Tuesday, August 9th Mission Trip Devotional
Completion - by Anna
I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus - Philippians 1:3-6
God who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion. You answered the call to be present this week, and God worked mightily through you! Be assured that this work has just begun, and that God will continue to plant seeds inthe hearts of those we met as they grow in knowledge and faith and grace.
Prayer:
May God add His blessing to your efforts. May God continue to watch over you as you move back into the routine of your week. May you remember that you are loved. Amen.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Monday, August 8th Mission Trip Devotional
Trust in God - Sandi Mitchell
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. - Titus 3:4-8
I have an 8 year old dog who is blind. He doesn't know it most of the time, but when it's time to go to bed and I've turned off all the lights and moved the furniture around that day, he's not sure how to get to the bedroom. And he's scared.
I spent almost 20 minutes with him the other night coaxing him to the bedroom through the new maze of furniture. I could have easily picked him up (well, not so easily - he's 70 pounds) and brought him to the bedroom. But, that wouldn't have taught him the layout of the new furniture so he could come and go as he pleased.
So, I took the time to slowly walk backwards, with my hand on his nose every now and then, and my voice coaxing him, encouraging him to come. Until he trusted me, he let fear lead him and he refused to come. It took my consistency, my patience, and his knowing my voice and trusting me that I would not let him get hurt, that finally enabled him to come to me.
We are like that with God, aren't we? We get so caught up in our everyday lives and the fears and burdens take over sometimes. It's not until we remember that God has never hurt us or led us astray that we remember to trust God and follow Him.
We did a good work this week, but it's not about us. God used us and our good work for His plans. We may never see the outcome of those plans. But know that you were used for a good and mighty work. You may have been a seed planted. Or you may have been water or air or sun needed to encourage that seed of God to grow. Or you may have been there when the Great Harvester reaped His mighty harvest in someone we met this week.
Whatever your role, know that God is pleased that you were there at His bidding. You listened to God when He whispered two years ago that you should go to Africa. And you trusted Him and were obedient.
May God bless you for the time you have spent with Him and His people this week.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for this incredible opportunity to participate so directly in your plan. Bless those we met and provide for them. We love you, Abba! Amen.
Trust in God - Sandi Mitchell
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. - Titus 3:4-8
I have an 8 year old dog who is blind. He doesn't know it most of the time, but when it's time to go to bed and I've turned off all the lights and moved the furniture around that day, he's not sure how to get to the bedroom. And he's scared.
I spent almost 20 minutes with him the other night coaxing him to the bedroom through the new maze of furniture. I could have easily picked him up (well, not so easily - he's 70 pounds) and brought him to the bedroom. But, that wouldn't have taught him the layout of the new furniture so he could come and go as he pleased.
So, I took the time to slowly walk backwards, with my hand on his nose every now and then, and my voice coaxing him, encouraging him to come. Until he trusted me, he let fear lead him and he refused to come. It took my consistency, my patience, and his knowing my voice and trusting me that I would not let him get hurt, that finally enabled him to come to me.
We are like that with God, aren't we? We get so caught up in our everyday lives and the fears and burdens take over sometimes. It's not until we remember that God has never hurt us or led us astray that we remember to trust God and follow Him.
We did a good work this week, but it's not about us. God used us and our good work for His plans. We may never see the outcome of those plans. But know that you were used for a good and mighty work. You may have been a seed planted. Or you may have been water or air or sun needed to encourage that seed of God to grow. Or you may have been there when the Great Harvester reaped His mighty harvest in someone we met this week.
Whatever your role, know that God is pleased that you were there at His bidding. You listened to God when He whispered two years ago that you should go to Africa. And you trusted Him and were obedient.
May God bless you for the time you have spent with Him and His people this week.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for this incredible opportunity to participate so directly in your plan. Bless those we met and provide for them. We love you, Abba! Amen.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday, Aug 5th Mission Trip Devotional
On Fire for God - by Anna
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats agains the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on you name."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. -Acts 9:1-19a
I wonder which people we meet this week will be like Saul. Who in Maua will grow to know God, be on fire for God, and share God with many, many people? It can happen. The potential placed within each of these people is huge. Could we be like Ananias, called to restore someone to God in order to do God's work?
