Showered with blessings!

Our final day at the seminary but certainly not the final day of love for these women! Oh, Lord, how sweet the sound that saved a wrench like me!

We started the day with Bible study and prayer time as we prayed for a once thriving church to accept the changes that they need in order to grow and further Gods' kingdom. We prayed over another team member today who was giving her testimony to take her out of the feelings of worthlessness and despair and allow God to restore her strength with His mercy and love.

Then came an emotional testimony by one of the team, one of pain and joy, sadness and hope, faith and trust. The tissues were passed as we arrived at the seminary where we encountered a day of joy, hope, love and renewal. We cast away our burdens, those feelings that keep us in bondage, and we took on a spirit of renewal knowing that God loves us, accepts us and forgives us. Our morning started with a precious sister coming to know the Lord...Amen! But if wasn't enough, God had more for us today! His blessings poured out in mighty BIG ways today! These women shared their time, money and talents with us and showered us with gifts and more love than words could ever say. But was He done there... not a chance!

We listened as another team member shared her heart in Bible study and then gave her testimony as she shared the experiences that have grown her because of our Lord and Savior never leaving her and always accepting her. It was a wonderful testimony of how amazing God is! He heals us when we are broken, He cleanses our hearts and renews our strength to press on to further His Kingdom. And that's what happened today as we embraced these women with God's faithfulness and love. And just like that, God answered our prayers of the morning for a wonderful sister.

In the afternoon, our ladies finished up their sewing projects and some new businesses were formed. They felt very proud of their accomplishments but knowing it was God who gave them this gift. There were extras of everything so they have fabric to get started on and patterns to follow. God had given our ladies in the sewing departments great insight for these women's futures.

I'm not sure which is the best part of what I tell you next but I can say this...Glory A Dios! Praise the Lord! Was it the humility that was felt in the foot washing or was it the tears of love that flowed uncontrollably after this dedication to the Lord? Maybe it was when our interpreter, Cynthia accepted Jesus into her heart. But then there was the communion and participating in this with our new sisters in Christ. I am not sure when I've cried harder or witnessed so many tears of joy, of renewal, of love for God, of praise and worship! Even now, I can barely write!

As we said goodbye to our dear sisters, we were taking pictures and exchanging addresses when I had someone tell me, I'm amazed at how much we all love each other even though we don't speak the same language. That's God! Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone, you want to Pass It On. (Okay, that's from a campfire song! But oh so true!)

But was God finished there? Not quite because God continues to bless us when we are busy about His work! And He was blessing our socks off this week! We made a trip to the Tabitha House where we were able to see where some of our ladies come from. Some wake up at 4 a.m. in order to get a ride on the bus to get to us. Some walk great distances and some come from the Tabitha House. This was a very humbling experience in which we saw first hand how difficult their lives are yet they love the Lord and give of their hearts freely and willingly with an open hand, never expecting anything in return.

We prayed over their house, they prayed over us, and we shared an amazing time. We exchanged tokens of love and remembrance and vowed to pray for each other. We have shared so much with these women and their children. Their children have been loved on by our entire team. Several of our team spent every day witnessing to them, loving them and playing with them. These mothers felt the love we showed their children.

And after that, I was able to share my testimony and I was accepted into this wonderful group of ladies with love and support and God revealed himself to me once more as He showed me everything is in His perfect timing and it's His will be done...not mine. Always faithful, always loving, always forgiving and always on time!

Our team went home exhausted but showered with love and with a full heart! Praise God!