1.27.2011
same message, just a change of tone... :-)
so...my last blog entry from yesterday was rather...blah. my apologies to anyone who read it before i chose to get rid of it...that was a very raw, personal moment...in fact, i am still wrestling with the same feelings but i've decided, you all (if you actually exist) do not need to be exposed to my rambling discontented confusion.
that being said, i ask for prayer. my heart is not at peace, at all. i am here, but i lsck the passion and motivation to continue serving in this season of life unless several things do not change rapidly.
i very much need a sabatical from giving...i need to listen more and talk less...i need to rest...i need space...i need to hear from Jesus! somehow i have managed to empty myself of anything worth giving and i just need to be refilled and in the process find a way to maintain my "fullness" when i begin giving again...that may not make any sense to anyone else but me...it's ok, it's my blog ;-)
my mom keeps telling me that "the will of God leaves peace in your heart...no matter the circumstances..." so i am asking God, where is the peace? where do i find it? i know that i have one direction in which my heart is being pulled and i only lack peace because i cannot forsee a transition from this place to the new place...however, i am beginning to sense a little bit of what that transition will look like.
please pray that i do find the right path for my feet. in all of this, i know that i want to serve God...i want to not only plow fields and plant seeds, i want to water and harvest!! i want to be a rested individual. i want my life to be life-giving simply because i have been with Jesus...that is not currently happening.
much love,
rachel
that being said, i ask for prayer. my heart is not at peace, at all. i am here, but i lsck the passion and motivation to continue serving in this season of life unless several things do not change rapidly.
i very much need a sabatical from giving...i need to listen more and talk less...i need to rest...i need space...i need to hear from Jesus! somehow i have managed to empty myself of anything worth giving and i just need to be refilled and in the process find a way to maintain my "fullness" when i begin giving again...that may not make any sense to anyone else but me...it's ok, it's my blog ;-)
my mom keeps telling me that "the will of God leaves peace in your heart...no matter the circumstances..." so i am asking God, where is the peace? where do i find it? i know that i have one direction in which my heart is being pulled and i only lack peace because i cannot forsee a transition from this place to the new place...however, i am beginning to sense a little bit of what that transition will look like.
please pray that i do find the right path for my feet. in all of this, i know that i want to serve God...i want to not only plow fields and plant seeds, i want to water and harvest!! i want to be a rested individual. i want my life to be life-giving simply because i have been with Jesus...that is not currently happening.
much love,
rachel
11.30.2010
...to be real and transparent-always content
Wow! I was reading over my last post and came across this statement in the midst of my list of life goals. I find it completely crazy that when I wrote this list some two months ago, I was hedging on discontentment, and only the people who love me most would have known. But shortly after that post, my life nose-dived into a sea of discontent!
The past month or so everywhere I turn, I keep being reminded of this one concept... Paul says it in Philippians 4...the secret to being content is to remember that "...I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I have quoted that verse my entire life. I have even criticized myself and others for taking it out of context! But, as of late, the true meaning has begun to bear fruit. Paul says:
I have found myself hiding in self-pity and longing for...the next big thing! Every time I have started to get frustrated, the Lord has reminded me...through music, license plates, radio programs, secular tv shows, little children, etc... My Contentment comes from knowing Christ!
Ephesians 1:3-5
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us to be faultless in his eyes.
God decided in advance to adopt us into His very own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted, and it gave in great pleasure."
Selah.
Stop and think about it.
God has given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms?? What does that mean? I don't even know. I am supposed to sit down in my position next to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit reveal to me all that God has given me.... BEFORE I walk out my faith. So often I try to walk out my faith and get tired, weary, frustrated...DISCONTENT...because I still haven't discovered, it is Christ Who has accomplished all of this...FOR ME!
Lord, help me to be real...transparent...and ALWAYS content.
The past month or so everywhere I turn, I keep being reminded of this one concept... Paul says it in Philippians 4...the secret to being content is to remember that "...I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I have quoted that verse my entire life. I have even criticized myself and others for taking it out of context! But, as of late, the true meaning has begun to bear fruit. Paul says:
Philippians 4:11-13 (Amplified Bible)
11Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be a]">[a] content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.
12I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.
