Silence, besides the birds chiming and our
pool pump humming all I can hear is silence. Quite the change from just a few
weeks ago sitting on my balcony surrounded by the noise of the city. Some I
know would say I have it far better here in the silence of the country and
currently (since I am in it) I would probably agree. There is something about
the stillness that captures but the noise of the city intrigues me. As I have
ventured into my summer apart for Urban Promise Toronto and the city (for the
most part), I knew there was much that I could be busy with. However; I also
knew the benefits and purpose of rest and spending time thinking and meditating
with God as I prepare and begin to transition from being a temporary intern
with UPT to being a permanent staff missionary.
Needless to say so far events have proven
to keep me verily busy; helping my brother move, visiting and catching up over
coffee’s with friends. When I am home my younger brothers forever are asking me
to join them in play games and so much of my down time has been spend playing Dutch
blitz, and other board games as well as losing checkers to an 8 year old. I
spend what time I can catching up on reading and am being challenged in my
thoughts and actions as I read through a book called “Mud and the Masterpiece”
by Burke. It works through a journey of why and how Christians are called to “call”
out the masterpiece God has created in each and every human which has been
terrible corrupted and stained by the mud of this world. I have learned a great
deal as it takes everything back to the Jesus Christ revealed to us in the
gospels of His heart of compassion, love and earnest desire for all to be
reconciled to God and to find their true identity in the work of their creator
and designer, God.
A big part of the purpose of having space and
time from UPT this summer is to help make transitioning smoother from being an
intern to being one who leads interns. That switch in my mind is hard enough
without a change of my supervisors becoming my co-workers and peers as well as
friends. The second part of the transition is finding the support of people to
join or partner with me prayerfully and financially so that I am able to
continue working/ministering daily within the community that I will work and be provided for from God’s economy.
This
is a hard one for me as I have since I was young kept up jobs and provided well
for myself. It has been a learning process the past 2 years of trusting God to
provide me with the things I am in need of in the ways that He sees fit. Being
humbled has been a big part of these lessons and continue to be as God
continues to sow me my complete dependency on Him in every aspect of life. Over
this summer I am seeking to communicate my need, express the deep desire I and others
have for those who have yet to be reconciled within themselves, with others and
with God. The rest is very much up to Him in who He uses to encourage, support
and pray for me. I’d appreciate prayers for confidence and assurance in God’s
continued providence. On that note I can see so many ways that He is providing
and working things out. I have also been able to spend some of my time working
on a local farm that I grew up working on. This has been a huge blessing as it
helps provide me with the means to be able to borrow my parent’s van and cover
gas cost. I have been able to get around easily and without the worry or
concern of how those things are going to get covered financially.
The last thing I would like to mention are
my plans for the rest of the summer, along with a few other little project like
fixing up chairs and getting creative (fingers crossed) I have been asked to assist,
help or come along on a few different ministry opportunities. Although these
excite me a great deal I am seeking God’s direction as I do not want to take on
more than I am able or more then He wants me to. And finally, as I begin the
daunting task of searching for an apartment please pray not only for wisdom and
direction as to where I should live but that God would already be preparing a
place of rest and peace.
Recap of prayer request:
People to partner with my financially and prayerfully
as I move into a permanent role of ministry.
That God would continue teaching me as I
spend time resting and learning with Him.
For the plans concerning the rest of the
summer.
For apartment searching.
Lastly, (for the third time) if there are
any questions and/or prayer request that I can keep in prayer for you please do
not hesitate to email me at kiezebrink.janelle@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment