Worry or Worship?

Today I shared a short devotion at my teacher team meeting. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to say all I had planned because my nerves got the best of me. Don’t you hate that? You read and plan and prepare, and then in the moment when you’re speaking, it sounds like you’re talking in unrelated circles…needless to say, public speaking is not my gift!

Anyway, since Christmas is just a week away I wanted to share something about this special holiday.  So I read this describing Mary’s response to her unique gift – the mother of God’s Son!

Mary’s Song of Praise by Anne Alexander

“Mary’s song of praise is an amazing expression of adoration for her Savior—especially in light of the fact that she was a young teenager! Let’s look at the circumstances that preceded her praise.

God sent Gabriel to tell Mary His plan, and her response to this incredible news demonstrated wisdom and obedience far beyond her years. “I am the Lord’s slave…May it be done to me according to your word.” Shortly thereafter, Mary went to visit her elder cousin, Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. Upon hearing Mary’s greeting, “the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she exclaimed with a loud cry: ‘You are the most blessed of women and your child will be blessed! How could this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” (Luke 1:41-43)

Through Elizabeth’s words, Mary had further confirmation that God had already done what He promised—she would be the Messiah’s mother. Mary remained humble after she acknowledged that she was an unlikely person to be given this honor and responsibility.

The reality of this extraordinary privilege caused her heart to overflow with gratitude in a joyful song of praise. She praised God for His favor on her,  His power and holiness, His mercy through generations, His exaltation of the lowly, and His special favor on His people. Young Mary’s knowledge of the Scriptures is evident through her song of praise.”

Luke 1: 46-55

And Mary said,

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has brought down the mighty from there thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 

he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Deeper Walk – read Psalm 71

So, how evident is your knowledge of the Scriptures when you’re faced with unexpected circumstances?

Do you truly believe that the Lord will do what He has promised?

Can God trust you to remain humble when He gives you an extraordinary privilege?

Reading Mary’s story and song of worship shows me her remarkable faith and trust in God. She was human, and surely had fears, yet she chose to worship rather than worry. Maybe this would be one of Mary’s modern day worship songs:

Bring The Rain by Mercy Me

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Israel Tour: Journal Day 8

The Empty Tomb!

Back under the raindrops we exited our bus at our first stop at the top of the Mount of Olives. This is a great site that overlooks into Jerusalem-looking straight toward the golden Dome of the Rock, at the right the sealed opening of the Golden Gate in the old city wall, and to the left steps carved out of the Mount Moriah stone leading into the old temple, with the steep valley in-between. Up to Jerusalem, what a sight! We walked down to a garden area where Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional recounting that Jesus will come again, and this place-the Mount of Olives is where He will return!

We walked down this very steep hill, a long and winding road into the valley. Some historians believe this is the road where Jesus rode the donkey on Palm Sunday, and people waved Palm branches and praised Jesus with “Hosanna, Hosanna!” As we walked I couldn’t help but think of the song and sing the words to “Hosanna in the Highest…”

At the bottom of the hill we entered the Garden of Gethsemane. This garden has a high stone fence all around it because now it’s surrounded by busy roads with people and cars rushing by-what a sobering place this was. There were very old olive trees scattered throughout and our group sat and read the story of Jesus betrayal. Here we were, in the garden, the place where Jesus was praying and was betrayed by Judas. We took time to spend some time in prayer on our own. To my surprise, with all the surrounding noises you could hear, standing quietly for a few moments silently with the Lord in prayer was very emotional. This is another place I hope I won’t forget.

We walked across the road and up, up, up the hill to enter the city walls of Jerusalem at the Lion’s Gate. We toured the area around the Pool of Bethesda. Pastor Gary reminded us of Jesus ministry of healing here-He healed only one man God told him to minister to…of all the sick people that would gather around that pool area everyday. Jesus obeyed and ministered to the one God appointed for Him. How obedient am I? Do I listen to God to know who and when to minister to people?

Also, there has been built a beautiful white church building on this site, and as we toured inside and heard the incredible acoustics, our whole group stood on the front steps and sang together the Doxology and Amazing Grace-wow! We sounded like an award winning church choir—only due to the building’s construction-it was a worship treat to our ears!

