Saturday, April 19, 2008

Recovery. Soccer team. Ministry.

"I will fulfill my purposes for you. . " Psalm 138:8 - This has been a verse that has encouraged me and kept me going here. To trust and confide in this promise of God, that he is going to complete, fulfill his purpose for me. That He does have me here in Venezuela for a purpose and He is going to complete that purpose, if I allow him of course. I am well on the road to recovery, eating all the time, starting to gain weight back that I lost. Starting back teaching classes in the school, and full time in ministry with the 3 different church plants, plus evangelism events and special aniversary events. God is giving me the strength, the encouragement, the peace and joy to be here and working for him. The children's ministries are growing, we are changing our focus a little to involve the people of the church, to train, and prepare people for the church to be able to take over the childrens ministry so when we leave the ministry can continue!!!! I have spent a lot of time lately just in God's presence reading the Bible, spending time in praying, and intentionally making time to spend with God - knowing that that is where my strength comes from.
We are looking for more creative ways, and creative things to incorporate with children's ministry to change things up a little bit and do something different with the children, the problem of resources still remains, here there are very little rescources of crafts, material, for the workers and children to use!
Other news, the girls from the main church are creating a women's soccer team and invited, asked, wanted me to play with them, join the team. I went to play with them on monday. It was a good time, a lot of fun. I haven't played soccer in years, so I need a lot of practice to be able to play with them. Not to mention I was sore for about 3 days maybe 4 days after playing! It is a great opportunity to get to know other girls from the church and encourage them. Part of the vision of the team is to have a devotional and encourage each other in the Lord as well as have a good time playing soccer!!
I am going to ask you all to continue to be in prayer for ministry partner for me, as time is running down, Paul and Sue leave in 2 weeks, Lori leaves in 5 weeks - that leaves me with the responsibility of all work and ministry to myself!! I need help. They do have a person to stay at the house with me, Keila, but she has a lot of responsibility of her own studying in college, working, and being Director of Missions and Evangelism at a conference level here in Venezuela, she is in charge of the church plants and all the cell groups here!!! I still do not have people to help me with, travel with me to the church plants and work in children ministry! Pray for God to raise up these people!!!
Another prayer request, I am going to ask for praying on behalf of Fabiola she is a 12 year old girl who is a part of one of our churches in plantation, she has been in the hospital for 16 days with an inflamed, swollen pancrease, she has not been able to eat, or drink, she is on IV, and they just implemented a feeding tube, she has been vomiting, (even though there is no food in her) and started nose bleeds as well. Her family her mother is not christian but is open to people coming and praying for her, and reading the Bible - this has been a very hard time for the family, and extended family - they would all appreciate your prayers!!!
I hope you all are well.. Take Care.. May God continue to bless all of you!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This not hearing from you at weeks at a time does not fly with me.

Anonymous said...

Heidi, thanks for the update, seems you have your agenda and schedule full, I am glad you are feeling better physically and mentally. love dad