January 3, 2018
On New Year’s day, I received encouraging messages from different parts of the world. I hope something here encourages you as well! This is the third post in a series.
The third message God had for me arrived from 2 different people. The first was a prayer received via email. A sweet friend in New Hampshire, Rev. Cindy Nickerson, took time to send this prayer. I have an impossible schedule between now and March 7, so I will read her prayer often. It’s encouraging.
Dear Lord, I give You thanks for your daughter, Deborah, for
her faithfulness to the vision You gave her and for her commitment to the orphans of Kenya and Tanzania.
The journey has been challenging, but in your mercy and grace she continues to stay the course. Thank you for surrounding her with partners who can hold her and the Kulea ministry up to you in these challenging times that you, oh Lord, would receive all the honor and glory.
You said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God.” Grant Your daughter Your peace, joy and abundant grace in the coming year. In Your precious Son’s name I pray. Amen.
Hey Deb, I just wanted to tell you that if I haven’t said how much I appreciate you, I appreciate every single thing you do. I appreciate and love your friendship and I love you very very much with all my heart.
I’m so grateful for how God speaks His gentle messages to us. On New Year’s Day, I heard Him through email, Messenger, a sermon, Facebook, in scripture and a text message. Taken altogether, I felt the Lord speaking to my heart, “Quiet down and rest in Me. Hear what I have for you. . . “Message 1 : “Look to Me only for your value, your worth!”
Message 2: “Many will never understand what you do and why, but I have your back. Through My hand, the work of rescuing children will be done.”
Message 3: “My child, you are remaining faithful to My call on your life and to your family and friends. This honors Me!”
It’s a new year, full of new possibilities and new hope. Let’s listen for God’s messages in the expected and unexpected places.
Thank you, Cindy and Debbie, for your faithfulness to God, for your friendship and for taking the time to reach out. Thank You for speaking words of affirmation and life to me. As I told my daughter recently, “When you are ready to hear from God, He will speak through everyone and everything!” Amen!
Deb, your words are such a testament to your faith and love for our Lord and Savior. He truly chose you for a reason…he understands your stubborn determination and tenacity because he made you that way! And so He knows you will fulfill his calling through your vision and love for these children. I am so proud and honored to be a part of this journey with you, and have found myself doing things I would never have dreamed I would be doing just one short year ago. Thank you for your inspiration and love as a leader and a friend.