This week, I had a conversation with a fellow missionary who has been ministering in Costa Rica for over 20 years now with his wife. Anyways...in our conversation I mentioned a certain city that I have a huge heart for (the seed was planted in 2008!) and how I was pursuing the possibility of that city as my ministry placement after language school. His response surprised me... it went something like this: "why would you ever want to go there it’s so dark...don’t you hear everyone saying how much they don’t like **** He went on to emphasize what a dark place it was, etc" Later in the evening in conversation he mentioned to a girl sitting behind me that I wanted to go to **** and her response was "why would you want to go there" ---in a bit of the same attitude as the man. My response to them was this: "that is exactly why" YOUR RESPONSE IS THE REASON WHY I WANT TO GO THERE. HELLO aren't we called to bring light to darkness!! Why else would I be here?? Why else would I be investing my time for this next year to learn another language?? What in the world people!!
You know, I actually had the opportunity to visit the city that I am interested in working in after school for one night last week and it was a huge awakening... minsitries and churches seem to be tired out and dormant in the city......but I don't believe it is going to stay that way.
It is a dark place... there is a lot of drugs, prostitution is ramped, it is impoverished, it is dirty, it is full of darkness. The enemy enjoys this city.
The call of God to His church is it not to minister HIS LOVE to the lost. Matt 9:12 Those who are well have no need of a physician but thus are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
So much more that we could find in the Word but I will leave it at that for today.
On another note I would like to share an encouragement the Lord gave me yesterday: It was mid afternoon and I was our running in the local neighbourhood; after running for whatever reason I decided to sit at the local park on a bench and watch the kids that were skateboarding (I have never done this before....) anyways after about 15 minutes a man approached me with a tract and of course I let him know that I was also a Christian ...we began talking and I shared that I was in language school and am a missionary here.....and where I was hoping to go after school......WELL""""""""" turns out that he was at the park with his church and he and his wife help out with the kids at church and they also have a church in **** where I am praying about going! Nonetheless he introduced me to the pastor and we made plans for them to pick me up for church today! Well CHURCH WAS AMAZING.... (I didn’t understand the message but it was preached with such passion) and the worship the same way..... :) The people were so welcoming...everything I thought it should be for welcoming new people. I AM HUGE on welcoming new comers and making sure that they feel comfortable and loved and a part of the community. (Of course for me I am already a lover of Jesus but I always watch carefully a church in how they welcome people...because to me that speaks volumes of the church and their vision!! I am so blessed to have had this divine appointment... Thank you so much Jesus. He is so caring for His children. :)
The title of this blog is "like a fire"....because.......you see the pastor while preaching...preached as though HE COULD NOT HOLD THE WORD IN....you know like how Jeremiah explained that he tried to be silent but he just couldn't be...he said in 20:9 that His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.
So, I guess I wanted that to be an encouragement, challenge and reminder of the POWER OF HIS WORD....its 100% TRUE. And may it be like a FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES THAT I CAN NOT WITHHOLD!
Blessings and love!!
:) Melissa
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