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Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Standing in Awe
Here is an excerpt taken out of Voices of the Faithful - Inspiring stories of courage from christians serving around the World by Beth Moore, pg 61.
A large tree had grown up at the edge of the road, its branches winding outward and down as a result of the prevailing wind of the region. The little shade provided was sufficient to cover one table with rustic benches. The larger branches supported a tarp, which provided shade over one more table. Under the tarp, two Wayuu (WHY-you) women were cooking goat, plantains, yucca and arepa (ah-RAY-pah) (corn-meal-based bread). Even with the constant breeze, the heat was demobilizing. The women had cloths tucked into the front of their dresses with which they constantly wiped their faces. The meat and a choice of plantians, yucca, or arepa were served in a paper bag.
While waiting more than two hours for customs to open for our border crossing, three Wayuu boys left the side-of-the-road restaurant and approached the ruck. One of them was trying to sound out the Wayuuaniki (WHY-you-NIE-key) word written on the side. He made out the words Suwarala k'ai (sue-wah-rah-la kigh-EE), which mean "new/fresh beginnings." As we talked, I discovered that he went to school and could read Spanish. I showed him a copy of the New Testament in Wayuunaiki and asked him to read the title. His face was a study in concentration as he sounded out the letters. All at once, he listened to what he was saying and understood. His voice great heavy with emotion, and he softly translated, "The Story of Jesus Christ."
May we all be awed when confronted with God's Word in our own language.
Mitchell and I are in the phase of ministry where we are sharing with a lot of people about what God is leading us to do in ministry. It has been such a blessing to us to be reminded on a regular basis how precious the Word of God is as we share about how many in the world are still without it!
"They're speaking our languages,
describing God's mighty works!"
- Acts 2:11b (MSG)
A large tree had grown up at the edge of the road, its branches winding outward and down as a result of the prevailing wind of the region. The little shade provided was sufficient to cover one table with rustic benches. The larger branches supported a tarp, which provided shade over one more table. Under the tarp, two Wayuu (WHY-you) women were cooking goat, plantains, yucca and arepa (ah-RAY-pah) (corn-meal-based bread). Even with the constant breeze, the heat was demobilizing. The women had cloths tucked into the front of their dresses with which they constantly wiped their faces. The meat and a choice of plantians, yucca, or arepa were served in a paper bag.
While waiting more than two hours for customs to open for our border crossing, three Wayuu boys left the side-of-the-road restaurant and approached the ruck. One of them was trying to sound out the Wayuuaniki (WHY-you-NIE-key) word written on the side. He made out the words Suwarala k'ai (sue-wah-rah-la kigh-EE), which mean "new/fresh beginnings." As we talked, I discovered that he went to school and could read Spanish. I showed him a copy of the New Testament in Wayuunaiki and asked him to read the title. His face was a study in concentration as he sounded out the letters. All at once, he listened to what he was saying and understood. His voice great heavy with emotion, and he softly translated, "The Story of Jesus Christ."
May we all be awed when confronted with God's Word in our own language.
-Kaye, South America
When was the last time you stood in awe of the Word of God?
We are reminded to stand in awe of the Word of God, and to not take it for granted. It is a priceless gift and there are still many that need to hear it!
May we all stand in awe together and marvel at the amazing saving power of His Word, as we go and pray for more to go as well!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Growing Pains
Growing Pains. Those irritating things that we get when our bodies are growing quickly. Some dont see them as anything major, but to those who are experiencing them, they are very real and can be very painful!
Well, there are seasons in life when I go through these growing pains spiritually as well. Times when God is bringing me through things that makes me uncomfortable, can cause some pains, but ultimately is a sign of what is going on inside - growth.
We have recently moved, again. I enjoy going to new places and getting to know new people and routines. I really do enjoy it! But, I am coming to understand that even when I enjoy it, it still instills a certain level of stress in my life. I am on a journey in discovering the effects of stress in my life, and I am 'growing' in this area by learning how to cope with it in a healthy way.
Growth is a good but often painful thing. Growth is what brings us forward. It is what changes us to be more like Christ. That is the desire of my heart, to be more like Him! So bring on the growing pains!
Blessings - Amanda
Well, there are seasons in life when I go through these growing pains spiritually as well. Times when God is bringing me through things that makes me uncomfortable, can cause some pains, but ultimately is a sign of what is going on inside - growth.
