Jehovah Jirah etc.

                                  

           

So my last week in Hong Kong has been anything but boring. I stayed with friends, close to the base, and attended worship, while organizing meetings with people I won't see for a while, since I'm returning to the States. It has been a lovely time of speaking with them and truly being blessed by my people on this side of the world, and these memories will be treasured while I'm traveling and visiting in the States.

On Thursday night I attended my last prayer time in Wan Chai for awhile, and it was an awesome time spent with the Lord as we prayed and believed for change in these men and women's lives. Sunday evening, a couple friends and I stopped in another RLD area and spoke with old friends we had witnessed to a few months ago. I spoke to my special case, Chuckie, on the phone and wished him a merry Christmas (He is doing well and is living in a better area of the city now!) I was also given my first Christmas gift from a new person we met, and if my father had been present, apparently a few of the men would have asked him for my hand in marriage. Some things never change. But it was a great time of ministry, in the midst of a dark place. I will greatly miss these people and will continue to pray for them as I head back to 'home'. 

On Saturday, I subbed at a school and shared with forty young students the Christmas Story! It was so much fun, and such a blessing to be among the first to share this with them. Half of them spoke Mandarin, so I was also able to practice with them my own language skills. It was a lovely day and provided the funds I needed for the rest of my time here.

In life we try to so desperately capture a moment....but my most precious moments have been those I have not caught on camera. The look in a man's eyes when he speaks about who God is to him, the smile from a friend after teasing me, the laughs of watching a movie with a room full of girls. The little things that make life so rich, God has willingly provided. 

Since being back in Hong Kong, I have discovered more of the Jehovah Jirah part of His character. I have never been without, or lacked anything. He provided right on time and I do not even know how to begin to give Him thanks for that. I think one of the single most important things to learn about His character is His love for each of His. In the Bible, it speaks of how a good father will not give his son a stone when he asks for bread, so how much more will God give good gifts?! He is the best father, we do not even have the ability to grasp what that means. He does not leave us destitute. He does not abandon us. He never leaves us! 

I challenge each of us to begin to trust Him in ways we are not comfortable with. Have faiths to move mountains. Ask for understanding of who He is.

And above all- give thanks for what He has given us. 

Have faith. ;-)

Blessings in Hong Kong

Hello!

Sometimes I am amazed at the family of God and how we show love to one another. Being so far from the familiar is hard, despite loving being in the center of God's plan for my life. We all need encouragement from time to time and I am so happy to say that God has definitely used my Hong Kong family to do that for me.

I am friends with several of the YWAM Hong Kong staff, both from last time I was here and new friends I have made over Christmas Outreach. Some are there to joke around with me and lift up my spirits, while others have been powerful prayer warriors to help me keep strong. Still others have taken friendship a step further to inviting me into their homes or out in Hong Kong for movie nights, dinner or chill time. I've eaten everything from McDonald's, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese food. I've also been treated to frozen yogurt (those of you who know me know that is heaven is for me! Plus the frozen yogurt toppings are even better here, so, it is epic, than, you very much), Gelato (so, so, SO good) and finally had the honor of having real sushi!

These friends have heard my struggles and seen my tears, but also my joy and my laughter. I have a friend~supporter from my first Christmas Outreach that keeps in contact with me and it is always a blessing to hear from him or see the support, both in prayer and finances. I received a package after Christmas from the States and it I shrieked like a little kid on Christmas morning when I got it it. My reaction is the same when I get a post card or letter (those are more rare, I think I have two...three ish?).

Though many of these things may seem small to others, to me they blaze like the sun. It helps so much when you have that connection with people back home, and also here. God sends us encouragement and the people that we need at the right time in our lives and this post is just to give a shout out to all my peeps~ whether in Hong Kong or the USA. I love you guys! <3

~*~Leave a Legacy that will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~