christ. I am not saying that things are made better over night, or in a month, or a year, but I am saying that if we continue trusting in God, he will heal our scars, give us strength to forgive, and heal the scars caused by the hurtful words and actions.
As I prepare to make my way back to the Dominican to continue with my ministry, I am able now to take "loving others" to a whole new level. I pray that God continues using the people of the Dominican Republic to speak truth into my life, and hopefully that I can maybe speak truth to them as well. A year ago I never thought I would be living this journey, but day after day God continues to provide and use my ministry in way I have never deserved. I know that My God has never ever left my side, that he has never turned from me or let go of my hand. I pray that you continue to follow my journey, and I am so unbelievably thankful for all the prayers, encouragement and support!! It is truly a blessing to be able to share in this ministry with all of you. May God bless your lives, keep you strong and courageous and give you a boldness to step out in faith to forgive and continue loving those who have brought hurt in the past. Remember daily that the God who created the Heavens and the earth has loved us so much to forgive us even when we have turned our whole life against him. Be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking his truth daily!!
God Bless,
Jessica.
As I have reflected these last few weeks on what to write, I have to be honest, I was at a total loss. I have been praying and talking with my family about how I can write something encouraging, when life's waves are crashing down on us.. However, the truest words I have ever heard were "we still praise Our God, even in this storm." We praise our God, because we know that no matter how many of those waves come crashing down, He is STILL holding our hand. As most of you know, our family has endured some difficult times over the last few weeks, but thank God, we have become way stronger and WAY closer than ever before..
Being home from the Dominican Republic these last 4 weeks have been quite a life changing experience. I thought the only life changing experiences I could have would be there, serving others.. The life changing part has been that I am able to see Christ clearly, every single day. You see, I serve in the Dominican, hoping to change lives, and share with you often of the difference I hope I am making or the lives I hope I may touch some day. And now, I recognize very clearly that the life that has been touched, the changes that have been made, have been to my own life.
If you would have asked me 6 weeks ago if I had a problem with loving others and forgiving others, I would have said "No, I can forgive anyone at anytime, I can love those who even hurt me." The truth though, I was answering that question with "I can." It hasn't been until the last 3 weeks that I have learned a very important lesson that I would like to share with you, the fact that "I can" instead of "I can with Christ" is not a possibility.. "WITH Christ, all things are possible."
Reflect for a minute on these words that I have shared with you before, "I will sing to my God my King, for all else fades away. I will love with this heart You've made, for You've been good always." Sometimes we find ourselves at a place when we don't want to sing, when we feel that we have absolutely no love to give.. We find ourselves there and ONLY through our faith and trust in the Lord of Lords do we realize that no matter how bad things get, no matter how many special people you lose in life, there IS a reason to sing.. You see, I am finding a reason to sing, because MY God has been so good to me. He has delivered me time and time again, He has given me a family that I would never ever want to live without, he has given me the HONOR of serving him through ministry. I am able to love because MY God loved me, even when I didn't deserve it.. Who am I to think that another person does not deserve this same respect. The people of the Dominican Republic are the ones who taught me this. The actions shown through them, the words I've heard from them, was the Holy Spirit preparing me for rocky times like these.
A couple months ago I went to a conference for some of the villages Pastors, they discussed their beliefs, opinions on cultural issues, and relational issues.. At points it seemed like things were going to get a little heated, however, at the end of the day everyone was able to sing in Praise to God as a united church, hug one another, offer a hand shake and a smile. You see, they all had reasons to be "upset" or to turn to another and say "what on earth are you talking about." But, because of the love of Jesus Christ, they were able to continuously love each other. I never thought that day would be of much use, but now that I need to HAVE the ability to forgive and love, I look at such people as these and pray for their strength and courage to be able to look past my own hurt feelings. I am thankful for this experience, because I have been taught the importance of living with the love of Christ. I am not saying that things are made better over night, or in a month, or a year, but I am saying that if we continue trusting in God, he will heal our scars, give us strength to forgive, and heal the scars caused by the hurtful words and actions.
As I prepare to make my way back to the Dominican to continue with my ministry, I am able now to take "loving others" to a whole new level. I pray that God continues using the people of the Dominican Republic to speak truth into my life, and hopefully that I can maybe speak truth to them as well. A year ago I never thought I would be living this journey, but day after day God continues to provide and use my ministry in way I have never deserved. I know that My God has never ever left my side, that he has never turned from me or let go of my hand. I pray that you continue to follow my journey, and I am so unbelievably thankful for all the prayers, encouragement and support!! It is truly a blessing to be able to share in this ministry with all of you. May God bless your lives, keep you strong and courageous and give you a boldness to step out in faith to forgive and continue loving those who have brought hurt in the past. Remember daily that the God who created the Heavens and the earth has loved us so much to forgive us even when we have turned our whole life against him. Be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking his truth daily!!
God Bless,
Jessica.