So, it has been 13 days since my return from Peru. I finally had the chance to spend today in Prayer with the Lord. I set out with a list of questions that I was seeking confirmation and clarity on and the Lord our God did not disappoint. It amazes me how many ways and how many times He has answered this question for me (without being frustrated)....all with the same response.....YES!!! The question being...."Do you want me to go to Peru to serve in a LONG term mission capacity providing therapy services to those in need?" " YES, YES, YES"! I admit, I even asked Him...."are you sure? there seems to be sooooo many hurdles to jump over in order to get there? Am I prepared? I'm afraid.. Are you sure God? " Well, of course He is sure, He is GOD!!!! Today, his reasurrance to my question was pretty clear to me in my devotional: Judges 18:9-10 -Come on! We have seen that the land is very good! Aren't you going to do something? DON'T hesitate to go there and take it over...GOD has put into your hands, a land that lacks nothing whatever". To me this says, stop waisting your time asking me a question that I've already answered! GO and DO SOMETHING!!!!! I know that this is out of context to what the passage really is meaning, but to me, this message was loud and clear....an answer to my first question I had JUST asked God for.....
So, after this confirmation, I moved on to the next question that I've been struggling with quite a bit since my return. FEAR. FEAR of failure/of not being useful and productive, FEAR of illness, giving up of comforts and FEAR that my weaknesses will overpower me, and lastly FEAR of lack of knowledge-of having enough experience as an OT to provide the needed help, of being an effective communicator in Spanish, and of knowing the culture which is so very important to OT in general, and of my spiritual readiness. I spent the day reading His word about his commandment to FEAR NOT! and then his promise to give me strength, help, and even His promise to hold me with his righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10. Reminders that Perfect love casts out fear and that He is with you in ALL circumstances. 1 John 4:18. I learned that FAITH is the opposite of Fear and that Faith will ALWAYS defeat fear because of the work of the Holy Spirit. THE ANTICDOTE of Fear = TRUST IN GOD!. God is more powerful than fear! I was reminded that "God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind". 2Timothy 1:7 So, I am feeling MUCH more at peace with the fear of al the things mentioned above, however know that fear can creep back in at any moment and that I need to be on continual guard to be ready to fight off these attacks when they come with God's promises. This continues to be something I will need your prayers for.....
So, now that I've made the decision to go, there are just a few MAJOR things that need to occur in order for me to be free to serve in Peru for as long as the Lord wants me too. These are listed below for you so that if you are praying for me, you will be able to have all my needs listed:
1. Sell my condo for what I owe on it. I have owned my place for 4 1/2 years and bought it at the height of the market. I've had it on the market since the end of October 2010 with NOT even one call to come look at the place. I am trusting in the Lord that if He wants me there, he will provide the solution for this condo! It only takes one person!
2. Pay off my college debt. I have an educational loan and my mother took out a parent plus educational loan which I am paying for her. This was the plan we agreed to as I was entering college.
3. Find a sending agency that is a good fit for me and is supportive of my vision and will prepare me for the mission field.
4. Raise enough support for a 1-2 year committment to start.
5. Learn SPANISH!!!!
6. Conquer my fears and TRUST in the Lord!
I am confident in God's perfect timing for all these things to be taken care of. He is the one who put this call into my heart in the first place, so I am confident that He will provide all that I need. So, I am asking for your prayers for all the above needs. I am reminded by the following verses of God's promise to answer prayers that are for HIM!
Again, I say to you, that if 2 of you agree on earth concerning anything they ask, it will be done for them by My father in heaven. Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, I am there in the Midst of them. Mt 18:19,20
Therefore, I say to you, whatever thing you ask when you pray, belive that you recieve them and you will have them. Mark 11:24
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7,8
Thank you all for your prayers and support. I will keep you updated on what God is doing to make all this happen! Blessings to all of you!
Love,
Lisa