When you entered this world, I smiled!
From the first day I knew you were Mine.
When you walked away from my love,
When you chose to let anger rule your heart,
I winced, but you were still Mine.
When you opened up your heart,
Lowered your pride and accepted my love,
My heart soared because you were all Mine.
I watched you grow,
I watched you fall.
I watched you from a distance you chose,
I watched you when your hand was in Mine.
I smiled when you crawled in my lap,
I caught your tears when you came home.
I have soothed the ache,
Healed the wounds,
Carried you in My arms,
Whispered words of love and forgivness in your ear.
I love you like no one else can,
I demand more than anyone else will.
My gifts to you are far greater than anything measured on this earth.
Come, walk with me,
Let me hold your hand,
And show you the greatness of My glory,
For you are Mine!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
A Call To Return
As I have been studying through the book of Hebrews, I am seeing that all throughout scripture we can see the faithful, merciful hand of God extending to sinful man, warning them of their mistakes and giving them the opportunity to come back to the Lord. Laced all through the book of Hebrews, the writer of Hebrews, continually warns the Jewish Believers of the early church to take note of their actions and how they can and have led to a life that is far from God. Due to the persecution they were receiving from the Roman government (who was threatening their physical well being) and the pressure they were experiencing from their Jewish family and friends (shunning them because of their belief in Jesus as Messiah), these Messianic Christians were wavering in their faith and falling back into the traditions of men. This was causing them to drift from their faith in Jesus Christ. In drifting they were not receiving the rest that comes from fully trusting in God, which then in turn led them to a life of laziness. This laziness turned into willful sin, which then became flagrant disobedience and rebellion against God.
While these warnings were written to the early church, they are as much for the Believer today as they were decades before. God’s mercy is clearly seen in His desire to draw the wandering hearts of His children back close to His heart that they may do His will, walk in His way and bring glory to His name. “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them” (Hosea 11:4)
These warnings are given that we may inspect our hearts and ask God to shine light on those areas that are not submitted to Him. Through looking at theses warnings, the Lord revealed to me where my heart had been over the past two years. I could clearly look back and see how I had first drifted from the fervor I had once had in Christ. That led me to a heart of unbelief and doubt, which cause me not to recognize or rest in His promises. From this unrest I became lazy in my walk with the Lord, choosing not to listen and obey to the things of the Lord. As I slacked in my Christian walk, my heart became open to sinning with no thought or conviction, with an apathetic attitude and spirit. Eventually, my life began to display outright disobedience to the things of the Lord, and now I can see that I had been walking in rebellion to Him, and sadly, causing others to stumble as well. I feel so blessed, though, that He has opened my eyes to allow me to see the truth; that, in His loving kindness, He has called me to return to Him and once again be restored as His child in right standing before Him. He is my loving Father who is concerned with my relationship to Him and desires my heart to be His. He is my jealous God who has “drawn [me] into the wilderness to speak tenderly to [me]” (Hosea 2:14).
While these warnings were written to the early church, they are as much for the Believer today as they were decades before. God’s mercy is clearly seen in His desire to draw the wandering hearts of His children back close to His heart that they may do His will, walk in His way and bring glory to His name. “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them” (Hosea 11:4)
These warnings are given that we may inspect our hearts and ask God to shine light on those areas that are not submitted to Him. Through looking at theses warnings, the Lord revealed to me where my heart had been over the past two years. I could clearly look back and see how I had first drifted from the fervor I had once had in Christ. That led me to a heart of unbelief and doubt, which cause me not to recognize or rest in His promises. From this unrest I became lazy in my walk with the Lord, choosing not to listen and obey to the things of the Lord. As I slacked in my Christian walk, my heart became open to sinning with no thought or conviction, with an apathetic attitude and spirit. Eventually, my life began to display outright disobedience to the things of the Lord, and now I can see that I had been walking in rebellion to Him, and sadly, causing others to stumble as well. I feel so blessed, though, that He has opened my eyes to allow me to see the truth; that, in His loving kindness, He has called me to return to Him and once again be restored as His child in right standing before Him. He is my loving Father who is concerned with my relationship to Him and desires my heart to be His. He is my jealous God who has “drawn [me] into the wilderness to speak tenderly to [me]” (Hosea 2:14).
