God Keeps on Writing

Hello Friends--

It has been a little over a month since my last blog post. I have been overwhelmed with the faithfulness of our Amazing Father. With the return from my second trip to Nicaragua, I couldn't feel more filled and blessed to be a part of God's story. As if life couldn't seem to be more filled with excitement, love, and joy, while I was in country in Nicaragua in March, God seemed to be whispering in my ear that I might be needed for an extended period of time to work and help with the sponsorship program in the schools that NRN is involved with. I couldn't have been more excited to experience not only ONE WEEK in Nicaragua with my amazing friends and family there, but to spend SIX WEEKS at a time seemed like exactly what God had in mind and exactly what I wanted to do with my time this summer.

Of course, I needed to write up a proposal, stating what I would be devoting my time towards in Nicaragua for the 6 weeks; how I would join my church's team for the first week, help in the schools and with the sponsorship program for 4 weeks, and help led a team out of Terre Haute with my amazing team member and Nica Family member, Kathy. Upon my return, I quickly put together my proposal, sent it to the NRN President, Vice President, and Lead Missionaries Ginny and Cecil Campbell. Quickly, I remember just a few short weeks ago how wonderful it would be to spend and invest 6 weeks into the people, children, and the 4 schools in Nicaragua. I imagined how much I could help and what I could make possible by spending the 6 weeks there. Despite knowing that a trip like mine and investing 6 weeks into a place that I call home would be pleasing and right to God, for some reason I still felt like I wasn't getting the confirmation from God that I needed for this amazing trip.
I grew anxious, praying and asking God to help me to feel 100% sure that Nicaragua was where He wanted me to be this summer. I didn't want to act out in any selfish manner, knowing that Nicaragua, my children , and my dear friends and family who lived there would be something I would never turn down if presented an opportunity to be there with them. Nicaragua is home, and if you only had one time a year to visit, wouldn't you jump to any opportunity to go back? I certainly did as soon as I landed back in the States. Yet, God wasn't giving me immediate feedback. It was almost as if I wanted God to write on a billboard, "Meg, Nicaragua is where I want you this summer." I continued to not get my sign though.
Growing frustrated, I tried to stay still, knowing that the board wouldn't review my request until a few weeks later in April. I thought, "Well Meg, if you get approved and a whole board of people are praying over your stay there, then that is enough confirmation for you to go for six weeks."
The week of the board meeting came around, but the weekend before I was blessed with the opportunity to go the Great Banquet retreat in Frankfort, Indiana. The three day retreat was exactly what I needed at the exact time I needed it. I was able to go and spend 3 days away from technology, away from clocks, and just focus in on God and talking to him. I met so many amazing Sisters in Christ, experienced God's fullness and abundant Love for me in ways that I never thought possible. Going into the weekend I thought for sure God would give me answers about Nicaragua there, and then the following Monday I would surely hear from one of the board members about my proposal.
Well turns out, God didn't give me much of any answer at the retreat, and Monday came around, the day of the board meeting, and I never heard anything.
Talk about upsetting. I thought to myself, "Well, maybe the meeting ran late, and I will hear something tomorrow." As if waiting couldn't make the week any harder, the week also marked my last few days of coaching gymnastics. Most of you know I was a gymnast in college, and for the last 20 years of my life, gymnastics has been #1 above EVERYTHING. My girls that I coach have truly saved my life. I'm not sure if any of them realize just how big of a blessing they are to me. Over the last three years, I have had the privilege and honor of not only helping them be better gymnasts, but in using my story and my life to help them to see themselves how God sees them. Each and every one of my girls over the last three years has grown so much in their walk with God. What an honor and blessing it was to see them grow and mature. I love the girls like they are my own, but God and I came to terms and a conclusion that it was time to let my babies go. I had planted the seeds in their hearts, and I had to trust that God would protect them and send them exactly where they were meant to be. I was an emotional wreck that week to say the least.
Tuesday rolled around, no answer about Nicaragua and Wednesday rolled around and still, NOTHING. I was growing angry, tired of waiting on God. How dare I say I was growing tired of waiting when I really had only been waiting a couple of weeks? Can I say that PATIENCE is not my strong suit? :) As Thursday came around, the day marked my last official practice coaching the girls. Before I walked into the gym, I had a melt down on the phone with my mother. My mother will always be someone I can cry and vent to. I appreciate and love her dearly for the countless hours she has listened to me and offered me loving advice. I proceeded to pour out my emotions and frustrations about where God wanted me to be, why He hadn't given me an answer, what I was going to do without gymnastics, basically the whole nine yards. Of course, my mother calmly told me God would give me the right answer when it was time and that I needed to be patient. It wasn't exactly soothing or what I wanted to hear, but I had five minutes till the start of practice and I needed to hang up the phone.
I thought to myself I could check my email quickly before practice. As I opened up my gmail account, an email from Doug Ehrgott stuck out like a sore thumb. Doug was my Africa team trip leader in October, who works for Horizon International full time as a Global Team Builder. Doug and his wife Sandy have taken over 100 teams and trips to Africa. As I opened the email I couldn't believe what I was reading. The email explained that Doug had just returned from Africa the night before and God laid it on his heart to ask me to spend 8 weeks in Africa serving the AIDS orphans with him in a few different countries. I couldn't believe it. The answer to my prayers was delivered in email form from Doug. Everything finally was coming together, and I simply responded and said that I was all in.
Now with the email coming in the middle of April, I wasn't sure about any logistics or costs about this incredible journey. I knew that God had to line up many things to even make it possible for me to go. Doug later told me the dates, the costs, and what I would be doing exactly, and to be quite honest I was excited, nervous, and fearful all at the same time. Doug was so sure about everything though, telling me to not worry about the high cost of the trip, that God would provide and the right people would support me and want to be a part of the journey along side of me.

