God is Love

For the last month, I have been co-leading a Bible study for high school guys.  I was hesitant to say I could help because it is a time commitment which takes away from support raising and 'Mike & Ashley' time.  I am so glad I am a part of it.  We have been talking about relationships. 

A lot of what we've looked at comes back to love.  So, God's love has been on my mind quite a bit.  I have to admit that it is awesome to have the idea of God's love stuck in your mind. 

The last few days especially, the idea of not being able to lose God's love has jumped out at me.  Hit me in the face you could say. 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  - Romans 8: 38-39

Nothing in all of creation will be able to keep God's love from me or keep me from God's love.  AMEN!    Thinking about that makes me want to love the Lord all the more.  I pray that I will stay in this place where God's love is 'stuck' in my head.   

Divided heart

I've always seen my job as my mission field.

When Mike and I first responded to God's call to serve as full-time missionaries, my heart was torn. I spend 9 hours a day on my mission field plus an additional 1-2 hours each night planning and praying for my mission field - my class, co-workers, boss... Now God is giving me a new field.

This past November, we were accepted by MTW as short-term missionaries. The tear in my heart grew. Now I began to realize the reality that I would not be returning to my classroom next year. I'm going to have to let it go.

Christmas flew past. January - where did it go? Mid-February.

Last weekend, I began organizing our "stuff" into 3 piles: To Honduras, Store, and Get rid of. Clothing - no problem. Personal effect - sure thing! Then came the school supplies. Dead end. These supplies have been my mission field resources the last 5 years!!

We now have a hallway and extra bedroom stuffed with random educational supplies. Do I part with them? Do I keep them? Do I take them? I can feel God shifting my ministry focus from teaching to the people of Honduras.

I love my job. I love my students. God is sending us. I LONG to go. My new mission field approaches but I know that teaching (and Freedom) will always have a place in my divided heart.

-Ash

Mighty to Save!

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

This morning we worshiped with our brothers and sisters at our home church CovCom which was awesome. Since we are raising support, we do not attend our home church every week.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior;
The Hope of nations.

Both Ashley and I love CovCom. We enjoy the Sunday morning worship service and the various ministries we have had the opportunity to be a part of. Mostly we love the people and the relationships we have built here.

Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

This morning I realized I will miss our church and its people a lot when we head overseas. I am glad that is the case. We know the Lord wants us to go to Honduras and serve His people there.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

I realized my biggest 'sacrifice' will be leaving the people I care about. I may miss some of the things I have here in the US, but giving those up will be nothing compared to leaving friends and family.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I pray these words. Lord, take this messed up person and make me whole.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Laying at the foot of the cross is an awesome place to be. I pray I follow Christ there daily.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus

For those who don't know, the italicized words are lyrics from the song "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. We sang this as our closing song this morning. I love this song. I pray the Lord will use these words to draw you closer to Him. Praise the Lord we have a God who is Mighty to Save! -M

Presentation

This past Sunday, Ashley and I got to give a presentation about Honduras at a local PCA church. This was our first opportunity to do this outside of our home church. Thank you Covenant Presbyterian Church for inviting us! For 5 minutes during the worship service, we shared about our call to Honduras and the vision of our future ministry there. We were also able to mingle with those who attended after the service, handing out prayer cards.

This was a great experience for us and we look forward to sharing with more churches and individuals in the coming months. -M

Haiti

Our team leader's wife, Erin Pettengill, has been in Haiti for the last week. She is there with Mission to the World's disaster response team. Erin is a nurse and is using her skills and training to help the people of Haiti just as she regularly does for the people of La Ceiba.

Please pray for her and the rest of the MTW team. Ashley's aunt, Maureen Kyle is on her way to join this team for the upcoming week.

We have been able to follow some of the happenings in Haiti through Erin's blog. Mike Pettengill, her husband, has been communicating with her and relaying the information. -M