Worship is powerful!

As I was preparing for today’s bible lesson, I was listening to some praise music in the background. I continue to be convinced that the Lord has called me to teaching because of how much I have to learn! Everyday He teaches me new things about Himself and I’m blown away at the growth that comes when I am actively working towards growing others. In preparation for the lesson, I was reading 2 Chronicles 20. It says that a vast army was coming against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and that after hearing this, “Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD.” He called for fasting across all Judah and “the people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD.” I was first of all struck by this reaction. Many different stories in scripture record the wrong reactions that we have had to different trials and troubles, but Jehoshaphat knew where real power came from and called upon the King of heaven and earth to give him wisdom and strength for the battle ahead. Once the people were assembled before the temple of the LORD, he said “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” He immediately turned to worship in the face of trouble. I was meditating on the reality of what can come from a heart that chooses that kind of reaction when a familiar song came on describing the story told in Acts 16. “In prisoner’s chains, with bleeding stripes, Paul and Silas prayed that night. And in their pain, began to sing; their chains were loosed and they were freed.” I decided to take the opportunity to re-read this familiar story. I remember hearing it in Sunday school and even teaching about it on occasion, but had never been so struck with the fact that their response to the awful situation they were in was worship! Then as a direct result of their worship, God chose to shake the foundations of the prison and break the chains of all of the prisoners. The story does not end there either, in fact the best part comes after the earthquake, because that night the Lord brought many hearts to Himself! The jailer saw the power of the God that these men worshiped and wanted to seek Him. Acts tells us that he said “’Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved- you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God- he and his whole family.” What a powerful reminder! Because Paul and Silas had their hearts set to worship, they were prepared for ministry even in the middle of a trial in the middle of the night! The Lord used them to show His power and might because they were worshipping Him through their struggle. How I long to be used like that! But if my eyes and heart are more fixed on the size of my trial rather than the size of my God then I will not be ready for the real battle; the battle for lost souls!
I returned to my lesson and continued to study through the rest of the 2 Chronicles 20. The Lord spoke to the people and let them know that the battle was His and that they needed only to take up their positions and stand firm and watch the deliverance that He was going to give them. King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah and Jerusalem fell on their faces and worshipped God. The next morning, they suited up in obedience. But the most exciting preparation they had for the day was the suiting of their hearts for battle. “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever!’ As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” The LORD is great and His love endures forever! May that be the tune of my heart in response to every situation, and may it clothe me with readiness to watch God win every battle! He is mighty to save and faithful to do it! Worshipping Him is the only response that will fit, and He is more than worthy of it!

The lesson went well, though it rained and we had to send the kids home directly after the lesson. I know that God has big things in store if He is teaching the hearts of His little ones as much as He is teaching mine! Thank you for your continued prayers for the children who come that their hearts would be drawn to worship of our great King through knowledge of Him and His greatness, worth and power!

Who knew that heart strings could be stretched so far or that we could have the capacity for so much love? My heart has been stretched across half of the globe and somehow I still find myself falling in love with new little ones everyday! I feel like my heart breaks a little everyday, and yet it feels so full and refilled with every divine encounter and every sweet conversation that the Lord reveals and reminds me of His purpose! We have another little girl in the house named Maurine, and I love this little 5 year old like I can’t believe! This morning we had church and we got to dress her up in one of the cute new dresses we bought for her at the market this week, and she smiled so big! Not a lot of words yet, but I was thrilled to have a response that shows she understands that we love her! She comes from a home of abuse, so I know she struggles with fear and security issues. She sat on my lap for a while after dinner and was content to just sit and have her back tickled for a long while and even wandered into the kitchen and stood next to me until I hugged and kissed her tonight, so she is even feeling comfortable enough to seek physical comfort from us! Her smile is so beautiful!
Faith is getting so big, I cannot believe it! Even in the few weeks I’ve been here she has grown a ton, and is now just a chubby looking 2 year old! She is so active and has been playing and talking up a storm! Its just my favorite to run and play “hide and tickle” with her in the mornings and hear her shriek with excitement as she finds me behind doorways!
This morning I taught children’s church at Acacia Community Church, and that was pretty funny! The church is outside, and this morning was windy and threatening to rain on us, which just added another dimension to the chaos! There were about 50 kids and myself and two other helpers, which would not be too different from bible study here at the house, but I tried to do a craft and two games this morning on top of the lesson! It went much better than it could have gone, but I heard later that the adults could hear all of our activities going on the other side of the house despite my attempts to keep the activities relatively contained and quiet! I think the kids enjoyed it though, and I know I certainly did!
I cannot even communicate how the Lord continues to remind me of His wonderful faithfulness! I learn more here everyday than I feel like I teach, as our sweet Counselor leads me through each day, each lesson plan, each unexpected event and reminds me of His greatness, His glory, His wonderful compassion and sweet mercy! I find that every day I am falling more in love with Jesus as I fall in love with the people that He’s made and is continuing to make in His likeness, and as He works and moves in my heart to draw me to Himself! It is a beautiful, beautiful life!

