For the past month I kept feeling like God was calling me up to the Bible Institute to pray. But every time I tried to go, it seemed something came up and it just wasn't possible to leave at that time. Friday morning, the pull was stronger than ever. I was up early praying and I gave God every excuse of what all I needed to do that day and why there wasn't time. But then my prayers changed and I wanted to know what God was trying to tell me (that I was too busy to hear). So I packed my backpack with my Bibles and journals, flashlights, roll up mat and jug of water. I sent messages to our capable staff, covered things for 24 hours, turned off my phone and took the hike to the top of the mountain.
I prayed and tried to clear my mind of the million things that I find myself worrying about. Then I sat still....for a long time. Nothing. So I asked God, why am I here? I want to hear from You. Still nothing. So I decided to just "Be still and know that He is God". I just sat there on the balcony looking out at the Faith Home campus for hours, seeing EVERYTHING.
I saw the older kids board the bus with Javier to go to school. I saw them stop before the gate to read the morning devotion as they do every day. I heard the younger children singing as they had their morning devotion and breakfast. Then I watched them laughing and playing as they walked to school. I saw Mauricio gathering up the older boys and working all over campus, the Tios hanging laundry and cleaning the yards. I saw Brayan leading the little kids in P.E. and then walk up the hill to take care of the office. I saw Hector leaving to take care of our errands in San Pedro and return to help Mauricio work on the team house. I saw A.J. Coming and going as he took the Henry and Josue to a band concert and the technical boys to their afternoon school. I watched everyone return to have lunch together and then dart off to homework and computer lab. I saw everyone gather again for supper as the clouds start to darken and blot out the sun.
I saw it all. In fact the daily activities of Faith Home was the only way I knew what time it was, as everything continued like clockwork....without me. God was in control. I could sense this was part of God's message as I continued to watch the sky change and the clouds move and everyone heading to church. I prayed as they prayed and listened to the heartwarming music drift up the mountain side. I could even hear Tio Marcos preaching and knew God was moving in the Chapel as He was in my heart. Finally I watched as everyone returned to their houses, lights went off and I whispered 'good night everybody' and decided to lay down for a bit. I prayed God's safety over the sleeping souls below and asked that He continue to speak to my heart.
The night was long, the floor was hard and the unknown sounds around me at times were disturbing. I missed the sounds of Faith Home as the storm tormented outside. I was definitely not comfortable, but yet I felt safe. I could feel God's presence all around me as He spoke to my heart and reminded me that HE is in control. The sights of the day ran through my mind as I saw where God was in the every day happenings of Faith Home. He doesn't need me to accomplish His plan, but I am so thankful that He allows me to be a part of His plan. As I continue to pray for wisdom, I know that He goes before me...every step of the way.
I stood on the balcony as the sun tried to break through the clouds and began to light the sky. I saw once again, the peaceful Faith Home campus below about to come to life. My mind went back to years past, standing on this same mountain with teams in awe of God's beauty around us. I am still in awe of that beauty today, but with an even greater appreciation of all it entails.
With a full heart and a refreshed spirit, I packed up my things to head home. Just as I started to put on my shoes, I jumped as I saw a huge spider AND scorpion. It's like they were waiting to jump on me. Then I noticed the spider was missing a leg and I thought back to stepping barefoot on something like a string in the dark. His leg? Maybe. And I was laying in the floor most of the night! ugh! As I killed them with my bug spray, I thought 'God protected me from what I didn't even know was there'....as He always does.
Thankful for my 24 hour break and thankful for God's refreshing voice of encouragement and His protection. I feel that He took me up to see Faith Home for a day the way He sees it - the big picture, not the tiny problems. I am encouraged and renewed as I get back to work as part of God's amazing plan at Faith Home knowing HE is in control...Feeling Blessed!
