Privleged Fellowship

Some Send, Some Go and Some Pray :)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" 

Colossians 3:16

We are ALL privileged to be in fellowship together as we take part in the Life Changing Work that is happening on Mercy Ships.

I have come to believe that it is not what "I" am doing, but what the Holy Spirit is doing in me as I serve and follow Jesus. HE is doing a GREAT Work IN Me!

"He has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4)", and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" 

Colossians 3:10

As Paul prayed for the Colossians, I believe the same prayer stands for me and you...

"We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 

That ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness; 

Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Colossians 1:9-13

I am amazed at all the work that can be accomplished when we all come together in Fellowship. The African Mercy is overflowing with Blessings and the Holy Spirit is doing a GREAT WORK in each one of our hearts. 

Ship Life, 400+ people coming and going, jammed packed into small living spaces, all with varying backgrounds provides for a great "training" ground  where we LEARN to "Put on mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness and long suffering" (Colossians3:12) that prepares us to stand before HIM holy and blameless in His Sight :)

Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you again for all those that have fed LIFE into me, financed "my training"  and gave me the privilege to be here!! 

As with all the patients, I will be forever transformed!!!!

I took the process of getting consent forms signed as easy, yet, I found out that it is not always an easy decision for patients to come on board the ship. There are rumors flying around that we are here to harm them, take out their organs, hold them captive and practice medicine on them. Many of the patients have shared lengthy stories of myths and lies surrounding us. Many come from the North, from uncivilized villages, never seeing "white people" let alone all this technology. As they step foot on Mercy Ship grounds our hope is that they are immediately greeted with love and respect! By the time it comes to get the consent form signed, trust has been gain and signatures come willingly. 

Imagine a LIFE carrying the weight of this Goiter around for so many years!
 I learned the meaning of HOPE, PATIENCE, and PERSEVERANCE through hearing the story of this lovely lady.

Same lovely lady, Goiter GONE!!! In the process she lost 6 pints of blood during her surgery. We were each given the privilege to share our blood with her!

The following is a great synopsis of the Blessings that WE are ALL a Part of in just the month of January :) 

His Promise! My Hope!

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 

Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth.

For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

:)

A Work in Progress :)

"I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life"

John 5:24

Wow, time flies!! In 2003 I tossed up the white flag and surrendered my life to God. Since then, He has been cleansing me and breaking down those walls and barriers that have kept me from living in His absolute Peace and Joy! I am and will continue to be a “work in progress” J

Many have followed me on this journey and have stood beside all the changes and “new realities” that God has revealed to me. Some have stayed to learn and others have left, as they did not want to “see” at that time. I admit that it was not always a pretty sight when I could “SEE” the truth of the effects of sin and often blurted it out in condemning, unloving ways. I thank those who trusted and walked lovingly and patiently with me!!!!!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

I held tight to scripture and truth along the way..........there was nothing in scripture that would hold me back from trusting or loving our Lord and Savior.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"

 Romans 8:28

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"  

Jeremiah 29:11

"In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight"  

Proverbs 3:6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" 

Proverbs 3:5

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will"

Romans 12:2

For those who have surrendered and trusted in Christ, keep going, keep your eyes on Jesus to show you THE TRUTH and don’t let the enemy come in to kill, steal and destroy all that God has done in your life. 

"The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life; and have it to the full."

John 10:10

Always remember that God will never leave you or forsake you! He is LOVE, He is kind, gentle, merciful, gracious, and forgiving. HE knows all and will bring justice to the unjust! You do not have to bring justice, God will do it! You just have to allow God to teach you to LOVE so that you can LOVE others. (This is the ongoing work in progress for each of us J)

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Phillipians 4:7

I encourage you to walk in HIS light, trust HIS ways and allow God to break down your walls of control and mold you into the image of Him as he created each of us to be.

"For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for use to do."

Ephesians 2:10

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let him rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground”

Genesis 1:26

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them”

Genesis 1:27

As we trust and walk with Jesus, we are "works" in progress! 

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me" Galatians 2:20

I trust and follow God direction and flee from those thoughts and actions that are not from him. 

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things"

 Phillipians 4:8

As a "work in progress" allow God to mold us in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I feel so blessed when God places others around me that encourage and support me along the way and desire the same for their lives. 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothed yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" 

Colossians 3:12

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" 

Romans 15:13

  

Aweeee, I sit in peace at this point in my life and attempt to love to the best of my ability, always knowing that I am still a "work in progress" :)

A few glimpses of LIFE and LOVE from my persepctive now :)

This was one of our first dress ceremonies for the ladies. Each comes with a story of struggle and each leaves with a "New Dress" Representing "New Life" :)

Random "car wash".....just trying to capture a few shots of life in Cameroon

A life so different than our own

A Mercy Ship adventure is not complete without a "JEEP" shot :)

Every card game comes with different faces, yet ALL such sweet blessings to share life with  at  this point and time!