Hello my family and friends! I have a spare moment here and want to bring you up to speed on what is going on here. We have started teaching every day instead of every other day, which I love! Last Friday, as I was preparing to start bible class, we found that we were entirely without a translator! I was pretty sure that the next hour would be a disaster, but prayed that the Lord would take over and miraculously bridge the language gap. Of course, our God is faithful and he provided more than I could have asked for and when I sat down to begin teaching, a 12 year old girl named Brenda sat down next to me and just started translating! She did such a great job too, and engaged the other kids and answered my questions in such a way to let me know that she had heard and understood the previous lessons as well! I was so encouraged and praised Jesus in my heart for the big blessing he had provided! If that had been the end of the big blessings for the day it would have been enough, but our greater-than-life God showed His providence again that same afternoon! Some of the older girls, including Brenda, came up to me and asked if I had any bibles to give them. I answered that I didn’t but that they could come early on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and we could have big girl bible study. They were excited about that idea and have been so excited to be set apart! Then Sunday morning at the little missionary church that we attend, the pastor announced that they were in need of someone to teach the children’s church starting next Sunday! I was more than happy to volunteer my Sunday mornings while I’m in Uganda and was so encouraged by the opportunity to plug in here! To say the least, God has been at work this weekend in showing me exactly where he plans on using me this semester, and I am so thankful for the clarity of his direction and leading!
As I lay in bed last night, entirely exhausted and yet unable to sleep, I began to sort through the many events of the long day. I am always surprised how the Lord uses the quiet moments to speak to my heart and remind me of what He’s done through the not so quiet times! I’ve found that our God does not waste time, and He has a purpose in every moment if I’ll pay attention enough to see what it is and what He is doing!
This week we’ve had big success as the Lord has shown himself through the willingness of the older children to help not only with bible study, but also with the feeding program! Its so encouraging to see them get excited about helping their own community! I know that it is because of the grace of God that we have had a positive reaction, and am continuing to pray that the hearts of people in Masesse will be open to Serving His Children as a whole so that we can continue to build meaningful relationships that will honor Christ and show his love in real practical ways here, and ultimately draw them to himself!
I continue to thank God for you and your prayers! You cannot know how powerful and encouraging they are to me. I was reminded by my dad on the phone even this morning that God uses His body of believers to fortify and comfort each other, and that His power can be seen in the way He works in and among His people! Thank you for being an encouragement and comfort to me, my family!

Beautiful feet!

