Pray, Pray, Pray

Hey USA! Just got in from a mean game of dodge ball with the kids. Me and my South African friend owned it on the courts. Lots to be grateful this past week.. so much answered prayer, so much of God’s presence in Vizak. Life doesn’t get much better than this. A girl from LU was saved, my friend got a job, my cousin’s brother-in-law was taken off life support and can now breath and talk on his own, I had banana pancakes on Saturday (my first American meal in 20 days!), an awesome church, The Summit, helped my parents unpack their moving van, and many more answered prayers came about in ONE week. Pray. That’s all I have to say. God loves you and listens to the prayers of those He loves. He is power. He is almighty. He cares. Sometimes we have not because we ask not. Ask for anything in Jesus’ name and the Father will answer it if it’s according to His will.
I read a book this past week called “Tortured for Christ” by Richard Wurmbrand. He spent 14 years tortured in a communist prison where corrupt, evil men ripped off his fingernails and put him in a stand-up coffin embedded with nails. He was put in a freezer until doctors told the torturers he was minutes away from death. They would then proceed to defrost his body and do it again. How does a man who undergoes such brutality say “ A flower, if you bruise it under your feet, rewards you by giving you its perfume. Likewise, Christians tortured by communists rewarded their torturers by love.” Over and over again he told the reader how he loved the communists but hated the sin. He said he would gladly die if it brought one of the communists who beat him to a relationship with Jesus. That kind of love is not humanly possible without Christ. This is the power we have received. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And while our enemies sin against us, we must still love them and share the power of the cross with them. We do this because Jesus joyfully was nailed down while we still “esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3). We must not look at those around us as they currently are, but as they will be. God never sees us where we are at, but where we will be. Praise Him for that. This is the hope we have for our friends. We don’t need to be burdened and held down by where they are at-but have vision for where they will be, by God’s grace.
Yesupadam gave a pastor from a neighboring village a motorcycle on Wednesday. I have never seen a more grateful person. Everyday he would walk 10 miles to and from the church he preached at because he couldn’t afford any other form of transportation. He was filled with so much joy-it overflowed into my spirit. What a beautiful thing to witness. We must learn to live more simply so we have room to receive. It is a blessing to people to give to you.. what good is it to you though if you already have it? Likewise, save room in your wallet to give to others. Yesupadam says the secret to receiving is giving. Take this advice.
I washed my clothes in a bucket on Saturday.. the end result wasn’t very pretty. The detergent was so strong, it made my hands peel, I look like I have a disease. Haha. The girls here are like the most caring mother. I came into study hour this week and it was the first thing they noticed. They took my hands in horror, but attended to them and put lotion on them. They would seriously give up anything for you. I am a very affectionate person, and God knows this. That is why I am convinced that He cares about the small things. I’ve needed the love that these girls have been showing me. Their faces light up every time I walk in the room, they cling to me and love me and hug me.. and every hug, every hand held, every kiss on the cheek is like the Lord’s affection, and the Lord telling me how much he cares about me and my life. It is very beautiful.
All I need is You, God. Take my life and use it.
This morning in prayer, I got so much direction for my life. My heart burned for the things the Lord showed me. I am so excited to see those things play out. He has great plans for my life, I love listening to Him and obeying Him.. He wants me to have every blessing. He wants you to have every blessing. Listen to Him. Have patience with Him, He will meet you right where you are at. Obey what He says, even if it sounds crazy.. that’s how I ended up in India. That’s all for this week. Sorry it took longer this week to write, the internet doesn’t last for long periods of time. Pray for me as I do for you. Love you all. God loves you more.