Sprouting Seeds

One day years ago I was out in my backyard planting seeds in my vegetable garden. As I was planting the seeds I was wondering how many of them would sprout and how many would die. Then one day, I remember the excitement when one seed sprouted and then watched as many more followed along.

Well,the other day as I was continuing to sow seeds into people's lives I started to ask God how many of them will sprout and how many of them will fall by the wayside. I guess I was discouraged because although there was some things happening, it just didn't seem like I was making enough of an impact in this very needy area. I had switched into the human timeline and wanted instant results. That was when God reminded me that things happened in His time not mine and that I hadn't been here that long.

Two days later, I started to see some of the seeds sprout. On Sunday morning I headed out to my car to go to church saying good morning to my neighbors on the way, when one of them called my name from the balcony. When I looked up there she was standing in her pajamas and asked if next Sunday she could go with me. This lady lost her husband two months ago and is looking for answers. My heart lept as I thanked God for showing me the seed that was sprouting. Since then the seeds have been popping up all over the place. Yesterday a lady whose feet were so swollen she could hardly walk asked if I would pray for her. She is now walking pain free and praising God for His miracle in her life and today I sat with a young girl who prayed and asked God to help her change her life as she knew she couldn't do it on her own. And if that wasn't the highlight, tonight as I was out telling everyone that on Saturday I was taking the coffee and cookies out into the parking lot and for everyone to bring their chair and their cup a lady stopped me and asked this question. "Why are you being so .... nice and then apologized for swearing" Then said she would spread the word. God is making a difference here and as the seeds are sprouting I thank God for each one of them.

Is it easy? No! It is a very tough and rough road and I have been rebuked and ridiculed. It gets lonely and tiring but it is so worth it. When I planted my garden years back I remember the way I felt when I was finally able to harvest the fruit that came from the seeds. Oh, for the day when that happens here and the seeds turn into plants. In the meantime I will keep planting the seeds.

This morning I was looking out from my motel window looking at my mission field and couldn't help but thank God for where He has brought me and at the same time wondering if I am really ready for what is ahead. Are we ever really ready for the adventure? Are we ever ready for the journey that God places us on? Well, I am about to find out as I have started out on the journey with the roadmap only showing one step at a time and I must say there is a degree of excitement involved in all of this.

For those of you who don't know what I am talking about and have not received a letter (they are going out today and tomorrow), I have moved into a motel in Niagara Falls where God has me working with those who have been victims of life and are looking for a way to turn their life around and looking for that hope that can only be found in Jesus.

In the letter I was not able to give a lot of examples of what God is doing but will be giving updates in this blog and sharing the amazing things that God is doing in the lives of the people around me.

Last night, I made dinner for a crippled man who lives two doors down from me. He can not get out and longs for fellowship. So I cooked a meal on my hot plate and knocked on his door, set the table and shared a meal with him. What a great way to spend a couple of hours, eating and sharing Jesus. When I left I knew in an odd way we had church. From there I went to visit another lady a little further down the sidewalk to get a progress report. This lady had shared with me that for the past two years she has not had a solid night's sleep because of horrific nightmares. She had gotten to the point of depending on medication to help calm her but then stayed awake as long as possible so that she wouldn't have to face the nightmares. When she told me her story I sat and listened and then prayed with her. Last night when I went to visit, she told me that she has not used any medication and has now had three solid nights of sleep with no nightmares. Praise God!

These are just two of the many things that God has begun to do here and I know that there is so much more to come especially as God has opened up a second motel for me to work with as well.

Is this a typical ministry? No. Is this overseas? No. Is it worth it? You bet! God loves each one of these people here and so do I and I am so honored to be chosen by Him to be used in this area.

Back to my beginning question. Am I ready? For those of you who have watched Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia here is a quote that spoke to me. Prince Caspian is standing before Aslan and Aslan tells him to stand. Prince Caspian says "I don't think I am ready" and Aslan replies "It's for that very reason that you are".

Look for more details in upcoming blogs.