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Chicken Pox at the Castle
Please pray! An outbreak of chicken pox has begun at the castle. Looks like the outreach team from Englund has brought it back with them....my poor friend Travis is COVERED with them! The team from Romania brought back lice....wonder what is next....
*including a picture of Travis.....without chicken pox... :o)
God said "Go!"
Dear friends and prayer team,
First, I cannot begin to express all that God has been doing in my heart and life while I have been here at CCBCE! Our God is so faithful to teach us and mold us closer to His image, even when it means painful, difficult lessons. This has truly been a time where He has brought me out to the wilderness to speak tenderly to me as His daughter and show me direction for my life. I have no doubt that He is calling me to labor in His fields, for they truly are white for the harvest! I say this with fear and excitement: fear in the unknown and excitement to see what He will do as I obey Him.
As you may have known/heard, it had been on my heart to go to Israel and serve along side of the Calvary Chapel there in Tel Aviv for my 30 day outreach that is part of my mission training program. And while I had been seeking out the contacts there and working through the details of my stay there, God had been bringing up the country of Kyrgyzstan to my mind. All throughout my 10 day outreach to Ukraine, I continually was hearing about Kyrgyzstan, even ministering to missionaries from Kyrgyzstan who were getting more Biblical training at a Mission School in Ternopil Ukraine! But I still in my heart was striving after going to Israel. When I returned back to the school here in Hungary, I could not get Kyrgyzstan off my mind and heart, and yet I continued to push the thought aside. On Monday night, our missions director here at the school, Lisa Collins, came to me and told me that she and one of the pastor's here, Phil Metzger (Pastor of Calvary Chapel Budapest), had specifically been praying that the Lord would raise up someone to go to Kyrgyzstan to be a part of the team there and my name came to their mind. In addition, one of the pastor's from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan has also been praying! His sister is studying here this semester and I come to find out that she has been praying all semester that God would speak to my heart about going there for my 30 day! Sitting there with Lisa, I clearly heard the Lord say "This is the way, walk in it"! I have NEVER experienced something like that before! In addition to it being a predominately Muslim country, the language that most speak is RUSSIAN....which I have been continuing to study while I have been here! I am overwhelmed....I cannot help but think back to that Sunday evening after worship when I went to Pastor Chris with a heavy heart and tears, knowing that God had said "go" but having no clue where He wanted me to go! I am so blessed but His faithfulness to direct and lead my steps for His glory!
With the decision being made, I now have a little over three weeks to get everything in motion to leave for Kyrgyzstan. And while it is easy to become anxious, I think of the Word God gave my pastor as he prayed for my healing the week before I left for Hungary, "man's deadlines are not God's deadlines!" I have full confidence that He will make the way and provide the finances! He who called me is faithful! "His past faithfulness, demands my present trust." (Spurgeon)I want to ask you to please lift me up in prayer as I walk through this door. It can be intimidating, but I feel that all God has used in the past several years of ministry and training at my church, and all he has taught me while being here, He will now continue to use as I head out on the field. As I seek Him, please prayer that God will sustain me through the attacks from the enemy, that He will keep me in perfect health and peace, and that I will rely solely on Him to provide what is necessary for this trip ($1,500 for airfare and living expenses while I am there). Also, please prayer for the team of nine serving in Bishkek, for their families and ministry there. Pray that God would give them strength as He continues to open up the doors for ministry. In addition, lift up the hearts of the Kyrgyz people. Ask that God would be softening their hearts and drawing them to Himself.
I am so thankful for all of you and your dedication to pray for me and labor along side of me! I have been blessed and overwhelmed by your outpouring of love. I will continue to keep you updated about all that God is doing.
