Allyson and I invited the Pavana Baptist Church ladies for a morning of many blessings. We chose a study of finding true peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. The pastor said there was going to be thirty ladies coming this beautiful Saturday morning. So we prepared for thirty. Well nine ladies arrived and we quickly regrouped. As we gathered on the front porch to introduce ourselves and go over the lay out of the day, we all agreed God had exactly who he wanted at the Women's Conference. The other ladies had gotten a stomach virus which we definitely did not want at Mt. Horeb.
The morning started out with delicious pastries from Pastor Carlos' mothers' bakery with coffee and juice. We all gathered around two tables and started the morning of praise and worship unto our Lord. These group of ladies came very well prepared. They knew the materials and knew the answer to all the questions. I even asked a tricky question about who are children of God. One young lady age 25 answered it correctly. We are all created by God but we are only a child of God if we receive HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. I was in awe of how much of the bible these ladies knew. We also included Martha, our housekeeper and Alexia, another staff member as well. I asked the very first question and Martha was all over it and was just about preaching by the time she completed her answer. It was a spirit filled day in the name of Jesus. We took a ten minute break mid morning and some of the ladies adventured up to check out the Honduran dorms. Pastor Carlos shared with the ladies upon completion of the Honduran dorms different churches can come out to have retreats and conferences themselves. I am so excited for the 35 plus churches who will be able to assess this facility in the near future. Thank you to all who supported it with sweat equity and financial contributions as well.
We gathered back to continue our bible study. There came apart where I was able to share my testimony about how life as a Christian is not always easy and the only true peace is from our Lord and Savior. I shared how my life has not always been easy but through the guidance and love of Jesus Christ I have found true peace in my life. Allyson wanted to share out of James 3:13-18. She stood to share the reading of God's Word in Spanish but was so overflowing with emotions Meida picked up and read for her this reference which means so much to Allyson is a huge part of her life and the journey she is on with her family. Every season of our lives there will be challenges and our only means of getting through them with this peace we study on this Saturday morning is through praying and reading God's Word and getting this true peace and joy through the blood of Jesus Christ.
I have never been more proud of my daughter Allyson as I was this morning. Her relationship with her Lord is growing and flourishing daily. Does it come easy know, it takes time with your Lord daily and praying daily to have this peace. Allyson is the mother of three boys, ages 6, 4 and 2. They get up daily around 6:00 or 6:30 am. So Allyson gets up at 5:00 am to have a few minutes with her Heavenly Father to get her strength and stamina for her day ahead as a godly mother to her three sons. She came down here with all intentions of sharing this with the ladies but God had other plans which was just as special as if she had shared from her heart. She shared through her tears how hard life can be sometimes. My hearts' desire is for these beautiful ladies not to put us up on a pestidal but to know we go through situations and opportunities daily just like they do.
At noon we broke for lunch where they were retreated with chicken, beans, rice and slaw, of course tortillas. My sweet Precious prepared the meal. Allyson helped serve the lemonade and Jamaica tea to the ladies. Allyson and her dad cleaned up the dishes prior to gathering again for the last part of the bible study. We always do skits about the scripture we have studied throughout the day. This is a pleasant and sweet way to end our time together. There were five portraits of the life of Jesus.
Jesus at the temple at the age of 12.
Jesus feeding the 5000.
Jesus Calms the Storm
Jesus Heals Lazarus
Jesus' Death
I asked the ladies to act out a skit in this lifetime of each one of the above portraits. They did such an amazing job with how hard each group worked diligently to get their skit just right. Allyson and chose the hardest skit, Jesus' Death. Allyson was dying of a serious illness and was not a believer in Jesus Christ. Allyson goes to church every week and does so much with the church family, but her good works and church attendance will not earn her the right to get into Heaven. So as we closed that day I was a member of the church going to visit this lost member of the church family, Allyson. I approached her asking did she know where she was going to go when she died. She said she did not know. I said have you ever received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. She said no, I do not need him in my life. I shared with her if you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today or before you die, you will go to Hell. Allyson said but I go to church and I do all these good things for others. I said this will not get you into Heaven. The only way into Heaven is by the blood of Jesus Christ. Do you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and Allyson finally said yes. We prayed together and I shared how we are all sinners saved by Grace. I shared the Roman Road with her. Allyson and I did not know what ladies there on that beautiful Saturday morning were all children of God, but when they left there that afternoon they learned really quick going to church and doing good deeds will not get them into Heaven. If you are reading this today and question whether you are going to Heaven or Hell please reach out to a friend who is a child of God or a pastor and receive the greatest gift of all Jesus. Doing this skit with my daughter Allyson was a humbling task and rewarding as well. What a gift to be able to share in the gospel with your children especially here in Honduras. Mike and I are blessed.
James 3:13-18 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
No comments:
Post a Comment