The last three trips God has blessed me with an incredible job to be able to fund all entire trips by my salary alone. With budgeting and the amazing blessing from my boss, I was able to make all three trips possible without asking support from anybody else. With my departure date only 8 weeks away, I had no idea how I could possibly come up with roughly $10,000, factoring in two months of rent to prepay before I left and all the trip expenses.  Asking for financial support has also been something that somewhat turns my stomach. People are weird about money, including myself at times. God is really growing me in my faith, for I am having to rely on Him in ways I never have before.
With the close of just a little under 2 weeks of raising support, I have raised close to $2000. God has used my sharing of this journey to not only bless me, but to bless others. I have been handed 500$ cash by a man I barely even know, and I have been blown away by everybody's giving and willingness to help. God has shown me that by asking people to be a part of the journey I am blessing them and I am showing them who God is and what He wants us to be.



I am amazed at God's faithfulness and how He is writing this journey of mine. If you are a person that knows me very well, you can see that NONE of my life is anything that I would have written for myself. BUT it is SO MUCH BETTER. I couldn't have even imagined any of my life amounting to half of what it has been to date, and I have God to thank. He picked me up, opened my eyes, and has allowed me to see through His eyes a broken world, plagued by orphans all over the world. I have come to realize and know that we are all ADOPTED. The children of Nicaragua and of Africa, along with my dear friends and family in both countries have added so much purpose and meaning in my  life that I never know could exist.
My life has been restored and I have finally answered His knocking and calling He has had in place for me all along. The world wants something different of me, but I am standing firm and trusting that God will provide everything I need to do His work in Africa for 8 incredible weeks this summer. Friends, if you are reading this and have given financially, I thank God for your faithfulness and willingness to come along side of me. Without you, I would not be going. It seems that I have a long way to go, numbers wise, but for God, this is a very small task and HE WILL SEE IT THROUGH. If you haven't given, I ask you to pray that God directs you in the right way and ask what He would want you to do.
I love you guys so much. blessings to you and yours on this beautiful day God has given us.

