"My Home is God Himself"; Christ brought me there.
I placed myself within His mighty arms;

He took me up, and safe from all alarms

He bore me "where no foot but His has trod,"

Within the holiest at Home with God,

And had me dwell in Him, rejoicing there.  

O Holy Place!  O Home divinely fair!

And we, God's little ones, abiding there.

"My Home is God Himself"; it was not so!

A long, long road I traveled night and day,

And sought to find within myself some way.

And sought to find within myself some way.

Nothing I did or felt could bring me near.

Self-effort failed, and I was filled with fear,

And then I found Christ was the only way,

That I must come to Him and in Him stay,

And God had told me so.

And now "my Home is God," and sheltered there,

God meets the trials of my earthly life,

God compasses me round from storm and strife,

God takes the burden of my daily care.

O Wondrous Place! O Home divinely fair!

And I, God's little one, safe hidden there.

Lord, as I dwell in You and You in me,

So make me ddear to everything but Thee;

That as I rest within my Home most fair.

My soul may evermore and only see

My God in everything and everywhere;

My Home is God."

(author unknown)

I ran across this poem in the devotional "Streams in the Dessert."  It was a great comfort.  The Lord keeps reminding me of His Peace that He gives freely.  I desire to rest there.  Indeed, this goal is easily accomplished while working in the birth room with midwives who have quickly taken us under their wing.  We've watched births, sutures, given a baby's first bath, and helped a mom with prenatal visits.
To know that He is at work is comforting beyond words.  Praise HIM.

Praise the LORD that he did not say His peace is only for certain situations.  No, not at all!  Any time that I am willing to rest in Him He is there.  Truly, there are even times when He just makes me rest there.  Still, the struggle continues, He is faithful, even when I am weak.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:27 

Outland Adventure

 "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
-Ephesians 3:20-21

We had a great time yesterday at Outland Adventure.  It is a highropes course not too far from the clinic.  Both the new team as well as the team that is beginning their second year here went together and had a great day!

There were definitely many little nuggets to be reminded of throughout the day as we played games which would have a lesson to follow at the end.  Although we could laugh at miscommunication in a game or know that our frustration was only momentary, did we understand the practical application for our daily living?

We all live in one house currently and we all have different ways of doing things and each have different gifts.  Are we ready and willing to learn from the LORD how to work together?  Or, are we willing to make mistakes and learn from them?

It did speak loudly to my heart.  Especially as this season has so much change! It's just amazing.  Some of it is really taking my by surprise, but some is expected.  Thankfully none of it is a surprise to the LORD.  He is faithful, even when I'm not.  *Whew.   And, He has placed you all around be as a system of support.  So, locally and far away there are people who He is directing to pray on my behalf, and, hopefully, for the clinic and team as well.  THANK YOU!

Praises:
*We are all working hard.
*Fresh fruit and veggies daily!
*We have a lady cook for us three times a week.  Such a blessing.
*Many healthy babies are born each day.
*The clinic continues on strong. (and, if you even want to donate something, just ask me...i'd be happy to let you know what they need.)

Prayer Requests:
*Continued grace as we transition to life here.
*For our us to rest in Jesus daily.

Blessings!
Kelly

Pics of the "studio" ok, maybe it's just my Bedroom. hehe

Hello!

One of the first tasks upon arrival was changing money or going to the ATMs.  So, here's picture of the pretty money.  They are pretty particular about the money that they will exchange.  Your US dollars really need to be crisp and new!  As for the exchange rate, it is roughly 40 Pesos to 1 Dollar.  So, you can pray for the dollar, if you think of it.  

So, here are a few pictures of the happenings here!  This first picture is the view our  balcony and the view from our balcony down the street.  To the left of this picture is the clinic and the other dorm.  We're all in a row!  If you think of it please pray for a better relationship with our landlords!

Next on the list was a phone.  People really don't call each other, but they do text.  And they text a lot!  In fact, the midwives will communicate with their patients via texting.  It's not really a luxury as much as it is a way of life and communication.  One text is one peso, more or less.  Sometimes it cost more to text people who do not have the same company.  You have to pay for more "load" in order to text or get someone to send you some of their load.  Really, only in an emergency would you call someone on the cell phone.

The last two pictures are just of my room and the door to my room.  So, although we live in a house (and a really nice house at that) it often has the feel of a dorm. We have three showers (all cold) and three toilets (don't flush the toilet paper!)  A nice big kitchen and a lovely living room, as well as a place in the back for hanging laundry to dry.  It's a HUGE blessing.

Ok, well, this is a little out of order with the other post, but now you have a few pictures!

(p.s. if you want to receive a newsletter please email me.  I'd be happy to add you!)

One Week Plus!

"But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!" -Isaiah 43:1

What a wonderful reminder.  As things are quickly unfolding here and we are continually introduced to new things around the clinic or dorm living or paper work or food, God gives this peaceful reminder that He gave to His people so many years ago that I am His.

Just before we left the encouragement we received was to drink deeply of whatever situation the Lord placed us in.  So, as we have some time to adjust through the numerous changes my heart must be reminded to keep Jesus first.  This is not really just for this time, but also for the years ahead!

A little of the "new world":
- Tropical Temperatures!
- Daily afternoon rains have been a blessing!
- 20 girls in one house is...well...a lot, but they are great.
- Yummy food.  That really means lots of RICE.
- We go almost everywhere on foot otherwise triceys and jeepneys are available.
- we live in front of fans!
- geckos are little blessings that dart across the walls.
- McDonalds sells a double Sundae for 40 pesos  (about one dollar)

Ok, that's just a little update.  I worked with a few pictures the other day, but it wasn't go so well.  So sorry.  They are coming.

Prayer Requests:
- For all of us as we continue to adjust.
- For the clinic as they serve many patients each day.
- For the patients at the clinic.

Thank you all for your prayer!

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." Jude 24-25

-KZ

Traveling and more traveling

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." 

-Romans 8:16-17

Today as I had a little quiet time with the LORD (and it was little) He reminded me of my need to just rest in Him.  Regardless of my day, whether I deem it as "good" or "bad", "hurried" or "peaceful" He can still have quiet time with me.  

This day started at 3:00am.  It was rather dark, but refreshingly cool from the hot, muggy days of the past few weeks.  My brother and sister-in-law struggled upstairs to say good-bye in the all too early morning hours.  My parents and I were on the road at 3:45am.  Due to the early morning we had no traffic to speak and the ride was uneventful.  

Once at the airport all went well, even the teary good-byes were ok.  They were sweet tears of love and knowing how blessed we are to have each other.  We also look forward to our Eternal home with no more good-byes, but until then, LORD, let us be faithful, obedient servants with teachable hearts.

My total travel time was about 7 hours.  The first flight left at 6:30 and the last one landed at 11:25, but there was a time change in there.  It really does mess with one's senses.  For instance, right now it is almost 4:00pm, but my brain is really struggling wanting it to be 7:00pm.  Ah well, soon enough I'll be half way around the globe...then we can talk jet lag!

Me and my luggage (1-50 lbs. bag, 1-40lbs. carry on, and 1-messenger bag) are now in OR at the house of Gary and Lynn Jones with one other student (who will be studying in Tabuk, so very far away) awaiting the arrival of eight more classmates.   This time of waiting is also allowing my mind, heart and body adjust to the upcoming changes.  Praise the LORD that He is my banner, Yahweh Nissi, and He is the One guiding my steps.  We are a bunch of ordinary girls getting together to learn an ordinary skill that the LORD might use us to further His Kingdom.

Love and blessings to you all!

p.s. pictures will be coming...just have to find the camera...

Two days!

Greetings!

Welcome to those of you who just started to follow.  I'm sooo grateful for the support system around me.  Hopefully we'll keep in touch over the next few years!

Things are wrapping up quickly.  Everything in it's time though.  Thankfully God is Sovereign over all and  He has taught us to pray, laying all our burdens at His feet.

A few new prayer requests:
*All the flights to go well - there will be a few between here and there.
*Everyone finally meeting up!
*For my parent's flight to Honduras on Saturday.
*For my brother and sister-in-law to adjust quickly to a very quiet house.

Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support.

Blessings from Him who Saves!
Kelly