The Shakeup June/July 2008

Value: Costly? Perhaps. Worth it? Definitely.
"I break this flask, in worship to You. Lord, what You ask I certainly will do. I pour the oil, precious, costly, sweet. You are my joy and I am at Your feet. I love you. So Jesus, You can have my hand. My finger let go of my heart’s contraband. Sometimes it seems what You have asked of me is more than I can bear. But adoringly I cry these tears and dry them with my hair. It’s not too much to ask. This poring out of me, this flask." -The Anointing At Bethany, Katelyn B.

Outreach/Outpour
Here in Minneapolis, a team is sent out weekly from the school to help with an outreach to inner-city kids. The organization with which we work is called “Good in the Hood.” This has been one of the experiences most dear to my heart while I have been here because of the dysfunctional ways in which these children have been raised. They are wild! Working with the girls between the ages of 9 and 12, I am challenged as they run away continually, and fight each other due to gang and racial prejudices. My heart is broken for them. They should not know the things they do. At first, my girls were very rebellious and constantly testing me to see just how much they could do. However, they have begun to realize that the challenges thrown down at my feet are met with smiles and the love of Jesus. Upon this discovery, the Lord has been much glorified in that they have become curious as to why I do not react in the harsh, authoritarian manner to which they are accustomed. My girls gain more of a sweetness in their dispositions with each visit, and we have become friends. Please join me in prayer for their salvation and for continued relationships with them. These little ones are so precious to the heart of the Lord. It is my highest ambition that He would draw them to Himself and that they would know Him.


Maria, one of my girls.

Internship
Well, friends and family, as you know, I have been praying about internship and whether the Lord would have me go to Thailand. Well, I am wondering if the Lord may have something else in mind. An area in south-east Asia, which is predominantly Muslim (Thailand is mainly Buddhist) has caught my attention. I am called, eventually, to a culture that is very Muslim. Thus, I am considering transferring my internship application to a different country. Therefore, the option before me is whether the Lord would have me go with the class before me to one of their internship sites in South-east Asia. The original plan was to finish out the year on campus, then go home for four months for the purpose of raising the funds necessary to go on internship. However, were I to go with the class ahead of me, I would finish up classes on campus and fly directly overseas. This would mean difficult and quick work on my part. I am willing. As I trust the Lord with His plan, please join with me in prayer for wisdom, diligence, direction, provision, and faith! Thanks!