Partner in Prayer

 

DuoLingo Swahili Lessons

 With my trip in June 2024, I want to learn some of the Swahili language, at least as much as I can so I can attempt to communicate.

I can feel the answers to prayers as my studies are going much better than I anticipated.  When I started these lessons I just jumped right in.  It wasn't until the end of Unit 1 that I noticed the notepad in the upper right corner

Even though I did not see this, I did very well.

I proceeded onto Lesson 2 doing my thing, then I noticed the notepad (tips on what lessons would be)        

Even so, I was able to complete the October challenge

Doing pretty good.  Learning lots of words, not sure I could initiate the conversation, but I have lots of time, just need to stay on track and continue the momentum.  Some lessons are listening and then choosing what words were said, both in English to Swahili and Swahili to English.  Some lessons I type out the words.

It's funny I am almost finding Swahili easier to learn than the Spanish.  

Session 1 - Rookie with 8 units

Session 2 - Explorer with 20 units

Session 3 - Traveler with 10 units

Session 4 - Champion with 10 units

Session 5 - Daily Refresh 6 levels

Patience and God's Timing

Every year I receive a key word from the Lord.  The year 2024 has a word and that is courage.  Oh my, what will 2024 bring?

This year was all about perseverance.  When the Lord gave me that word I thought, OH MY, what is this year gonna hold?

Not gonna lie, this has been a crazy year.  It has been a year of waiting on the Lord and HIS perfect timing.  When we are serving the Lord, and in HIS perfect will and we are desiring what HE has for our lives it is HIS desire to give us our desires.  

I am reminded that many years ago I read a book that was LIFE CHANGING.  While the Bible is the book that is life changing, sometimes we are able to read other books that have a huge impact on one's life.  I have read many books that have impacted me, but none so much as a book by Bruce Wilkinson entitled "The Prayer of Jabez".    I read this book while on a mission trip to Honduras with my church.  

I Chronicles 4:10 says: " Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request."

In the book one is challenged to describe the best thing that happened to you in the last three months.  James 1:17 states "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows".  

What would my life look like if I asked for blessing?

Jabez name means "Because I bore him in pain".  Jabez didn't let his hurtful past or unpromising present keep him from asking God for a huge blessing.  We typically see our negative life experciences as a disadvantage that God can't use, nor will He bless.  Do you sometimes feel unworthy of His calling on your life?  Do you feel like nobody cares or sees you?  Many times that will affect how we see God.

What would my life look like if God enlarged my territory?

What keeps me from reaching more territory?  The territory could be your family, church, business, school or community.  God is ready to expand our territory for a purpose, so we have more influence for HIM.  How does this line up with Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

My territory = my spheres of influence = my potential ministry

Everyone has a ministry, did you get that?  EVERYONE!  Bruce states that "God carefully crafted you for a specific purpose.  When you pray for God to enlarge your ministry, He usually matches opportunities to your gifts and talents, if you were to describe the way the Lord could use you most effectively for Him what would it be?  

In Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That being said, I have exciting news.  I received a text on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, just the kind of text I like to receive, especially this time of the year!

Vision trips are back on.  I will get email from Anita in the next couple of days.  They are doing it differently this year.  I will be in phase 1 since my trip in 2020 was cancelled.  I will have the opportunity to chose from 1 of 5 trips depending on dates, finances for my schedule.  I will have one week to pray about it, then phase 2 opens and others get to choose from trips as well.

Then, later this afternoon I received the following email.

Dear Barbra,

We are so excited that you will have the opportunity to participate in a 2024 Vision Trip!

Our goal for Vision Trips is to allow you to observe how God is using trained Ministry Partners to share the Gospel message, utilizing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts and discipleship materials. This makes it unlike a mission trip or distribution trip.

As a reminder, because your 2020 Vision Trip was cancelled, you will have one week to register for the Vision Trip before registration opens to the rest of the 200+ volunteers. You will receive a registration email during the week of October 9^th, inviting you to select the trip you would like to participate in (all locations, dates, and costs are below). You will have until Nov. 10 to register or decline the invitation, but please note that all trips will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and once a trip is full, it will be closed.

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Lima, Peru

Quito, Ecuador

Nairobi, Kenya

Asuncion, Paraguay

My choice is highlighted in Green.  I have always wanted to go to Kenya since I can remember.  I know that this area of the world needs Jesus and there is so much persecution for Christians in the neighboring countries.  

I covet your prayers as I prepare for this journey in life and how the Lord is preparing me for HIS plans in my life.

Currency Exchange Rates for USD to Kenyan Shilling

 https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=OU11DF&PC=OU11&q=kenya+currency+to+usd

The Kenyan shilling is the official currency of Kenya and has the symbol KES. It is sub-divided into 100 cents. The Kenyan shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.

The Greatest Journey (Kenya): Operation Christmas Child

 

Kenya: The impact is great

This is a brief testimony by; PASTOR JULIA NCEKEI IRERI of KIIRUA REVELATION CHURCH MERU She says that she is grateful for the gifts she received and she took time to pray for guidance by the Holy Spirit. She also observed instructions given to her during seminars by the OCC national leaders.

Many children and their parents turned up. During the service there was a mighty move of the Holy Spirit that God visited them in a mighty way.  The impact is great since some boys who were lost in the streets accepted Jesus as their personal savior. She says that one parent who had a son with this problem gave a moving testimony while crying and has now joined that church since his son’s life had changed.

She has noted growth in the church population and Sunday school children are reading their Greatest Journey books with the help of their Sunday school teachers. She has also organized with parents whose children have received gift boxes to pray every month for the whole organization Internationally, Nationally and Locally.

(2011)

Information gathered from the Samaritan's Purse website with Impact Stories.

What would your last day look like?

 I saw this quote on Facebook the other day and this should make us all think.  Many times, I have heard this question and I have thought, have fun, spend time with friends and family, all selfish things.  Then I read this.  It made me stop in my tracks.  

Jesus washed feet when he knew he was about to die.

Let that sink in.