OH how I love this group!! They make me laugh and bring JOY into the room!!

I got to donate blood and have it whisked off to one of my patients.....Pictures in the next post :)

Our group on A Ward before Christmas....sadly most of these wonderful people have left, but happily God sends some more lovely nurses filled with energy to keep us all going :)

Everyday we take the patients up to Deck 7 for some sunshine and fresh air! 

AWEEEE......God is soooooo Good! Just look at those lovely smiles!!!!

Dr. Andy in the middle of Sweetness!

Glimpse of LIFE 

Ward Entertainment.......Even I can do the Bells with this system

I am blessed to spend the next few years with this lovely Dutchie!!

More sweetness with Dr. Rachel

Last week started the Goiter surgeries. I will post and share the LOVE on the next blog when the pictures are shared with us.

Absolute Sweetness :)

Reverse.....Patient becomes nurse. She was with us for so long , it was time to switch roles :)

Last but not least, my Dutchie Roomate. God truly blessed me with this bundle of JOY!!!

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” Psalms 133:1

Until next time.........

Season of Celebration

I pray that during this season of celebrating the birth of Christ that ALL will know that Christ is the Lord, thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One! (Isaiah 60:16)

I pray that ALL will believe and trust in the inspired Word of God from John 1.......... “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through him (Jesus) and without him was not anything made that was made. 

In him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. The light (Jesus) shines in the darkness (humanity) and the darkness has not overcome it. (Jesus is bigger than the darkness!!)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light (Jesus), that all might believe through him. He was not the light (Jesus), but came to bear witness about the light (Jesus). 

The true light (Jesus), which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (THIS IS WHAT WE ARE CELEBRATING) He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (Have you received Jesus into your life?)

BUT ALL WHO DID RECEIVE HIM, WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God!! 

And the Word (God) became flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH.

For from his fullness we have all (Believers in Jesus) have received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses (set of guidelines to live your life by): GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ!

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made known (Jesus).....God became flesh and blood for us, JESUS! 

This is a season to celebrate God becoming "man" so that we can SEE Him. I so Hope YOU SEE Him (God as man, Jesus) this season of celebration!

If you do not KNOW him (Jesus) or have not put your full trust in him (Jesus) I pray that you will read on through the Books (Gospels) of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In this season of celebrating HIS (Jesus) birth, I pray that you will come to KNOW HIM and trust HIM (Jesus) with all your heart and soul! I PRAY THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART AND GO, FOLLOW HIM 

Christ is the Lord, thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One! (Isaiah 60:16)

Clarity and Purpose at Last :)

Wow! I look back on my blog and realize it has been awhile since I wrote. I pondered the question of Why? Why so long since I blogged? The answer that came to me is that I’ve been busy “unfolding”, putting off the old and putting on the new!  Lots of praying, reading, growing and watching how God works J

My mind is filled with HIS wisdom, HIS Truth. My God has taught me what is from him and what is not. He has revealed to me the spiritual battle that rules this world and how to navigate through with HIS wisdom and power.

 I’ve prayed for the ability to "SEE" His Truth. I’ve prayed for clarity and purpose of life. I’ve prayed for wisdom. I’ve prayed for peace. I’ve prayed for grace and mercy. I’ve prayed for forgiveness of past ways. I’ve prayed and asked for God to show me LOVE, true LOVE. 

Today I sit praising God!!! HE has answered my prayers!!! He has placed me in a variety of situations that he could teach me these attributes. He has placed the right people in front of me to guide and teach me. He has humbled my heart and chipped off the pride so that I can "SEE" His Truth. 

I walk in confidence knowing that whatever tomorrow brings, My God will never leave me or forsake me. I know 100% that I can trust the wisdom that HE gave me in scripture to guide my life! I know if I have questions, HE will answer. I know that my God is molding me into HIS image! I know that I will spend eternity in HIS presence!

Now, finally at 55 years of age, I journey with a sense of Peace, Clarity, Purpose, adventure and the Desire to Serve My God!!!! Some may think this is a time of retirement, I say that it is a time to LIVE!!!

I send out HUGE THANK YOU’S  to all that are praying and financially supporting  me and the mission of Mercy Ships!!!

Lives are being TRANSFORMED DAILY, MINUTE BY MINUTE!!

Patients are SEEING HIS LOVE!!!

We are all blessed as we serve our God!!!

FACES OF GOD’S BLESSINGS J

Each coming with a Story of Perseverance and Answered Prayers :)

A little Glimpse of Life in Cameroon

Lush Green Mixed with Extreme Poverty

Day Trip to Absorb God's Majesty :)

I LOVE THIS PLACE in LIFE AND TIME!!!