The April of Truth

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (Colossians 3:14)

 This last month has seemed like a blur. In many ways, I’ve felt like we’ve ministered, learned, and grown inside a tunnel. Have you ever had a month like this? Where everything’s still going great- things just seem a bit “blurry.” Haha, I don’t know how else to describe it, it’s an interesting feeling. I’m feeling like things are winding down for us here in Kinmen as far as the school year goes, but yet we still have two months. A man who’s lived here for several years calls this point “the moment of truth.” It’s not the end quite yet, but we’re close and you can virtually “feel the anticipation in the air.” Planning has begun for next year, but yet current projects are still in the works. It’s a interestingly fun place to be in. J

First of all, my first Easter in Kinmen was definitely unforgettable. One of my best friends from the university, Helen, got baptized!! Here in Kinmen (and Taiwan in general), a baptism means a lot more, and has a lot more challenges, than one back in the States. When she decided to be baptized, she dramatically demonstrated to the entire community and her family back in Taiwan that her back is now completely turned on the Daoism and Buddhism in which she was raised. It’s a huge deal. Helen’s currently a freshman and has been the only believer in Christ out of her family since when she first believed in high school. I admire this dear friend so much. Megan and I danced directly after her baptism ceremony this Casting Crowns song “Blessed Redeemer” which brought tears from many members in the audience and blessed me beyond anything to dance:

{I can’t believe God is allowing me to minister with my dream in His form and His timing! He’s too good to me!}

The following week, on the 14^th, our final Swing Dance went off the ground. As is the case with each of the subsequent fundraisers, it was great in its own special way. We were missing the majority of our team that weekend because of different obligations, trips, and the college students’ midterm exams. I was laughing throughout the entire set-up because, thus far, I haven’t ever been a part of every aspect of the execution of “the set-up plan.” So I learned how to actually do a lot of the things that I’ve been delegating away this whole time. This time around, our “crowd” consisted of mainly junior-highers, so you can imagine how much fun it was to try to get them to dance… lol it was nearly impossible. Nonetheless, they listened pretty well when we showed the info video and Johnny spoke. I was blessed in a different way this time to know that this message was getting across to the younger people in our community. Praise God.

In the following week, the amazing Rebekah Gilley returned to her “home-island” and I got the privilege of taking her around to her old schools- now the ones I teach at. It was a huge blessing to see all my teachers and students go crazy when they saw her (she taught in Kinmen for 7 years, so she’s been extremely loved and missed this last year by everyone). I have to say the biggest blessing, though, was the Tuesday when she had a deep conversation with Albert- one of the school soldiers at my Duo Nian school, and a good friend of mine. Through the Holy Spirit’s leading, and her ability to communicate in Chinese, he felt like he could be open and transparent with her and shared with her how he needed TRUTH in his life. A little later, I was able to talk to him as well, and oh! That conversation was such a blessing because he had been thinking about what he and Rebekah had been talking about before and was ready and anxious to hear the truth of the Gospel. He shared how, when he fulfilled his desires and did what he wanted, he just felt evil and even emptier inside. It makes me want to cry even typing this now. You know that story in Acts 16:25-33- where the jailer asks Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” That’s exactly how the situation felt. It was amazing to hear him desire the truth of Christ, at the cost of his comfort or family’s wishes. God is so cool. Please be praying for him, as he has yet to hear and understand the full plan of salvation (because of the language barrier/I haven’t seen him since), yet desires to know and follow “what it is that I believe in that makes me so happy.”

Pingtung Mountains

That next weekend, our team headed out to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to meet with all the other IBLP teachers for a time in the Word and fellowship. God spoke to me on so many levels….it was almost overwhelming how instantaneously and fully He spoke to me on the issues I needed clarification in. Where I needed conviction, He slapped me in the face; where I needed healing, he removed any trace of pain; where I needed His loving Presence, He reminded me that He is my Adonai. It was a beautifully bonding time for our team as we were able to laugh and pray together about the direction God’s sending each one us this next year, and what He’s going to do with us these last couple months we’re together. We also got to share our “Fearless in Faith Heroes” video that we made as a team.

{If we’re Facebook friends, you should be able to click through this link and enjoy our quirky sense of humor:} http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=340677369329855&set=t.1332086881&type=3&theater

And, lastly, what the Lord’s been showing me as of recently…

Well, it’s really amazing to me how depraved and selfish I am without Christ. I’ve watched at certain points this month as my attitudes and actions completely surrounded me, my plans, and my desires. It’s funny isn’t it? As I get closer to Jesus and the light of Truth, I notice how many more “spots” I have on my spirit, instead of realizing how much “holier” I am. Or even worse than that, as I draw closer to Him, to watch as I make mistakes and trip up even when I feel so close to Christ. Things I thought I was “way above” and “stronger than” seem now to be some of the strongest pulls on my life. The Enemy has no new tricks; and despite that fact, he still manages to win in the battle of my heart every now and again. On the Kaohsiung retreat, the Lord showed me these verses to put to rest any doubts that I had that the choices I had were coming from me and not Him.

Temple parade- droves of people with
incense sticks... :(

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. They, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Do not be deceived my beloved brethren.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.    (James 1:12-18)

On top of that, the Lord has asked me two very heavy questions as of recently- questions that I thought were already settled in my mind. The first was painful even to hear: “Would you be willing to never live in your parents’ house again and not even be sure when you’re going to see them again?” I didn’t feel like God was specifically asking that of me in my life, He was just asking if I’d be willing. But, oh gosh, that was such a tough decision to come to. I sat outside under the stars and wept before the Lord for at least an hour and a half before I was willing to say “Yes Lord, if You ask that of me, I am Thine. Your perfect will be done.”

The second came a few days later: “Would you be willing to be financially insecure in your life for the sake of Me and the Gospel?” Now, I would think that this question would be super easy decision. I mean seriously, I’ve always told my mom that I wanted to live a difficult life for Christ. I want to feel like I’ve actually done something at the end of my life- something hard for Christ- that I’ve run the more difficult track instead of taking the easy way out. But, to be honest, I struggled with that question while at work off and on for a whole day. He asked me in the morning while I was at school, but I wasn’t able to come to a solid decision until that evening. It’s almost embarrassing to realize how much my financial security meant to me. Anyways, so I’m at this point of almost excited/expectant wondering at what the Lord’s going to do with this heart freshly dedicated to Him and His purposes for my life. God is awesome. J

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”      (James 1:2-4)

Cinco de Mayo Party

So ya, that’s my month of April. I’m so sorry I’m starting this habit of being a few weeks behind on my monthly updates. There’s just so much to write at the end of the month that sometimes it’s hard to compile my thoughts. God bless you all and keep in touch! <3

“Father, glorify Your name.” –Jesus   (John 12:28)