I choose this day to be? Hudson Taylor penned: ‘Has Christ become to us such a living, bright reality that no post of duty shall be irksome, that as His witnesses we can return to the quiet home side, to the distant service, with heart more glad, more than satisfied, even it may be stripped of earthly friends and treasures?’ And so I ask ‘ How can I give less than myself’?
The work is growing, as God brings across our path so much pain, poverty, need, difficulty after difficulty, wave after wave. These days I am concerned, anxious, yet I have never sensed His presence so real as just now. I know I am never out of His heart, that He feels my pain and shares my emotion. His word assures me that His presence will always be my companion and that wherever I am, whatever I do in this ministry, I must do with an undivided heart, driven by purpose and mission. I am aware of the cultural differences and sensitive to the stares of curiosity and suspicion. How many hours in my day are given to ‘serving others’? Yes, my service is voluntary but I must recognise I am ‘A Servant.’ Nothing should hinder my time given to an agonizing heart, a lost soul struggling, searching for reality. I can never give too much for the cause of Christ. Love in action, therefore my love must draw people to ‘The Glory of His Cross’.
Opportunities arise in the ‘nowhere and ashes’ of lives. This should not be the end, purely the beginning for a life lived in constant fog and mist. No one is inferior or should be made to feel inferior. The one who is willing to give the most, will receive the most.
FINEST BREAD I WILL PROVIDE
TILL THEIR HEARTS BE SATISFIED
I WILL GIVE MY LIFE TO THEM
WHOM SHALL I SEND?
If I had a thousand lives, if I had a thousand hearts, Lord, they would all be thine.
With a heart of compassion, a heart that has been humbled, I return ‘HOME’ determined in my heart to ‘Tell Out the Truth’. For many, days, hours, moments are ticking away; their time is limited, their book is closing. May the light of the gospel illuminate the pages, rewrite the chapters, causing their eyes to see the Lord, the Giver and Sustainer of Life.
Matthew 5: 43: ‘Love Thy Neighbour’. Monika and Dora (Casa Grace) have been so faithful updating me every day, the Orphans, Disabled, Abandoned Children, little treasures engraved on my heart, especially little Adam who should soon be discharged from hospital. I pray for an insight, a strength, that I may be effective. The Lord knows my heart and is concerned with whatever concerns me. He knows that, as I think of my adult Hospice patients and long to see them, the little darlings who look at me with those ‘amazing dark eyes’ of wonder in the oncology wards. Leagues of distance separate us for a season but my link remains unbroken.
Hamilton and I begin our journey ‘Home’ on Saturday. Pray that we will receive through the giving of ourselves, that we will be refreshed as we refresh others. He who created will uphold. In faith we take hold of His strength, knowing we are not alone. Psalm 68: 28 ‘Strengthen, O God, that which Thou hast wrought for us’.
Thank you for strengthening our hands through your faithful prayers and support. So often we fail to remember that the Author of our Faith is the Preserver also.
Why faint when I can be strong? No cloud or shadow can fall when I take hold of His strength. £4,000 sent by our all sufficient God will be taken this mission trip, Give With Your Heart Feeding Programme will provide food for May, June, July and August. ‘Finest Bread I will provide……….’ To God Be The Glory!
Summer is fast approaching, things begin to ‘wind down’, summer vacations ….. Am I transparent in my thinking of the months ahead? September, October, November, December ??? I grasp God’s promise and say ‘And now, O LORD GOD, confirm forever the word that you have spoken…Do as you have said’, 2 Sam 7: 25.
Hamilton’s schedule is busy. Within two days of arriving the second International Conference will be held, closely followed by another Research Forum for the Emanuel Faculty. Next, the publishing of the Proceedings Papers (May 2016 International Conference) and finally the publishing of the Romanian translation of his book, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Our vision is to give a copy to the eight hundred pastors representing the churches in Romania.
Our hearts have a call to make a difference, pray for us, remember us. As we ‘Go’ we pray:
SO I WILL GO WHEREVER HE IS CALLING ME
I LOSE MY LIFE TO FIND MY LIFE IN HIM
I GIVE MY ALL TO GAIN THE HOPE THAT NEVER DIES
I BOW MY HEART, TAKE UP MY CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM
We bow our hearts with yours and ask you to continue to strengthen our hands In Him.
Shirley, 20th April, 2017