Meg

Just how much I'm loved

When I think about my life, I immediately reflect on the many high and low points that have occurred over the course of the past 25 years. BUT, my perspective on the challenging low points that have happened has dramatically changed over the last eight months.
God has changed my very being by opening up my heart and, more importantly my eyes, to feeling the things that break his heart every day and seeing the world from a different view. My world has completely collapsed, caved in so to speak. Have you ever reached that point where controling your own life just becomes too big to manage? You are overwhelmed with stress and the pressures of being successful in our fast pace society.

I was there. Three years ago. I will never forget my breaking point. Everything I had wanted for my life had failed me. Gymnastics had come crumbling down in a very emotional and stressful way, causing me to doubt even my own identity. My romantic relationship had completed crashed, and I wanted to escape my own life. I knew there had to be more to my life. I knew I wasn't fulfilling God's calling for my life. Our culture and Satan stole me from dreaming God dreams. I had turned into my worst enemy. I had allowed my pain and anger to take over my life. Satan had fed me lie after lie, filling me with anger, hatred, pain, self-doubt, and negativity. I was done. I had HAD IT. I needed out, and all I could think of  was to pray and to rid my life of all the negative. I would like to say it was easy and it happened overnight. I'd also be completely lying. Over the course of the year following me falling to my knees and asking God to show me the right way, I slowly began to tear down the walls, repair all the damage that people and circumstances had caused, and to give my life completely over to God.

Words can not express the gratitude I have for Jesus and for how He stepped in and worked every last detail out. The things I used to stress about (money, job security, getting married) have diminished, and the pain that used to consume me has been replaced with true happiness and everlasting joy that only can come from Jesus.

Eight months ago, I finally listened to God's calling on my life to give more of myself to Him, by going and blessing others in another country. My life has never seemed more fulfilling. No gymnastics award or school success has ever amounted to the sense of REAL accomplishment I have experienced in Nicaragua and South Africa. I realize TRULY how much God has blessed me with, how I am not lacking or hurting for anything, and that He has never left my side and has a successful life in store for me. The word success has even changed. Success is not meaused by how much money I make, what kind of house I live in, or what kind of car I drive. Success is measured by how many people's lives I can change by showing them God's love. Success is being a God girl; one that loves and follows Him wherever He takes me. I am learning to be intentional about everything that I do, making the moments count, and looking for areas to serve others in.

I still struggle, in so many ways. My life has actually gotten harder, putting forth much effort into listening to God and trying to live for Him with every aspect of my life. My heart is still broken, but broken for different reasons. God gave me a new heart, but my new one is in two other countries. My heart is with my little boys, Moises and Obed. A piece is with NRN and Horizon International. A piece is with my hurting, lost country here. I constantly have to remind myself that I can not fix everything in this world, but I can start with one person at a time.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the people and children I love in Nicaragua and South Africa. I can't escape the passion that fills me, the Holy Spirit. The worldly things I used to crave are gone and I crave God moments. I crave feeling His Presence, His hand, His touch, guiding me down the correct path.
This weekend has never seemed more real to me. Jesus is in fact alive and well. I have seen him. I have seen him in the people and children of Nicaragua and South Africa. I see Him in their smiles, and I see them in their broken hearts. I saw Jesus yesterday in a dish washer at Paradise cafe. He is here, I feel Him, and I long to stay close and connected to Him. My life has forever changed because of Him and how He gave His life for me. I only hope to make him proud, a proud daughter of His God girl.

Love you guys. Have a blessed Easter. Please stop and remember how much you really are LOVED.

Meghann

Finally seeing Moises, my beautiful boy! :)

March 6^th- 7^th TAV and La Concha

God keeps blessing me day in and day out. Today we got to go to Belcer’s school, TAV. Can I say that Belcer’s has a piece of my heart. I was so excited for today and to see my little boy Moises. I was worried that he wouldn’t remember me though, even though I saw him last July.

Belcer’s school is in one of the worst areas you can think of. The school is located just inside one of the largest markets in Nicarauga. When we arrived at the school, Aaron instructed us to get every single thing of the van in one trip. We got to hold our interviews in a bigger room on the 2^nd floor of the school. We also got to see the new 3^rd floor of the school. PRAISE GOD. I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a breeze too! New dry wall and windows were everywhere. The old 3^rd floor was an area where every single student dreaded having class at. Now, every student wants to be in one of the classrooms upstairs. It was beautiful and we all were so excited to be the first team to see the beautiful new 3^rd floor.

