Chai Fast and Current Events

Originally I was just going to post about the Chai fast, but as I read through the news today I saw more proofs of the war between God and Satan in this world. I love reading the news, even when it makes me sad or angry, because it is so easy for me to walk blindly through life. Thank you God for opening my eyes this morning to the bigger picture.

Chai Fast
Last night I recieved a newsletter from Trec, Int., the group Wade and I joined to go to India. In this newsletter I learned that in Nepal there is a village that has been forcefully taken over by a "radical group". The village, school, and church there have all been claimed as land now belonging to this group. Jiwan, a wonderful Indian missionary I met while in Pa Cheng, has asked us to join and pray for this village. I was reminded that the enemy is Satan, the radical group is the mission field. Jiwan said that they are continuing in a Chai fast and prayer. Chai is the tea drink that is so popular in India, made with milk, ginger, pepper, sugar, and other ingredients. Fasting is hard. But already I see how much more prayer comes throughout the day of fasting. It is a biblical principle because it really works. It is so easy to go days without really shutting down and praying. No distractions. If you feel led, take a meal and substitute it for a Chai tea (you can get them at Jamoka's and other coffee shops) and spend that meal time praying for this village in Nepal. I can't imagine how scared they must be in this "war of weapons", as it was described. No school, no church, no freedom.

14 Days Under
Fourteen days after the initial earthquake in Haiti, a man is miraculously pulled from rubble that has been searched through many times! He was severely dehydrated but praise God he is going to make it! He was discovered by looters, of all people. Although some people in Haiti are fighting for their lives in a seemingly violent way, they still remember that every life counts. They stopped what they were doing and ran for help. And they said people couldn't survive without water for more than 72 hours. 2 weeks. Thats how long is was. The people of Haiti are obviously resilient, and God is obviously watching over them.

Persecution in Egypt
An Egyptian man and his 15 year old daughter, who were both Muslims who converted to Christianity after they both had visions, are running from death. They never pray in the same church twice, moving from city to city in hiding from the people that want to kill them. They appealed to the court, who claims religious freedom, that they be legally converted to Christianity. The court refused, fearing rebellion from the locals. For a Christian to convert to a Muslim, it takes one week. Unfortunately, for the opposite to happen, is seemingly impossible for these two. After his court appearance, "several religious fatwas have been issued for 'spilling his blood'" according to a Foxnews reporter.

Tebow's Anti-Abortion Ad
Tim Tebow, former quarterback for the Florida Gators, has filmed a commercial to be aired during the biggest commercial day of the year -- Superbow Sunday! Tebows mother had to face the choice of abortion or life for Tim when she was pregnant with him in the Philippines and suffered from a dangerous infection. She was encouraged to abort the baby for fear of her dying during labor. Several groups have sent out petitions to stop the commercial, saying it pushes an "un-American agenda". An UN-AMERICAN AGENDA??? So our "american agenda" would be what? The opposite? Pray for the Tebow family and for this world, as it seems un-American to promote conservative morals.

Isaiah 40:23-29
He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing. They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and they wither. The wind carries them off like chaff.
"To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One.
Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Isreal, how can you say the Lord ignores your rights?
Have you never heard? Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Hope Now

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

lyrics by Addison Road

more on Haiti

I just wanted to share this video. It one that made me hope, made me cry, made me smile, made me praise God! He is so good. Thank you Jesus for the lives you miraculously protected in Haiti! And today they were hit by another quake only 23 miles from the first. God keep your hand over that place.

Check out this encouraging video!


Today I signed up for a disaster relief training session through the Southern Baptist Convention in Alabama. I spent a long time last night praying and thinking over it, and of course talked to my husband about it. And I feel like God wants me to make myself available in this way. I dont know when (or if) I will go to Haiti to help with the relief effort, but I know that I am going to take this step, and allow God to determine it's direction.

Haiti

I'm feeling small today. Its hard not to feel like I should be doing more in this world. I see Mark from Audio Adrenaline at the HAF orphanage his group started in Haiti. They are there in the thick of things, their life is integrated with the lives of these children. I feel like my life is integrated with the lives of the kids in Reynosa, Mexico... but I'm only there twice a year. I love being on the mission field. I feel I am my best self when I'm there.

I see all that is happening in Haiti, and I want so badly to go and help.. to love on people. To give out water and food, to do anything! I must say I am so proud of America. All over you see funds being set up, through texting and websites and telethons and church offerings. Its encouraging.

Maybe this was random in order and thought, but its just really on my mind today. Lord, please use me in this life. I want to be open to Your will at the drop of a hat, and looking for it and expecting it always.

defunking...

thats what Wade thought I needed today.

Do you ever just have a day where you are kinda, bleh? And you dont know why... Well, hello me! That's how I was feeling today. I wasn't sad, or mad, or tired, or sick.. just kinda, bleh. Wade decided he was going to "Defunk" me. Hmm. :/

Step 1: a good kiss from my hubby

:I

Step 2: slow dancing in the living room

:)

Step 3: a nice, long foot massage

:D

I like being "defunked"! It definitly worked!

I love my husband

.date day.

After a LOOOONG pretty boring week stuck inside due to the cold, I got a whole day having fun with my hubby! (He works every other week, so yesterday was the first day of his week-off!)

We started by getting lunch at Taco Bell... I know.. Taco Bell?? Really? on a date? well yes.. because about half way through our drive to Huntsville I was STARVING and had to eat RIGHT away! It was yummy. Next we went to Target, where I bought new kitchen rugs, a new pot, and a cast-iron skillet.. wow this date is sounding so "married" haha but I really needed them and I was excited to be in Target!! Following, we went to the theatre and saw the 1pm showing of Avatar 3D! We were pretty much the only ones in the theatre! It felt like a private viewing :) At first I was not crazy about the 3D thing.. it strained my eyes and I thought, "NO WAY can I do this for 3 hours!!" But after about 10 minutes I either got used to it, or got so into the movie I stopped thinking about it! The movie was fun to watch. We went from there to Bonefish grill! We had gift cards... but forgot to bring them. Oops! We ate there anyways. SO GOOD, and again, it was like 4:30pm so we were the only ones there lol. We are so old! We also went to Dicks somewhere in the day and got Wade some new shoes :) Sounds like more of an errand day than a date, but it was so nice to spend time alone with my hubby!!

In a few days we are going to Atlanta with Quinton and Audrey ! I'm looking forward to good food and new entertainment! I will be sure to post all about it when we get back.. until then, yay for Wade's off-week!!