Take a moment to silently pray over each person you meet today. Ask for God to step in where we fall short, using us to share God's transforming grace.
Prayer:
God, use me. Use them. Help me begin to build them up so you can help them rise to their great potential. Amen.
On Fire for God - by Anna
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats agains the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight." "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on you name."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. -Acts 9:1-19a
I wonder which people we meet this week will be like Saul. Who in Maua will grow to know God, be on fire for God, and share God with many, many people? It can happen. The potential placed within each of these people is huge. Could we be like Ananias, called to restore someone to God in order to do God's work?
Take a moment to silently pray over each person you meet today. Ask for God to step in where we fall short, using us to share God's transforming grace.
Prayer:
God, use me. Use them. Help me begin to build them up so you can help them rise to their great potential. Amen.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
3:12 pm Update from Greg:
Greetings from Maua! We painted in the hospital the last two days. We had a dedication ceremony for the AIDS orphan house also, very neat. The hospital does a lot of programs beyond just health care. One more work day that will include VBS tomorrow. Lots of packing and organizing to do before we depart Saturday morning.
Greetings from Maua! We painted in the hospital the last two days. We had a dedication ceremony for the AIDS orphan house also, very neat. The hospital does a lot of programs beyond just health care. One more work day that will include VBS tomorrow. Lots of packing and organizing to do before we depart Saturday morning.
11:24 am Aug 4th Update from Sandi:
Thursday, Aug 4th Mission Trip Devotional
Our Personal Witness - Pastor Mike Love
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Get up and to towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it.' So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: 'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before it's shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.'
The eunuch asked Philip, 'About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?' Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?' He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. - Acts 8
Three things jump out of this scripture to me. First, Philip was moved by an angel of the Lord to come to the place where he would serve. Second, that place where Philip had to go in order to serve was a wilderness road. Third, the eunuch responds to Philip's question about whether there was understanding in what was being read, "How can I unless someone guides me?"
The Greek word that transliterates to the English word of angel actually means "messenger" in Greek. Philip was moved by a messenger of the Lord. As we go to serve it is often because we are moved by a messenger of the Lord. We relate the messenger's message as the Lord's message. And as we are moved, we are called to obedience.
In a Kingdom connected as God's Kingdom is connected, through people, it astounds me to think about all the different ways in which the Lord's message is provided. In this story about Philip's road to discipleship, we see that the means of the message is not as important as the obedience for which Philip observed. Very little is said about the means of the message. I think it must be that for the one witnessing this story, the outcome of the story is what is most important. The outcome is the result of a relationship between Philip and the eunuch.
Secondly, Philip finds himself on a wilderness road. How many times have we been obedient to the Lord only to find ourselves on a wilderness road? The road to discipleship, by it's very nature, takes us to places that our person has never gone (a little Star Trek humor). Growing in discipleship often takes us to new relationships with people and stiuations we don't know. And we are called to witness.
That brings us to the point. Philip has a witness. Each one of us who have answered the call to reationship with God, have a personal witness to profound things. The most profound thing is our own witness to his understanding of the scriptures. He witnesses in the course of their travel. On mission, we continue with the mission, but God provides the timing. The scripture says that they came to a stream and the eunuch asks the simple question, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?"
Obedience to walk a wilderness road equipped with your own personal witness is all God needs to use us as we go forth in our journey. Thank you for letting me journey with uo.
Prayer:
Creator God, you are always present and creating in glorious ways. You have sent us through your messenger to travel this wilderness road. Help us to trust and be obedient to your call and to always be ready to witness of our own personal encounters with you, the Living God. In our offering, use us as a vessel so that all may now of your redeeming and healing love. In the name of our precious Lord, Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
Our Personal Witness - Pastor Mike Love
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Get up and to towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it.' So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: 'Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before it's shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.'