We made it in time for recess. We got to make our appearance at recess, and it was such a wonderful moment to walk down the stairs to see so many kids excited to see us, full of smiles from ear to ear. As I followed Hannah down the stairs, I scanned the many students for Moises. He saw Hannah and threw his arms around her. Hannah asked him to look who was standing behind her. Moises missed his entire recess because his arms were wrapped around my waist. It was the sweetest thing I have ever been a part of. He was so excited to see me, and I was so happy he remembered me.

All the kids at Belcer’s were so loving. They live in such desperate situations and “gringos” aren’t seen very often in their school. When we come, it is a very big deal to them. Aaron and I were partnered up again for the interviews. We got all the students to laugh and s mile and really open up. One special part of today was getting to interview all my friends sponsored kids back at Northview and give them special gifts. It was so neat to say that I was friend’s with their sponsors and to hand deliver their gifts from my friends back at home. The kids were so excited to get their gifts, letters, and pictures. Thank you Bob and Terri, Ed and Beth, and Tom and Jodey for trusting me with your gifts and allowing me to represent all of you. Your kids are truly amazing, and it was such an honor to meet all of them.

I also got to see my parent’s two kids, Osmara and Jeremiahs. They have both grown up so much since last July. I loved seeing them and telling them how much my family wished to be there. Moises of course was a huge blessing today too. Broke my heart when I saw him because he had a huge cut on his face. I asked Juan Carlos what I needed to get for him medicine wise and he told me because of me sponsoring him he was already being treated by Dr. Karla. What a blessing that was to hear that because of my funds I was paying already I was able to help Moises out in that way.

We got to meet with the administrators of the school and pray with them about the needs and difficulties the school was presenting. They told us how many kids were being abused and we needed to pray for their home lives. It was a very emotional meeting to say the least.

One great moment of the day was getting to meet a handful of seniors at the school and hearing their plans of going to college the next year. They were so beautiful, polite, and respectful. It was such a joy to hear about their dreams and goals, and to hear how much passion they have. We had a such a wonderful time getting to know them, and it was wonderful to pray over them and their futures. God keeps blessing me with amazing days. There is so much love here. My heart is bursting at the seams.

Thursday

La Concha is the definition of beauty. The scenery is breath taking. We worked very hard today and interviewed over 140 kids. I worked alongside of Ramero today. It was nice getting to know him and by the end of the day I was pretty much doing the whole interview in Spanish by myself! He helped me with my Spanish a lot today! I was very excited.

One boy that really stood out to me was an older high school student that told me he had the flu. He was so polite that he was holding a handkerchief over his mouth so he wouldn’t get me sick. I noticed that his birthday was just a very days before. I asked him how his birthday went and he told me nobody remembered it. Not one family member or friend had told him happy birthday. It broke my heart. Right then and there I decided to go to the front of the room with this beautiful boy and I made an announcement for everybody to stop what they were doing and sing Happy birthday to him.

I even made him a birthday card before he left. He told Ramero that he was very happy that we had sang to him and that I had made him a birthday card. I was glad that I could make the boy smile and I hope I made a lasting memory for him,

We got to meet with the pastor and his wife, and the administrators of the school. Franklin, who has worked a long time with NRN, and was sponsored through NRN, is now working at the school. We got to hear a bit of his story, which was very amazing to hear. After the day, we went to a beautiful look out up on the side of the mountain. What an amazing God gave us today. Praise God.

another amazing day

Tuesday March 5^th, 2013

Today God gave us another beautiful day in Nicaragua. God, thank you for this opportunity you have given me to help out your Heavenly Kingdom.

We ventured out to Los Brasillos, Joshua 1:8 schools to do many sponsored and unsponsored interviews. I was excited because I have not been to this particular school before. It was def a more rural school than Ray Solomon’s or Belcer’s schools in town, close to the dangerous market.

