The trouble with blogs.....

Today is November 1st, exactly 5 months since my last blog post!! I feel so bad! Trouble is though, it's like going to the gym, or that "Read-the-Bible-in-a-Year-App.", once you get a little behind and miss a few weeks/months, it gets even harder to go back.

Now so much has happened that I don't know where to start. If I try to catch up with it all, you will be asleep before reading to the end. So just a quick summary, then I really will try harder to keep up to date!

Over the past five months Casa Shekinah has welcomed 14 children into the safety and comfort of the home. Surprisingly, many of them have been teens, staying  between  6 weeks and 24 hours. Sometimes they just need a safe place to rest for the night and escape the awful things that are happening in their lives. However long their stay, they always love to stay up half the night talking about their trials and experiences.  Just when I think I have heard it all, there's more. I  try to hide the shock as they sit before me sharing the horror stories of their lives. Children should never have to experience these things. But they do. And Casa Shekinah is always open to welcome them as the Ministry of Family and/or the Police bring them in.

Prevention is better than cure, so in August, partnering with MIFAM,  we started teaching parenting classes in the poorer barios where most of the problems seem to occur.  Each class is for four weeks - 2 hours per session. Our goal is to teach in one neighborhood a month. At the end of the year we will host a big graduation party for the participants and they will each get a diploma to show they completed the class. We want to show them a better way to care for their children, how to implement healthy discipline strategies and ways to avoid violence in the home. If we can stop the situation getting to crisis point, we can prevent children like Deyton from being abused, neglected and abandoned. The classes have been extremely successful so far and the ladies look forward to coming to class.

Casa Shekinah also hosts a ladies Bible Study once a week. We are currently studying The Book of Esther using a Beth Moore curriculum. And a more personal escape is on Wednesdays when I go to Managua to attend a ladies Bible Study Group. Our time together is rich and precious, we are doing an inductive study on 1 Peter. It is my time of refreshment as we dig deep into The Word of God together.
                       ********************************************************

July: *I had my first and hopefully last attack of vertigo. Praise God, it now seems to be under control.
*Prayed with Ministry of Family Employee for physical healing and God answered with a miracle within days of asking. Praise GOD for such a powerful testimony!!

August: *Started parenting classes.
* Two princess warriors of God, from Servants of Christ Church, Gainesville, FL came to visit.
* Started Ladies Bible Study in Managua.

September: *Casa Shekinah organized and sponsored First Aid/CPR Training with the Red Cross for the new daycare community center in Ciudad Sandino.
* Started ladies Bible Study at Casa Shekinah.
* Celebrated Nicaragua's Independence Day.

October: *My home church here: ELEVATE, celebrated it's 7th Anniversary.
* Started making plans to start two new feeding programs.
* Oct 14th Twin earthquakes 7.3/REALLY felt those!!! Schools were closed for several days.

Casa Shekinah is very involved and active in the local community. We frequently do outreaches at orphanages, clinics, hospitals and wherever God directs. The goal is to share the love of Christ Jesus with as many people as possible and through Salvation witness transformation of lives.

Let's see what November brings :)

Thank you for your continued support with love, encouragement, visits, donations of clothes and toys, and finances. I know I have said it before, but TRULY, verily verily I say unto you: none of this would be possible without YOUR HELP. THANK YOU! Mil Gracias!! You are precious! God says so!!! and as Beth Moore says: "You have Royal blood flowing through you. The crimson bloodline of Christ flows through your veins." Let's share our grand inheritance, there is more than enough for everyone.

Each of the ladies shared what they enjoyed most about the parenting classes.

I was thrilled to see one of the dad's attend a parenting class!!!! Usually it's all women.

First Aid/CPR Training with Red Cross

Deyton celebrating Nicaraguan Independence Day

Celebrating Independence Day at Elevate Church with two of my children.

Two princess warrior women of God came to visit us :) Thank you for all your help!