Next we walked through the city and down the Via Dolorosa-the street many believe was Jesus’ route when carrying His cross to Golgotha. We entered and toured the Roman prison house, Antonia Fortress. This is where Jesus was mocked, beaten, and tried as a criminal. We went in the basement area-street level in Jesus’ time—where you can still see the street blocks and prison floor.

 

After a salad buffet lunch at a nearby Kibbutz that overlooks into Bethlehem, we made our way back to the Garden Tomb! I had been looking forward to this all week-unfortunately when we entered and toured the garden it was raining really hard! Our group stood and heard a historian's view of the Golgotha Hill side…at once time the mountain looked like a skull face, hence the name means, “place of the skull.” Then we each took a turn entering the empty tomb where Jesus was for only 3 days. It’s a very small space, half barricaded, with a sign posted on the door, He is not here for He is risen. 

Afterward we gathered in a nearby chapel room and had a communion service remembering what happened on this mountain and in this garden tomb!

I am grateful for my Jesus today because…

He came to Earth-in Bethlehem

He died for my sins-on Golgotha

He was raised from the grave-from the tomb

He lives today- in heaven

He is coming again- on the Mount of Olives

Reminds me of the old hymn...

Because He lives…I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives….all fear is gone,

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives

Israel Tour: Journal Day 2

In the sun on the Sea!

Praise the Lord! I opened the curtains to a sunlit Sea of Galilee! And sure enough, just after our salad buffet breakfast our group walked down the road a couple blocks and loaded aboard a wooden boat to set sail! While we sailed North our group mingled and snapped photos. Pastor Gary gave a morning devotional and we sang a few worship songs.

Our boat docked near the town of Magnala, the town of Mary Magdalene. We toured a small museum with an excavated boat exhibit.  Years ago a small fishing boat was found in the muddy sea shore and was carefully removed. Scientists studied the wood and have found 13 different kinds of wood/tree branches were used in its construction. This is a common fishing boat that would have been used in Jesus' time.

Next we drove up the Mount of Beatitudes-a high ridge area-and sat overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Pastor Andy read the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. As we sat and gazed at the Sea below us, and read through the Beatitudes…we were instructed Jesus was once here teaching his followers. He would stand near the lower end of the hill and speak looking up the hill as people would sit looking down. They would be able to hear his voice clearly as the hills and valley create a natural voice amplifier. That would have been cool to hear Jesus teach!

Back in the bus we were on our way down to the Sea of Galilee shores. That’s right we walked down to the rocky beach area filled with rocks and lapping waves. What a bright beautiful day it was. Here, we gathered and heard Pastor Gary remind us of the story from John 21, where Jesus makes a fish breakfast on the beach for his disciple Peter and asks him three times if he loves him.

Back on the road we drove to Jesus’ boyhood town, Capernaum. We walked through the town and saw the house ruins of Peter, a carved picture of the Ark of the Covenant being moved, and sat in the town synagogue ruins. What a place this was-at one time, Jesus was here. He would heal people, teach groups, and challenge them to change their lives and live for Him.

Finally it was time to eat, so we drove to a nearby Kibbutz and devoured a fresh fish and pita bread lunch!

We finished our day tour by driving around to the southern side of the Sea of Galilee where the Jordan River flows South. There is a baptism park here where groups can gather and perform ceremonial baptisms. Several from our group wanted to follow in Jesus’ example-and despite the extremely cold water-this was an experience I won’t forget!

On our way back to the hotel we had to stop by a nearby Starbucks rival, Café Aroma for some much needed warm coffee.  Mmm, well timed, well made and well appreciated!

Not only was this entire day bright and warmed by the sun, but the reoccurring theme from our teachings and tour sites was “let your light shine.”

How many Hula-Hoops can you hold?

We all know that life is a balancing act of time management between jobs, relationships, hobbies, eating, sleeping, church, exercise and entertainment… and whatever else may be on your priority list.  If you were to compare each of these to Hula Hoops, how many hoops could you hold and swivel on your body at once? Now there’s funny mental picture!

