Will You Help, So They Can Go? Day #24 of Thankfulness

Missions.

What do you think when you hear the word?

 Overseas?

Foreign country?

 For the first 15 years of my life I attended a Methodist Church. 

Missional in its purpose. 

I remember filling barrels with clothing to send over seas. 

I remember the barrels. 

We prayed continually for other countries and the missionaries. 

Vacation Bible School was a challenge to raise funds to purchase chickens and milk for families in need. 
I remember holding tightly to the quarter in my hot sweaty hand.

I remember the poster board chart. 
 The chicken and milk column's growing with each day. 

The desire to help deeply rooted. 

When I was 15 we switched to an Evangelical Covenant Church. 

Missionaries, there, had faces. 

They came and there were potluck dinners. 

They shared about their work; what God was doing. 

At home my father often became incensed
 when talking about serving in other countries. 

His philosophy; why can't we take care of our own? 

There are so many people in need. 

Right here in our own backyard. 

Until we end poverty in our own backyard we have no business going other places. . . he would say. 

These practices throughout my childhood led me to apply to be a missionary teacher in a mountainous community in Virginia when I graduated college. 

I was not accepted. 

(Good thing)

 I had no experience. 

I was an incredibly naive, city girl. 

But these experiences and the desire never left. 

Somehow I wanted to help.

My farmer had the opportunity to go with Josh McDowell's ministry
 to Romania about 15 years ago. 

The Lord closed the door tightly. 

The loss of his parents. 

Then two more children were added to the scene. 

And so many other life happenings. 
The opportunity never presented itself again. 

Until death and cancer knocked on the door. 

The urgency to go became so real for my farmer. 

He wanted his kids to experience another culture. 

I wanted to help get them there. 

And so an article in a pamphlet and a response from our community sent my farmer and his daughter to the country of Haiti. 

The experience changing them forever. 

This year their desire to go is even more fervent. 

They want to take a team. 

2 becomes 9. 

And God is slowly opening those doors. 

We would love to have you enter in this journey with us. 

First and foremost we need people to pray. 

There are so many logistics for this trip. 

Second we need folks to partner with us financially. 

We are not in a place to handle this on our own. 

We recognize that. 

We also recognize if the funds are not there. 

Then the trip for all of them is not meant to be. 

So if you are inclined to pray please come along side us. 

Send us a note, or just keep us in mind. 

If you are able to donate financially here is the link. 

Donate to Haiti Trip

There is also a Davis Family account at the Jericho Merchants Bank. 

Thank you to those who have already so graciously given. 

Please be sure to click on the Haiti Project tab and enter in the memo box 

Davis Trip to Haiti. 

Thirdly we are collecting supplies to fill suitcases to bring to the people. 
Through your generous donations, last year,  we were able to send 2 full suitcases of supplies. This year we are hoping to fill 9 suitcases!

Items that we are aware of are; feminine products, deodorant, bra's and underwear for teen girls. 

There is also an exciting opportunity for you to meet the team leader of this Haitian Trip and ways to serve right here in the United States!

While Global Compassion Network serves over seas, they also function in the United States as an Emergency First Response to disasters. 

They have equipped trailers with Emergency supplies to meet a Communities needs when Natural disasters occur. 

Dennis will talk to us about the many ways you can be involved in this ministry. 

Please join us, Friday, December 4, 2015, at 6:30 pm. in the

 Jericho Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. 

A light supper of beans and rice will be served. 

There will also be an opportunity to hear from a couple who are interested in bringing 2 Nicaraguan Orphans here to the states to help educate and equip them to go back to live in Nicaragua. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
an opportunity to serve
children who want to serve others
realizing our needs are met each day
prayer
intimacy with Christ
a home bursting with giggles and friends and kids home
a quiet night with my farmer
lessons I am learning while giving thanks
running water and heat
The crisp air, reminding us that winter is on the way
a freezer full of summer
a puppy that is mending well
a farm boy that is so grateful
a God that knows my needs before I even speak them


I pray your Thankfulness journey is going well. 
Something changes us when we give thanks. 

Remember to mark your calendars for Dec. 4, at 6:30.
Come partner with us in these exciting opportunities. 

Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, 
and he will reward them for what they have done.

At First There Were Two Day #17 of Thankfulness

At first there were two. 

Two went with hearts bursting. 

To a country in need. 

My farmer and now college girl. 