Reaching out to the community. We brought a crib, bed linen, clothes, food and HOPE through the love of of Christ to this single mother of twins. 

with love in Christ,
andrea @ Casa Shekinah

God is always watching over us!

On the way to the feeding program today my car decided to just stop right in the middle of the road. Check engine light on!!! Yikes!!! We prayed! Managed to get it to a safe place then prayed through it. God was there every step of the way and provided for us all day long! Thank you LORD!!! The thunder was roaring and a storm threatening, I prayed The LORD would hold it back a few minutes while we waited for either a bus or taxi, whichever came first. At one point we could see it raining really hard a few meters away from us, but it never rained on us. Then I prayed for a connection to a local mechanic, and Hallelujah, thanks to Sarah Carnagie Weigand, it happened. Then, when the news was that the car couldn't be fixed until Monday I prayed for a way home, and YES, Kara Shay Westermann to the rescue. All of my prayers were answered, over and above anything I could have ever dreamed or imagined today. Our God is amazing, and still in the business of doing miracles. Trust Him, He will never let you down!!! He loves you!!!!

New Seasons... in more ways than one.

Hi there!!!

It amazes me that the seasons know exactly when to change. God you are amazing! Deyton and I survived April, the hottest month here in Nicaragua. It was hard though with only one fan. We took it in turns to have it in our room!

Deyton keeping cool in our homemade waterpark!

The rain is back, and we are happy to see it, hopefully it will cool down a little soon.

We also survived the earthquakes in April! J  Managua was destroyed in The Big Earthquake of 1972 which has left many people with fear in their hearts. Schools were closed for 4 weeks due to seismic activity as The President declared a Red Alert.  April 10^th was the biggest earthquake I have ever experienced, at 6.6 with more than 300 aftershocks. It was a mere 3 km from my house. We were rocking there for quite a while!

God is providing me opportunities to build relationships within The Ministry of Family here in Ciudad Sandino. I have had Deyton living with me since I started my home in February. He is two years old and full of smiles and energy! But recently I have felt God saying it is about more than just the children. This is an open door to share The Good News.

As President of the local delegation, I have many meetings at my house. I always start and finish with prayer and talk about what God is doing in my life throughout the meeting. I even gave part of my testimony at the last meeting. I am hosting a luncheon on Monday May 26^th to celebrate Mother’s Day, (May 30^th here) and plan to have a time to share a devotion also. May God bring in a harvest of souls, miracles and provision through these events!

Sharing The Good News at a Ministry of Family meeting at my house. I ended up sharing it with everyone present that day!

Another new area of work for me is accompanying my immediate supervisor on investigations into reported child abuse in the poor neighborhoods. (since several people have asked:  no, this is not a paid position, I rely 100% on donations) This has opened the door for more personal opportunities to share The gospel! Some of the situations too delicate to write about here. (let me know if you want more details.)

I praise you Father God for these opportunities to share faith, hope and love.

1 Cor 13v13 The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love.

Finances have been challenging recently. On top of usual day to day expenses, I now have to renew my Nicaraguan Residency and my USA Green card within months of each other. Each will cost about $1000 plus a trip back to USA. I value your prayers and if you feel led to participate financially, please pray about it and see the information at the end of this update, no pressure!

Prayer is by far my most important need. James says: “The prayer of a godly person is powerful. It makes things happen.”

Won’t you join me in making things happen for God’s Kingdom?

Love and blessings to you

From me,

Andrea J

Please let me know by email if you would like to donate for a specific cause: Deyton’s medical expenses, diapers, clothing, etc.  Or towards the Mothers Day Luncheon and other Ministry of Family Events, or Immigration costs etc. Many thanks!

CONTRIBUTIONS are all tax deductible. Checks may be made out and mailed to: The Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 3536 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, Fl 32605
IMPORTANT: please write NICA on check memo, or donate online by going to http://www.vineyardgainesville.org/give/, click on DONATE at the bottom of the page. When you review the donation, type "Nica" in the "Add a special note" box to designate your donation, or the funds will not make it to me!

