Jesus Came to Change Our Lives. Not Our Circumstances.

Last year. 

My farmer and College girl where in Haiti on this day. 

Now they've been again. 

Here is a re-post of thoughts on Water. 

One of our most important resources. 

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."

The Journey Home

Tonight. 

They return. 

They've been gone a week. 

Half my family. 

Serving. 

Working. 

Sweating. 

Giving. 

Loving. 

In the Name of Jesus. 

To a people in need. 

I have missed them.

Their journey home, begun.

While they will long to be home; 

a piece of them will always remain in Haiti. 

I have not shared their experience. 

I am praying for understanding and wisdom. 

To hear their words. 

To see into their souls. 

I am looking forward to the homecoming. 

Hearing the stories and seeing the glow from time spent giving. 

Jesus came to serve. 

Matthew 20:28

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, 

but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

He came to give .

All. 

For us. 

 A people in desperate need. 

The walk to the cross; all he had. 

For us. 

Willingly. 

We may serve overseas. 

Or here in the states. 

Where ever. 

We are called. 

To give. 

To love. 

In the name of Jesus. 

Even when it's hard. 

Give. 

Love. 

Obedience. 

Each day is a gift. 

Unwrapped as the day unfolds. 

May this day be the day for you. 

The day to embrace. 

To turn. 

To live for more. 

To lay down the hurt. 

Seek the forgiveness so freely given. 

May we all give today. 

As Christ taught us. 

Matthew 25:40

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

May there be joy in the journey. 

Unexpected. 

Fullness.

Gratitude. 

Phillipians 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy

When the Quiet Still Hangs in the Air

While the early morning quiet still hung in the air. 

The phone rang.

Love on the line from Haiti. 

A quick hello and good bye. 

While the news blares Presidential Candidate 

updates and tolerance and intolerance are debated. 

A group is in Haiti. 

Sharing, loving, building, sweating in the name of Jesus. 

The noon time heat is intense. 

So they chose to get to work early. 

They headed to the boys home to build a Safe-T home. 

Temporary shelter for a people longing for a home. 

New beginnings; glimmers of hope. 

The wifi connection is spotty. 

So communication is limited. 

A stark reminder of how dependent we are on fast paced communication. 

Immediate access to information. 

Texting. 

Ways to communicate, never having to speak a word. 

The youngest and I find ourselves alone. 

We go to a friends to watch a movie.

This movie spoke a message loud and clear. 

A message that resonates with my heart. 

Prayer is important. 

We are fighting a War. 

A war for our children's souls. 

Our marriages. 

Our everyday living. 

There is a battle. 

A battle that says you're not good enough. 

This is what you need to be happy. 

A culture that continues to tell us, if we just have this, 

then we can be happy. 

We just need "stuff" to make us happy. 

We need to put ourselves first. 

And then we'll be happy. 

Oh my. 

No, no. 

This is not how it works. 

It is not until we surrender.

Put Jesus first, that is where our happiness begins. 

This. 

This is joy. 

This is love. 

This is not where he wanted to go. 

If he had put himself first, he would be here, on the farm, 

taking care of chores. 

Because that is what he wanted to do. 

Instead he went in obedience. (sort of) 

And God has met him there. 

In his brokenness and deep missing. 

This is love from Haiti. 

This make my mama's heart sing. 

This takes the ache and fills that deep, deep hole with grace. 

We've got one shot in this world to make it count;

to make a difference. 

When the world shouts to us that we need more. 

We need this or that to be happy. 

We need to silence those voices. 

We need to bow our knee to the One who breathes life into us; 

who knows the plans He has for us. 

(photo credit-Kayli Leavitt)

I am not here to become successful or rich. 

I am here to serve; in whatever way God chooses. 

I do not know what that looks like long term. 

What I know is that here, in this moment, I need to be in prayer. 

In the quiet. 

In the chaos. 

In the confusion and busyness. 

No matter the journey. 

Looking heavenward. 

Stepping into obedience even when it's hard. 

Finding joy where God leads. 

Even in the heartache. 

Even when I am disappointed. 

Even when I don't understand. 

I have open and complete access to God. 

He never slumbers nor sleeps. 

Psalm 121:4

He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

There is never poor service or a busy signal. 

You don't have to leave a message or stand in line. 

He's there. 

Waiting. 