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Interestingly enough, the Lord brought that to mind the other day as I looked down at my very filthy feet. They looked pretty gross to me, and after a few moments of daydreaming about a nice pedicure, I just laughed and remembered the words to a song I sang as a little girl. I’ve forgotten most of the words, but the chorus sings, “She’s got beautiful, cute-i-full feet!” as it describes a girl who brings the good news to her friends. Earlier in the day I had encountered a shoe crisis, and ended up walking barefoot around the city for quite a ways, and the bottoms of my feet were black with I don’t even want to know what! These were not “beautiful, cute-i-full feet!” As I thought about that song, and the proverb behind it, I was humorously reminded that this does not mean that the Lord will miraculously keep your feet looking lovely, with nice callous-free heels and perfectly shaped and painted nails. But on a deeper level I was struck by the truth that I often times forget what real beauty looks like. Beauty has become distorted and turned inside-out by our world. The Lord does not see beauty, and indeed he did not intend for beauty to be seen in the way that many of us think of it today. Man looks at the outside appearance, but God looks at the heart. What we see as beautiful in so many ways is simply the shallow outer wrapping. The Lord has made many very beautiful vessels, such as the bodies of many, many people, but the part that is meant for beauty is found in the heart! Many times we miss out on beauty because we don’t look much further than the surface. If I were really concerned with true beauty, and what that looks like in an anointed young woman, I would not be so concerned with pedicured feet, (though they are quite enjoyable every once in a while!) and with well styled hair, (though I enjoy my hair thoroughly) and with how charming I can appear. (Though that last one is rarely an issue with me! Ha ha!) No, I’d be much more concerned with my feet bringing the good news; with my hands serving others as to the Lord, with my clothing being strength and dignity as the woman in proverbs 31, who is praised for her fear of the Lord and zeal in seeking Him. I’d be careful to make sure that I’m being bathed in the Word of God daily, and saturating my thoughts with it and with prayer. What a great reminder to me, that my feet do not need to look attractive to anyone in this world, and that if I am walking in obedience to God then they will be truly beautiful!

Praise God for another wonderful week in paradise! :) Though nothing like the paradise seen on the silver screen, Uganda is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been on this planet. Namely because along with the rest of creation it was created for the purpose of displaying God’s glory. Every morning, I have had the wonderful blessing of seeing the sun come up over Lake Victoria and the wonderfully green tree tops. And in the evening watch it go down and turn the sky bright shades of pink and orange. Its glorious: just a brief glimpse of the beauty of the one who painted it! And, my friends, that is not even the most beautiful part! I don’t need to tell most of you the great joy that I find in working with children. I have had the joy of beginning our bible school classes this week and what an adventure that is turning out to be! The first class was a bit more challenging than I had anticipated it being, since our translator was not so thrilled to be there, and struggled with some of the translations. We had about 35 kids and they were surprisingly well behaved, and interested in what we were doing, which was a blessing. Wednesday’s class was up to 50 kids and we had a different translator who was happy to be there and excited to be helping teach! Today we will have lesson 3 and I’m excited to see what God will do! The trend this far has been growing and getting more and more excited, so if we keep going in that direction, it will be great! Please pray along with me that the Lord will continue to break down the language barrier and that His word will be heard in the hearts of these Ugandan children! I love them with my whole heart and am so excited to see God’s hand work in their tiny lives!

Thank you for the prayers for health this last week, they have been much appreciated and I am happy to be able to report that the Lord is in the business of healing! I am feeling much better and am praising Him for strength today!

Here at last!