MANY THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO GIVE FAITHFULLY TO GOD'S WORK HERE IN NICARAGUA, SERIOUSLY, WITHOUT YOU I COULD NOT BE HERE!  :)

blessed to be a blessing, in His hands,

andrea x

God's Jewels.

God's Jewels update..

Angela has done such a wonderful job in Los Cedros at the feeding program over this past year, 2013,  and she finished strong with a big Christmas Fiesta complete with God's Word, prayers, Praise, pinata and presents for all.

I have not been able to go every week since my car accident on December 27th so she has been moving forward without my help. This was one of my goals to eventually phase myself out of the program since it was her vision, as opposed to mine. Never intended it to be like this though, due to lack of transportation!

 My heart was to come alongside her and help and encourage her to reach out to her own community. Her vision was to feed 25 children every Saturday, then teach 3 other people how to run a similar program. It has been a lot for her to handle alone, yet she has done a great job and never complains. No-one seems to want to help without getting paid!

A few weeks ago, her local church told her they would like to run a similar program on Sundays after their service and have asked her to train them.  Hallelujah, part of her vision coming to fruition.

Things have changed a little since we started the program:

* she is now feeding about 50 children each Saturday (double)

* she is getting donations of rice and dried potato from a local ministry here

So I have asked her to come up with a new plan, taking into consideration the changes above, and the fact that we have been running in deficit the past few months. 

Will keep you updated. I try to post photos regularly on Facebook to keep you guys n gals in the picture! pun intended!!

Once again, many thanks to you all, on her behalf and on behalf of the children, for your participation in this program.

I will try to get an interview with Angela soon and post it for you!

Love you!

blessed to be a blessing,

in His hands,

andrea

Guess what?

Greetings from Ciudad Sandino:

We are struggling through the heat and dust of the 2 hottest months here in Nicaragua: March and April. The the rains will come soon after and cool things down bringing a host of fresh, rich colors to the landscape.

Life has been so crazy I haven't had time to stop and write. 

As you know, it has been on my heart for years to open up my own home for children in need here in Nicaragua. I thought that opportunity had finally come when I sent you the update last November. Since then, God has been moving and shaking and doing amazing things. (as only He can!) There are so many miracles woven into this story, too numerous to mention them all, but I couldn't write this update without reminding you guys that God is still a God of miracles in this day and age!) Hallelujah!!

Long story short, the whole plan changed. I ended up living and working around the clock in an orphanage in Managua. I was there alone during the Christmas and New Year holidays since the promised help did not show up. It was even more clear to me during that time that when the ratio of children to adults is high, it is impossible to love and care for them as they deserve. It made me more determined, against all odds, to open up my own home, according to God's plan for my life. And the worldly odds were stacked highly against me. A foreigner with no transportation and no money.

My car was wrecked in an accident back in December leaving me without transportation, and my meagre bank account had been frozen for some reason. Thankful to be alive, after the awful car wreck, I was now completely dependant on God to do anything!

 Again, to cut a long story short: with God's amazing provision, direction and favor, on February 20th 2014 I got my final approval from The Ministry of Family to receive children in critical need into my own home to love and care for them until such time as they could either return to family or be adopted into a family. Phew, long sentence!

I think it is similar to the foster care program in USA. They are called "hogares solidarias" here/translated Support Homes. I am the first foreigner to be accepted into this program in this delegation! Thank you LORD!

Within hours of me getting certified they brought me a two year old, and a few days later, 4 siblings who had been abandoned. That was full house for me. I have decided not to take more than 5 children at a time, so I can love them fully and operate as a normal family unit, the way God intended. 

On top of that, I was voted as President for the local delegation of support homes. I have to plan the annual calendar with a monthly event/teaching. I will kick of the program next Wednesday with a testimony on how and why I am here doing this and a presentation on childcare and keeping records of the children. May God be glorified in ALL I do and say. I could not have done any of this without Him, neither can I get through a day or even a minute without His help. 