Longing. 

As I continue to wait to hear from Haiti. 

I will do the work I have been called to do. 

In humble submission, before a loving and Powerful God. 

While I wait to hear from Haiti. 

I will bend my knee and raise my hands in Praise to the 

One who calls me by name.

For these moments are rich. 

They are not to be missed. 

I will do what I am called to do here. 

And. . . They're Off!

It's the coldest night we've had so far.

There was much on the farm to be done. 

Much to do before they could go. 

To a people in need. 

There is winterizing the well. 

Because cows can not live with out water. 

There are instructions and lists to be made. 

Nieces and High School students willing to help. 

To rise before dawn in the bitter cold. 

To serve. 

And to think my farmer is letting it all go. 

He is willing to push aside the anxiety. 

The fear of something going wrong. 

To go. 

To head to a people made in the image of God. 

The same as you and me. 

Yet so needy. 

A people who live and breathe and have their being. 

He is going again. 

He's taking a whole team this time. 

Because when you're moved deep in the soul you can't shake the desire. 

You've got to go. 

So he is.

 So is she. 

They're taking the farm boy. 

And there, in the land of Haiti, they will give of themselves. 

They will leave behind death and the cancer. 

They will leave behind classes and bills. 

The stresses of this life. 

To go. 

To give. 

To learn. 

To share. 

Will you join me in praying?

Seeking wisdom from the God of the Universe. 

The one who called all these people into being. 

The One who knows the plan. 

The One who asks us to go. 

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.

They're Going. . . Again

26 days. 

There are 26 days until they leave. 

My farmer, farm boy and college girl are getting ready. 

Shots, paper work and prayer. 

Knees bent low as they trust for each piece of this journey. 

They're going because they desire to serve. 

The skills they use each day here on the farm yearning to be used for a people in need. 

Arms aching to hold those who long to be held. 

So, on the wings of prayer, they will go. 

To a people and land loved deeply. 

It is here the effects of chemo and radiation faded away as my farmer gave what he had to the least of these. 

He responded in faith to the desire to serve. 

It is this same response that is bringing him and 9 others back

 to this beautiful land. 

It is because of you, your prayers and support that this group is equipped to be the hands and feet of the One who gave all so we can live. 

We wait with hope and expectation in this Season of Advent. 

Hope of what is to come. 

It is this hope that spurs us on. 

Death, cancer; they can attempt to steal our joy. 

They can try to remove from us the Promise given. 

They will not. 

Isaiah 54:17

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

This Promise spurs us on. 

Even in the face of adversity. 

We bow low before the Kings of Kings. 

We're stepping out in faith that this is the path He has for our family. 

We pray to that end that you will join us. 

Here are 3 Ways that you can give this Holiday Season. 

Commit to pray for this team. 

 There is nothing we are able to do with out a deep and sure base of prayer. 

We are not above stepping back if this is not all of God. 

We are His servants and we humbly seek His direction. 

There is much to pray for.

The team. 

Travel

Finances

Open Hearts

All the details of the farm since the farmer and farm boy will be gone

 Help fill the suitcases

We have been given a list of items needed for the orphans

We have also been given a list of items for the workers. 

So often missionaries go with out items from their home country. 

Below is a list of those items:

Toothpaste

bras for young women

training bras

Bar soap

Shampoo

Feminine napkins

underwear for boys and girls

crocs shoes for boys

Babies are always in need of infant formula and disposable diapers

Things for us (the missionaries):

Dark roast whole bean coffee

Cheetos

Chocolate-Snickers, Mr Goodbar

Kind bars

Whole roasted walnuts and almonds

Eddy (the orphanage director):

Men's cologne

Lady's perfume for Djoune

If you would like to donate any of these items

 you may bring them to the farm. 

Thank you to all who blessed us already with items. 

Giving

Finally, we are still not fully funded. 

We are trusting for each and every need we have. 

We know that God is able. 

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,

Leave a note in the comments if you are able to commit to prayer.

 Financial contributions can be made to;

 the Merchants Bank in Jericho

Davis Family Fund

Donations can also be made by clicking on the link below. 

Be sure on the drop down menu to choose "Haiti Projects"

And then in the memo box indicate Gary Davis Family 

 http://www.globalcn.us/donate.html

We are excited to see how God will continue this relationship with

 GoServ Global. 

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.