Intertwined in World Missions

The burden that has been laid upon me as my summer in the Philippines comes to an end...

At the very core of my being, I want to love others and bring them joy through the Good News of salvation. I want others to smile because there is a redemptive plan for each lost soul whom God draws. What drives me is seeing lifeless, purposeless souls being made alive in Christ. My heart jumps and my spirit is happy when children listen closely to hear how much their Heavenly Father loves them. I rejoice when I see someone’s desire to know Christ manifested in outward actions. I am satisfied with the faithfulness of God’s sovereign hand in people’s lives. Tears well up, and hear strings are twisted when I think about the mass amount of unreached souls who are waiting to hear the Message of Reconciliation. I am called by the God of this universe to be an ambassador of Christ, and I will fulfill that calling. I will not restrict the Gospel because of my own selfish ambitions; this mission of telling others about the saving grace through Jesus is life or death for people all around me. 

 

“We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way...” 2 Corinthians 6:3-4

To share the love of God and to preach Christ crucified is my desire, my drive, and the flame that burns within me until Christ returns. 

“For the love of Christ controls us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14

 Thank you Lord for being faithful!

Much love,

Hannah

 

A Wishing Well or The Living Water?

All glory goes to God for the fruitfulness that has been seen on the Ulot River, already, this summer! Ministry during the first half of this summer has been encouraging; we have seen so many come to know the Lord and to follow in believer's baptism. My team has also worked very well together and we have been working towards the same goal of winning others to Christ. God truly has blessed us as we have made this journey to expand the Kingdom of God.

As I was resting on our mid-summer break this past week, the Lord convicted me of my prayer life and how needy it had become over this first half of the summer. I was no longer praising God for who he was; I was just asking him to provide for my needs, or the needs of my team. It was no longer an act of worship to pray to God, but a wish list. I found myself treating God more like a "wishing well" than the Living Water. My personal prayer life seemed to be shallow and selfish, instead of God glorifying and kingdom moving.

 In spite of my wimpy prayer life at the beginning of this summer, God still moved. He is faithful and he is so good. My prayer life is changing this second half of the summer to focus more on WHO God is, than on what he can do for me. Because once I realize how big God is, it will be much easier for me to trust him with all of the "smaller needs."

My friends, Our God is Holy and is worthy of more praise than what I have been giving him. The conviction that the Lord has brought upon me turned my eyes to Luke 11, where Jesus taught his disciples to pray. The first line is "Father, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come."
Hallowed means for God's name to be kept holy. I have not been keeping God's name ever on my lips in praise. Then it says "Your Kingdom Come." We should be praying for the Kingdom of God to shake the nations! 

I truly believe when we get our prayer life in order that God will do even greater things than we can imagine."Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,  forever and ever, amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21) God wants to use us as vessels for his "Kingdom come." May we pray for God to be glorified above all things. We also must  pray fervently and urgently for his Kingdom to come to the Waray Waray, here, in Eastern Samar.

I urge you to examine your prayer life to see what you are praying for. Are you taking time to honor God as your King? Or are you just throwing needs up to God like he is a wishing well? God has began to change my prayer life and I hope he will do the same in your life. I pray that he stirs in your heart to praise him; for he is holy. And also to pray for the nations to hear the Gospel and to know Jesus as Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Hannah

Mid-Point Update from the Ulot River

Wanted to give you guys a mid-point update: We have made it through three barangays where many have prayed to receive Christ and be baptized. God has been preparing the hearts of these people and they were eager to hear the good news of the Gospel. We are praying that as we leave each barangay that they would continue to meet together and study God's word and grow as a body of believers. Pray that true disciples would rise up from each barangay to expand the Kingdom of God. We are trusting in God's faithfulness to grow these new believers. "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
I am so thankful for all of you who are lifting me up in prayer. I ask that you would continue to pray for receptivity of the Gospel on the river. Also pray for unity among our team as we work together for the same goal, winning others to Christ.