Trusting...Once Again !!

Lets be real for a bit… 

  I have a problem with “trusting” ... 

    I have for a long time..

      I know the FAITHFULNESS of God 

        I know what the Word says...

I believe the Word.. I believe Jesus...

but I just keep falling back into the fleshly habit of Not trusting Jesus with the circumstances of my life…

And this past week the enemy has been active in causing me to disbelieve AGAIN that Jesus has it ALL UNDER CONTROL...

Can anyone relate with me??  

Why do I have such a continued problem with this????

I repeat & claim His promises-

       because God never changes & His Never lies ...

do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God..

                           Phil 4:6

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow , for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.    Matt 6:34    

                 (FYI one of Pat’s favorite)

I even just got done reading a 40 day study on “Trusting Without Borders” Arabah Joy..

But then I go ahead & “worry”.

I think of the birds & the flowers of the field..

“Consider the birds of the air    

    they worry not. Neither should you.

Those winged creatures woke early with no idea where or how they were going to find food. 

          They weren’t worried.

They sang in utter trust & reliance upon their Maker, they took to the skies.

    I could too.

Consider the flowers of the field. I clothe them with beauty & grace. I’ll clothe you too.

When faced with our lack & weakness- I can forget the birds & forget the blossom were once a mere seed-

          but God clothed it.

That's what he does for me”… Arabah Joy

 No I’m not worried about where my clothes are coming from...

she's not worried about her clothes either

    or where I will get my food… 

A big pot of peanut butter being made

I’m anxious about my abilities.. 

Just when I start “feeling” more confident in the hospital work here... 

Jesus is pressing me into something more...

 You would say it’s trivial,small- 

but tell my head that & the cold sore that has developed !!!

I know Christ lives in me, will be faithful to fill me, equip me, & complete the work He has for me to do here.. 

 I Know it... but… my feelings tell me        otherwise.

I pray I will trust Jesus like this wee little preemie is trusting her Mama(a little 12 yr old) 

In this area of Togo, there are 

so many that “trust” in charms or fetishes.

 "There is a weird intersection in folk Islam of a fatalist view of God as sovereign, resigning one’s self to life’s troubles, and the belief that evil spirits and curses by others are the cause of our problems." Anna

I saw this man in market selling chicken feet, birds feet, charms, a whole cloth full of things to buy for protection & to help the evil spirits to be appeased & to use to help things go well in life...

I definitely don’t trust in these...

     I know where my trust lies… 

            It’s in Jesus!!

So I’m asking you to pray with me,

& again be reminded that Jesus gives you & I, courage & strength to do-

    what He has called me to here,

     & for you in whatever circumstance you are facing. 

            He is with us.

I want to be praising Him in thanksgiving, for what I know He is going to do ..

 & be excited to see how He will be glorified in these small anxieties I’m feeling right now…

 ~  Adjusting to working nights.. – sleeping during the day with the heat.. 106 degrees & staying awake at night. I’ve never worked nights before!!

My road to work 

 ~ Starting to work Maternity periodically  with NO experience –

     Thanking Jesus for LIFE!!

Yes they use eyeliner on their babies eyebrows & eyelashes!

 ~ Starting to be in charge with the language barrier still looming HUGE …

I’m looking forward to see how God will work all these things out for me & in my circumstances. To be able to give Him glory in it all.

 He is in control of everything that happens-

Sovereign God calm my heart & mind so I can hear your voice.

To be trusting like this little fellow!

…For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

                                     2 Chronicles 20:12

I’m keeping my eyes on you Jesus!!!! 

If any one saw my Instagram & fb pic of me with the mask on .. 

   Both of those girls have died.. so sad ... 

But a big shout of praise for another 13 yr old girl  who came in with meningitis too & she is better… 

  Praise Jesus – 

     she’s going home recovered, but weak !! 

Thank you for your prayers to TRUST in Jesus for it ALL!!

love to each,

cheryl 

Harmittan & Holiday

As I awakened to the swish,swish,swish of the broom sweeping my “yard”- actually no grass just dirt,

to the “chilliness of the morning” all relative I know,

 & to my alarm- to really get me out of bed & “up & at ‘em”.. I was working today at the hospital.

I thank Jesus for a day of remembrance of His birth & His willingness to:

Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing ,taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.    Phil 2:6-8

So out the door I went to make my 15 min walk to work…

The red dirt roads were still quiet, no school children hustling to school- it’s “holiday”!

But there was something different this morning…

      the sky was “foggy” looking & if I didn’t know any better, I would say

 it just looked like it might SNOW!!!!

                             I hadn’t seen it like this before.

                                   It’s harmittan!!! 

                          

The few months when the winds from the Sahara desert blow down across north Togo blowing DUST! It’s been this way for most of Dec but just a “hazy” looking dust- this morning it was foggy “white”- When I questioned the “regulars” here they told me “this is THE REAL Harmittan” – I think it was a reminder of “winter back home”- 

But along with the winds comes the DUST                                                          EVERYWHERE!!!!