When death and cancer had been our companions. 

A spark was rekindled. 

A yearning to go. 

And they did. 

They went.

They were changed. 

The heart of the people forever ingrained in their souls. 

And now they are going back;

with nine. 

To bring much needed items. 

To be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

A response to the call. 

Go!

Luke 10:37
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." 
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

There is much work and preparation to go. 

Farm chores- covered. 

Finances met. 

Supplies to gather. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
opportunities to serve

hope
looking forward
times of waiting
having needs far beyond our capabilities
knowing that God is able to meet all those needs; if it is His will
folks encouraging my farmer to go
donations of supplies already coming in
the hearts of my farmer and children to go 

Would you consider partnering with us? 

We are filling suitcases with much needed supplies. 

Needs that we are aware of so far are:

feminine products, deodorant, bra's and underwear. 

As we learn of more needs we will share them. 

There is also a financial need to be met. 

For my farmer, farm boy and college girl to go 

the cost will be around-$4400, 

plus the extra farm expenses to cover chores. 

We are trusting in this financial obligation being met. 

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

There are a few ways you can donate financially. 

You can donate directly to GoServ Global formally known as 
Global Compassion Network. 
Be sure to check the memo box and write in the designation for the 

Davis Trip.

Click here to donate to the Davis Trip to Haiti

The Davis Family Fund is still open at the Merchants Bank in Jericho. 

Donations can me made there as well. 
Merchants Bank
205-VT Rt 15
Jericho, Vermont 05465

Thank you for partnering with us. 

Thank you for the encouragement to my farmer . . . to go. 

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

 With Every Act of Love

Jason Gray

We bring the Kingdom come

 With every act of love...

How Will This Story Unfold?

When I wake up in the land of Glory

(Lyrics to Big Daddy Weaves, Yours Will Be) 

What was he thinking when he woke in the land of Glory? 

My red headed boy. 

The one who laughed rich. 

Blues eyes twinkling. 

Temper bubbling just below the surface as he wrestled with adolescence. 

Big strong hands like his daddy. 

These things. 

I think on. 

These things I miss. 

And with the Saints I will tell my story.

Our story. 

Still not finished. 

His. 

So young. 

Completed. 

The thought still rips like a knife. 

Presses hard on my heart. 

Threatening to pull me under. 

So I cling.

To the Word. 

To the Hope. 

And now, the farmers daughter. 

Her story. 

Intertwined with a foreign culture. 

A piece of her still there. 

Longing for the land which cries out with so many needs. 

Her story at 17. 

The same age as her red headed brother. 

In 6 months, she will surpass him in age. 

Her story. 

Pointing heavenward. 

Leaning in. 

Seeking. 

There will be One Name that I proclaim. 

There is only One Name we proclaim. 

There is one focus. 

This place; not our home. 

Until we take our last breath. 

Proclaiming His name.

Where will we go? 

How will we serve? 

Have you asked these questions? 

This ministry. 

Global Compassion Network.

Working to restore; heal. 

Fulfilling the words;

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice.

 Defend the oppressed. 

Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

We pray. 

We wait. 

We hope

Big Daddy Weave

Yours Will Be

You Know That Quiet Hush, Right After A Snow Fall? Yes, Me Too

The snow has fallen. 

The world transformed. 

The dirt and brown covered. 

A hush hovers. 

Expectancy. 

The quiet after a snowfall,

A gift. 

I barely dare to take a breath. 

The wonderland; so beautiful. 

I close my eyes.

 I rest in this moment. 

I pause in the presence of a holy God. 

In awe of His creation. 

Such beauty. 

Each day I wrestle with what life should look like. 

What is my role? 

I think many of us do. 

What is my purpose? 

So much has changed. 

I will never be the same. 

And I don't want to be. 

I long to be open and ready to do the work that has been set before me. 

The only thing is- Sometimes I don't know what that work is. 

I become restless and impatient. 

Forgetting the quiet hush. 

Forgetting to look at what is right in front of me. 

Micah 6:8

He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

God has shown us. 

In His word He guides and moves us. 

Pslam 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

That Ancient Word, when hidden in our heart, fills our souls in those moments,

when we are quiet; in His presence. 

His hand will guide the way. 

He has shown us; 

All of us how to live. 

When we are on this  journey of waiting on the Lord.

We continue to rest in the promises given;  

in His unyielding strength. 

No matter what you are waiting on. 