The eunuch asked Philip, 'About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?' Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?' He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. - Acts 8
Three things jump out of this scripture to me. First, Philip was moved by an angel of the Lord to come to the place where he would serve. Second, that place where Philip had to go in order to serve was a wilderness road. Third, the eunuch responds to Philip's question about whether there was understanding in what was being read, "How can I unless someone guides me?"
The Greek word that transliterates to the English word of angel actually means "messenger" in Greek. Philip was moved by a messenger of the Lord. As we go to serve it is often because we are moved by a messenger of the Lord. We relate the messenger's message as the Lord's message. And as we are moved, we are called to obedience.
In a Kingdom connected as God's Kingdom is connected, through people, it astounds me to think about all the different ways in which the Lord's message is provided. In this story about Philip's road to discipleship, we see that the means of the message is not as important as the obedience for which Philip observed. Very little is said about the means of the message. I think it must be that for the one witnessing this story, the outcome of the story is what is most important. The outcome is the result of a relationship between Philip and the eunuch.
Secondly, Philip finds himself on a wilderness road. How many times have we been obedient to the Lord only to find ourselves on a wilderness road? The road to discipleship, by it's very nature, takes us to places that our person has never gone (a little Star Trek humor). Growing in discipleship often takes us to new relationships with people and stiuations we don't know. And we are called to witness.
That brings us to the point. Philip has a witness. Each one of us who have answered the call to reationship with God, have a personal witness to profound things. The most profound thing is our own witness to his understanding of the scriptures. He witnesses in the course of their travel. On mission, we continue with the mission, but God provides the timing. The scripture says that they came to a stream and the eunuch asks the simple question, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?"
Obedience to walk a wilderness road equipped with your own personal witness is all God needs to use us as we go forth in our journey. Thank you for letting me journey with uo.
Prayer:
Creator God, you are always present and creating in glorious ways. You have sent us through your messenger to travel this wilderness road. Help us to trust and be obedient to your call and to always be ready to witness of our own personal encounters with you, the Living God. In our offering, use us as a vessel so that all may now of your redeeming and healing love. In the name of our precious Lord, Jesus, we pray.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wednesday, August 3rd Mission Trip Devotional
Fruit of the Spirit - Susan Love
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competeing against one another, envying one another. - Galatians 5:22-26
July 21, 2011 was the one year anniversary of a dear friend's passing. This was on of Sam's favorite passages from the Bible. As I remebered him this past Thursday, I was reminded of this passage and how it so exemplified my good friend's life. Sam glowed with the Holy Spirit, for that was the kind of man he was. And he demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit through his love, his incredible kindness and gentleness, and most of all his faithfulness. While sitting up in his hospice room one night, Sam spoke about his faith and just how certain and comforted he was by it. He never wavered in his faith, even in his last days. What an example of Christian faith in action!!!
This brings me to this very special Mission Team from AUMC. All of you are committed to building a home for kids who are orphaned because of AIDS, and working at the Maua Hospital painting their staff housing. Talk about faith in action! Knowing who you are and whose you are makes me want to be working side by side with you. I see the fruit of the Spirit in this Team. And you will no doubt share your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with the new friends you will make. Thank you for being the hands, feet, and face of Jesus Christ to this African community.
Prayer:
Bless you Lord for this amazing Mission Team that you have put together. Bless you Lord for their safe travels and the incredible opportunity you have given each of them to be Jesus with skin on to the wonderful people in this community. Bless you Lord for this Team's adventuresome spirit that takes them around the world. Bless you Lord for warpping your arms around each person and keeping them safe and out of harm's way. Bless you Lord for planting the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit in each Team member, and bless you Lord for cultivating these seeds to the fullest while on this mission trip. Bless you Lord for the many blessings this Team will return home with. And, bless their families left at home by putting a special peace in their hearts while their loved ones are in Africa.
Amen.
Fruit of the Spirit - Susan Love
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competeing against one another, envying one another. - Galatians 5:22-26
July 21, 2011 was the one year anniversary of a dear friend's passing. This was on of Sam's favorite passages from the Bible. As I remebered him this past Thursday, I was reminded of this passage and how it so exemplified my good friend's life. Sam glowed with the Holy Spirit, for that was the kind of man he was. And he demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit through his love, his incredible kindness and gentleness, and most of all his faithfulness. While sitting up in his hospice room one night, Sam spoke about his faith and just how certain and comforted he was by it. He never wavered in his faith, even in his last days. What an example of Christian faith in action!!!