My friends, I appreciate your continued support with prayer, love, encouragement and finances, especially now my family has grown! Please pray that I may have wisdom when making decisions concerning the children regarding doctors, dentists, schools, menus, etc. and for continued provision. Thank you so very much!

So that is the latest news here!

Now it's your turn! Please do write back and let me know what God is doing in your life, or what you would like to see Him do so I can join you in prayer!!

I love you guys!

May you be richly Blessed in all you do!

blessed to be a blessing,

in His hands,

andrea

YES!!

Hi Folks!

Pinch me, for real? Yes, it is really happening!!!!! Overflow, abundance, dreams coming true!

On December 1, 2013 the doors will open at the home I've been dreaming of for the past 5 years. A place where I can care for children in need in a family atmosphere. Those of you who have partnered with me at various stages of this  adventure know that this has been a long time coming!   

I will start out with 8 children living with me: two 6 year olds and the other 6 children ages 2 and under. I am partnering with another missionary couple to help meet the current needs in Nicaragua in conjunction with the local Ministry of Family. (MOF)

There has been a shift on the adoption scene lately. A good one. God has moved on the hearts of those in authority, and adoptions are going through so much quicker these days. There have also been changes in the adoption laws: one change is for babies who are abandoned at birth in hospitals. They can now go directly to a pre approved family to be adopted immediately, and not even have to go through the doors of an orphanage. This is huge!!!! In the past I have seen such cases take up to 5 years to be approved. The child has then spent the first 5 years of their life in an orphanage and has to then transition into "normal family life."

All this to say, there are now fewer babies and children in orphanages. Great!! May I add,  in the words of a dear friend, that it should never have been our intention to "warehouse children." Our goal should  always be to place them within a family unit as soon as possible and have them grow and develop in the way God intended for each one of us. Let's face it, God designed the family unit.  And that is how I plan to operate this new home.  So no, I am not opening up an orphanage! I am simply opening up my home to those children in need for as long as they need it.  I have the love of a Mother, the love of a  Grandmother and more important, the Love of God to share with them. (and by The Grace of God, I believe we have favor with The MOF!)

I just want a normal life for each one of these children. I want them to do normal things, like going to the grocery store with me, going to church with me, and all the normal things a family would do together! I remember once taking a boy from one of the orphanages grocery shopping with me. He was about 5 years old. He screamed as I picked him up and put him in the trolley (translated cart in USA?). I had no idea why he was so scared, but then found out he thought I was putting him in a cage. He had never seen a grocery cart before and didn't know what was happening to him! 

For me, this home is such a special gift from The LORD, an answer to prayer!

Please join us in continued prayer and praise to Our Father:

* for His continued guidance and provision, we cannot and will not do this without Him!

* safety and protection for all of us in the home

* for the right people to work with us. May God bring us good, honest followers of Jesus to work in unity with the children He places in our home.

* for sincere hearts at all times, may all we do be motivated by a genuine love for Christ and a desire to do His will. May we win others to Christ by example, by being the Living Bible to others.

* May we always have attitudes of gratitude!

Father we thank you for this opportunity to be co laborers with your Son, Jesus.

By The Way: I will still be working with the feeding program in Los Cedros: God's Jewels and will send an update on that soon. Thanks!

Blessed to be a blessing, 

In His Hands,

andrea

Who is your God?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ZF6FVcSdQ

Amen!

wait!

Thank you for your prayers during this time of transition. 

I enjoyed my month subbing at NCA and working with the children I told you about while their parents  were in USA, but all is quiet on the Western Front again. I know I am to wait on The LORD but have to confess I do not do waiting very well. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying this time to catch up on getting organised and ready for the next step in ministry here. 

There are several different projects I could start working on, but am not feeling led  to take any of them on at this time. I feel I need to be ready and available whenever God brings me the children He has for me to care for. I sometimes get up in the middle of the night to pray for them, the little ones who are suffering and who will come, even though I don't know any of them by name yet. I know He does and am waiting on His perfect timing. 