13I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who b]">[b]infuses inner strength into me; I am c]">[c]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
I have found myself hiding in self-pity and longing for...the next big thing! Every time I have started to get frustrated, the Lord has reminded me...through music, license plates, radio programs, secular tv shows, little children, etc... My Contentment comes from knowing Christ!
Ephesians 1:3-5
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us to be faultless in his eyes.
God decided in advance to adopt us into His very own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted, and it gave in great pleasure."
Selah.
Stop and think about it.
God has given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms?? What does that mean? I don't even know. I am supposed to sit down in my position next to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit reveal to me all that God has given me.... BEFORE I walk out my faith. So often I try to walk out my faith and get tired, weary, frustrated...DISCONTENT...because I still haven't discovered, it is Christ Who has accomplished all of this...FOR ME!
Lord, help me to be real...transparent...and ALWAYS content.
10.03.2010
What I really want...
Why do we have to make life so complicated? I've always done life according to what is the right thing to do...I have rarely said what I really mean. Not that I'm lying, I tell people what I think...but I rarely let people into the heart of the real "Rachel"...I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a sneaky, suspicious feeling it's because somewhere deep down I believe that people don't really want to know or that they won't be able to handle the simplicity of what I want or who I am. This is absurd because it really is no different than anything that anyone else wants.
I want...
...to marry my best friend
...to be married for at least 50 years
...to have 4 biological children
...to adopt 4 more (hopefully internationally)
...to own a couple golden retrievers
...to live a life worth imitating...healthy marriage/family relationships
...to make my home a safe haven for my children, a place of rest for my husband & myself
...to raise my children to be spiritual oaks trees
...to be able to take good care of my parents as they age
...to pay for my parents to take a trip to Australia
...to own a cabin in the woods
...to own a home and some land in Ireland
...to be financially independent & debt free by 50
...to have enough money to fund lots of Kingdom work, to take care of my loved ones but to live a contented simple life.
...to live for a season in Oregon, California, Colorado & Turkey (as well as an Asian country)
...to be a discipler
...to be a worshiper
...to be an intercessor
...to be real and transparent-always content
...to LIVE in the awareness of God's Presence
...to see someone healed as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to see someone delivered from demonic oppression as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to see someone raised from the dead as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to intentionally and successfully mentor 100 influential women over the course of my lifetime
...to obtain a Ph.D (of course, after I obtain a Masters degree)
...to write books for a living
...to speak/understand Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Turkish & Gaelic
...to teach at the college level
...to climb a mountain
...to plant an orchard
...to run a 5K and then a 10K
...to cultivate an orchid
...to learn to garden
...to visit Dubai
...to visit St. Petersburg, Russia
...to visit Cypress
...to retrace on of Paul's missionary journeys
...to tour Europe
...to tour the Holy Land and be baptized in the Jordan River
...to ride in a gondola in Venice
...to take each of my children on a coming of age trip
...to take one family trip around the country in a camper
... I want to ENJOY my life...to have no regrets...to KNOW this is how I was created to LIVE...
(these are the things I thought were even believable...the rest, are between me & Jesus...)
As I evaluate my life, I feel like I have been striving...striving for some intangible goal...and it all has taken me away from my true heart...to be a wife, a mother, a writer, a mentor, a teacher...someone who lives a full, adventurous, peaceful life...someone who leave a true legacy...a carbon footprint that points to Jesus and the Kingdom of God...
I want...
...to marry my best friend
...to be married for at least 50 years
...to have 4 biological children
...to adopt 4 more (hopefully internationally)
...to own a couple golden retrievers
...to live a life worth imitating...healthy marriage/family relationships
...to make my home a safe haven for my children, a place of rest for my husband & myself
...to raise my children to be spiritual oaks trees
...to be able to take good care of my parents as they age
...to pay for my parents to take a trip to Australia
...to own a cabin in the woods
...to own a home and some land in Ireland
...to be financially independent & debt free by 50
...to have enough money to fund lots of Kingdom work, to take care of my loved ones but to live a contented simple life.