This brings me to this very special Mission Team from AUMC. All of you are committed to building a home for kids who are orphaned because of AIDS, and working at the Maua Hospital painting their staff housing. Talk about faith in action! Knowing who you are and whose you are makes me want to be working side by side with you. I see the fruit of the Spirit in this Team. And you will no doubt share your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with the new friends you will make. Thank you for being the hands, feet, and face of Jesus Christ to this African community.
Prayer:
Bless you Lord for this amazing Mission Team that you have put together. Bless you Lord for their safe travels and the incredible opportunity you have given each of them to be Jesus with skin on to the wonderful people in this community. Bless you Lord for this Team's adventuresome spirit that takes them around the world. Bless you Lord for warpping your arms around each person and keeping them safe and out of harm's way. Bless you Lord for planting the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit in each Team member, and bless you Lord for cultivating these seeds to the fullest while on this mission trip. Bless you Lord for the many blessings this Team will return home with. And, bless their families left at home by putting a special peace in their hearts while their loved ones are in Africa.
Amen.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
2:09 pm August 2ndUpdate from Greg:
Greetings again from Maua! Another good day here. Carrie visited a Zoe Ministries program sponsored by the hospital. The goal of Zoe Ministries is to equip orphan families with job skills for survival. I worked the second day on the AID's orphan house. Construction is going very well although not much of a house. The experience has been both incredible and awesome! Here's a picture of Madison supporting the local economy by having her hair done!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, August 2nd Mission Trip Devotional
Salt II - by Anna
Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. - Psalm 130
Did you salt the earth yesterday? I hope so, but I can imagine that you also encountered some hurting souls, which in turn have made you hurt on their behalf.
The psalmist writes that he waits for the Lord as a night watchman waits for morning to come. He says that his hope is in the Lord and in the Lord's word. Let's do that. Hope in God. Let's wait for God. He is here; He will reveal himself as needed in new and surprising ways. Scripture promised us that God is with us, and that God is on our side. Hope in that promise.
Work today with the knowledge that God is near and working in the hearts of those we come in contact with today.
Prayer
Watch over those we meet today, God. Watch over me as well. Restore me, so that I am equipped to work for you today.
Amen.
Monday, August 1st Mission Trip Devotional
Salt I - by Anna
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. - Matthew 5:13
Salt was used for several things in Jesus' day. It was often used as a cleansing agent. Whether cleaning objects or people, salt was used to scrub away filth and grime. It was also used medicinally. Salt was used to heal wounds and infection. Salt was used to flavor meals, without it food was bland and unsavory. Finally, salt was used in trade. It was very expensive, and was often used as money for the purchase of needed goods. A bag of salt was worth a man's salary for an entire year.
With this understanding of salt, how can we see this verse from Matthew 5? Jesus tells us that we are precious like the salt used to buy goods. We are meant to flavor, heal, and cleanse the earth. If we do not, we are useless, like old salt that has lost it's many qualities.
How will you be salt today? How will you behave as if you are a treasured possession of the Father? How will you heal? Where can you add flavor? Who needs a good scrubbing?
Prayer
With this understanding of salt, how can we see this verse from Matthew 5? Jesus tells us that we are precious like the salt used to buy goods. We are meant to flavor, heal, and cleanse the earth. If we do not, we are useless, like old salt that has lost it's many qualities.
How will you be salt today? How will you behave as if you are a treasured possession of the Father? How will you heal? Where can you add flavor? Who needs a good scrubbing?
Prayer
God, show me where and when to salt your earth today. Move me aside, so that your work can be accomplished.
Amen.
9:18 a.m. - Update from Sandi
Great work day today. We're working in three work teams and we spent our day working on homes for orphan's. Our activities included slinging mud/concrete for the walls and framing. We we able to have lunch with the Savuto's today and that was a great blessing.
We end our day tired but happy.
We end our day tired but happy.
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