We have recently moved, again. I enjoy going to new places and getting to know new people and routines. I really do enjoy it! But, I am coming to understand that even when I enjoy it, it still instills a certain level of stress in my life. I am on a journey in discovering the effects of stress in my life, and I am 'growing' in this area by learning how to cope with it in a healthy way.
Growth is a good but often painful thing. Growth is what brings us forward. It is what changes us to be more like Christ. That is the desire of my heart, to be more like Him! So bring on the growing pains!
"[He] will transform our lowly bodies so that they
will be like His glorious body."
Ephesians 3:21
Blessings - Amanda
Monday, March 16, 2015
All Things New
All things are new for us right now.
We are in a familiar place, being back in Nova Scotia, but so many things are still new to us.
Our entire family structure has shifted. Mitch is out of the home most days working, and I am home home with Amy 4 days a week. The other 3 days consist of church, mom & tot play group, and ladies Bible study. The days that I go to those usually end up being an all day thing in town because we live a bit out of town and we have one vehicle. Lets just say that Amy is finally getting use to taking her morning nap in the car on our way into town, and her afternoon nap at the church in the crib they have.
It has been quite the adjustment for me being home with Amy a lot more too. I am really loving it! She is growing and learning SO much and I absolutely love being with her for it. She brings such joy to our lives... :)
Mitch has also taken on a whole new role which has taken some time to adjust to. A week after we arrived he began interning at our church. He works along side the pastors helping them with a wide variety of tasks. He also is given set time each day to work on our Ministry Partnership Development (MPD). He has had numerous visits with church's in the area and we have been encouraged to have some express interest in joining with us in ministry.
One of the big things we were praying about and seeking discernment in was regarding whether Mitch should get a part time job while we were here. We have some debt we want to pay off and we would use the funds from his job to do so. The only problem was his restricted availability. So we prayed, and God provided the perfect job! He is working at a specialty burger joint, and they are more than willing to schedule him around his internship, MPD schedule and no Sundays. What an answer to our prayers!
So one might ask how long we plan to be in Nova Scotia, and all we can say is 'I don't know'! We are waiting for Mitch's green card and because of uncontrollable circumstances on our end we have not yet been able to apply for it. We hope to apply within a couple of weeks, and once he gets it we are USA bound!
We have complete peace and trust in God's timing of all of this. We have our plans, but we have learned to hold those plans loosely. :)
So one might ask how long we plan to be in Nova Scotia, and all we can say is 'I don't know'! We are waiting for Mitch's green card and because of uncontrollable circumstances on our end we have not yet been able to apply for it. We hope to apply within a couple of weeks, and once he gets it we are USA bound!
We have complete peace and trust in God's timing of all of this. We have our plans, but we have learned to hold those plans loosely. :)
Monday, February 9, 2015
We've Arrived!
After 2 very long days and over 1,800 kilometres of driving we have arrived in Nova Scotia!
We had a 2 day window that gave us a break in the weather for traveling! We left Ontario last Tuesday and booked it to Quebec where we stayed the night. We got up bright and early on Wednesday and drove the rest of the way to Nova Scotia. We only came upon bad roads around Fredericton NB, and Amy did amazing in the car!
Since we have been back we have mainly been focused on getting unpacked and settled. We are staying with family, and it has been great being able to have them spend time with Amy and make up for lost time.
This week we are really beginning to focus on MPD (Ministry Partnership Development). We are excited for this time and cant wait to see how God is going to work and who He will raise up to partner with us!
If you'd like to know how to pray for us right now, please check out our prayer page, or if you'd like to receive our newsletters shoot us an email! mitch_chaplin@ntm.org
We had a 2 day window that gave us a break in the weather for traveling! We left Ontario last Tuesday and booked it to Quebec where we stayed the night. We got up bright and early on Wednesday and drove the rest of the way to Nova Scotia. We only came upon bad roads around Fredericton NB, and Amy did amazing in the car!
Since we have been back we have mainly been focused on getting unpacked and settled. We are staying with family, and it has been great being able to have them spend time with Amy and make up for lost time.
This week we are really beginning to focus on MPD (Ministry Partnership Development). We are excited for this time and cant wait to see how God is going to work and who He will raise up to partner with us!
If you'd like to know how to pray for us right now, please check out our prayer page, or if you'd like to receive our newsletters shoot us an email! mitch_chaplin@ntm.org
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