...to live for a season in Oregon, California, Colorado & Turkey (as well as an Asian country)
...to be a discipler
...to be a worshiper
...to be an intercessor
...to be real and transparent-always content
...to LIVE in the awareness of God's Presence
...to see someone healed as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to see someone delivered from demonic oppression as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to see someone raised from the dead as a result of prayer (hopefully all the time)
...to intentionally and successfully mentor 100 influential women over the course of my lifetime
...to obtain a Ph.D (of course, after I obtain a Masters degree)
...to write books for a living
...to speak/understand Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Turkish & Gaelic
...to teach at the college level
...to climb a mountain
...to plant an orchard
...to run a 5K and then a 10K
...to cultivate an orchid
...to learn to garden
...to visit Dubai
...to visit St. Petersburg, Russia
...to visit Cypress
...to retrace on of Paul's missionary journeys
...to tour Europe
...to tour the Holy Land and be baptized in the Jordan River
...to ride in a gondola in Venice
...to take each of my children on a coming of age trip
...to take one family trip around the country in a camper
... I want to ENJOY my life...to have no regrets...to KNOW this is how I was created to LIVE...
(these are the things I thought were even believable...the rest, are between me & Jesus...)
As I evaluate my life, I feel like I have been striving...striving for some intangible goal...and it all has taken me away from my true heart...to be a wife, a mother, a writer, a mentor, a teacher...someone who lives a full, adventurous, peaceful life...someone who leave a true legacy...a carbon footprint that points to Jesus and the Kingdom of God...
Hello...Goodbye.
Tonight, for the first time since I began at Hannah's House, I cooked for everyone-white bean chicken chili & homemade banana bread-comfort foods! This a rarely practiced but deeply enjoyed hobby. Then we watched one of my all-time favorite movies, "Anne of Green Gables!" It's always fun to introduce a new group of ladies to Anne, Diana & Gilbert, Marilla & Matthew... and Rachel Lynd... Every time is like being with old friends. I still giggle at the drama and cry at the breath-taking, unsuspected moments that are common to life. As I was nestled in my arm chair, wrapped in an old college hoodie, I felt something rush over me... joy over life and all of it's simple pleasures...
Lately, I've been "re-connecting" with myself. Sometimes this ministry can dehumanize one so much. I can become so accustomed to taking care of the needs of others that I lose my identity, my sense of joy in the simple things. I tend to just go through the motions, nonstop moving, no true rest. I took a few days to visit with my parents this weekend, which really helped! When I was home, I started reading through an old journal from my senior year in high school, it took me back :-) As I perused over the crushes from almost a decade ago, the hopes and dreams, the failures and insecurities, I couldn't help but notice...not much has changed...maybe the circumstances...the location, the relationship, the role or position, but I'm still Rachel... a woman always looking on to the next great occasion, hoping to leave an impact, believing with every idealistic fiber of my being that all things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His purpose... This is a truth that the world would love to snuff out of my heart, but I'm finding it to be true more every day that I live.
My journals reveal that I'm a hopeless romantic, always hoping for someone who will be just as invested in the dreams in my heart as I am. It's almost comical as I see the cycle of disappointment repeat itself over and over again, each time I tell myself, "I won't do that again..." or "I'm older and wiser..." or "Next time..." haha.
There was a time when I would have been keenly disappointed in myself over such a reminder-that I'm not really learning from my mistakes; but instead, only graduating to new circumstances... However, now I look and I see that it is in these moments that I meet myself coming & going....and God has an opportunity to show me Himself...and instill with me a new courage. Recognizing my own pattern of humanness reminds me of how much I need Jesus, how much my strength truly comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling inside, transforming me one experience at a time.
Watching "Anne" tonight, something crossed my mind. We spend our lives saying "Hello" & "Goodbye." Relationships always start with "hello." And, depending upon the impact of the "hello" and the significance of that person's investment in our lives, "goodbye" comes in time. These greetings are all unique. If our relationship has any kind of real meaning, we usually remember one greeting more than another. "Hello"s are usually more fun... if we remember a "goodbye" more than a "hello" it usually is a reflection of relational unhealthiness... I don't know. Ha! I'm rambling... But think about it...most often we can remember how we met someone. Saying goodbye to a dear friend or loved one is usually an embrace, a moment of cherishing each other...until the next time we say hello. But goodbye to someone with whom we are either angry, or by whom we've been hurt, usually leaves a wake of unresolved emotion...memories that are replayed over and over... they are the last and sometimes only memories we have of an individual. Whether we like it or not, we have to say hello and have to say goodbye...but it's up to us what we remember and how we replay that memory.