The kids we saw today were incredible; so overwhelmed and filled with joy, and beyond excited to see what we had planned for them. One of the girls that stuck out to me was a little girl named Sarah. She told me she loved to sing during the time I had with her, and she sand me a song about the sun, the moon, and the stars. I made sure to record it so I could replay the moment. During the time I shared with her, I asked God to bless her with a perfect sponsor.

We saw a huge group of preschoolers today too. Talk about the most adorable little things you have ever seen. We decided to play games with them on the floor and ask questions while we were playing to break the ice. The smaller children aren’t as outgoing and they have been a bit shy to interact with us. The kids had a blast putting puzzles together and playing the games on the ground that we brought with us. One little boy was very scared and cried the entire time he was around us.

Today I began to ask myself a simple question as I was with my amazing team and incredible kids. What is standing in the way of me serving God and building up his Heavenly Kingdom?

What would I give up for God? Would I give up my apartment? Do I make big sacrifices for God? Do I make excuses for why I can’t go to church, why I can’t go on a mission trip for a long period of time? It is a lot to think about and it surely is a lot to take in at times. I believe I am exactly where I am meant to be for the first time in my 25 years of life. God has truly opened up so many doors since I decided I was going to follow him wherever he led me.

As I sit in the church patio, listening to the birds chirp, distant cars honking, kids laughing from the school yard, I realize and feel how truly blessed I am to be here. God, I fall in love with you more and more every day. You are so amazing, and I thank you for bringing me here to this moment. Help me remember this moment, to stop and take time to see your beautiful hand at work all around me.

I had a beautiful conversation with Aaron today, and I couldn’t have had a better day working along side of him, interviewing each kid and really getting to know each and every one of them today. I thank God for our blossoming friendship, our honesty and trust we can share with one another as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

We got back from the school and had an amazing dinner tonight. As a team, we pulled our money together to make food bags for each child we sponsor and to help their families. We mad 24 bags total. A few of us with Aaron’s help went to the mall to find more backpacks, buy shoes for some of the kids we saw today that had worn theirs out, and to the grocery to buy all the food for the bags.

 

Monday March 3- Ray Solomon

HOLA FRIENDS! I am happy and sad to say I am back state side and into the full swing of things; back to work and back to my regular routine.
What an amazing, incredible life changing week I was just a part of. The team tackled SO much during the short week, but I didn't have any down time EVER to post online each day's events. I will be posting each days events as the week progressed. Thank you for all your prayers. Our team felt them and were wrapped up in God's love and protection throughout the whole course of our journey. I am so thankful to God for hand picking me to be a part of this unbelievable experience, and I can't wait to share my journey in words with you all. Love you dearly friends.

