The Lord is my Banner

can you guess what this is? First off, this is the side of my left hand.  What started as just a couple blistery, itchy bumps have turned out to be Ring Worm.  Yup.  It's a fungal infection that is highly contagious.  It is most easily contracted from touching animals (which I do not to here!), but can be picked up almost anywhere.  

My study space!  The door that is just past the fan opens up into the dinning room.  There are four of us at the table where I am, but I am right next to the window!  

Sending you a smile!

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock, 

Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me." -Psalm 144:1-2

So, you might be wondering about the ring worm.  There is a purpose for sharing that with you.  It's not because that's the most exciting thing happening in my life.  haha.  Rather, it is because it challenged me...my comfort zone.

You see, I was happily getting settled (it's only been 5 weeks, but it feels like forever!) and things were becoming comfortable.  I had it all under control.  Then this, this, thing appeared seemingly out of no where.  It was fully plausible that the ants which are part of the regular tapestry of life, had taken a few bites.   Yet, that was not it.

Then the Lord spoke to me so clearly.  As my dreams wander and wade through the next few weeks, months, and years and dream of the women who the LORD will bring, He reminded me that HE is the one in control.  My body is laid down for Him.  For Him to use, to protect, to place in people's lives as He sees fit.  I cannot possibly hope to keep myself from all harm including germs of all types.  However, HE is more than able.  Ah, to rest in that and trust that every time I enter the clinic, a birth, visit with a mother-to-be, or am placed in any other situation HE will be my guard because He called me.

That is my heart just recently and I wanted you to share in it too.  He is sooo faithful.  This is a little thing, but it could have been so much more.  Praise Him that He knows just what I can handle.

Tomorrow a team of us are headed to an outreach.  Hopefully you'll get an update on that shortly.

Praise:
- Lives are being changed
- God is the One who builds
- We continue to settle in
- We've had cooling rain...ahhhh.

Prayers:
- For the ministry of the clinic to continue in strength
- The midwives: they are hard workers and often things can be emotionally draining- Us as we continue to be stretched and challenge in this new culture

- Our dear language teacher had a tragety in her family and will be at a funeral this week.  Pray for the family to find comfort and rest in Jesus.

THANK you, as always.  May His peace guard your hearts and minds.