I'm not quite sure where I'm going with all of that...but take it to heart...I'd appreciate insight.
Lately, I've been "re-connecting" with myself. Sometimes this ministry can dehumanize one so much. I can become so accustomed to taking care of the needs of others that I lose my identity, my sense of joy in the simple things. I tend to just go through the motions, nonstop moving, no true rest. I took a few days to visit with my parents this weekend, which really helped! When I was home, I started reading through an old journal from my senior year in high school, it took me back :-) As I perused over the crushes from almost a decade ago, the hopes and dreams, the failures and insecurities, I couldn't help but notice...not much has changed...maybe the circumstances...the location, the relationship, the role or position, but I'm still Rachel... a woman always looking on to the next great occasion, hoping to leave an impact, believing with every idealistic fiber of my being that all things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His purpose... This is a truth that the world would love to snuff out of my heart, but I'm finding it to be true more every day that I live.
My journals reveal that I'm a hopeless romantic, always hoping for someone who will be just as invested in the dreams in my heart as I am. It's almost comical as I see the cycle of disappointment repeat itself over and over again, each time I tell myself, "I won't do that again..." or "I'm older and wiser..." or "Next time..." haha.
There was a time when I would have been keenly disappointed in myself over such a reminder-that I'm not really learning from my mistakes; but instead, only graduating to new circumstances... However, now I look and I see that it is in these moments that I meet myself coming & going....and God has an opportunity to show me Himself...and instill with me a new courage. Recognizing my own pattern of humanness reminds me of how much I need Jesus, how much my strength truly comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling inside, transforming me one experience at a time.
Watching "Anne" tonight, something crossed my mind. We spend our lives saying "Hello" & "Goodbye." Relationships always start with "hello." And, depending upon the impact of the "hello" and the significance of that person's investment in our lives, "goodbye" comes in time. These greetings are all unique. If our relationship has any kind of real meaning, we usually remember one greeting more than another. "Hello"s are usually more fun... if we remember a "goodbye" more than a "hello" it usually is a reflection of relational unhealthiness... I don't know. Ha! I'm rambling... But think about it...most often we can remember how we met someone. Saying goodbye to a dear friend or loved one is usually an embrace, a moment of cherishing each other...until the next time we say hello. But goodbye to someone with whom we are either angry, or by whom we've been hurt, usually leaves a wake of unresolved emotion...memories that are replayed over and over... they are the last and sometimes only memories we have of an individual. Whether we like it or not, we have to say hello and have to say goodbye...but it's up to us what we remember and how we replay that memory.
I'm not quite sure where I'm going with all of that...but take it to heart...I'd appreciate insight.
9.19.2010
Love Life!
This weekend has been so...beautiful...in so many ways! I just got back from St. Louis, MO. It is a such a lovely city. It is full of green space and I love the historical, ornate architecture and little details. The weather was gorgeous. AND I giggled and laughed and enjoyed being a girl with 12 precious women from TLC. We went to the Joyce Meyer Women's Conference, "Love Life." The sessions were focused onf "Mind, Mouth, Moods & Attitudes." Let's say, it was full of moments to ponder. I enjoyed every minute of it...I'm still processing the conference... there was one speaker who intrigued me so much! Dr. Caroline Leaf is a neuroscientist (?) Her session was all about showing how science supports the simple truths of scripture... she showed through the complexities of the brain how we can experience freedom in the Spirit... I know, I know...how? Well, I took 10 pages of notes...and bought two books. I plan to blog on them as I read, it will make more sense later.
:-)
9.11.2010
overdue update
WOW, it's been a minute since I last posted something. Life has been a blur ever since I arrived here in Lexington. The truth is...I've been wanting to post but sometimes it's hard to know where to begin.
Lexington is beginning to feel like home after 4 months. I'm not sure how to sum up the changes that I've been experiencing. I am still living here in the center, sharing a bathroom with 6 other women, never really being away from their ups & downs. But God has been granting me the grace through this season of "securing the foundations" to live within earshot of the very women I minister to. I've been learning about leadership...and boundaries...and discipleship. It's been fun. Every day I see the Lord working in women's lives...I watch women transform before my very eyes...
