Currently Reading A Cry from the Streets: Rescuing Brazil's Forgotten Children (International Adventures) By Jeannette Lukasse see related

Tidbits...

I'm good at failing.  Case in point: my goal to post regularly on xanga this summer. 

Stitching through the fingernail with a sewing machine is uncomfortable, though not nearly as painful as I had always imagined.  Haha...I finally know what it feels like. 

It's fun to give out Million Dollar Bill tracts. 

Talking about modesty with a 6-year-old girl is supremely interesting.  Sometimes it seems best to allow children to remain deluded. 

Fair ministry is amazing, especially when God is the director/initiator/source. 

Seeing one's siblings get fired up for evangelism and start living out their passion for souls es muy fantastico. 

Calgary is too far away...except during the bestest ever visit from our grandparents. 

Directing VBS is only possible when one realizes that it is God's work, His yoke is easy, and it's OK that I'm nothing. 

Verily, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

God's omnipotence, grace, and mercy truly are seen in His dealings with me. 

Galatians is an incredible book. 

Watermelon parties are exceedingly fun and effective at sharing the Gospel. 

Friendship is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be...except for that friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

Little girls really are lots different from little boys. 

Biking with a 30-pound backpack fosters doubt of whether one will actually reach their destination alive or at least alert enough to care for children. 

Transformed marriages and families are possible, and render family times, especially devos, precious and holy. 

As amazing as NBBI is, I don't want to go back.  This summer has exceeded all others, and, as expected, has made the thought of returning a horrific internal battle.  But God's direction is supreme over my affections. 

We serve the true and living God, who alone made the heavens, and condescends to love US, who were once His enemies, but whom He now hath reconciled by the blood of Christ. 

God certainly does provide financially for His work.  Last 2,700 dollars of funds for missions trip in one Sunday!

One month left at home. 

Candyland vs. the Kingdom of God

Amazing new summer job/ministry.  God's providence is perfect.  I couldn't have designed anything in Lewis County closer to what I want to do.  And it was basically thrown into my lap six days ago...

Position:  Nanny for five children, ages 2-11.  Playing.  Horsey-back rides.  Assistance in tree-climbing.  Going for walks.  Singing.  Storytelling.  Cooking.  Cleaning.  Potty training.  And I even get to have naptime.  How many jobs offer that? 

Today, while the three eldest were in school, Kimmy and JaJa and I went on a quest in search of Candyland.  After 55 minutes of pursuing our elusive fairytale kingdom, we finally concluded that perhaps we should have gone down the road the other way, and began to retrace our steps.  The girls were in a stroller, by the way.  As we traveled, we sang, discussed farms, salvation, plants, the nature of Jesus Christ, and our favorite candies, among other things.  I love children.  Another memorable happening was Kimmy's new blend of foods.  Ever tried Ramen noodle soup with a generous pile of rolled oats mixed in?  I have.  (-:  As far as propriety is concerned (some people would highly disapprove of such bizarre foods), I'm pretty relaxed in only some things (responsibility and being kind and finishing the food on the plate are exceptions, for example).  But if there's no harm in a proposed experiment, why not let a child just do it?  They'll enjoy it, probably learn something, and maybe even do something spectacular.  I even am horrible enough to let four-year-olds play with their food. 

The family situation is heartbreaking, however.  Their mom is in jail, having left their dad, committed adultery, and getting caught in theft.  I don't know details, but there doesn't seem to be any repentance.  And these children are precious.  I don't get how anyone could leave them for anything else.  They're all hurting so badly.  The youngest little girl, JaJa, calls any woman who treats her kindly, "mommy."  That's unsettling - not accustomed to the title at all.  Worse, it means she either has no concept of what a mommy should be, or she finds some twisted sort of security in trusting so many as "mommies."  Don't know if much of a difference can be made in the lives of children over one summer, but I'm sure going to do my utmost, by God's grace.  It's going to be a challenging ministry, for sure.  I'm praying that Jesus' love will show through me, drawing them to find salvation and hope and security and acceptance in the one who will never leave nor forsake them.  Yeah, they need discipline, order, good meals, proper training and habits; more than all that they need to know God.  Instead of merely helping them seek non-existent cities, I yearn to help them begin to passionately seek the immutable God who is real.  What a challenge, privilege, and calling.   