Monday March 3, 2013

Today was such an amazing God filled day. I can't express how wonderful and right it feels to be back in Nicaragua. God even gave us the gift of cooler weather AND a breeze. I can't hardly believe it. The word that best describes how I feel right now is "home." The team is interviewing students at Pastor Oscar's school, Ray Solomon. This school was where I ate lunch and went to visit every day on my last trip to Nicaragua. The home that I built last summer was only a few blocks from this school. Walking in and among the students today at Ray Solomon was so touching, so familiar. I loved seeing faces that I recognized. Familiar faces and smiles warmed my heart today as I walked into the school for the first time. Waves and friendly "holas" were exchanged and my heart was filled with a joy that I know can only come from Jesus.
Everything about this place feels like home. What do you think of when you think of the word home? Warmth... comfort... peace.. safety... family.. There are a few words that instantly come to my mind. All of these things I felt today, ALL DAY long.
The day was filled with interviews and getting the hang of working as team to conduct the interviews. As most of you might know, I am proud to say I went to Nicaragua this trip on a leadership team strictly focused on helping NRN with their sponsorship program. Our task was to see as many unsponsored and sponsored Northview students as possible, but to do it in a way that made each student feel loved and special. Many people state side made huge donations of toys, art supplies, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soaps, and backpacks for us to give each student at the end of the interview process. Sunday night the team put together these boy and girl goodie bags for each primary student and the backpacks with notebooks and pens for the secondary students. We wanted to make each student feel special and loved by receiving a little gift at the end of each interview.
I loved getting to talk to all the students that came into the room. Each student had to sit down, talk to us while we filled out an information sheet on their likes, family life, and personal questions to better understand who they were. Primary students made a sticker/colored art project for a potential sponsor or sponsor, while the secondary students wrote a postcard to their sponsor. Once all this was completed, the student was instructed to go see Kathy, who took their picture so we had a face with a name and information sheet.
This first day was a bit overwhelming, as we didn't know the best way to tackle the situation, but we had the least amount of kids to see, because Ray Solomon has the most kids sponsored out of all 4 schools we are involved heavily in. I was an interviewer all of the trip, getting to ask questions and sit personally with a student and translator. It was so wonderful to sit with the students, hear their laughs, and to see their excitement. All of the children were so beautiful and full of life.
After the interviews, we sat in and introdcued ourselves to the administrators of the school. They shared with us their heavy hearts, difficulties of the last year, a teacher with cancer, and the death of a special needs child this year. They told us their need for new textbooks, more fans, pre school chairs, and the many prayers they needs as well. The team got very emotional during this conversation in the administration office. It was such a blessing that they felt comfortable and trusting enough of our team to open up their hearts and share the schools burdens with us. We prayed together in a circle holding hands and headed back to La Quinta.
I have never had the opportunity to stay at La Quinta by myself. Our team is the only team here for the week and it is so peaceful and wonderful. The weather is beautiful and I couldn't ask for anything more. I was so blessed with reconnecting with my translators, who are now my great friends, Juan Carlos and Aaaron. It was so wonderful to give them great big hugs today, and I can't wait to work along side of them and spend the week together.
The team got organized and ready for tomorrows interviews. We plan on seeing 56 high schoolers and 40 primary students at Los Brasillas, Joshue 1.8 school.
As I look back on the day, one of my key moments I do not want to forget is the feeling I had while standing in the hallway, watching the kids play in the court yard, feeling the breeze, reading the sign With God All Things Are Possible. As I stood there, I felt God. I felt Him reassuring me that I was exactly where I needed to be. As if that wasn't enough of a blessing, I see a familiar face playing in the courtyard. It was Walter from last summer. I build the house for him and his family, who happens to be Aaron's family. Praise God for that moment, and all the other amazing moments of the day.

The Next Chapter

In 8 short months God has completely turned my life upside down. As most of you know last summer I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Nicaragua with my family and church. My heart was broken for the things that break Gods heart everyday. I returned home with a new love for Jesus in a different way than I had ever experienced before. My heart was on fire to continue to be led wherever God wanted me to go and found myself going to Africa with a team of people I didn't even know. I was tested and dealt with many spiritual battles leading up to my trip, but again God blessed me with an amazing team, that I now call my family, and the amazing opportunity of going and working with AIDS orphans in south Africa.
I can't even begin to explain with words what God has shown me through both of these experiences, the friendships Hes made possible, and giving 2 more places that I call home. I can't say it enough, but God really has turned a beautiful mess into a fulfilling life that I am so unworthy to have. I now know how much Jesus truly loves me. When I gave up on Him and failed Him Time and time again over the years he never gave up on me. He used people to plant seeds in me, and answered prayers from not only my family but many close friends.
For the first time in my 25 years of life I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be. It's not just with certain areas of my life either. I used to think I was living out Gods will and I claimed to be a "good" Christian. I finally was able to give all control over to God and give Him every single part of me. I have learned over the last 2 years how to be in a relationship with God and God has produced so many blessings from my faithfulness.
I am happy and blessed to say as I type this post I am sitting in the Indianapolis airport waiting to board my flight to Nicaragua on a leadership team for Nicaragua REsource Network. I have had so many generous donations for goodies to give the kiddos I will be working with all week, and my heart is bursting at the seams! I am working with the most amazing group of people; people who love God and want to show Him to others by loving on them, people who I will call my family by the end of the week, people I will be sharing my heart, sweat, and tears with over the course of the next few days, people I truly thank God for bringing into my life. Today I was so blessed by my amazing church family, pastor Dave, family, and friends for praying over me and this incredible team.
God never ceases to amaze me. I look at my life a few years ago, and I see a broken, hurting girl who searched for happiness and success in all the wrong places. I look at my life now, and I see a smiling, girl after Gods own heart; a girl made new because of  Jesus.
Ahhh, God thank you for your faithfulness and never ending love for me. Thank you to my family for always believing in me and allowing me to dream BIG in Gods eyes. Thank you to my beautiful sister, without her my life wouldn't be complete. Thank you to my nica family and Africa family for sharing your lives with me. Thank you to my many friends and my amazing gymnasts for your endless love and prayers.
Looking forward to being a part of another God journey, another love story, another chapter in this beautiful life God has blessed me with.
Much love and many blessings friends,
Meghann

