From The Heart
I've got so many things I would love to blog about, but just don't feel like it would be wise. We want you all to know that God is doing some amazing things here among university students! We started a home group 4 weeks ago and we've had 5-6 each week and they are just a lovely group of people! We meet every Monday night around 8pm till whenever...which means I try to hold all my yawns in! :) I love that they are so friendly and want to hang out here...the snacks and drinks probably help too. :) They have been so open and honest in their struggles, and have taught Marc and I a lot about post-modern thinking. Several of these that are coming on Monday were not raised in a Christian home, which I find quite refreshing to be honest- if that makes sense. They say things that really make me think about why we do certain things or practices as Christians. They have no "baggage" as it were. I hope I do not offend anyone by saying these things. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm thankful for the Christian home I was raised in! I'm thankful for the influences I had growing up in our children's department and youth department at our church! But I do think there are certain things we were taught to do that really have little to do with being a Jesus follower!If you receive our newsletter, we will be getting one out to you soon about more detailed things that are happening here! I've (Charity) had several good conversations with two women I've met...oh, how I would love to tell you about them here, but I can't. I'm just amazed and thankful that God can use me- a stay at home mom who's up to my ears in laundry and toys- some days I feel like I have very little contact with people outside my house and the times I do go out it's for doctor appointments or the occasional coffee with a friend. But everytime, I meet people...people who are hurting. I had a conversation last week with a woman I've met a few times before and she shared some deep hurts with me. I kept asking God, "Why is this woman telling me all of this! I barely know her!" But God is so good and gracious that He keeps allowing me to have these conversations! I keep telling Him I'm not qualified- all I do is change nappies and feed mouths! :) I'm not qualified to tell these people how to fix their problems or what to do in certain situations!!! All I can do is pray that God would give me the words to say and the big one for me- the courage to say them! And He's been faithful EVERY time. Every time.I say all of this so that you will be encouraged and know that your prayers for us are not in vain. God is using you- you not only encourage us, but when times are hard here it helps to know that we have people lifting us up and it keeps us going! Living conditions here are not bad- of course- as compared to Africa or many other places. We have an indoor toilet, heating, a nice house, etc. But it's dark here- a spiritually dark place. We had some dear friends come stay with us a few years ago, on their way back to the states from another country that they had been serving in. Living conditions were rough for them. But spritiually speaking, many things were happening! After a few days of staying with us they commented how this was a dark place, a lot harder than where they had been living. I think about that sometimes and am reminded that our enemy is not flesh and blood, but evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world! We appreciate you and your prayers for us!