This month my life’s seemed extra busy preparing student report cards, planning parent conferences, working extra hours at the church café, preparing a staff devotional, planning for a week long substitute, packing my luggage and preparing my mind to leave on a 10 day tour in Israel, as well as, start thinking about a school chapel to present of my Holyland trip upon my return. Whew! Several times within the past week, I’ve silently prayed, “Lord, I don’t think there’s enough time each day to get this all done!”

Thankfully, God has supplied me with many friends who pray for me; and, he’s given me sufficient time to organize, plan, prepare, and still have time to participate in a couple leisure activities-even write this blog!

In preparing to give my testimony and short devotional with my coworkers I found this excerpt to read about wisely prioritizing our time between work and worship. From the highly recommended book Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver writes…

“Life is filled with Hula-Hoops. We all have responsibilities, important things that need our attention. If we’re not careful, however, our hearts and minds can be consume with the task of keeping them in the air. Rather than centering ourselves in Christ and letting the other elements of our lives take their rightful place around that center, we end up shifting our attention from one important to-do item to another, frantically trying to keep them all in motion.

It’s easy to forget that while there is a time to work, there is also a time to worship-and it’s worship, the time we spend with God, that provides the serene center to a busy, complex life.

Mary, from Bethany, did not fall for that. She knew the difference between work and worship. Martha did not. That is why she nearly missed the better part.

I can almost see Martha as she greeted Jesus on his way through Bethany. I don’t suppose the Hula-Hoops were actually visible as she came out to meet him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a slight movement around Martha’s hips. “Come in! Come in!” she probably said “Mi casa, su casa! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check the soup.”

I, too, have been guilty of giving my Lord a breathless hello and a quick hug. I’ve welcomed him into y life and gotten him situated, but then moved on like Martha, frantically moving on to other duties.

Mary did not do that. She dropped her Hula-Hoops and sat at his feet. Who has time for recess games when you’re in the presence of the wisest Teacher who ever lived?

Stereotypes keep us from embracing truth. The story of Mary and Martha was never meant to be a psychological profile or a role play in which we choose the character with whom we most identify. This is a story of two different responses to one singular occasion. In it, we should find not our personality type, but the kind of heart Christ longs for us to have.

A heart centered in him alone.”

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”

thank you, again and again

August prayer letter:

Dear family and friends,                                                                August 2011

Just last week I returned from my 10 day trip to far away Ethiopia, Africa. What an amazing time I had with my team from Cornerstone Chapel. I’ve written several pages and uploaded photos on my Facebook page and Blog site. Please visit and take a look!   www.myalongtheway.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. The Lord blessed our team in many ways throughout our trip.

• God kept us safe-no one or no luggage was lost or damaged
• God kept us healthy-we had plenty of water bottles and good food, and I was the only one to get sick.
• God bound us together-our 20 person team’s abilities and unique personalities were stretched and flexible to minister in multiple ways throughout our sunny and dry weather activities.
• God is at work-we were blessed to see how God is already working in Ethiopia. The Care Centers we visited spread the love of Jesus by providing spiritual and physical nourishment to not only the orphans who attend, but also to their family and friends.

As I adjust back into my usual routine of American society living I’m still sifting through everything I saw and heard and was a part of in Ethiopia. I’m not exactly sure how I’ve changed or how I’m going to live my life any differently because of this experience. My view of the world has been realistically altered; my amazement of God’s love and provision has deepened; and I’m truly grateful I had the time, money, and opportunity to go. I saw how people on the other side of the world worship and serve the same Jesus I know-awesome!

Thank you again for your support and prayers,

Alicia Behrens

1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

etc.

So after all my journal pages, photos, and piles of laundry are done…what have I enjoyed and learned from this experience? Several things…

God works in the details! We had several extra bags of luggage checked through free of charge, each plane ride a few of our team members were upgraded to first class, we had no problems going through customs, our luggage was never lost or damaged, We had a minor car collision and a car violation, yet were harassed or hurt in any way.

God provides! Everyone on the team was financially able to go. Besides our team visiting these Care Centers our church was able to give a large financial donation to each of these ministries!

God answers prayer! Though I was sick a couple different days God surrounded me with praying and comforting friends, he restored my health quickly.