Are you being silent?

Have you ever taken the time to think about what it means to be a Christian; to be free to love God; to be free to pray at a public restaurant; to be free to choose to put your children in Christian schools?
I have never really given it much thought, sadly, until this week. One of my best friend's from college decided to get me a journal for my birthday a couple weeks ago. She thought it best to find a christian one; one that I could write down sermon notes, prayers, and every day thoughts. She happened to go to a store in Austin and told me she literally was stopped in her tracks upon seeing a book that she had never heard of. She didn't even know what the book was about, but God told her that she needed to buy a copy and send it to me with my birthday gift. Turns out the book was just what I believe God needed me to read and share with others.
 The Insanity of God, based on a true story of faith resurrected, is about a christian couple that was led to minister starting in the Horn of Africa in Somalia. They started their work in the 1980s, wanting to help the broken people of Somalia in any way that they could. Nik Ripken, the author of the book, was one of the only people who considered putting his life in danger to help out the people in Somalia; to show them the way to Jesus. Eventually his organization led many others, including President Bush, to take action and send troops to help those in need. God then called Nik and his family out of Africa, to travel to many different parts of the world to hear testimonies from people who endured harsh persecution just because of their belief in Jesus. The book tells many tales of believers in China, Russia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa that have been put in jail, beaten, and threatened to be put to death because of their love for Jesus and their Christianity.
Upon reading this book, I have witnessed over the last year some of the harsh realities most of the rest of the world faces each day. I have seen what AIDS and diseases do to families. I have seen the effects of losing parents and what that does to innocent children. I have been to villages in Africa that Ive had the privilege to pray over people who have never had anyone pray over them, let alone heard of Jesus. I have started work on a church building in a village full of people who have never heard of Jesus and never had a church to go to. I have been to villages that have no running water, cities that are covered with trash and people sniffing glue to get high to forget about how hungry they are. While I saw these devasting and heart wrenching things, I never stopped to think about how believing in Jesus Christ would be taken by the rest of their nonbeliving country, what they might have to sacrifice to turn away from their countries religion to follow God.
My eyes were opened as I read this book and heard countless stories of what these fellow brothers and sisters endured and sacrificed beause of their belief. I am in awe of the courage and strength God gave each and every one of them in their times of trouble. Jesus' call to discipleship is to come and die. Few christians take the call literally, but it's not outside the realm of possibilty given the current state of the persecuted church. I have never once thought of our church, here in America, as one that is currently persecuted.
 2 Timothy 3:12 states, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Just as a pearl is formed from a simple grain of sand with layer upon layer of deposits until it becomes a large and lustrous thing of beauty, God has worked in many people's lives to reveal the beauty of His ways and thoughts which are different from our own. More than anything this book showed me that Jesus is alive and well, the New Testament stories that were told are not just stories of the past, people today have amazing stories and show that Jesus is walking right along side of them. I pray for the persecution of the church by praying that believers in persecution will NEVER stop loving and sharing Jesus. Faith is being lived out in the most difficult of circumstances all around the world.

