Well it has been almost three weeks now of the SBS and God is on the move. This past week we were studying the book of Mark. It was really challenging and the workload was heavier than the first two weeks, but that is to be expected. During our orientation they told us that this was spiritual warfare, but it wasn't until last night that I really started to understand what they meant. The assignments that we have to do each week are really challenging and require a lot of time and work. Well I have been struggling to move a quick enough pace and even with very late nights of studying I was beginning to feel very overwhelmed. Last night I started to feel really sad and anxious about getting everything done by the deadline (tonight 12pm). Then I started to feel extremely homesick and my mind was just running away from me. At the base we don't have power often because well it is Africa and last night was without power. By the end of dinner it was completely dark and I was feeling like I was lost in the dark spiritually as well. I shared my burden with my brother/friend/fellow student in the SBS from Kenya and he was there to pray for me. I was being attacked and was carrying a burden that I couldn't carry anymore. So I had to just cry out to Jesus and run back into His arms. After His peace was flowing through me again and the anxiety fled, I realized that I was spendind so much time trying to get the homework done that my relationship with God was suffering because of it. That is exactly what the enemy wants!!! I am coming to know the truth and it is setting me free. I am a threat to the powers of darkness and am continuously attacked. Satin will make every effort he can to get in the way and I am sick of it! He has no power over me and I have realized his tactics at work around me. So last night I made the decision to lay aside my right to get distracted by the academics of the SBS and put my relationship with the Lord before it all. Because honestly the grade that I get, whether I finish making my charts, read each book of the Bible 5xs, or other distractions...I cannot miss God in this. I don't want to get to the end of my SBS and realize that I got wonderful grades, BUT that I missed God. I also realized that for a while now I have stopped dreaming with God for future ministries for myself and entending His kingdom. I need a vision for the future and am going to make that a priority, that is seeking God to instill vision into my heart again. So I would like to ask that you would continue to keep me in your prayers. More specifically for protection against the enemy, discernment to see what he is doing, stength to stand strong in my faith & fight it, my relationship with God to just flourish and grow as I go into His Word, my digestive system (having a really hard time digesting with the new diet), for vision from God, and an impact for the Kingdom of God everywhere that I am. Thank-you so much for your prayers and support. God bless you!
P.S. Fun facts: saw monkeys on the base, weather is very rainy...making it very muddy, rode a motorcycle back from a near-by villiage yesterday-exciting (they call them boda-bodas)
Here's what my schedule looks like everyday (roughly):
5:30-6:30 wake up get ready
6/6:30 prayer or quiet time with God
7:30 breakfast (bread and tea)
9 worship with SBS (I have led worship several times now-blessing me so much!)
9:30-11:30 class
11:30-12 tea break
12:30-1 class again
1 lunch
3-5 work duties
6:30 dinner
the times not mentioned are spent studying praying, reading, exercising, fellowship, washing clothes by hand, etc.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
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7 comments:
Becky,
I just sent you an email, 12:30 on Sat. the 13th.
I hope you get the email. I've had lots of trouble sending to all 3 of you kids with hotmail.com addresses for some reason.
Love, Grandma Eva
Hi Becky,
Just came from church and Mary Ann
who sits behind me in church wanted me to let you know that she will be praying for strength for you. She always asks about you.
Another thing, for your snail mail,
do you have or need a postal or zip code? You didn't type one down on your blog.
Looks like rain. Good thing we worked hard outside yesterday.
I'm sending a forward I just got..it has music, My God is an awesome God. Hope you'll be able to get it.
Love you much, Grandma
Glad to get your e-mail.
I am listening to the Cantata music as I write this. It is great music and lots of drama. We have practice tonight. Then Lynn is starting a study with Nate and Angie.
Brenda and Theresa Hamilton placed their memberships in church today. Brenda also shared about the Nightmare in Marshfield last night. 60+ teens attended.
Donn finished his 3 part series on Marriage - very good.
The leaves are nearly all off the trees. We have had so much rain of late. Yesterday was gorgeous out.
We get to see both of our girls and their families this week. We are so excited.
Keep the news coming and love to you - Lynn and Kris
Hi Becky,
Dropping a note to let you know I think of you often and say prayers for you. Noah and general routines/demands stay the same. Some concerns re: Sheltered Workship follow through for Noah. Never an easy boat ride is it.
My name change went through and I am officially back to my maiden name. Cheryl Lee Patrick (always has been me). I wanted to do it for years, after Patrick was KIA it became more important, Cheryl Lee Patrick = Patrick Lee Lybert, named for my middle and maiden name. Patrick is so much easier to spell over the phone than nussberger too:)! added perk!!!
I agree, don't over focus on the grades. Make the most of the experience and growth opportunities.
God Bless, stay healthy and safe.
Hugs,
Cheryl Lee Patrick
Noah Jacob Nussberger
clnfhs74@yahoo.com
njnussberger@yahoo.com
Becky
Great to hear all that God is doing over there! Keeping you in prayer and everyone you are working with. This is truly a great adventure with the Lord...and it will continue as you "run" with Him. Warfare is quite normal for us Christians...it proves God is working in and through us. Satan's time is running out, so he works overtime! Jesus has won the victory...so keep on keepin on for His Kingdom. He will take you through any obstacle you encounter...and one day you will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Love in Jesus
Jeannine
Becky!
I've just read another John Eldredge book (author of Wild at Heart). The book is "Raising the Dead," talking about resurrection life in Christ. One of his statements: "this is war."
In reading your last blog, I'm reminded again of something I heard at the Leadership Summit conference a couple of years ago: "with new levels come new devils." So, when we push forward, grow, step up to the plate, step out in faith - we're met with some kind of attack or obstacle or problem we haven't had before ... enough to make us want to bail out. But then I remember Galatians 6:9 - one day it will all be worth it, so hang in there. Sometimes we’re being shot at because we’re stepping in the right direction.
Things are going well back here in Ladysmith. We just finished a marriage workshop over this past weekend … I think a good start to serving marriage needs here.
The elders and I are discussing some pretty significant things … like developing a discipleship plan, and the idea of possibly bringing Jim Shade on staff here (whoo!)
Sue & the kids are doing well. They say “hi.”
Emails sent to your hotmail address bounced back. Is that still your address?
Blessings!
Hi Becky - it's been a while since we have heard from you. I'm sure you are very busy!
It's a lovely day here - warm and sunny.
The Gateway Singers were in church Sunday. Always great to have them. Russ, Dick Robinson, Gary Johnson and an electrician got the new wiring done for the sound system, built a larger sound system box so that the person running the computer is now next to the sound person.
Saturday was a Marriage Seminar that Brian and Shari and Donn and Sue put on. I guess it was very good. Lynn really wanted to attend, but I had to work. I took off a day last weekend so we could travel to ILL to visit our daughter Leslie and her family, so I did not feel I should take another day off so soon. We are planning, Lord willing, to travel to Boston the end of the month to see our son and daughter-in-law.
Packers beat the Denver Broncos last night in overtime - great game!
We are anxious to hear how you are doing and what new things you are learning
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