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Just finished a VBS week at North Liberty, IN; First Baptist Church, Pastor Wayne and Jodi Joyner. The longer I travel in the same circles, the smaller the world gets. A friend from Newark, OH used to work with the Joyners at another Christian school; and while I was here, Keri Johnston, another single missionary with BIMI called the church for a meeting. :-)
With the help of Tough Stuff and Professor Doug A Fossilup, 35-50 kids and 20 leaders dug into God's Word. I got to teach the Bible lesson for the 4th-6th graders and share a 20-minute missionary corner with all the kids each night. We had such fun! I LOVED studying again and teaching the glorious truths of Creation, the Fall, and Noah's Ark.
Dear Family and Friends,
As I look back over the last 2 months, instead of sharing all the things I did and the places I went, allow me to share one important lesson I’ve learned.
The Rest of God
Arriving home after 3 months of travel, I was tired. Much more than tired though, I was worn out, emotionally drained. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful trip, met many wonderful people, but I was tired. It took all I could muster to finish details for yet another trip, my last 7 weeks on the road. After 10 days of sleep and time with family (and a garage sale), I was still worn out. Restoration finally came... after one day... one day alone in the mountains with the Lord.
I’ve heard little preaching on taking a sabbath and met even fewer believers who actually practice it. Mark Buchanan says in his book, The Rest of God, “In a culture where busyness is a fetish and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest he invites us to enter more fully so that we might know him more deeply.”
I attended a 3-week missionary training in May, and wouldn’t you know...we spent a whole day learning about taking a sabbath. (Could it be that the Lord is trying to teach me something? ☺) This thought from that day still grips me: Am I so busy trying to get things done that I have no time to pay homage to the King of kings? Has my agenda become my king?
If I had been taking a day with the Lord every week throughout my trip, I'm sure I would have arrived home in a much better condition...and who knows how much deeper my walk with Him might be! By God’s grace, I choose from now on to take a day with the Lord each week (without guilt!) lest I allow my agenda to become my king.
Quick Update
Summer is in full swing. I’m working at one VBS now and heading to another one in a few weeks. I’m at 83%, and have 7 more meetings on my schedule. In a few days, I’ll be the official owner of one-way tickets to Mwanza, Tanzania (traveling Sept. 3-5, 2008)! Please pray that all 100% would come in by September, and that I would REST in Him and in His perfect timing during this summer of transition.
Enjoying Him,
Lisa
"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Psa 12:6
"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." Prov 30:5
VBS for all ages at Victory Baptist Church, Garrettsville, OH.
A small, country church with a huge heart for God! Around 40-50 people each night, 16 people were saved, and over $600 was given for missions! The church was decorated with the fishing theme. Boys (swordfish) beat the girls (piranhas) in total points; the girls' leader got a pie in the face! A different missionary came each night to teach the Bible lesson and share about their field. Tuesday was my night, but because I had other meetings in the area, I got to stay all week (except Wed.)
On Saturday the town had their July 4th festival and we did some fishin! The church set up their own booth, and we passed out tracts most of the day. They also had a float in the parade the next day.
I had a few good conversations with several people. One guy had just earned a theology degree from a state college. He had no faith in the inerrancy of the Scriptures though. He believed that there is a thread of truth in all religions, and that true religion is to love others. Another man was a history teacher and believed that history proves that the Baptists have the truth; yet he was not ready to accept Christ, thinking God didn't love him and neither was he one of the elect.
How sad. Truly "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." II Cor 4:4 Only the power of the gospel can open their eyes. I shared what the Lord laid on my heart about His love for all and that Christ is the Only Way. Pray that these men would see the truth.