On the floor, on my bed, inside my cupboards, in your teeth, in my hair, just a layer covering everything!

Some decide it’s best to shut the windows-but I think it makes it too stuffy SO you just learn to live with it & deal with it. I sweep, wipe, wash, again & again & then just decide... I may as well give up! It sure won’t kill me!!!

Now my friends tell me that “you’ll learn to be thankful for this because it’s cool weather” – the sun is blocked by the dust. It’s really strange to see it. By what they say what’s coming next is the

                               H E AT ~ HOT HOT  

weather & you’ll wish for the dust back!! So I believe them & as Paul commanded in

 1Thes 5 :16 -18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing & give thanks in ALL circumstances.              

 I’m learning to do this in the dust! 

As I walked on- I passed the “fou”- the crazy man that I pass every morning sitting in the dirt unable to walk- no place to lay his head... He has his winter coat & hat on, the smoldering of a fire that helped keep him warm in the night, his little piece of cardboard covering his very few possessions- I mean few – probably 4-5 things.

From the first day I saw him I am ALWAYS reminded of the lame beggar that Peter & John (Acts 3:1-10) saw & told him

     ‘silver & gold I do not have But what I have I will give to you.. Jesus.’ 

 He always looks up at me, smiles & clasps his hands together in the air as I say

 “Bonjour – Joyeux Noel -  Je’sus t’aime”  

  Hello- Merry Christmas.- Jesus loves you!

This morning I sensed the Spirit nudging me to give him some food- (which I’ve been encouraged not to do ) The only thing I had was a muffin so I dug it out & handed it over to him. He eagerly accepted it & thanked me profusely!

On I went … Jesus was born for this beggar just as He was for you & me…

When I got to work there was just a joyful, exciting Spirit in the air!!!

 The many Joyeux Noels were exchanged along with the usual greetings-

Bonjour! - Hello!

Bon Arrive’! – welcome!

Comment ce' va? How are you?     Tre’ bein! Very good.

How was your sleep?

How is your house?

How was your food?

How is your family?

Well, I get confused with all these “hows” & after a few, I just laugh & say everything is good!!!! This is the dialog every time you see someone!!

Some food was brought in by the “whites” & all enjoyed it. One of the Togolese nurses gave each of us an apple- which are imported from France & much appreciated !!

The great team I work with !!

Throughout my day I was so often reminded …

                    Jesus was born for each of us…

My patient who had a raging infection in her leg & had to have it amputated & then even more surgery, it had to be opened up & left open. Daily, (after giving her conscious sedation)  the Dr. cut away the dead, foul smelling tissue as we  prayed for healing. As Dr. Todd said, we are just trying to save her life at this point.. .

Fati using all her strength to learn to walk after her leg amputated.

Jesus was born for her just as He was for you & me…

As the 16 yr old boy who has Kidney problems & swelled up like a balloon- such a sweet, quiet spirited boy..

Jesus was born for him as He was for you & me…

The little 28 wk preemie weighing only 830 gm (about 1.8 lb)- stable at this point but wondering if she will grow ?

Jesus was born for her as He was for you & me…

Then there was the miracle of a baby girl born in the afternoon- Will she grow up & learn about Jesus as her Savior?

Jesus was born for her as He was for you & me…

It was a good day – a wonderful day to reflect on Jesus & talk with the nurses who are Believers - They will go home & have food & family time & celebration.

When I got home, my guard was here & we talked for a bit..

 He is a Muslim & when I asked about his family – he said his father has 4 wives & he has 30 siblings. He had a celebration of much food, & family time together. 

It made me so wonder what is he celebrating? Will he ever believe Jesus is more than a prophet ...

He is the Priest & King – I pray his heart will be open & he will seek the truth!!

Yes Harmittan is here & so is Our Savior Born to save the world ….

 This man child called Yeshua – Jesus- The Messiah!

 He shall reign forevermore – He shall reign forevermore!!  (Chris Tomlin – Adore)

Well this didn’t get posted yet because of bad internet so I’ll give a little update..

Fati- who had her leg amputated – had to have it removed up to her hip & now the infection has spread there also.. Pray for strength & healing & for her & her family to learn more & more about Jesus,that their hearts would be open to truth.

The boy with the kidney problems has had improvement for the present & went home.

The preemie is still holding his own.

HOPE is being heard every day in the hospital!!

 1 young man 23 has accepted that hope into his life as he goes home to die of cancer!!!! This is a tremendous praise & working of the Spirit as he is from a very “closed to hear the Gospel” Mossi Tribe.

 God brings people to Hospital of Hope.. so they can not only get healthcare BUT hear TRUTH – many for the first time !

 Pray for seeds & much growth.

Thank you  friends for caring for the needs here in Togo …

 We are only 1 small little needy place in the world..

 Laboring together for the Kingdom,

Love cheryl

                     HE SHALL REIGN FOREVERMORE

we enjoyed a Christmas eve get together - Togolese & American food!