About two months ago, I decided to choose a home church, True Life Church, is literally a 30 second walk from my back porch. The people of the church are beautiful...real...like a family. We have a great new pastor and his wife gives the best hugs ever! Their children are precious and I'm learning to have a pastor who is not my father.
I am finding a neat friendship with a woman that truly intrigues me. For years, I've prayed for a mentor and the Lord has sent them to me for short seasons, but this woman is like the 'energizer bunny'. She is involved in so many aspects of business, life, ministry, family, etc. Her heart is to mentor young women in the "stuff" of life, a true Titus 2 woman. It's been fun getting to know her. She has two sons who are very industrious for their age, both are not even out of their 20's and they own their own businesses and hold serious leadership positions in the church. I'm intrigued by the strength of their family...I hope to learn from her about how she and her husband have raised such strong sons...
I've been re-evaluating my goals for life...I'm still not ready to put them all out there...but soon, I need the accountability of making them public :-) I've been a bit surprised to see the progress from my 5 year plan I made in college. I have accomplished pretty much all of it...except for a master's degree...which I have not even started...although not for a lack of attempts. (I was accepted at 2 different grad schools and was weeks from starting when, both times, I felt the Lord tell me "No!"). But I still plan to get there.
Anyway, well, there's an update...I'm supposed to be studying since I'm preaching tomorrow evening, but I'm procrastinating... updating my blog suddenly became pressing ;-)
Lexington is beginning to feel like home after 4 months. I'm not sure how to sum up the changes that I've been experiencing. I am still living here in the center, sharing a bathroom with 6 other women, never really being away from their ups & downs. But God has been granting me the grace through this season of "securing the foundations" to live within earshot of the very women I minister to. I've been learning about leadership...and boundaries...and discipleship. It's been fun. Every day I see the Lord working in women's lives...I watch women transform before my very eyes...
About two months ago, I decided to choose a home church, True Life Church, is literally a 30 second walk from my back porch. The people of the church are beautiful...real...like a family. We have a great new pastor and his wife gives the best hugs ever! Their children are precious and I'm learning to have a pastor who is not my father.
I am finding a neat friendship with a woman that truly intrigues me. For years, I've prayed for a mentor and the Lord has sent them to me for short seasons, but this woman is like the 'energizer bunny'. She is involved in so many aspects of business, life, ministry, family, etc. Her heart is to mentor young women in the "stuff" of life, a true Titus 2 woman. It's been fun getting to know her. She has two sons who are very industrious for their age, both are not even out of their 20's and they own their own businesses and hold serious leadership positions in the church. I'm intrigued by the strength of their family...I hope to learn from her about how she and her husband have raised such strong sons...
I've been re-evaluating my goals for life...I'm still not ready to put them all out there...but soon, I need the accountability of making them public :-) I've been a bit surprised to see the progress from my 5 year plan I made in college. I have accomplished pretty much all of it...except for a master's degree...which I have not even started...although not for a lack of attempts. (I was accepted at 2 different grad schools and was weeks from starting when, both times, I felt the Lord tell me "No!"). But I still plan to get there.
Anyway, well, there's an update...I'm supposed to be studying since I'm preaching tomorrow evening, but I'm procrastinating... updating my blog suddenly became pressing ;-)
4.06.2010
The free fall :-)
I am moving to Lexington, KY in the beginning of May 2010!
It all started last summer, after years of floundering and asking the Lord, what now? I felt Him drop April into my spirit. I knew my current lease would be up at the end of April and so I figured that was all it meant but it stuck... then I decided to take a few ministry courses in Kentucky School of Ministry this past fall, "just to brush up"...but then, someone confronted me about getting ordained...something I'd been holding off on because I felt that I had nothing to "show" for my license. I prayed about it...and then I applied. Long story short, I interviewed and went through the process as an ordination candidate with KY District Council of the Assemblies of God and was approved. I will be officially ordained on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
For a couple years, I have been asking Jesus why He called me back to KY, trying to reconcile the "loss"of an entirely different dream...a calling to foreign missions, one I pursued a good part of my life until 2005. That's when I laid it all down to come to Kentucky all because the Lord put a burden and passion for my generation and for the Body of Christ in my heart. I've served in various areas of ministry...I've loved it...but I've been frustrated because this entire time...I could not work full time in ministry. So, I've been doing anything that I could get my hands on...and working full time as a secretary to support my ministry habit.