God is still at work! Upon returning to Virginia and getting back into my routine I’m still sifting through everything I saw and heard and was a part of in Ethiopia.

I’m not exactly sure how I’ve changed or how I’m going to live my life any differently because of this experience. My view of the world has been realistically altered. My amazement of God’s love and provision has deepened. I’m truly grateful I had the time, money, and opportunity to go. I saw how people on the other side of the world worship the same Jesus I know-awesome!

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

walkin' an' talkin'

One of the afternoons we were in Adama, we went on Prayer Walk. We split our team into three groups and literally walked through their community praying for the people. I thought we would walk and quietly pray. Instead we were guided by one of our translators up and down these narrow and sometimes rocky dirt paths. As we walked we were silently in awe of the homes and lifestyle we saw. Tiny mud room homes behind fences and gates of metal, trees, or brick walls. We would stop and talk with anyone who came down the path. Several of the children from the Care Center recognized us and would come greet us and bring us to their home and proudly introduce us to any relatives at home.

We circled around the child, their relatives, and prayed with our eyes open! Before a few of us were even finished praying several others from the community would join around our circle hoping to be included in this blessing. Thankfully with our translator guide, the people of this community were able to hear and understand our prayers for them.

The most touching moment for me was when our group came down the path only to be greeted by on of the little boys from the Care Center. He was so glad we had come down his road! He invited us to come see his home and brought out his grandmother to introduce us. She was much older than we expected, yet so grateful to see and hear our ministry of prayers. She asked us to pray only for her grandson-his health, his growth in the Lord, and protection of his life as he grew. Right before we prayed one of our group members read a portion of scripture aloud that brought our whole trip into perspective. “...Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Tears of emotion sprang from my eyes as we prayed and I held the hand of a little one leaning beside me. I was overcome with joy to be here, obeying God’s commandment-visiting, encouraging, and praying for these Ethiopian people, yet I was utterly humbled by God’s blessing and provisions on my own life. Why was I born and privileged to grow up in America-in a Christian home? Why were these people here, with barely any shelter or food? Through my tears I thanked the Lord for this realistic picture of his sovereignty. God is a God to all and knows each one of his children intimately. He not only knows my life, my struggles, my friendships, each hair on my head, but He knows these same details of every person living on this Earthly globe. Even these people standing in our circle, an orphan boy and his widowed grandmother in far away Africa! God knows them and provides for them intimately too.

This moment will probably be cemented in my mind for years and years to come. I saw and experienced first hand the meaning of this scripture passage. 

James 1:20 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

sick in bed

Unfortunately, even though I had seven different shot vaccinations before I left, have a months prescription of Malaria pills, and was being very cautious to only drink bottled water…I got sick. Two different days I had to go back early and rest my body. I needed time to let my body pass the sickness and get some extra sleep hoping to regain my strength. I was not happy about this! Here I was on the other side of the world, counting each day as an investment, and I was sick in bed! Not only did I want to be curled up in my own bed back in Virginia, I wanted answers! What did I eat or drink or do to get sick? Why would God allow only me to be sick-and why now? I felt like the weakest link in our team and emotionally defeated. I thought I had taken every precaution.

But God had other plans. Maybe God was trying to teach me…

- To slow down, relax and take in everything that’s going on around me rather than be such a busybody.

- He alone has ultimate control of my body; even though I mentally prepared and took significant financial precautions, God is my creator.

-To open up and share more, rather than remain self-sufficient and independent, maybe God wanted me to ask for help…something I have a hard time doing.

The second day I was sick I was upset and angry why this would happen. I went ahead and read the Psalm of the day hoping for some comfort. Why should I be surprised God’s Word would still speak to me, straight to my need? These verses greatly encouraged my heart that day.

Psalm 9

1-“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2-I will be glad and exult you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

9-The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

10-And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11-Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!”

Prayers were answered-I was healed! God used my weakness to draw the team close in prayer, not only for healing of my body, but for protection of the whole team. While resting alone, I was reminded how easy I have it in America to see a doctor, get medicine and feel relief relatively quickly. In Ethiopia that simplicity would be a dream. Hospitals are overcrowded, doctors are scarce and medicine is extremely expensive if you can find it and have money to afford it. 

