I am so excited to be able to encourage others during my journey.
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Everything was taken out of the house we were working on in Nichols SC, waiting to be taken away. 230 houses out of 260 in Nichols had flood damage, along with churches and businesses.
“if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:8 NIV
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6: (NIV)
As I seek the Holy Spirit and wait on the Lord to lead me in a new ministry, let me share with you some of the things I am learning.
Looking at Jesus ministry here on earth as well as Paul and others. I notice that what is important to record in scripture is not how many buildings they have built, how many workshops they had planned, or any other earthly work achievements they did. Don’t get me wrong work here on earth is important but it should not be the focus of our lives.
As I seek God’s leading in my life and as I move forward without Dave, I am learning that the greatest gift I can give others is encouragement. Encouragement in both the good as well as hard times. In the past few months I have been seeking ways to encourage and serve others, and help us all focus on what God is doing in our lives.
I have traveled around the USA and spent time with lots of friends from the past and made new friends as well. God has given me the opportunities to encourage in so many different ways. Some of these are; reading and spending time with the children of those I visit. Helping with yard work that needs to be done. Sitting and sharing with friends who are going through hard times. Helping those who have had their homes destroyed in floods (Columbia SC 2015 and Nichols SC 2016). My prayer is that my help and encouragement would be a shining light of Christ in me.
I had hoped to be in Ethiopia right now, however God in his wisdom had other plans. I have some much needed dental work so I am taking care of that now. Did you know that you can be a light and encouragement even at the dentist? My niece, Allison had a still born son named Samuel a month ago. Samuel is enjoying heaven with Dave. God has placed it on my heart to go and spend some time with Allison and her family. Now I have the time to do just that.
I am working on a trip in the New Year to visit Australia, I will visit friends who Dave and I worked with in the past. I will also be given the chance to spend time with new missionaries getting ready to go out and serve. Only God knows how he will use me there, what I do know is God has a plan and it is good.
Please pray for me as I journey forward as an encourager for Christ.
Leah Preston
Speak to Me LORD
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Oh, speak to me LORD as I ponder Your will.
Soften my heart to be humble and still.
There is still so much, which I need to learn,
so teach me Your truth, Your will to discern.
Sometimes I question, if You wasted time
pouring Your love out on this heart of mine.
I feel unprepared, to follow Your lead,
to reach to the world, and supply their need.
Why You are doing, the things that You do
to bring to the world a hope that is new,
is too far beyond what I can conceive,
so teach me Jesus to trust and believe.
You are, so loving, so tender, and kind
to comprehend it, still troubles my mind.
I want to be part of what You have planned,
so teach me to move, where You would command.
I want to be clay for Your hand to mold
a polished vessel the world to behold,
so that they might see, Your work done in me,
and learn of Your truth, and by it be free.
© Ken Doorenbos 10/29/2016