I am working with Antonio, a 5 year old boy from one of the orphanages. He needs to go to therapy on Wednesdays, so I enjoy spending that time with him, and helping him to learn english. A dear friend of mine is in the process of preparing to adopt from Nicaragua, so please keep her in your prayers: hopefully it will work out for her to take Antonio into her family.

On Saturdays you can still find me in Los Cedros working with the community God has placed on my heart since I moved here in 2007. Angela continues on with her feeding program, God's Jewels, despite a major setback this past week when her Grandmother passed away. We are so gratefull to all of you who provide the finances for this program, we could not do it without your help. Especially since I gave up my full time ministry at NCA in June. I walk daily by Faith knowing God has each of my days written in His book before one of them ever come to be.

                                                         

I am also making the most of my time in waiting by digging deeper into The Word.  As well as studying Beth Moore's "The Patriarchs." I have enrolled in classes with an online Bible Institute recommended by Don and Cindi Marsh. I just completed my first course and got 100 percent on my first exam. Eagerly looking forward to the next class.  

I am still praying for a speedy resolution regarding my Nicaragua immigration deposit. I am waiting to hear how much I have to pay for settlement: it could be anywhere from $500 to $2,000. 

My dental work is still in process, and while I am grateful for this opportunity, I am not enjoying it one bit! It has been the most uncomfortable, painful experience I can remember. I am getting used to drinking most of my meals these days, the liquidiser is getting a work out! Thanks Theresa for the chicken broth you sent me back with, it has been one of my lifelines. Along with a dear friend here who brings me soft foods to eat. She sent me home with garlic mashed potatoes yesterday, thank you!!!

It was about this time last year that the Vineyard commissioned a small team to come and visit some of God's Ministries here in Nicaragua. It was such a great encouragement to me and I look back on that time with fond memories and hope now of another visit soon! 

I do have prayer requests from some of you and I can assure you I lift them up to The LORD. Feel free to email me if I can pray for something specific for you and your family.  Thank you!

Please join me in praising God and thanking Him for His continued provision and protection. All Glory and Honor to Him.

May His will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven.

And may we have the wisdom to know what our part is in His plan.

May God lavish His extravagant blessings on you. Amen!

hugs from me x

Happy Birthday to you Fernanda!!!

Saturday September 21st: today is Fernandas 2nd birthday!

 Sad that this is her birthday meal, on the floor in the dirt. Yet rejoicing and thankful that she has food. It/s all a matter of perspective really..... thank you for allowing me to be a small part of their lives LORD, I truly love these little ones, your precious children.

Abuelita/Mamita Maria

When I left for the USA in June this year, Angela's Grandma was healthy and happy. Here is a photo of her with her daughter Sonya and two of her grandsons, Angela's brothers.

Angela's Mother, Sonya, with her Mother: Doña Maria, and two sons, Angela's brothers!

Mamita Maria with her newest grandbaby Ruth in July this year. (Not April as the photo notes!)

When I got back in August, I was surprised to hear she is now bedridden and very sick. She cannot eat solid food and is losing weight rapidly. She complained of being dizzy and weak and was unable to even sit up. I took her a large can of Ensure to help her get some nourishment. Sonya said it helped her get her appetite back and she is now eating a little rice and soup. 

One of the girls I have been looking after prays for Grandma Maria and lays on healing hands: with the pure faith of a child.

One of the teens I have been looking after prays fervently for miracles of healing.

Some of the children from my church came with me to pray for healing for Abuelita Maria.

This photo was taken back in June at one of our Saturday afternoon lunches with God's Jewels.

Please join us in prayer for a miracle of healing for Doña Maria.

News from NICARAGUA!

June/July/Destination USA: it was good to travel and visit so many great friends and family across the USA. Many thanks to all who shared amazing hospitality and love!

