A week of updates - Part 4

More from the lady beside Andrew

I wanted to take a moment and share about a few more of the gals in my prayer groups.  I had the privilege of taking these two ladies to the airport as they headed back to the States for Christmas break.  They are forever engraved in my heart and mind.

Proverbs Prayer Gal – Dionne

Dionne joined us for her first semester and she was in for a bit of surprise.  It was a rough semester for her with a lot of unforeseen turns in the road.  She hung in there and God met her where she was at.  Her heart to serve in the kitchen was profoundly seen and her chalk art was enjoyed day after day at the 4:12 Conference.  This gal has got some artistic talent for sure… Not to mention her doodle art!

At the end of the 4:12 conference she decided to further proclaim her faith by being baptized in the back lake.  The water was cold but her excitement kept her warm and glowing.  Even though struggles were a constant companion, Dionne never gave up!  I pray she knows how special and dearly loved she is!

Dionne about to get baptized.

Friday Ladies Prayer – Jen

Jen is another gal that blesses my socks off by keeping on going no matter what is going on or the hardship she faces.  Jen went to Calvary Chapel Bible College knowingly walking away from everything she grew up knowing.  She had the hard decision of following God and her parents cutting off all contact.  Her faith in God, her obedience no matter the cost, and her joy are signatures of her life.

Jen loves people and absolutely still loves her parents and prays for them every day.  Will you join us in prayer for reconciliation for all those involved?  She is a dear sister that would give you the shirt off your back if you needed it.  She is a woman who serves God with a loyal heart, even when it is uncomfortable.

Jen feeding Shadow, the resident donkey.

When we were starting signups for the upcoming semester, Jen shared that she wanted to sign up but hadn’t felt released to do so.  She felt that she needed to wait until God made it clear to her what she should do.  As our deadline passed, she held tight to God knowing He would show her in due time what He wanted.  Again, I am impressed with how she waited, even though she knew what she wanted.  I am happy to say that Jen is returning to us and graduating next semester.

Slideshow

Here is a little slide show I put together that will give you an idea of what the semester entailed.. just a little bit.

Semester Video

There is so much more...

This semester was full and so much happened.  It is hard to put it all into even a couple of blog entries.  If I summed up the semester into some key take aways, I would say that I have come realize even more that I need to abide in Christ.  

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, 

bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." 

John 15:5-6

What does that mean?  As the gals in the Proverbs class know, I love to look up the meanings of words.  I look at the Hebrew roots and sometimes a dictionary.  Abide means to remain, dwell, continue, tarry, and endure.  Abide in this scripture points to another scripture:

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? 

You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe 

and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:68-69

Stay with Him.  Wait for Him, like Jen did.  Don't give up, hang in there, like Dionne did.  He will meet you where you are at.  He will give you what you need, even if it isn't exactly what you wanted.  He knows what you need.  He knows you by heart!  Abide in Him.

Much love to you!

Dawn McBride