May God give you wisdom and strength. 

May you have courage to wait with expectancy. 

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

While we are waiting we are given strength and renewal. 

We are not forgotten. 

What I Am Learning In The Silence

There is silence. 
Where I thought there would be conversations and sharing. 
There is very little. 
I struggle. 
I train my heart to pray. 
It is hard work.
Silence is good. 
Silence is healthy. 
I am not a silent person. 
I fill space with words. 
I sort through life's hardships shattering silence. 
But here. 
Now. 
With one in heaven and two in Haiti. 
Silence follows me. 
Internet scarce. 
Silence. 
A sound foreign to me. 
Unsettling. 
Until.
Until, I take notice. 
 I see what God is trying to do. 
This trip, I have been hanging on their every word. 
Waiting. 
(Not one my better traits)
Wanting to know what they have done, heard and seen. 
Not paying attention to what God wants me to do. 
It's not until they have been gone for 6 days that I see. 
Instead of waiting to hear; longing to talk. 

I need to be embracing the quiet.

Seeking strength from the giver of strength. 
Taking the time to search and dig deep within. 
The quiet is not the enemy. 
But when your mom has slipped into heaven's arms and your son not far behind. 
And when the memory thief knocks down the door to your dads soul and depression attempts to steal your farmer's joy, silence becomes deafening and the enemy. 
And any space needs to be filled with sounds. 
Because to travel to the place in the heart where all that silence resides is agonizing. 
So when the silence begins to permeate and the way unavoidable, 
God reaches down and allows a moment of clarity. 
The silence is a gift. 

To be prayed through. 
As a reminder to storm the gates of heaven for lost souls. 
And it's taken me six days to open my eyes to the need. 
With each fractured conversation there is a reminder and
 a call to bow low before the throne of the Almighty. 
He's given the silence. 
As a gift. 
Walking boldly into that silence today. 

Jeremiah 29:12-13
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, 
and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Do You Have A Decent Source Of Water?

John 4:14

but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.

 Indeed, the water I give them 

will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Water

An integral part of our life. 

Without it; we can not survive. 

Yet there are nations that struggle. 

Clean drinking water - scarce. 

Their survival in the balance. 

Poverty a way of life. 

Needy. 

Jesus repeatedly used analogies involving  water. 

It is something we all need. 

Crave. 

Can not live without. 

Yet, He comes, this Jesus, as the Living Water. 

In a parched and dry land. 

Through life in Him, our thirst quenched.
Never will we thirst again. 

And here in this poverty stricken land of Haiti. 

Where by most standards they have nothing. 

Their joy is apparent. 

They lack much. 

Yet lack nothing. 

. 

Jesus came to change our lives. 

Not our circumstances. 

This life giving water is free. 

With it;

We will never thirst again. 

John 7:37

"Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

Marsha Stevens

Come To The Water

And Jesus said, "Come to the water, stand by my side. 

I know you are thirsty. You won't be denied. 

I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried 

And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."

Do You Know Where To Go To Find Joy?

Death, Cancer.

They have knocked on the door. 

They even moved in and resided. 

No rent paid. 

Demanding; always asking for more. 

The heaviness of loss always present. 

Always before you. 

Reminders in every corner; at every turn. 

A history. 

Part of you- 

Gone. 

Yet, deep inside there is a joy. 

A joy that can never be taken. 

It is seen in the faces of many who have experienced much
more heartache than we could ever imagine. 

It is in the faces of those that call Haiti their home. 

Joy. 

It can't be bought. 

It has to be sought. 

With all your being. 

A life walking the path surrendered to the King of Kings.
It is a matter of the heart.
Really, it all comes down to the heart.
Are you unyielding, demanding and selfish?
Our needs are so important.
So much so that we often neglect others.
Our hearts; focused inward.
And we're wasting away.
We sacrifice much, when decisions are made based on what we feel. 
Yet when you give out of your brokenness.
When you give out of nothing.
Touching down in the places where the destitute reside.
The heart.
It is changed.

What motivates you?
Where in your being do you know joy?
In letting go of all that you know, giving all your fears and hopes over to the One who breathed  into our lifeless form, there you will discover the truth.
When there is nothing.
When all you see is hopeless.
That is where the joy begins.

I Corinthians 13:4-6
 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(emphasis mine)

The questions beg to be asked,

What do you have to give?  

Where will you go to find Joy?