Near to the brokenhearted

Reading for today: Psalm 51

“God’s true nature is to love people who are troubled, have mercy on those who are brokenhearted, forgive those who have fallen, and refresh those who are exhausted” (Martin Luther).

 

I used to facilitate an outreach program aimed at caring for international mothers and their children. Amazing volunteers worked alongside me to care for the mental health, physical, and spiritual needs of these under-served women and children.

I’ll never forget, one of the women, Alice, articulated our mission in this way: These women don’t need to be told that they are sinners, these women need to be told that they are loved.

Alice said this because as Christians we have a tendency to go to the broken, the lost, the hurting, and the lonely of this world and hand them the law. We do it to ourselves as well.

But Christ’s mission was to go to those who already felt the pain and weight of the law and offer them His mercy, His love, His forgiveness, His hope, and His righteousness.

God does not despise the brokenhearted. In fact, He takes our brokenness and fills it completely with His grace and forgiveness. He upholds us with His Spirit. And He wraps us up in His arms, forever holding onto us with His love.

“None of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned” (Psalm 34:22).

Dear God, Thank You for Your unbelievable love. Please forgive me for thinking that I need to be righteous in order for You to be a Savior. Deliver me from my loneliness, from my despair, from my broken heart, from my afflictions, and from my sins. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

Music is a powerful form of worship. Click on the following link to worship our Savior through the music of Elevation Worship – O Come to the Altar.

Day 2 – Psalm 34

Day 3 – 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Day 4 – Luke 18:9-14

Day 5 – Philippians 4:4-7

 

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Gobble Gobble

This year’s Thanksgiving Feast was wonderful. Many people came forward to help out in various ways. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We had over 70 people helping over the course of the week, over 36 volunteers attend and help out during the feast, and over 115 internationals attend the event. And there was food and fun for all.

The evening started with bus rides and people arriving, signing up for a drawing, getting name-tags, hanging up coats, finding a place to sit, and chatting with new and old friends. This whole event is centered on Christ, His love for us and our Thankfulness, and one of the ways we try to share that is by serving, loving, and welcoming others into this event and our lives.

The event started with a mixers called Human Bingo, to get people up and meeting people who to sign their Bingo sheet–have you ever met someone who has been to Antarctica, ridden on an elephant, or can speak three languages? Then the whole group prayed a traditional Thanksgiving prayer, and while some tables were being excused to get their food others played a table mixer, learning more about those they are sitting with.

This year, because of scheduling conflicts, we weren’t able to have live music or a drama. I trying to think of how to entertain people, especially kids, and share the meaning of Thanksgiving. When about half of the attendees had their dinner, I played “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”. It was a huge hit, to the point that some parents were asking where their kids were, only to find them in the front watching the movie. I’ll have to keep that one in mind.

After dinner I gave a  presentation on Thanksgiving, a little on the history but mostly on traditions and the  Biblical basis of the holiday. I really wanted to point people to God as our sole provider and worthy of praise and thanks. After the presentation we played a “Thanksgiving Jeopardy” game, with the winner receiving a small Christmas tree, and second place receiving a Turkey hat.

Thank you again, to all who prayed for us and this event, to all who donated their time and talents to this event, and to all who donated their treasures to this event. This was a wonderful event, and really allowed us a chance to not only introduce people to Thanksgiving and share Christ’s love with others, but was also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about God and His amazing love for us. Thank you again.

Side-note: I had been praying consistently for two weeks prior to the feast that God would bring 150 people to the event…And providentially…we had over 151. Amazing.

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The good that can come

Little Homare peeks out from behind a table of toys

For those of you who follow our blog regularly, we have been completely consumed with Hulda’s health and her progress over the last two months. But other things have been happening too. One that has gained international recognition is the earthquake and tragedies that have befallen Japan.

Three of our internationals are from Japan, one of their children is shown in the picture above. Thankfully, their families and friends seem to be safe thus far. But they are very shaken and distraught being an ocean away from their suffering country.

None of these women are believers, but one of them has shared that the crisis in Japan is ironically bringing about good. She said that of course there are exceptions, but for the most part, the Japanese are banding together in a remarkable way to help each other through this disaster. She explained that Jesus went through a horrible death and yet, it brought about so much good. She said the Japanese earthquake and tsunami are horrible, but there is unbelievable good coming out of it, just like the gifts we have received through Christ’s death and resurrection.

I can’t tell you how excited that conversation made me feel. I am in no way happy about what has happened in Japan, but I had shivers when my Japanese friend shared with me the truth of the Gospel that she was able to see for the first time.

 

 

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One more thing… (on Hulda)

Hi friends and family,

I just wanted to send one more update on Hulda. Last week Hulda completely surprised our International women’s Bible study group by showing up to attend Bible study. She was, of course, met with hugs, smiles, cheers, and tears. It was simply amazing to see her up and around. She tired very quickly throughout the morning, but was able to share with us all that she went through.

