Remember

God often calls us to remember . . .

Remember our sins, and His unfailing mercy (Psalm 103:1-4)

Remember His faithfulness to hear and answer prayer (Eph. 3:20-21)

Remember . . . He is coming again and while we are here, we hold forth the word of Life (Phil. 2:16)

This morning, I need to remember all of this and more. I need to remember His unfailing love and power. I need to remember and even somehow, rest in His ability to intervene and transform the hellish situations of this world (my world) into what is just and good. If I do not remember, I will perish in my heartache as I watch the afflictions of this world hurled in both seen and unseen ways at the vulnerable.

This morning, as I take time to think, pray and meditate on His goodness and grace, one of our ministry partners from Cambodia sends this word to me:
“First, I thank my god through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you . . .” Romans 1:8-9

She, by God’s gracious goodness, is remembering me, even me, in prayer . . . unceasing prayer. When my life seems at one of the darkest hours ever, this sweet word of comfort and courage and hope makes it way to me from across the ocean, the mountains, the plains that stand between SE Asia and USA.

How great is our God that He has called her to pray, and given her a faithful heart to do so. He has not forgotten. He is actively at work in the darkness to bring life, and light, that is desperately needed.
He remembers, and cannot forget. For we are engraved on the palms of His Hands!

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed (engraved) you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:15-16

Thank you, Lord, for your tireless and unceasing care and concern. You love like no other can. You love with an undying love and your care brings healing and salvation; sweet deliverances that we long for. I worship you, my Lord and I choose to trust in You. May my life radiate the obedience of faith, that is well-pleasing in Your sight, and effectual in bringing your Kingdom to all who will receive.
Amen.

I needed to hear your voice...

Early yesterday morning, my phone rang. “Hello, sister!” the eager voice spoke from the receiver. I immediately recognized the voice of Veronika, our faithful partner in the Sudan. “Hello, Veronika! How are you?” “I am fine in the Lord. I miss you! I needed to hear your voice.”

What can I tell you about Veronika? She is more than fine in the Lord. She loves the Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. She loves her husband and their 6 children. Together, they continue to fight the good fight against persecution and passivity from without and within. Believers in the Sudan sometimes grow weary of the political, religious regime of the majority religion, forcing its way from north to south.

Yet, they stand firm, embracing their faith and making the most of every opportunity to demonstrate the love God so freely gives in His Son, our Savior.

Veronika went on to share her prayer concerns for her Mother’s health, and the women’s ministry training engaged in providing HIV-AIDS prevention to women in various parts of Sudan. Her effervescent joy was both contagious and revitalizing. I nearly forgot about my broken right arm, as I was taken up into the love and beauty of partnering with Veronika and the women of the Sudan. We exchanged prayer requests and expressed an expectancy that our God will do more than we can even know to ask!

Veronika said that she needed to hear my voice . . . truth be known—I was the one who needed to hear hers.

Won’t you join me in partnering with the women of Sudan through prayer? Believe it or not, our phone conversation lasted for 5 minutes. How about spending 5 minutes in prayer for Veronika and the women she serves right now?

Dear Lord,

Forgive my complacency and self-pity this day. Replace it with your lovingkindness and tender mercy. Make your Presence known to and through our partners’ women’s ministry team in Sudan, “The Women of the Good News”. Equip them with everything good to know and do your will, especially their ministry to widows and other women vulnerable to HIV-AIDS. Protect them as they travel to Darfur and other regions in Sudan. Make their paths straight and produce much fruit through their courageous efforts.

Thank you Lord, for the love and beauty of partnership, one of your most precious gifts!

Amen.

Esther from Vietnam is Coming Soon!

We would love for you to have the opportunity to see Esther share her heart and the ministry she is doing in Vietname. She has a few speaking engagements during her stay here in Florida. The following are the list of events that she will be speaking at:

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 6pm -7:30
Memorial Presbyterian Church
Wednesday Night Family Style Dinner followed by Esther and Kim both speaking
Dinner is $7 per person, $20 cap per family.
For more information, contact Drew Hanley at 832-3631, ext. 302

Sunday, November 1, 2009 11 am
Church in the Gardens
Luncheon to follow
Contact Kristin for more information at 561- 723-2482

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 7-9pm
Community Foundation Building
Evening in the Courtyard
Our main event while Esther is here!
Coffee and Dessert will be provided.
Unique Christmas and Hanukkah shopping opportunity