Although we have only been in India for one week now, it seems like it has already been a month. We have been immersed in ministry within all corners of this huge city ... pouring ourselves out into the people of India. But, for the first time in one week, we have all heard the Lord's voice reminding us of the importance of complete unity within our team.
Back at training camp in Georgia, we felt that we had reached a huge break through in team unity ... ending anything that might come within this body. Well ... yet again, the Lord has brought us back to His plan and His agenda for the eighteen of us. Last night was a time of refocus, renewal, confession and commitment before God and each other. After an intenese time of worship and calling out to the Lord, He began breaking down the remaining walls that were creating the disunity within this body. We each confessed to one another ways we had not acted as Christ (and we committed from this time forward) to be the supportive body of Christ that we were created to be. Individually we spoke our commitments to: forgive easily and quickly, love, live humbly, pray for each other daily, trust each other, speak honestly and truthfully to each other, to be available, to comfort, and to serve.
As leaders, this is what we pray constantly for our team! It was beautiful to see our team work and move in such a way.
Romans 12:3-5 "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ ... "
Pray that DAILY we are reminded of the importance of "being one."
Many of you know, but I have just recently returned to India for another semester. It was wonderful being home for a month with all of you, but it is exciting being back here for another season.
These past couple of weeks, I have been praying especially for FOCUS ... that the LORD would clarify the passions He has given me, and that I would TRUST Him to take me to those places of passion. Whether it is here in India, or back home in good 'ol Jackson, Mississippi ... I know longer want what is good. Only what is best!
As I have been here only a few days, He has given me a renewed promise of His faithfulness. It is sometimes easy for me to be discouraged ... and to be anxious for the next thing. I am ready to be fully and completely immersed in the current place He has me. Trusting that He will take me where I need to be, when I need to be!
A few of my goals for this semester: 1) That I would experience complete and full RELEASE from myself and from my desires (completely RUINED of myself!) ... no matter how badly this may hurt 2)That I would not concentrate so much on myself (thoughts of future, uncomfort, etc.) and pour twice of what I think I have into each and every person here. 3) I heard someone say the other day: "We are not here to entertain these kids (the participants)" ... I want to be able to lay aside the unsurity and lack of confidence in myself and receive Christ's mind for these students ... so that at the end of three months they will say much more than "i had a fun time."
"I pray to you, oh Lord, my Rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well retreat ... The LORD gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed ones." Psalm 28
