2021 RESET NEEDED

These days, we all need a "shot in the arm." Literally! We stand and wait for our turn for the COVID vaccine. But as we wait, let's ponder resetting our HOPE!

Type A folks can have trouble letting go of control. I know, I am a 'just in case" person trying to cover all plans in case Plan A doesn't pan out. It is not a healthy place to be. It's stressful---the one aspect of my life my stroke neurologist is trying to "temper"---don't give up on me Dr. Bhole.

On my 2008 Mexico Mission trip, my teammates dubbed me "girl scout" because I had packed lots of "just in case" meds, toys, snacks, etc. which I shared.

But....2020 blew "my" plans out the window. God only has a Plan A. 

Having meditated on Lamentations 3 for several days, I began to focus on verse 24.

"The Lord is my portion says my soul therefore I will hope in Him." (ESV)

His "Plan A" doesn't mean hope changes my circumstances, it reminds me who is control and in the midst of pain, suffering and uncertainty, He is with me.

Allen Bible Church's sermon closed 12/27/2020 with Dan Martin, reading the "My Hope is Built" hymn lyrics.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness......on Christ the solid Rock I stand," are the familiar parts of the hymn. 

Earlier that day I had the hymn whirring thru my mind and in my old Cokesbury Hymnal, (publication date unknown but cost was 30¢ for a single copy) it was on p. 24. 

I dare not trust the sweet-est frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.....In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds with-in the veil......When all a-round me then gives way, He then is all my hope and stay! (emphasis mine)

Thanks to Edward Mote for those phrases  that jumped into my psyche and soul to help reset my hope for 2021. I'm still humming it as I seek to reset my focus each day.

RAQUEL

8/31/12…..a woman after God’s own heart. Raquel. Not exactly the name I call her but a name that resonates throughout the Guerrero Mountains in the heart of the people of that land.

A young woman sensing the call of God to Mexico has become the beautiful feet of a messenger who brings good news to the hearts of the people. (Isaiah 52:7)  

One who takes risks to participate in medical caravans in order to heal physical ills alongside spiritual ones. One trained in mid-wifery, available in a place where there is need. A single woman who travels alone, when necessary, in a land where even our large group had been stopped by bandidos.

Having traveled with her once, I saw first hand her love for the people of Tlapa and El Llano and that reciprocal love. She travels with a full heart and it overflows to others.

Inglesia Cristiana Tlapaneco Church is on right at the top of the hill.

If I asked her ¿Hablas [tú] inglés? Her answer would probably be,  “Yes, but I rarely do.”  Speaking fluent Spanish endears her (in just one more way) to the people to whom she ministers. But she continues to learn the Me’phaa language---the language of the Tlapaneco Indians. A difficult language. A tonal language mainly of ideas rather than verbs, infinitives, etc. Only consonants in the words, as I recall.

Nák hí rí ginii ne’ne Ana’ló mikhu jmaá juba’. In the beginning God created heaven and earth. (Me’phaa translation) D

Sharing her midwife information with the women of El Lano

Since January I have received over 30 emails from this young woman. Most are full of praise or prayer requests for others. She has a heart for these people, her people. She has a heart for God. That heart extends God’s love to others that they, too, might come to know Him as Savior and Lord. So she goes.

Raquel. I’m sure her name resonates through God’s heart as well.

Raquel's feet are on the left as she stands with her Mexican sister in Christ.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (Isaiah52:7)

ANSWERED PRAYER

Answered prayer----Here's what it looks like---a car for Ruben in Mexico City to use for frequent travel to the Tlapaneco Indian mission in the mountains and incredibly great news from Michael's St. Jude report. So grateful.
Ruben and team still need prayer for safe travel and Michael still has bone marrow aspirate report due as well as one questionable spot---So.....keep on praying!

An update from Michael's mom----

Hello Team Michael!!!

Great news!!! We received the results of Michael's Cat Scan and MIBG scan. The Cat scan=clear. On the MIBG, the three spots on Michael's skull, tibia and femur were gone! There is one tiny light mark on the femur that they are calling "equivocal" which means that they cannot say for sure if it is neuroblastoma or not neuroblastona, so there is a question mark, but that aside, there was no other evidence of disease!!!!!!! I wish we could say "all clear" because technically there is NO disease showing up but since we have that TINY questionable spot we will go with INCREDIBLY GREAT NEWS!!!!
We will not have his bone marrow aspirate results until Tuesday and we ask you to continue praying that he will be all clear. After we receive those results we will speak with Dr Furman and decide our plan of action from there!!
We feel so BLESSED!!!!! Please give all praise to God as I BELIEVE that He has healed Michael! Please give prayers of Thanks to Him and ST Jude Hospital and continue to BELIEVE in the amazing power of prayer!!!!! Thank you all so much. We love you dearly and are forever grateful! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING for continued great news next week!!!!!

Thank you God!!!!!!