In His grace ><>Patricia
*If you feel led to support me financially, checks can be made out in my name and sent to my home address:1 Cleveland Ave., Narberth, PA 19072
First, I cannot begin to express all that God has been doing in my heart and life while I have been here at CCBCE! Our God is so faithful to teach us and mold us closer to His image, even when it means painful, difficult lessons. This has truly been a time where He has brought me out to the wilderness to speak tenderly to me as His daughter and show me direction for my life. I have no doubt that He is calling me to labor in His fields, for they truly are white for the harvest! I say this with fear and excitement: fear in the unknown and excitement to see what He will do as I obey Him.
As you may have known/heard, it had been on my heart to go to Israel and serve along side of the Calvary Chapel there in Tel Aviv for my 30 day outreach that is part of my mission training program. And while I had been seeking out the contacts there and working through the details of my stay there, God had been bringing up the country of Kyrgyzstan to my mind. All throughout my 10 day outreach to Ukraine, I continually was hearing about Kyrgyzstan, even ministering to missionaries from Kyrgyzstan who were getting more Biblical training at a Mission School in Ternopil Ukraine! But I still in my heart was striving after going to Israel. When I returned back to the school here in Hungary, I could not get Kyrgyzstan off my mind and heart, and yet I continued to push the thought aside. On Monday night, our missions director here at the school, Lisa Collins, came to me and told me that she and one of the pastor's here, Phil Metzger (Pastor of Calvary Chapel Budapest), had specifically been praying that the Lord would raise up someone to go to Kyrgyzstan to be a part of the team there and my name came to their mind. In addition, one of the pastor's from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan has also been praying! His sister is studying here this semester and I come to find out that she has been praying all semester that God would speak to my heart about going there for my 30 day! Sitting there with Lisa, I clearly heard the Lord say "This is the way, walk in it"! I have NEVER experienced something like that before! In addition to it being a predominately Muslim country, the language that most speak is RUSSIAN....which I have been continuing to study while I have been here! I am overwhelmed....I cannot help but think back to that Sunday evening after worship when I went to Pastor Chris with a heavy heart and tears, knowing that God had said "go" but having no clue where He wanted me to go! I am so blessed but His faithfulness to direct and lead my steps for His glory!
With the decision being made, I now have a little over three weeks to get everything in motion to leave for Kyrgyzstan. And while it is easy to become anxious, I think of the Word God gave my pastor as he prayed for my healing the week before I left for Hungary, "man's deadlines are not God's deadlines!" I have full confidence that He will make the way and provide the finances! He who called me is faithful! "His past faithfulness, demands my present trust." (Spurgeon)I want to ask you to please lift me up in prayer as I walk through this door. It can be intimidating, but I feel that all God has used in the past several years of ministry and training at my church, and all he has taught me while being here, He will now continue to use as I head out on the field. As I seek Him, please prayer that God will sustain me through the attacks from the enemy, that He will keep me in perfect health and peace, and that I will rely solely on Him to provide what is necessary for this trip ($1,500 for airfare and living expenses while I am there). Also, please prayer for the team of nine serving in Bishkek, for their families and ministry there. Pray that God would give them strength as He continues to open up the doors for ministry. In addition, lift up the hearts of the Kyrgyz people. Ask that God would be softening their hearts and drawing them to Himself.
I am so thankful for all of you and your dedication to pray for me and labor along side of me! I have been blessed and overwhelmed by your outpouring of love. I will continue to keep you updated about all that God is doing.
In His grace ><>Patricia
*If you feel led to support me financially, checks can be made out in my name and sent to my home address:1 Cleveland Ave., Narberth, PA 19072
Back from Outreach!
4.23.08
Hey everyone, it’s been a while, and I am so sorry for my lack of updates! I got home from outreach in Ternopil, Ukraine and hit the ground running with all the things that were due for my classes: 2 research papers, 1 book report, my post outreach paper, and the Sunday school curriculum that is required for my James class. But God remains so faithful to give the strength to finish well for His glory! He is so good.