Hello my dear family and friends!
What a week it has been! I arrived safely in Uganda and have been working hard to get adjusted to the rhythm of life here for the past week. I love every second that I’m here and am continually overwhelmed by the joy of Christ! Many of you know that I am living in a house in Masesse, Uganda with Renee Bach volunteering with her ministry Serving His Children. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Serving His Children provides food for the children of the community, and I have had the wonderful opportunity to take part this week in what God is doing through the feeding program. SHC also provides medical relief to the community and this week there were 9 babies living in our house receiving treatment for many things ranging from malaria to scabbies to infected wounds. My room is just down the hall from the babies’ room, so I have had the excitement of little ones waking me up every morning. It is a wonderful reminder to me of my purpose in being here and that there are little eyes watching me even when I’m not expecting it! I love being with the children here, I am just in awe of how joyful and energized you can be when the Lord gives you a passion for something!
Tomorrow we will begin the bible school classes, and I am so excited to see what God has in store! I can see His hand in so many big ways around me here. Even as I type, I have a 2 year old playing in my lap, bursting with giggles. A few weeks ago, I’m told that she would not even smile or cry because she was so malnourished, but the Lord has been at work in her little life and been healing and nourishing her body, as well as providing for her future. Her name is Faith and at the beginning of the summer, her mother moved her and her sisters down to Masesse from northern Uganda where her husband was recently killed by the rebels. They have been in need of a home and the Lord has in the past few weeks provided them with the money to buy a home! God is in the business of healing and providing, and it is so exciting to have a front row seat!
Thank you all for your e-mails and prayers! It is good to know that there are so many of my loved ones on the front lines of this spiritual battle praying for me! I’ve had a lot of questions about my living situation, so here are a few details about that! Right now, there are 6 women staying and volunteering here at the SHC home. Renee’s cousin, Elly, is here to help me with the bible clubs, and will be leading the praise and worship for the kids. She has been a joy already this week and I am looking forward to working with her and watching as the Lord works through her. Rachel Fix, Pastor Adam’s sister, and her best friend Ariel are also here visiting, which has been so much fun, but they will be leaving after next week. There is also Shana, who has been serving with Renee all summer, and she will be heading back to Canada to study for the fall semester, and possibly come back for spring when I come home. I have been blessed so much by the great friendships that the Lord has already provided for encouragement and fun while I am serving here! There is also a house woman named Beatrice, who lives in the little house behind our house within our compound and cleans house and does the laundry. She is just my age and has 2 adorable little boys, James and Joseph. She has told me multiple times that she loves it here with the aunties, and is so happy to have a good job. Originally, the house had no kitchen, but Renee was able to buy some countertops, a small stove and a small refrigerator, so we now have a fully functional kitchen! Praise God!! There are 4 bathrooms, but only 2 with water heaters, and only one that works. It is a blessing to have so much room, especially during bath time for the children, because we can divide and conquer a bit!
This week we will need prayer for health as there has been a bug going through the house, and of course we are continuously surrounded by sick kids. I would also ask for prayer for the bible classes tomorrow and all this week as we step out in faith that the Lord will use us to communicate his word despite the language barrier between some of the kids. I am filled with thanksgiving that the Lord has been showing His faithfulness in giving purpose to every aspect of ministry that He has been preparing me for. My heart is full everyday and overflowing with His joy as I watch the wonderful movement of His hands in the lives of His people, and I am in anticipation of what He will continue to do! I am joyful to be able to share in these blessings and share these victories with you, my friends! Please continue to send me your e-mail messages; they are a blessing and encouragement to me even though I cannot reply to many of them! All my love, as your sister in Christ and for His glory,

Heidi

More than Conquerers!

What a promise!! And our God is a keeper of promises, always true to His Word! How well I know it! I cannot tell you, my friends, the amazing journey that this preparation period has proved to be already! I wish you could see the magnitude of God's great power as he reveals it into the quiet places of my heart! He is so faithful to reveal Himself when we seek Him. As I stand here on the edge of the unknown, staring into the reality of my own inadequacy and unworthiness, I begin to understand what it means to really trust God! The past few weeks have been filled with fervent prayer and seeking for guidance and wisdom for the weeks to come and a readiness for the events that I will soon encounter. How faithful God is to remind me of His strength!

For every fear I've conceived over the past months, the Lord has brought forth His Word to strike it down. For my fear of spiritual attack that I would not be able to withstand, He revealed Psalm 11, "In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to the mountain. For look the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men: his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face."

For the fear of failure in ministry, He reminded me of Isaiah 55:10-11: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out form my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

For the fear of not having enough curriculum or teaching tools to communicate the gospel, Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

God's word is powerful!! It is sharper than any double edged sword, and will be our offensive weapon in battle if we will wield it! John Piper words it very well in Desiring God, "We have one offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. But what any christians fail to realize is that we can't draw the sword from someone else's scabbard. If we don't wear it, we can't wield it. If the Word of God does not abide in us, we will reach for it in vain when the enemy strikes. But if we do wear it, if it lives within us, what mighty warriors we can be! This has been the secret of God's great spiritual warriors. They have saturated themselves with the Word of God....The Sword of the Spirit is full of victory. But how few will give themselves to the deep and disciplined exercise of soul to take up and wield it with joy and power!"

What a truth this is! Had I not been in the word during this time, I would be paralized by fear from the decietful attacks of the evil one! What a wonderful God we serve that He does not leave us to our sinful, fearful thoughts but draws us to his Word and teaches our souls of His character and strength!

How sweet are the words that come from the mouth of the LORD! The more I grow, the more I truly treasure his Word, and the wonderful strength and confidance it equips us with! My constant reminder and encouragement has been from Romans 8, and is the entire basis for this note and for the duration of my journey is the fact that we are called by God and he has made us more than conquerers!



"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be confirmed in the likeness of His Son, that he might be the firstborn amoung many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; those he called he also justified; those he justified he alsoglorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all_ how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as shepp to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us form the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"