Down South

We loaded up our luggage and crates into the vans again, and drove South for two hours to Adama. We visited a Look Development Care Center for three days, again providing activity stations for all the children who came. 

As soon as we climbed out of the vans, we could tell a relaxed difference in these children. They rushed to greet us with big hugs and smiles and joyous “Shalom” greetings!

Almost all of the children at this Care Center have sponsors, so these children are fed better, have more than one pair of clothes, and have experienced American visitors previously. Thankfully, communication wasn’t as big an obstacle because these children could understand and speak a little English. After our activity time each day we had extra time to just hang out, so we painted finger nails and played lots of soccer!

Q-What is a Sponsor? A-someone who gives financially each month and builds a relationship with the child and their family through letters and gifts!

Through just the short time we were there, a couple children grew close to my heart. I asked about their family history and wondered if there was a way I could help. I was told that one of the children had just started and was in need of a sponsor-she hadn’t even been added to the program list. Amazing!

building bridges

The next few days we spent our time at a new site for Hope Chest. We were the first group to ever visit. Tucked behind some busy streets and some construction site materials, near a rushing river is the small community of Jemo. Each day children young and old come to the church building to be given food and fellowship. The building is just one large room, cement walls and floors, a few windows, with benches scattered around facing the two-step stage in the front of the room. The pastor and his family live next door in a small, couple roomed home. They, and a handful of others, coordinate the fellowship of children in this community. This is a very low income/poverty area. A lot of parents come and just stand around as well, because they don’t have jobs or school to go to themselves. 

One of our days here we took time to walk around the neighborhood. It was sad and hard to see. There is no sidewalks or pavement, everything is small rocks covered with mud or just dirt paths with puddles. Their homes were merely shacks and rooms made of tin, metal, mud, wood or whatever one could find.

The pastor took us to the end of the road where a bridge spans across the river. It looks like its made out of toothpicks! A couple of large tree branches connect the sides of the river bank, yet only small branches make the foot path. No sides or hand rails. The pastor told us children have to use this bridge in order to attend the government school on the other side, and every year several children fall from the bridge, some are even killed. Hearing how often it rains, watching the water rush by below, and thinking how slippery those tree parts could be-I fully understand-I didn’t even want to get on it!

During our time at Jemo we led the children in activity stations both inside while it rained and outside in the thick mud when it was sunny! We made paper crowns, bead bracelets, twisted balloon hats, and played with parachutes and soccer in the muddy field besides singing silly songs. One of our team members taught about God’s love and peace and we taught the children several Bible songs like Jesus Loves Me, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, and Allelu-allelu! We loved to hear them sing and smile. They loved to see and hear white American people!

Each day we went the children wore the same clothes and the same shoes, yet they became more and more fond of us and less shy. Later we were told that most of these children hadn’t seen white people or heard English before we arrived! We were hoping to show God’s love to these little ones, yet what we found was the light of Jesus already shining in this poor community of people. On our last day the people surprised our team with gifts. They hand painted a banner/quilt with all our names and decorative pictures besides giving each of us beautiful scarves and bracelets. We were not only in awe of their generous hearts, but the time it took and the money they sacrificed in their giving. We were blessed by these people!

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

Eyes Wide Open

Upon arriving in far away Ethiopia, Africa we were greeted by some morning rain showers, and three Hope Chest co-ordinators, Halaina, Alex, and Fickra, whom we would come to know and love very well. Our team found and loaded all our luggage, crates, and backpacks on board two vans and then were chauffeured through Addis Ababa to our hotel, a giant 3 story stately home called the Guest House. Because of the size of our team, we had the whole place to ourselves. After settling in our bunk-bed filled rooms and washrooms, we were served a spaghetti and meatball lunch. Yes, we were visitors in a 3^rd world country. We felt safe behind the high cement walls and metal gate topped with barbed wire.