Ukraine was such a wonderful experience. It really was a time of God teaching me of what it really looks like to be on the field full time, with all of the little details of daily living as well as the ministry aspect of things. When we arrived, Marilyn Gibbs, a women who has been serving on the mission field for 15 years in five different countries, told us that she wanted us to really experience what it was like to live on the mission field, and so we needed to figure out how the transportation in the city worked, getting food for the week, and finding our way around the city by ourselves, without really using a translator! It was amazing, sometimes difficult, but such a great experience.
In addition to the practical aspect of mission life, we had the great opportunity of speaking to students at the International Economics University (two different classes), teaching English at the High School (six classes in all), help out at English club where we were allowed to share our faith, hang out with the students we had formed relationships with during the week, street evangelize, and work along side the university students who are from Africa who are believers (speak to students in the dorms, visit a family of children who had lost both their parents, and speak at the African Bible study). Spending time with the students from Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe was such an amazing experience. They have such a love for their Ukrainian classmates and a desire to share Christ with them. Worshiping with them was unlike anything I have EVER experienced! I knew, as we sang and all prayed simultaneously, that we were in the presence of God! I was afraid to open my eyes that I would see the angles surrounding us! What a blessing to meet these brothers and sisters this side of heaven. I look forward to worshipping with them again, if not in this life, then around the throne of God when we are face to face with our Savior!
Hey everyone, it’s been a while, and I am so sorry for my lack of updates! I got home from outreach in Ternopil, Ukraine and hit the ground running with all the things that were due for my classes: 2 research papers, 1 book report, my post outreach paper, and the Sunday school curriculum that is required for my James class. But God remains so faithful to give the strength to finish well for His glory! He is so good.
Ukraine was such a wonderful experience. It really was a time of God teaching me of what it really looks like to be on the field full time, with all of the little details of daily living as well as the ministry aspect of things. When we arrived, Marilyn Gibbs, a women who has been serving on the mission field for 15 years in five different countries, told us that she wanted us to really experience what it was like to live on the mission field, and so we needed to figure out how the transportation in the city worked, getting food for the week, and finding our way around the city by ourselves, without really using a translator! It was amazing, sometimes difficult, but such a great experience.
In addition to the practical aspect of mission life, we had the great opportunity of speaking to students at the International Economics University (two different classes), teaching English at the High School (six classes in all), help out at English club where we were allowed to share our faith, hang out with the students we had formed relationships with during the week, street evangelize, and work along side the university students who are from Africa who are believers (speak to students in the dorms, visit a family of children who had lost both their parents, and speak at the African Bible study). Spending time with the students from Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe was such an amazing experience. They have such a love for their Ukrainian classmates and a desire to share Christ with them. Worshiping with them was unlike anything I have EVER experienced! I knew, as we sang and all prayed simultaneously, that we were in the presence of God! I was afraid to open my eyes that I would see the angles surrounding us! What a blessing to meet these brothers and sisters this side of heaven. I look forward to worshipping with them again, if not in this life, then around the throne of God when we are face to face with our Savior!
We also had the amazing opportunity of speaking with students who are studying at a mission school right outside of Ternopile. They are from Muslim countries that are closed to the gospel, yet they are getting more Biblical training to go back into their countries to share the gospel, fully aware of the risk to their lives and the lives of their familes. One pastor, his wife just had a baby two months ago, and it will be two more months before he will be able to meet his new little one. His congragation of 200 has been quickly dwindling as the police have come in on various occasions and brought many of the believers into custody, his flock is now down to 70 and the church has been locked up, leaving those attending to disburse and find homes to meet in secretly. Another women is going back to her country at the end of her schooling, knowing that in the region she is from, any women who turns away from the Mulim faith will be abducted and raped by the authorities. One man who came out of Islam and into a relationship with Jesus, his wife divorced him and took his two daughters who he has not seen or been allowed to have contact with them for three years! These are true heros of the faith - and I was so blessed to meet them, to personally hear their stories and lift them before the throne of Christ in prayer!