And what kind of a Grandma would I be if I didn’t mention the highlight of the trip: the birth of my new grandson London David Burgess. 

June 19th 2013 / 8:21 am /  8lbs 3 oz

London David Burgess

He is healthy, happy and so handsome / I am totally in love with him. I snuggled with him as often as I could, knowing how hard it would be to say farewell. I enjoyed every waking minute, and even watched over him as he slept!  I am very thankful for the gift of being present at his birth. The miracle of watching a new life emerge and hearing the newborns first cries never get old.... I am in awe of the gift of life itself. 

August/Back in Nicaragua: after just a couple of days in a guest house, I found a very nice one bed apartment to move into. I borrowed a mattress and slept on it on the floor until I was able to get help moving in about a week later. It is smaller than where I was living before, so am getting ruthless about sorting through stuff and giving away all the things I really don’t need anymore! 

Opportunities to serve opened up immediately once I was back. First, I helped to care for 4 children ages 1 to 7 while their mother travelled out of Nicaragua for a wedding. Secondly, I was asked to look after 3 children, ages 4, 5 and 16 for a month. Their parents had to return to USA with another sibling who needed further surgery and treatment in her battle with cancer. So I get to hang out with these precious angels, and the cool thing about this is that I looked after the two younger ones when they were babies! Now adopted into a wonderful Christian home, it is so encouraging to see what God has done in their lives. With God nothing is impossible! Some of you may remember baby Gabriella.

Me and baby Gabriella Christmas 2009

Gabriella on the L with her sister Sadie, last week.

On top of all this, I have the privilege of being substitute teacher at NCA for about a month. I covered a few classes teaching English at first, and am now covering Special Education for kinder through 12th grade. It has been such a blessing to be back at NCA again. As you can see, never a dull moment.

Please join me in prayer about the next step in ministry. I know God has placed children in critical need on my heart and I am confident that He will guide me in the right direction.  

visiting children in the city dump, Managua

I thank you all for your continued support with prayers, love, hospitality, encouragement and finances,

My dear friends, as Heidi Baker writes in her book "Compelled by LOVE.” I pray that you may have the riches of the poor because as Matthew 5v3 says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven."

With love in Christ,

From me

Andrea J

Missions Trip to Juigalpa.

Many thanks to all of you who prayed for our missions trip to Juigalpa.

It was a long drive with lots of preparation, but well worth it! There were about 20 of us that went from our church here in Managua. When we arrived on Friday, we went out into the community and did an outreach for the children as well as a service for the adults.




We gave the lesson about The boy who shared his lunch with Jesus. Five loaves and two fishes. Afterwards, we gave out clothing and beans and rice. When we got back we had about half an hour before the evening service at the church started, so we went out evangelizing door to door inviting people to the church.

The service was amazing. During our Praise and Worship we felt The Power of The Holy Spirit among us and remained in a spirit of worship for quite some time. The Holy Spirit's presence was the Word for the night. Healing. Restoration.








We heard testimonies of emotional, spiritual and physical healings. Thank you LORD!

We slept on the floor of the church that night, then up early the next morning to start all over again.









Saturday we had many meetings going on simultaneously. I headed up a children's program from 9 am to noon, then did some teacher training with one lady who was willing to listen. The church does not currently have a children's ministry, but she was eager to listen and learn. We are praying that she can start one really soon. I left her some information to study and hopefully she can enlist some more help and train them also.







The Pastor and his family said our visit was perfect timing. They were going through a really tough time as a church, with very little help, and they were financially broke! Because of generous donations from the congregation of our church, we were able to give out more clothing, rice and beans and even leave a financial donation for them. Thank you for your perfect timing LORD.







The Pastor's wife was diagnosed with brain cancer some time ago. She had surgery that left her vision impaired. We prayed with her for total healing and recovery, believing God for miracles. We plan to keep in touch with them and hope to go back and visit as God wills.

Once again, thank you for your prayers, and know that your donations contribute to events like this through my tithes and offerings to my local church here.

