still...waiting :) — rachel's breath of a life

HELLO!
The last time I wrote to you all it was the middle of December and it was titled, “How do we wait”, and honestly, I am tempted to copy/paste the email as I find myself in a very similar position, wrestling with the same truths. I have been waiting to write hoping I would have some news and direction on my future to share with you, but 4.5 months later, I still find the Lord asking me to wait and to trust Him. In the last update, I let you know that a team had invited me to join their existing work with the goal of providing discipleship to the women and the youth in their remote village on the Sepik River. There are some unique challenges in this proposal and even though I had hoped and prayed we would have direction by now, the leadership is needing more time to assess the situation. I was told that I probably will not have an answer for at least another 3-4 months. I continue to feel much peace and excitement about this team and the potential of the work to be done. It is where I want to land but I am continuously trying to lay it in the Lord’s hands, trusting He will ultimately make it clear if this is where He wants me to serve Him.

IN THE MEANTIME...
I went back to the US for a little under 3 months. It started with an invitation from Biola University to be a part of their Missions Conference, so I took this as an opportunity to come back while I was waiting for clarity. My time was such a whirlwind of traveling to see friends/family, sharing in person with supporters/sending churches/schools, long walks and eating many delicious meals. I rallied a team willing to help build a house in the jungle someday, drew up plans and we even chalked out my 20’ x 20’ house on a basketball court. It was such an unexpected gift to come back at this time and I will cherish the memories made for a long time.

But all that to say, I was excited to get back. The plan was to visit the team in the tribal location I am hoping to allocate into just a few days after landing, however, the airstrip flooded and the Lord shut all possible doors of going in for that time. (There were tears...lots of tears, but looking back I’m trying to give myself grace as I was jetlagged and weary from saying goodbyes in the US)

April 13th, I, along with a handful of other missionaries and hundreds of believers in the Sepik Region, all came together in a tribe called YembiYembi where we heard teaching from two national pastors as they exhorted and encouraged the leaders from God’s Word. It was the best. I felt so humbled to be there and to see the faithfulness of the Lord in building His Church in some of the most remotest places on the earth. I am still working on a video of our time and will send it as soon as I am done…but until then, here are some pics! (try to find me in the last one, ha)

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON?
1-I will continue to co-lead a bible study on the center for the national ladies who work for us. I have also started rewriting these bible studies into a more formal format that could hopefully be a resource for other missionaries to use if their women have a good knowledge of the national language as they will all be written in Tok Pisin.

2-I will continue to help with whatever side projects or needs our missionary base has.

3-I have started an online seminary class.

4-I was asked to join a leadership team for a 6 week program called INTERFACE starting in June and this month I will be preparing for my classes, etc. (More on this to come, I’ve wrote enough already!!!!)

I’ll wrap it up with this. I have Psalm 27:13-14 taped to my bathroom wall. It is easy for me to internally misinterpret this to read...“I believe that I shall see my desire happen...” as so often I want the goodness of God to equal the hopes or desires I have for my future. But that isn’t what God’s goodness is. God is still good if He leads the leadership to say no. I see His goodness every day in the smallest and sweetest ways when I am intentional to look. I need to draw from the Spirit of God and the power of His Word to give me the strength and courage as I wait. My heart is weary and I am trying not to be discouraged but to trust God and His perfect timing. May I choose to be faithful with whatever He asks of me in the meantime, knowing He is not in the business of wasting time but is always working and providing opportunities to give Him glory if I choose to be a willing participant in His plan for my life. He is good. He is faithful. He’s in charge. And so I wait faithfully.