It's full of beauty that will unfold.
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son...
Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin' for my soul
And I've got no place left go
'Cause I got changed by what I've been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin' on
Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I'm free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I'll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levees and my bluffs
Let the flood wash me
- Josh Garrels
He pretty much says it all. Life is full of beauty that unfolds through Jesus. When we pour out our hearts to him, Heaven fills us with joy that overflows our cups. He is way more than enough.
He's been answering so many specific prayers, I can hardly keep up with writing them all down.
- By God's power alone, our prideful older friend has come to our prayer time at Oasis on Tuesday nights. God's overwhelming goodness made me laugh a few days ago. This traditional man, who's been set in his ways, not into knowing God actually told me how much the world needs missionaries. HA! Can you believe that?! You better believe God is working on his heart!
- He's giving us dreams and visions, just as we've begged him too. Now I ask that I would be faithful in speaking what he gives me. Many times I'm too afraid to speak out. I need his boldness.
- He's giving us opportunities to speak his name in our English classes, even when we don't have a plan nor the words. Last Wednesday, a random 27 year old wandered in and was able to have a conversation class with me at the last minute. It wasn't at all planned by us (but by God himself.) We started talking and the conversation led to what all girls love to talk about- boys. Little did she know, this is the area that God has been the MOST compassionate, powerful, and extremely faithful to me. I was able to share my story of him taking me through so much pain in order to really know Jesus. The Spirit filled the room. There were tears. She was confused and curious at my relationship with him. On this day, I know he planted a promising seed in her.
- Because of his sweet tender love, we've gone through hard days. Days feeling helpless, weak, unable to excel in each task like we desire. Days when I can't fully explain my science lesson. When I take the wrong bus. Days when I can't learn the ukulele chords to play with the worship group. Days when I'm low on energy and have to teach 30 rowdy kids one English lesson for 1 and 1/2 hours. It's these days that make us so thankful. You see, he blesses us with these weak times to refine us. Just like we've asked in Jesus' name. It's difficult because our flesh hates being defeated. Our spirits love that he always wins. Discipline is bittersweet, but ultimately sweeter.
- One night we fervently asked him to give us more laughter. The very next night when our mama took us to get tamales on the street, we laughed so hard that night, she thought the tamales were spiked. Boy is God REAL!!! When you feel low on laughter, ask him for more. He answers.
- He's breaking mine and Beckah's selfishness in order to bring us closer. It's a hard process, but he's blessing us with honesty and teaching how to love. He's our Helper always.
- Last Sunday, our friend Pedro didn't show. However, he brought some of our extended family members. A couple who had both lost dear loved ones and had been angry at God. He's working on their hearts. Amazing how God cannot nor will he ever be exhausted. Always doing so much! And this is just one small part of town...he's moving ALL over the world.
- His Spirit is abiding and leading, even when I don't feel it. I went for a run and felt really off the other day. I took a different path than usual down a busy street and didn't know why. I was almost mad at myself for it. Then I passed her. A woman on her knees, worshiping a stone head on her doorstep. Next to the idol, she had placed an offering of a plastic cup of beer. This was the reason, the Spirit led me down this unusual path. For his Spirit to pass by her- to destroy the works of the devil. To free her from her bondage. He is light in the darkness. This city is covered in darkness. So many trapped, lost souls. Please pray for them.
I went to a laundromat to wash clothes and met a short lady, with tattooed arms. She said to me, "You're a Christian. You are an angel."
I'm not telling you this to build myself up, but for you to see his goodness. This is what happened.
She started telling me her powerful testimony.
Raped by her father at 6 years old. A life as a prostitute. Her husband in prison for ten years. She lived in bars. Talked trash all the time.
Then God saved her. He made her a new creation. He did a work in her that only he could do. He saved her husband too. Now he travels to prisons all over Mexico. sharing his testimony.
She began prophesying over me- declaring that everything in my past is dead. That God doesn't even remember all my sin. He's made me completely new. I am his angel. I have his joy.
God poured out his love for me through this fiery woman, Lettie. My heart is full.
In the same laundromat, I met another Christian woman who is fluent in English and wants to help us out at Oasis. (We're desperate for more teachers since we're a small number and have over 500 coming now).
I love how Jesus meets us in the most unexpected times and places. He has no limits. The depths of his love are endless. Let him come to you, just as you are. Where you are. You don't have to do anything, but open your heart and let him do his stuff. He's sooooooooooo stinkin' good at it.
Please keep praying for everything here. You can see how obviously he's answering our prayers. You will be rewarded with so much glory in heaven. I wish I could give you something now for your faithfulness to me. All I can say is thank you. And may God completely overwhelm you with his love that you are left broken, for him to pick up, hold close and rebuild.
He adores you.
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