May you be richly blessed as you share God's Kingdom with others.

from me x

May Day!

Greetings my friends and family,


Thankyou. Yes, “thank you” are the first words on my mind when I think of you. Phil 1v3 Thank you for your continued support with: prayers, words of encouragement, finances, ideas, emails and fb messages!


All is well here in Nicaragua. Still crazy hot, but the rains are due any day now so that should cool things down a little.

Although then it will be hard to get the laundry dry! I remember the first year I was here. So many things just went moldy and had to be thrown away because it rained so much we could never get things dry. Oh, while on the subject of laundry, here is a pic of my outside "laundry room." I enjoy doing hand washing, even though it is time consuming. I play praise and worship music full blast and sing my heart out!

That old toilet brush works wonders for getting stubborn stains out of the laundry!

A couple of weeks ago one of my fillings fell out. An old one from years ago. And I mean years ago! I haven't had any dental work done, other than cleanings, for too many years to mention. I made an appointment to get it fixed, and ended up coming out with a whole list of things to be done!! Funny how at my last cleaning about 6 months ago, at another dentist, I got the all clear! Anyway, one of my goals for this year was to get my teeth taken care of. So I went to get all the x rays and so on, and to cut a long story short: if I didn't get braces fitted to straighten my teeth, they would eventually push each other out! Yikes! I had the top ones fitted last week. I go back again on May 6th. Thankfully, it is much more affordable here than in USA and I trust The LORD will provide the finances to cover the costs over the next year.

I am loving life at "mi casita," my little house. I bought some paint and will attempt to get it done over the next few weeks. Here are some pics of my options regarding a nican ladder!

Here is the first option to get to those high places!

 s

I think I prefer this option...

You can tell the size of my house by the car parked infront! It's just right!

Back view of my casita. I love to sit out in the mornings on this back porch with my cuppa and Bible Study, with the birds as my guests

I have been studying James, using Beth Moore and Rick Warren studies. I love it! It is a book that defines Faith, and then tells you how to live it out! James 1v2: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds… I am learning to live out my Faith more literally daily as the trials keep coming! So when we lack a basic need we are to consider ourselves blessed. LORD, I acknowledge my own inadequacy. I thank you for my weaknesses. What a rich blessing that trains me to rely wholeheartedly on YOU. I know that self sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by pride and temporary success. I know that health and wealth can disappear instantly, as can life itself. I rejoice in my insufficiency, knowing that your power within me is made perfect in my weakness. James 1v2, 2 Corinthians 12v9.

As a church body, we are fasting 50 days for Pentecost. We will end the fast on May 19th. We are praying as a church for the church, but also for the Nation and for personal reasons. I am excited to see what God has planned as we pray through this time.

I know God has directed me to leave NCA and have only 24 more days left of this school year. It will mean the end of my fixed income here in Nica. I am stepping out in Faith and will be totally relying on God for His direction and provision. I am moving into the unknown, but with a known God beside me, who promises never to leave me or forsake me. He is fighting on my behalf and Jesus Christ is up in Heaven interceding for me. So I have peace and I claim the victory promised in Jesus name!

As I sit and drink my morning cuppa, I watch the birds come and go and listen to them singing praises to The LORD, their Creator, and our Creator! I am reminded of the scriptures in Matthew and Luke about how Our God will always provide for us. Luke 12v22/32 and Matthew 6v25/34. Thank you LORD: for salvation for loved ones, for health, for wisdom, discernment, finances for missions, outreaches, dental work, divine appointments, meetings, connections, in order to walk the path You predestined for me long ago. Thank you that you promise to give us everything we ask for in your name LORD.

Vineyard Gainesville: Kit mentioned that we may be able to skype on May 22nd, so I pray that works and I look forward to seeing some of you then.


So I will end as I began. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you!

Living moment by moment for Christ,

Love always,

Andrea x
　

Jesus you have stolen my heart, I am captivated by you, I am falling deeper in love with you.....