Soon enough we were ready to visit our first Care Center at a small community center called Kechene. We were led into what seemed like a one room school house where all the children (60 or so) were sitting in groups behind little desks in three straight rows. Their big eyes, happy smiles and polite manners greeted us as our group filed in and stood around the room. A couple teachers and our guides helped with translation as we sang and taught them silly songs and played a couple of group games. After our last song of “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,” we served them fresh little bananas we had picked up from a nearby market on our way through town. This community center room was small, had a couple windows, a large black chalkboard sitting on the floor, and a few map posters on the wall. When the rain let up we followed the children outside to their playground filled with mud and rain puddles. They were so proud to have us with them jumping and dancing in their circle song games. Sliding and hanging from their rusty play-set and watching them play checkers with glass soda tops. 

We ended our time by listening and singing to each other’s countries national anthem. It was inspiring and beautiful to hear. Then, what I never expected to be hard, happened for the first time. Saying goodbye to children I had just met, enjoyed for a few hours, and probably won’t meet again till heaven. You could tell, these children loved to be hugged, held, and cherished-better yet-these children were the generous ones…happy to share all their love through hugs, smiles and kisses on us-American strangers! A half hour later we finally loaded the vans with tearful eyes and drove slowly down the steep, cobblestone muddy one lane path as the children followed with waves behind us.

As soon as we made it to the main road the thick smog of the polluted air greeted us and our other van was pulling into a tire shop with a flat tire! We were worried we’d be waiting awhile as the shop was full of cars and the streets were becoming busier as rush hour was nearing. Our van full just watched out the windows as semi-sized trucks, rickshaw cars and taxi vans scurried by…besides all the people walking beside, in front and in between cars. We were grateful for how close a tire shop was located, and within 5 minutes the other van had a new tire and was pulling out in-front of us! God provides, and fast, doesn’t He? Driving-even riding-through town is quite an eye experience! Watch out for darting people, aggressively yielding cars at every corner’s roundabouts, or stray horses, goats, and mules walking through the streets…there would be no time for talking or texting on your cell phone! I was very grateful to only be a passenger with all the swerving, horn beeping, and jostling of motion on the busy streets. Amazingly enough, I only saw 2 traffic lights the entire time in Ethiopia, and one was just a flashing yellow light. 

Our eyes rested quickly after our first day in Ethiopia. It had seemed like an exuberantly long day since most of us hadn’t slept well on our 15 hour flight and then we’d made it through a whole day without much down time. What would our eyes behold for another week in Ethiopia? We could only imagine…

“The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed so that man who is of the Earth may strike terror no more.”

Psalm 10:16-18

packin' and a prayin'

July prayer letter:

Dear family and friends,

In just one week I will be…

Joining my church team in a send-off prayer as we leave for Ethiopia!

Packing my suitcase and our 20 crates of donations on board our plane!

Flying around the world to visit orphans and missionaries!

Taking medications.

Experiencing a different climate and new foods!

Watching God use me for His glory!

Yes, I’m a little fearful of all the unknowns, but I’m amazed by all God has done to prepare and provide for our team to go on this trip.  Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support in my preparation! These are some of my specific prayer requests while I’m away.

Health-my medications and the new culture won’t alter my attitude.

Safety-while traveling to and around Ethiopia

 Community- living and working in a team for 10 days

 Attitude- my spirit will be flexible to help where I’m needed

 Changed Heart- my eyes will be open to what God wants me to learn through this experience.

While in Ethiopia, August 4-14, my team and I will be serving in a number of different areas. We will be helping the staff of Children’s Hope Chest Centers, leading and encouraging the community children in VBS lessons and activities, and making home visits. Please pray for me as I have been asked to prepare and teach English learning lessons and worship songs. I’m eager to see how the children learn words and songs in our language!

Thanks for your support,

Alicia Behrens

Lamentations 3:22-24 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in him.”

Blessings

I am Thankful For...
author unknown
For the wife/mom who says "It's hot dogs tonight: because she's home and not out with someone else.

For the husband/dad who is one the sofa, being a couch potato, because he's home and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who's complaining about doing the dishes because it means she's home and not on the streets.

For taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after the party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

For the shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means I am alive.

For too much e-mail because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

For the cluttered buffet covered with photos because it means I have so many to love.

-Article from an Iowa Newspaper

Blessed Be Your Name - Lyrics by Matt Redman

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name