So I can't believe it's been a month already since we were waking up to the sound of the rooster and the dry desert air... but it has. Life definitely moves faster here... and though we work diligently in the desert of Juarez there is a calmness there that can only be attributed to the presence of God... and serving him in that capacity.

What a blessing it was for me to be on the Mission field with so many TRULY special people to me... and what a cool testimony of what God can do through a small group of committed people. I was very excited this year to be travelling with my 10 year old daughter Haley, my mom, many of the JirehScope Ministries team members, and many past worship team and youth group members.

Equally rewarding was how God raised up a group, hehe, from out of 'Ware'... that's Ware, MA for those who don't know. It was amazing how fast God 'knit' us all together for his purposes. We were soon laughing, working, sharing and ministering to and with each other... and it was easy to see how God grafted us together as a 'body.'

Our ministry efforts were great. We ran three days of VBS (vacation bible school) for the 60-80+ children (and some parents) of the neighboring 'colonia.' Each day we would take the bus out to watch the children run towards the bus an gather with excitement in their eyes, eager to come. We shared the gospel in translated messages, Spanish DVD's, song and with skits involving flash paper and 18' geysers of coca-cola!.. we shared our hearts and the love of Christ in many hugs, touches, looks and prayers, and as always, it was difficult watching them leave the last day. I was proud of our teams efforts. They presented the truth and the message of faith and salvation in Christ in engaging, unique and fun ways, that definitely kept the interest of the children.

We also did a great deal of construction. Ceilings were installed in the orphanage building. Plumbing was continued and the 'swamp coolers' were made usable. We capped 60' of block wall with concrete with a small concrete bucket brigade. I estimate we dug and set around 40 posts and installed metal fencing to provide some security for a new property site as well as continuing to dig for the footer of the final concrete wall that will surround the existing Orphanage compound. ALL of this was done with the joy of the Lord being evident in the attitudes of all those involved. We began each day asking to be filled with His Spirit... and He is so faithful.

We also spent a day visiting families and dispensing food throughout the colonia. Our host, Gary Matthewson said it was the most rewarding day he has had doing 'dispensa' in that colonia yet. We prayed with people for strength, healing and to accept Christ... for wisdom for parents and obedience for children. I was blessed to see that the families in that colonia in Juarez that were doing 'well' by the standard there, were doing well BECAUSE of the works of Christ through the church. 'Casa de Cristo' is also leaving a mark for the Kingdom there... and I was moved and encouraged to see that.

Honestly I am still hearing reports of how Mexico has touched and changed and birthed things in the team members. I could go on an on, but ministry continues... August has been the FULLEST month yet for ministry and travel opportunities and has held some promise for many new doors... stay tuned for a blog on the week with the youth in Shutesbury, MA at Pinebrook Camp!!

Ever Praising the Amazing! (He is SOO worthy to be praised!)

Troy

"Time Sensitive Materials Enclosed! Please Respond Immediately!" If you're like me you come across mail somewhat regularly that is marked with these words, and yet SO LITTLE of it seems important enough to really respond to immediately. I hope it has not desensitized us to the importance of truly 'time sensitive material.' Have you ever wondered how much 'time sensitive material' God tries to present us with that we just aren't sensitive enough to pick up on? My pastor (Pastor Mark from Word of Life Covenant Church) recently quoted something he heard and identified with. "God, You did that on purpose!" (Said with a smile, aware of His Hand at work) Often times I will have an 'initial elation' when I realize that God had 'set something up!' A week ago I guess you could say, 'God set something up.' And again, upon realizing His Hand at work, I was elated… initially, but what follows this elation is actually much more productive in my opinion, because it deals with adjustments in our sensitivity to His timing.

This 'initial' feeling is common with me. I can recollect many times of knowing that I was in the right place at the right time because of Him… had read the right passage to be equipped for something He KNEW was coming… has lead to call someone, or bring something… or pray for someone… or bring forth a need only to see HIS Hand of providence honor the obedience to His prompting by opening the floodgates of His provision! There are COUNTLESS other things that I KNOW God had stirred for a purpose. He is SO awesome to use us in that manner. However some time ago, the Lord told me while I was journaling an AMAZING encounter with Him that I sensed Him saying 'this can be the normal day to day with Me.' As exciting as it sounds, and BELIEVE ME, IT'S EXCITING… it's also the reason for the 'initial elation.'

John 5:17 reads, "My Father is always at His work, to this very day, and I, too am working." Later it continues saying even Jesus Himself can 'do nothing of Himself but only what He sees His Father doing.' This verse often comes to mind in a humbling fashion immediately following my 'initial elation.' God is ALWAYS at work. (Did I mention ALWAYS?) Eph 2 tells us that 'we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to perform good works WHICH HE HAS PLANNED IN ADVANCE. (Hehe, chuckling wondering if he ordained THIS very moment, already written in His 'log of plans' for yours truly. Seriously, try to wrap your mind around that for just a second.)

Last Friday, while preparing for JirehScope's Mexico Missions Trip meeting, I distinctly sensed the Lord leading me to initiate a season of 'bearing each others burdens' within the team. I had received a 'directive' from the Lord about how to actively implement this with the team. Pastor Mark Sowersby, of Ware, MA (who is attending the Mexico trip with us) brought a related teaching from Mark 2, of the four men who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof… making a discerning note on how Christ saw 'their' faith and how it moved him. We couldn't have known how we as a team were going to unite in faith for a burden within the team that night… but God did.

That morning one of our 'Mexico missionaries' team member was diagnosed with cancer. While this may have sent 'some' into hiding, she still attended the meeting and ALL of the team felt the encouragement of her presence. "Where would I rather be than with a family of Christians?" she said. I too was encouraged… BOTH by her amazing attitude AND by God setting us up earlier in the day to bear one another's burdens. We had an opportunity to unite OUR faith like the four men on the roof. We had been sensitive to His prompting and agenda for THAT TIME. He led us to the appropriate scriptures… appropriate attitudes… and appropriate 'directives' AHEAD of time. We were prepared for the opportunity to be hearers of the Word AND DOERS of the Word. We had opportunity to pray and anoint and expect. (And we WILL expect… because YOU SET IT UP GOD! WOOHOO!! You set that up God… You did that on purpose!) Lord I believe you began something that day… and Your Word says that You who began a work will be faithful to complete it. (Phew… 'Began' sort of goes hand in hand with 'initially'… have I digressed? Stay with me.)

For those of you who have been reading my articles over the past 9 years, this concept of 'initial elation' is being revisited with a different title… so forgive me, as I don't apologize for revisiting the concept. Let me pose this question. For every time that we have the elation of KNOWING that we have truly been orchestrated by Him, are we also aware of the fact that He could be trying to orchestrate us minute by minute? My initial elation is really the humbling realization of the spans of time that He may be knocking on my thick head trying to orchestrate, 'set up' and DO SOMETHING ON PURPOSE through me! Put this in light of 'anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.' I guess what I really desire is to have MANY 'initial elations' in the normal day to day, while remaining humble enough to realize that He could be knocking again in moments.

Gotta go… it might be time to get the door… there could be 'time sensitive materials' waiting. And right now there may be something timely for you too. Maybe a new awareness of His leading… maybe a prompting to pray for our missionary team member… maybe something you could NEVER know was coming, but He does. "Make us sensitive Lord to Your timing and leading… in Jesus Name."

Till next time… Keep praising the Amazing!

Troy