DR Trip P.2

 Hello! 

I am on my way back to the USA from the DR! I had the most wonderful trip, It was truly a time of refreshment and encouragement for me. Thank you so much for your prayers, I had a uncharacteristically (though appreciated) uneventful trip. Everything went according to plan, I did not experience any travel ‘hiccups.’ I am excited to get back though and jump back into the swing of deputation (and see Ray. <3) 

Most of my time in the DR on this trip, I spent with the Jordan family. Pastor Ben Jordan was my pastor for most of my teen years and his been such Godly influence in my life all these years. It was such an encouragement to me to get to spend time with their family on this trip! 

During my time in the DR, I had the opportunity to sit and talk to Mrs Joy Wesson. Mrs Joy is most of the reason I ever got involved in Deaf ministry at all, she really has helped me so much throughout the years and I loved getting to sit and talk with her. She currently has a ministry which is similar to what I hope to be doing one day. She is working with the Deaf in a very poor region of Santo Domingo, most of whom she has the opportunity to teach sign language to and be the first person to minister to. The time I spent talking with her was invaluable! 

While I was away, I had another church reach out to me expressing interest in supporting my ministry! I have reached 52% of my needed support! I am so excited to see everything the Lord has done for me lately and can’t wait to see what else He has in store.  I am still pressing towards finishing up traveling by the end of the year, please continue praying with me along these lines. 

The next several weeks I will spend in Florida, before heading up to the MD, VA area for about a month. I am pretty booked for the next several weeks but have some decisions to make in the next few months about a potential survey trip and some other things along the lines of moving. If you could help me pray for wisdom in making these decisions, I would greatly appreciate it! 

We truly serve a great and powerful God. It is so humbling for me at times to sit and think about how powerful He is and how, even then, He takes note of me and my inconsequential existence. How, not only does He take note, but that he cares about me enough to work and move in my life. He is willingly, patiently molding me into who He wants me to be. When I falter and fall, which is often, He picks up my broken pieces and carefully, lovingly, puts me back together how He sees fit. Sometimes He chooses to bend and break me in ways I’d rather not change. How aware He is of my pain and suffering even knowing that it’s what’s best for me, He doesn’t hurt unnecessarily, every trial and pain He brings into my life is for a reason and fulfills a purpose. He even brings good from the trials I bring on myself. He is the only one who can trade beauty for ashes. 

How often do I foolishly balk at his attempts to mold and make me. Oh, to posses a fraction of His supernatural patience! Even the times when I fight him incessantly… He waits for me to stop and then graciously continues His work. All because He chooses to love me. 

Friend, I pray you are able to stop for a moment today and ponder the power of God. Think about all He has done for you, all because He wanted to. He loves you, do you see it? 

Thank you all for your prayers and for keeping up with us! 

Beca + Ray