My Spoon

It is Monday-start of a new week.  Yahoo!  It is going to be a good one, right?  I feel like if I start the week with that mindset I am more apt to look for the hidden blessings, than reasons to complain.  I want to be blessed instead of stressed!  Difficulties do not need to ruin me.  Proverbs 24 vs. 10 says, "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength?"  That is me. Over and over.  Why?  Because my strength IS small.  I am trying to do it all on my own -that is like using a teaspoon to dig the foundation of a house.  Do I really think that I have the same amount of might that a backhoe has?  No way.  Yet I continually try to handle everything that comes my way with my little teaspoon, loudly proclaiming, " I can do it.  I have my spoon.  I don't need help.  Lord, if I need you, I will let you know." How foolish, right?  God's great plan for us is not that we will try until our resources are diminished and then ask Him to swoop in and help us.  No.  Instead He wants to be walking each step with us, there with His mighty arm, telling us, 'I  know exactly what you need to get through this.  I am here for you.  I will not leave you alone.  MY Strength is sufficient for you.  Trust me."  What great comfort that is.

On a different note, we had a nice relaxing weekend with the dorm.  The kids have had a few crazy busy weeks so we decided to just hang out here and let everyone sleep in and recover.  Two more weeks of volleyball and then the tournament.  After that we start futsul, indoor soccer.  

There are a few needs that you could pray for:  we still don't have a vehicle that is big enough to hold the whole dorm.  The school has funds available to purchase a vehicle for us, but they are $6,000 short.  So all we need to do it raise $6,000.  I know God can do that!

Also, we have some kids that are still quite homesick.  Please pray for comfort for their hurting souls.

There is a measles epidemic on the outskirts of Sentani.  Pray for all of the Papuans that have not been vaccinated and are now exposed to this disease.  They do not have the immunity to fight this and it can be deadly.

Also, a ministry has been started here by one of our missionaries to have a local Papuan read Oswald Chambers online in Indonesian every day.  It has had a great response.  This is a perfect opportunity for Muslims who are interested to listen and hear the Word of God.  Please pray for this to continue.

Okay. Time to go. Kids will be home from school soon. There are some random pics on the bottom.

Love,

Rachel

Look at all the bright colors of our pasar!

A local warung on the side of the road.  We were getting mei goreng (fried noodles).

Teaching Cale the song, "If I were a butterfly..."