Intended future post on teaching theology to children. 

Currently Reading The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church By Reggie McNeal see related

Home Again, Home Again

I miss NBBI...a lot. My heart is not completely here right now. I love home so very much, yet my heart is like a defragmented computer file, divided between Maine, New Brunswick, New York City, Calgary, Halifax, and the countries I dream of but have never seen...yet. But such is life. We leave bits of our hearts in various places on the planet, but can still live wholeheartedly and passionately wherever we are at a given moment.

But even more than places steal our hearts, people steal our hearts. I realized that more deeply on Sunday than ever before. This past year, so many people impacted my life, were my "real friends", and have challenged me to live more fully for God. I never realized how many meaningful friendships had begun - with classmates, floor people, NYC team, children, random others - so many more than last year. I miss NBBI people...a lot. It hurt to say goodbye, realizing I may not see these friends until September, or even eternity. But I'm not crying anymore (-: . The more real friends we have, the more pain and heartache, but also the more encouragement and learning.

"Friendship is like pointing a knife at your own heart and handing it to someone else, permitting them to stab you whenever they wish while you stand still and endure the pain." - Me, during a time of cynicism toward friendship.

No longer cynical, I still consider the quote true, yet having realized that this is alright. Friendships require risk, love, and a willingness to be vulnerable, even if it results in pain. I can choose to have friends not for my own benefit, but so that I might give, pouring my life into those of others. This is what Jesus did. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." Jesus loved us, and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sin. How can we not give all we possess and are for others, and thus ultimately for Him?

~ Paulette ~

Not By Sight

From a Returning Labourer

Jeremiah 8:20  "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 

This verse comes to mind now that this summer of ministry is officially over and I am once again at home.  Yes, the verse is isolated here apart from its context, for Jeremiah 8 speaks of Israel's backsliding and God's judgment.  I realize this verse is not talking of salvation in the Acts 16:31 sense, yet it illustrates a point. 

The only thing that reminded me of this verse is the fact that summer has ended.  Regarding this summer, in the day camp ministry in Central Maine, over 200 children heard the Gospel.  Some believed, but I want to focus on the others.  Some heard, and either did not comprehend, or willfully rejected Jesus Christ.  The summer is ended, and those dozens of children are not saved.    Please do not let the import of that statement escape you.  They are not saved.  They are slaves to sin, following the god of this world who has blinded their minds.  If one of them were to die, he or she would spend eternity in hell, separated from the God who gave His only begotten son as an atoning sacrifice, even for that child who willfully rejected Christ.  How tragic that one of these little ones should perish!  How tragic that one whom Jesus shed His blood for refused to believe and give Him the reward of His suffering! 

One major difference is seen between Jeremiah 8:20 and the ministry this summer, however.  The harvest in Central Maine is not past.  It has only just begun.  The work is not ours to complete; the battle is not ours to fight; it is God's, and though we must leave, God will continue to work, and bring about the victory.  We planted and sowed, and brought forth the early fruit, but are trusting that God will bring forth a great and abundant harvest for His glory and pleasure. 

I know most of those who read my xanga, but if you have stumbled across it and are not saved, the harvest of salvation is not past, and you may still be saved.  Please feel free to ask questions here, or email me.  I'd love to discuss it with you further. 

Luke 10:2  "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."

Most of us are saved.  The verse above is for us.  I have been labouring out in the field; hear what an eyewitness has observed - the harvest today is great also...children and adults are ready to hear God's Word, ready to believe in Jesus Christ, ready to become disciples.  But many of them are perishing for want of labourers.  The labourers indeed are few, so few.  We must pray that God would send forth labourers.  We must.  And as we implore Him to do so, we must also ask Him if He would send us forth.  

This is not an attempt to manipulate or condemn but an honest and valid question meant to challenge and stir to earnest prayer. 

You have asked God to send labourers; have you asked Him to send you?