The most amazing thing that she shared was that as she was thanking the team of doctors for saving her life, she said that every single one of the doctors admitted that there was a higher power involved.

….But of course, we all knew that! =)

Praise God! =)

And once again, thanks so much for your prayers. We are now rejoicing in the miracle of Hulda and Baby Agnus’ lives. Glory be to God!

In Him (that higher power),
Rachel

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Great news on Hulda!

Hi friends,

Thank you for your perseverance in prayer. Isn’t God amazing?!
We received a wonderful update from Hulda’s husband last night. It is as follows:

“Hulda was moved from the intensive care unit to the progressive care unit. This room is more private and has a bathroom. Hulda has made some excellent progress over the last week. Monday they removed the ventilator and woke her up, since then every day has been a little better than the previous day and today they took her off oxygen and she is breathing room air. They have also removed all of the IVs (although they added another one on the back of her hand in case of an emergency), the feeding tube, and the catheter. She has three therapy sessions a day and can now sit up by herself and walk around with support. She is eating food but is limited to a soft diet. The doctor said that there was a good chance she would be moved to [a local hospital] for rehab by the end of this week where she might have to stay for a few weeks.”

Peace,
Rachel

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Continuing to heal

Hi friends,
I know it has been awhile since I last wrote. Hulda continues to heal. The healing process will be very long. She is still on a feeding tube and is unable to speak above a whisper. Her throat is very damaged from the weeks with a breathing tube. She seems very coherent. She will probably begin both physical and speech therapies soon. She will likely be moved out of critical care soon.

When I have a permanent address for her, let me know if you would like to have it. (She may NOT receive balloons or fresh flowers.)

Thank you so much for your continued prayers for her and her family. Both her mother and mother-in-law are here now taking care of the family.

God’s blessings,
Rachel

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Baby Agnus

Hi friends,

Here is today’s update on our friend, Hulda.

The baby girl’s name is to be Agnus. She will be coming home today. Hjalti’s sister arrived last night. Hulda was not getting enough oxygen yesterday and the doctors discovered a problem in the artificial lung. They fixed it and she is stable again. After another X-ray, the doctor also said that he is willing to say that he does see some improvement in her lungs. Also, her swelling is going down.

Thank you so much for your prayers for her!

Peace,
Rachel

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Pray for Hulda

Hello friends,

I am so encouraged by the prayers being offered up for Hulda. Thank you so much. I would like to let you know how things are going.

Hulda was airlifted to Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis this past weekend to receive special care. She was immediately received by a team of specialists who attached her to an artificial lung. She is stable but obviously still in critical condition.

The baby girl is still in the hospital here in Lafayette. She is doing well although continues to have problems feeding with a bottle.

Please continue to keep Hulda, her new baby girl, and her family in your prayers. This is going to be a long road for them.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers.
Peace,
Rachel

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Pray for Hulda

Dear readers,
I am writing this post in urgency. Many of you know that Hulda (one of our Bible study and playgroup moms) went in sick to the hospital earlier this week and had to have an emergency C-section. The baby was brought to the NICU and she was placed in the ICU.

Since then, the baby girl is fairing well, but Hulda has continued to be seriously ill. She suffered respiratory failure and is on full life-support and on the highest level of oxygen possible. They are not sure of her sickness but are suspecting H1N1. She has been left medically sedated and has been medically paralyzed in order to place her in a rotational bed (to give relief to her lungs). The doctors are now saying as soon as she is stable they will fly her to either Indianapolis or Cleveland for advanced treatment.

Readers, Hulda is in a life or death situation. I and the family fervently ask for your bold prayers. Please pray for healing. Please also pray for Magnus. He is recovering from illness and is very confused right now. Please pray for Hjalti (her husband). Please pray for Johanna (her mother), who arrived last night and is exhausted and scared for her daughter. Please also pray for Hulda’s family at home. Finally, pray for abundant mercy.

Thank you Readers.
I will try to keep you updated and if we can help, I want us to be available to the family. Let me know if you can help in any way.

Peace,
Rachel

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Peace

Micah happily rolling in the snow

Josiah and Karis in the first big snowfall of the season

Peace.

Today is the most beautiful day. We woke up to find the ground covered in soft, fluffy, white snow. Big flakes are still falling to the ground as I write this letter. I sent the kids outside and took some pictures and just felt so peaceful in my surroundings. Everything seems quieter and closer when you are standing outside in fresh fallen snow.

Our Thursday morning Bible study is learning about “Peace on Earth” this week and next week. It is a two-part series on Peace at Christmas. We are trying to understand why Jesus is the Prince of Peace. The focus of our Bible study is not “peace on earth” between man and man, but the Peace between God and man through Christ Jesus.

Christmas is therefore a celebration of the coming of Peace to earth and the restoration of our relationship with God. Christmas is both a birthday celebration and a victory chant. Christ has defeated death and the grave and we have been made right with God and have been declared sons and daughters of the Most High. That is a cause for true celebration! Merry Christmas!

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