You can read more about what we did and see some of the pictures from our trip by visiting our outreach blog: http://www.teamukraineccbcce.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers as we headed out on the field to support the ministry there. Many doors were opened that will allow the missionaries there to go back into the schools on a regular basis and share with the students and build personal relationships with them outside the classroom, where they will be free to share about Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation. “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For
we are both God’s workers.” – 1 Corinthians 3:7-9
You can read more about what we did and see some of the pictures from our trip by visiting our outreach blog: http://www.teamukraineccbcce.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers as we headed out on the field to support the ministry there. Many doors were opened that will allow the missionaries there to go back into the schools on a regular basis and share with the students and build personal relationships with them outside the classroom, where they will be free to share about Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation. “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For
we are both God’s workers.” – 1 Corinthians 3:7-9
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Budapest Outreach
Last weekend a team of 9 students from CCBCE headed into Budapest to work with another homeless ministry there that is in conjunction with Calvary Chapel Budapest. We had originally planned on leaving Friday afternoon so that we could work with the youth group there that evening, however God changed our plans. We had decided to prepare some dramas to share on the streets during our day of outreach, and had been practicing on Thursday eveing when our missions director, Lisa, came in and asked if we would be around to help out with the kids outreach in Vajta on Friday. There had been a team from Florida that was suppose to be coming in to do that outreach, however Delta nad American Airlines grounded hundreds of flights due to a mechanical recall, eliminating their flight and leaving us with a hightly promoted outreach with no one to run it! God is so faithful. Because the youth ministry had been cancelled for our team going to Budapest on Friday night, we were able to head into the villiage and work with the kids there! I love watching Him work!When we got back Friday night, a few of us felt like God wanted us to see about preparing a different drama to share in budapest the next day. So, at 8pm Friday night we began to work onthe drama "Doors" - so powerful! We practiced for an hour and God gave us so much grace.
As we headed to bed that night, one of the girls from the drama felt really sick and didn't think she was going to be able to join our team. Since she had the music, I quickly tried to download the music, which game me so many problems! At 5:15 the next monring, 15 min before we were ready to leave for the train, I finally got it downloaded and we headed off.
After getting to the shelter and grabbing some food, we prepared lunches to hand out on the streets and heading into the metro areas to talk with some of the homeless. We split up into pairs with a translator. While the streets had been filled with homeless the day before, that day the police had been pertolling in an effort to keep the homeless from congregating in public places. Still, God gave us some amazing long conversations with several homeless people who seems to be starving for conversation and love. One Hungarian grandmother was selling little trinkets, and when we met her she told us that she loved Jesus - and you could see it all over her face. We encouraged her and then I just felt so compelled to hug her. She wrapped her arms around me and we kissed each others cheeks...it was such a blessing! Another man my friend Adriel and I met, seems to know the truth, but is in the place of discouragment by his circumstances, and feeling the need to steal to provide what he is lacking. We encouraged Him to trust the Lord, to continue to seek Him, and to place His hope in the life that is to come. We prayed with Him, but felt the weight of the reality that these men and women live with every day. It was hard.
When we returned to the shelter, we had lunch and then prepared for the evening dinner that many homeless come for at the shelter. Those of us inthe drama decided to practice one more time. Interestingly enough, my Zune, which had FULL battery when I left the college had NONE when i turned it on! So we prayed! Prayed for God to show us, to allow us to be flexable, to use us to glorify His name. When we finished praying, Abby felt like we should listen to another song by Under Oath that really meant a lot to her. We listened to that song and it fit 10 times better than the original song. We practiced it once and the cues were all there...it was beautiful. When we preformed it, God moved and it brought tears to the eye of grown men there! Abby shared her testimony and then we just had a time of sharing. One 71 year old man said that it "felt like home" there that night! How amazing is our God that He allowed us to be a part of that. That He used US to be the extensions of His love to these people! 
The next day the Lord gave me Psalm 72 in my quiet time:
"He will rescue the poor when they cry to Him; He will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and will rescue them. He will save them from oppression and from violence, for their lives are precious to them."
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