God has the power to overcome all forms of darkness. If you think being a God-follower will make life safe and secure, buckle your seat belt. God shows His power and glory no matter the context, challenge, or oppostion. We all have a story. We all have gone through dark times, endured pain, been hurt by people we love, and lost those that we love. This world is a dark place that can easily put out the Light in all of us. With faith in God, and remembering how many people are persecuted because of their faith, we are able to endure unspeakable persecution and yet not lose heart.

When I read the horrifying accounts of many around the world, I couldn't help but compare my life and faith to theirs. I have never been put in jail because of my faith. I haven't had to hide out in fear of some higher authority or government offical finding out that I love Jesus. I haven't been beaten, made fun of, tormented because of my worship in church. I found myself asking, "Why God? Why have you given me the blessing of living in a country where I can honor you freely without persecution such as those in China, Africa, India, etc?" I have prayed over these questions, wondering what I can do now that my eyes have been opened to seeing that their are still so many suffering in other parts of the world because of their faith and so many people who haven't been given the chance of hearing about Jesus.
A better question and anwser to my previous questions is, "Why am I NOT persecuted?" Jesus states in  2 Timothy that all who believe in God will be persecuted. If we pray for persecution to stop, wouldn't we be putting an end to spreading the Good News? It's something to ponder. Persecution has an easy solution; deny Jesus, deny your love for God. It is as simple as that. Satan would win. Satan wants us to stay as far away from Jesus as possible. He wants to deny the world access to Jesus. His greatest desire is for the people of this planet to leave Jesus alone. If Satan cannot be successful at that, he desires to keep believers quiet, to diminish or silence our witness, and to stop us from bringing others to Christ. Friends and fellow believers, is Satan winning in your life? Are you spreading the Good News to your fellow neighbors, friends, and even enemies? Are you reaching out to those that haven't been exposed to the Light?

Another question that came to mind was, "Well why are believers in America free from such persecution as prison sentencing, beatings, and death like much of the rest of the world ?"
At the beginning of every day, we choose. We decide whether we share Jesus with others or keep Him to ourselves. Why would Satan want to wake us up here in America when he has already SHUT US UP? Why would Satan bother with us when we are already accomplishing his goal? He likely says it is better we stay asleep here in America. We as Americans know better than anybody what is going on in the world. Friends, it is not enough to simply be grateful for the blessed circumstances in which we live. It is not enough to pray for those in other countries in need who are suffering. WE MUST SHIFT OUR FOCUS. Are we really being obedient to God? He is asking, and expecting us to do our part. We do not live in a repressive place. Our biggest fear in sharing our faith might be mild embarassment or rejection, yet there are so many people around the world that have lost believing relatives because they have been put to death for their love of God. Surely mild embarassment or feeling uncomfortable can be overcome by us. We might lose a few friends, might be made fun or called a "Jesus Freak." Can we not handle that when some people are serving years in prison for sharing the Good News and living out a Godly life style?

Satan can not and will not defeat us if we stay obedient to God. By spreading the Good News to others, Satan will try to tempt us to stop. He will plant seeds of doubt and dispair. He will try to bring us down in any way that he can. Friends, I urge you to think of those that are enduring so much more, yet are still loving and professing that love they have for God for others to see. You are strong and capable of anything with Jesus by your side. Don't let Satan keep you silent. I pray you listen to God's calling on your life and share the greatest gift we have ever received with those God has surrounded you with. We are NOT OF THIS WORLD. We were made to be in relationship with Jesus.  By being in relationship with Jesus, He has given us a responsibility in the Great Commission. As stated in Matthew 28, Jesus told his disciples, " GO, and make disciples of all the Nations. Teach them to obey my commands. I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Friends, I ask you to not take that statement lightly. Jesus tells us to go and spread His Good News to everybody. He didn't say, "Go if you have time." He didn't say, "Go when you are ready." He didn't say, "Make disciples to just Americans." Jesus said go to every nation, and he also tells us that He will be with us always. Invite Jesus to speak into your heart on how you can go and spread His Light to others. You have the power, because Jesus is holding your hand always.                                      
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.

Meghann