Jehova Shalom

     What is peace? Well, the 70's described it as "making love, not war." Webster tells us it's "a state of tranquility, or stillness; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions." Yet God's Truth tells me it's far more than still thoughts and bubbly feelings....

LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

 (Isaiah 26:12)

Peace is knowing that I am not expected, or qualified, to accomplish, achieve, succeed, or win. It's not my job. I simply serve the One who was. I serve the One who is. I serve the One who always will be.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)

Peace is what goes before me, clears the way, and leads me into joy so beautiful, I can't keep it to myself.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Peace is not something I search for; it's something I allow myself to be filled with. It's the hope of a power greater than my own, in whom I put all trust.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Peace exceeds all, yes ALL, limitations of my understanding. Peace is what's left when all my answers, solutions, and bright ideas fall flat. Peace is given through prayer, thanksgiving, and the coming before the throne of the Prince of Peace.

     I have peace here. Sure, it felt "right" to help my friend Marimot from the fishing village hang her laundry in the hot, Haitian sun. My heart is certainly happy as I rock babies to sleep during Kelsea's English class, so that moms and dads can learn. When I walk to the gas station and have to stop 4 times to visit with friends I see along the way....I feel right at home in my neighborhood. Yet, that's not the definition of peace, is it?

     I have peace, only because Christ dwells in my heart. With the Prince of Peace running the show, I no longer have to memorize my lines, or worry about my cues; Peace floods my life as my God leads me to embrace the beauty in each moment. Surrender to His journey results in my success, regardless of the answers I am yet to understand, the Creole words I've yet to learn, or the cultural cues i've yet to study. I'm so privileged to come before the throne, with nothing to offer, and a life of complete peace to gain. 

     Every day here has been more beautiful than the one before. I've realized that the more I think, the more I simply get in the way. The Savior who lives in me continues to be everything I need for each day, one moment at a time. I've learned to listen, not to my heart, but to the one who dwells there. I've been back in Montrouis for less than a week now, and I've seen God's raw Agape love more clearly than my previous 5 months here. I have peace. His name is Jehova Shalom.

Would you join me in thanksgiving for:

     *The peace of Christ that has enabled me to already build deeper relationships with several friends through vulnerability and trust.

     *The ease of my first attempt back in the eye clinic this morning! God provided me with more Creole than I thought I knew, and allowed the moments of their patient waiting in line to be used for much love and laughter through our "small talk."

Would you petition with me at the foot of His throne for:

     *Continued discernment on how to provide housi from the women recently unemployed in the fishing village.

     *My change of location once rent begins, that the peace of God's promises would remain clear and authoritative in my decisions.

THANK YOU 

for investing in my piece of His story!

Walking on Water

     Matthew 14:22-33

     So, He called me out of the boat. Sink or swim, I decided to step. Yesterday, I arrived in Haiti, where I plan to remain for the year. During my 3 months back home, God blessed me with some sweet memories with family, 30 beautiful preschoolers (whom I'll never forget), the holistic support of 2 church families, all the while exceeding my financial goal. I couldn't have asked for a more intentional, beautiful, inspiring visit. 

     In the days leading up to my relocation, however, the weight of what the Lord had asked of me hit heavy. I loved on a crying brother and reassured a worried mother. The Lord can do a lot in a year, and I knew a lot would change. I was walking away from routine, convenience, and comfort and stepping into a world of unpredictability, simplicity, and above all....uncertainty. My heart remained broken for a people in need of Agape love. I knew where He was leading me, and I knew why, but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to stand on the water, without sinking. Luckily for me, I serve a God who does. :)
     As soon as I arrived, the same familiarity overcame me that I always get when I visit my old hometown in California. So much so, that I simply slept in the truck bed the whole way home from the airport, perfectly comfortable, though miles away from "comfort." Although my fleshly self still longed for the details, I remembered why I was here; the people. In just 24 hours, God has allowed me to reconnect with nearly everyone I'd been missing these past few months! (And yes, I have more than one friend....for the smarty pants' who were thinking it!). My hair has been braided by tiny, dirty fingers, I've cuddled a crying Nakisha, fetched diapers and toilet paper from Room 2, was asked to walk the kids to school tomorrow, and help with the eye clinic Monday.....and it all feels so right.
     It's easy to get so caught up in the "doing" here, though, that you overlook the little joys. God allowed me to simply smile this afternoon, when about 5 little ones got a lesson in science at my expense. Since I've been smack dab in the middle of Missouri's winter these past few months, I've become more white again (I know, because I've been told about 100 times since yesterday, ha!). Well, brilliant Naika realized that my skin will change from red to white if you squeeze it hard enough. :) Before long, Naika, Frantzo, Klimako, Nakisha, and Kimberly were poking and prodding and entertaining themselves with my ticklish legs! Who needs "stuff" when you have a goofy white girl around?!
     Needless to say, I'm constantly being reminded to focus on Jesus' beautiful face, rather than the wind and the waves. I see His beauty in my kids, as little Jephnika tries to teach Michelet, who spends his days in a wheelchair, to stand. I see His beauty in the language that I'm struggling to keep up with, as it flows like water off the lips of my friends. I see His beauty in the way the palm trees sway in the breeze that's almost cool enough to make you forget it's 90*. I see His beauty in the thick, calloused hands of old lady, Lena, who washes the kids' clothes by hand, every day. There's so much beauty in this world, we just have to choose to see it. There will surely be days when I lack the faith to meet Jesus on the water, but I know my God will always reach out His hand, catch me, and pull my right back into His beautiful story again.

Would you pray?
     *For the Haitian women who were working in the feeding program. Regrettably, as of today, the program has been discontinued, leaving them jobless. Rent for their homes is due next month, and many were struggling before the program ended.
     *For Kelsea and I, as we attempt to work out the details of our move from the orphanage into a home of our own.
     *For my incredible family, as they learn to trust God's protection and provision. 

Holding on to His promises,
Kourtney