It is difficult for us many times to admit that new beginnings are scary, but let's be honest they are. I felt that way when I first arrived in New Zealand and I feel that way now. We are creating new beginnings at the church in Hamilton and it is scary. I am scared that expectations will not be met, that everything will happen but most of I am afraid of not following God's will in doing these things that we have been planning. The challenges we face are real, we do not have many workers for the harvest, nor do we necessarily have the resources. The one thing we do have is a new, revived sense of hope in The Lord. The Lord of the harvest will provide what we need to bring in the people to His Kingdom. We can see the hope that this church has in the communities that surround it. We can see the hope from the location and the support are getting from the district and we can feel the hope stirring up our souls to fight the challenges. It will not be easy but as the song "Through. The Fire" says "He never promised that the cross would not get heavy or the hill would not be hard to climb" what God does promise though, is that He will provide exactly the help we need when we need it. We are not without a comforter, provider, lover, friend, or most importantly a Savior.
We have been having District Assembly here on the New Zealand district, for all you Nazarenes out there you understand that it is like a big family get together. It has been such an encouragement for us in Hamilton that we are truly doing whatGod wants us to do. All of the support we have been receiving from others all over the district. From Whangerai and Dargaville down to Wainuiamata, the praise that God is receiving for the new hope that God is putting in Hamilton is just so astounding.
I have had an incredible time with a few ladies this weekend being young ladies of God and talking about how we are waiting for a man after God's own heart and how to be Proverbs 31 ladies before we are even in a dating situation. I learn so much from these precious girls about life and love and God. I am so thankful.
For those of you back in the States, you probably can guess that I missed being at home with my family for Thanksgiving and I will also be missing Christmas which has to be the hardest thing I have done yet. God is faithful though and provided me with a family for Thanksgiving. And there are still so many things to be thankful for. I am so thankful for the new beginnings I have see with friends (Bianca and Vanessa, Sam, Karen, and Alison), the ministries (fencing, family events, youth camps), new family, and new changes in me. I am thankful for the new challenges of planning these ministries, fighting the spiritual battles that will surround these events, and keeping the new friendships alive and well. I am mostly so thankful for the renewed hope that God has given me in the ministry in Hamilton and the life I am working to make in Hamilton.
God is in all, through all and above all. I need nothing else.
When you face new challenges and new beginnings look to God for new hope!! He will never disappoint!!!!!!
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