Packing

No a tornado has not ripped through my room; I am just packing to go to Benin.  I would like to point out that my bed is made underneath all of the mess.  So much has occurred over the past week and a half, and now I am leaving in three days...

A good rebuke

Some good friends invited me for supper last week, and it didn't take long into our conversation for me to be asked, "Are you spiritually ready for your trip?".  My answer was somewhat shamefully, "No", and so my friend's follow-up question was, "Why not?".  I did not really have a good answer to that question, and am embarrassed to say that I have not been faithfully studying the Word of God.  There are a few different ways in which I have been reminded recently that it is only through the Word of God that growth and change will come:

• The Word of God is the only way that we can have our minds and hearts renewed (Romans 12:1-2)


• God's Word washes us clean (Ephesians 5:26)


• The Word treasured and hidden in our hearts is powerful to keep us from sinning against God (Psalm 119:11)


• The way of purity and uprightness is through the Word of God (Psalm 119:9)


• God's Word restores the soul, makes the simple wise, brings joy, enlightens our eyes, endures forever, is righteous and desirable, and warns against trouble and errors (Psalm 19:7-11)


• The Word of God is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, and divides and judges between our hearts' thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12)

So although I do not have an excuse for not being spiritually ready, I do have a solution.  Continue in prayer and the Word daily.  It is such a simple answer, but how often do we neglect to do this?  Yet the only way to become like Jesus is to spend time with Him, and we can see who He is in the Bible.  And what power the Word of God holds!

More provision

I have also noticed God's hand of provision in my life in an immense way, even more than I could imagine.  He is using people to accomplish His purposes, and this has been very encouraging.  It is so neat to see that God really does care for me and what may sometimes feel like "silly" requests.

God has given money through many people, and what is even more amazing, I didn't even ask anyone for it!  He has caused several people to be praying for me and for His purposes to be accomplished, and He has also practically provided people to help with some of my physical needs.  Yesterday, some friends came over and helped me do just about every single bit of house and yard work that needed to be done.  I could not have done it on my own.  In fact, I'd probably be quite stressed and at a loss as to where to start!

So a huge thank you goes out to everyone who has participated in me going on this journey to Benin!  God has orchestrated everything beyond my wildest imagination (Ephesians 3:20-21), and I haven't even left Canada yet.  It is exciting to think of what He will do when I actually do take off (haha).

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24