What's funny? Since being back in KY, I've begun to see that one of the strongest areas affecting this generation is the same thing I have always had passion for when working overseas... brokenness and addiction. I've served part time with a ministry called Teen Challenge off and on and then volunteered with a ministry called Church 922: A Church for this Generation. In everything I did, I began to be surrounded by people battling real addictions...people who loved the Lord...wanted to serve Him but could not seem to overcome the power of a lifecontrolling problem. I have had a growing burden to work with people in this situation...to disciple and pray with them...to help them through the healing process. I've been frustrated because that is a full time job when done right...so I was wearing myself ragged working full time and then coming home and diving into ministry. For the past year, I've basically done the minimal. I've stepped back and really evaluated everything...I've asked the Lord...what? Where? why?
That brings me to this...in February 2010 I received a very unexpected phone call to come work with Teen Challenge full time as a Program Director in a new women's center in Lexington. At first, I didn't know how I could afford it. For almost two months, I've wanted to do it and been completely overwhelmed and petrified of letting go of my comfort zone, my stability. But, I just kept hearing the Lord say...trust Me.
I'll be honest, I need two things. One, a lot of prayer...this is a new challenge and I'm sure it will be stretching. Two, I'm still lacking about $500 in monthly support to truly be effective and sharp. If you are interested in supporting me, please email me Raquel4Christ@hotmail.com and I'll fill you in on more. Thanks in advance for your support....
So, here we go...I'm leaping out into the unknown wonder of obedience...I know that God is doing something. I just want to be used by Him to further His Kingdom...in my generation...in my beloved state of Kentucky!
It all started last summer, after years of floundering and asking the Lord, what now? I felt Him drop April into my spirit. I knew my current lease would be up at the end of April and so I figured that was all it meant but it stuck... then I decided to take a few ministry courses in Kentucky School of Ministry this past fall, "just to brush up"...but then, someone confronted me about getting ordained...something I'd been holding off on because I felt that I had nothing to "show" for my license. I prayed about it...and then I applied. Long story short, I interviewed and went through the process as an ordination candidate with KY District Council of the Assemblies of God and was approved. I will be officially ordained on Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
For a couple years, I have been asking Jesus why He called me back to KY, trying to reconcile the "loss"of an entirely different dream...a calling to foreign missions, one I pursued a good part of my life until 2005. That's when I laid it all down to come to Kentucky all because the Lord put a burden and passion for my generation and for the Body of Christ in my heart. I've served in various areas of ministry...I've loved it...but I've been frustrated because this entire time...I could not work full time in ministry. So, I've been doing anything that I could get my hands on...and working full time as a secretary to support my ministry habit.
What's funny? Since being back in KY, I've begun to see that one of the strongest areas affecting this generation is the same thing I have always had passion for when working overseas... brokenness and addiction. I've served part time with a ministry called Teen Challenge off and on and then volunteered with a ministry called Church 922: A Church for this Generation. In everything I did, I began to be surrounded by people battling real addictions...people who loved the Lord...wanted to serve Him but could not seem to overcome the power of a lifecontrolling problem. I have had a growing burden to work with people in this situation...to disciple and pray with them...to help them through the healing process. I've been frustrated because that is a full time job when done right...so I was wearing myself ragged working full time and then coming home and diving into ministry. For the past year, I've basically done the minimal. I've stepped back and really evaluated everything...I've asked the Lord...what? Where? why?
That brings me to this...in February 2010 I received a very unexpected phone call to come work with Teen Challenge full time as a Program Director in a new women's center in Lexington. At first, I didn't know how I could afford it. For almost two months, I've wanted to do it and been completely overwhelmed and petrified of letting go of my comfort zone, my stability. But, I just kept hearing the Lord say...trust Me.
I'll be honest, I need two things. One, a lot of prayer...this is a new challenge and I'm sure it will be stretching. Two, I'm still lacking about $500 in monthly support to truly be effective and sharp. If you are interested in supporting me, please email me Raquel4Christ@hotmail.com and I'll fill you in on more. Thanks in advance for your support....
So, here we go...I'm leaping out into the unknown wonder of obedience...I know that God is doing something. I just want to be used by Him to further His Kingdom...in my generation...in my beloved state of Kentucky!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)