Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
ANSWERED PRAYER!!!!!
Before my prosthetic leg was fixed
Another picture of my leg
The top of my leg fixed!
The bottom of my prosthetic leg fixed!
Hi everyone,
Wow, the last 2 months have been an adventure. I have experienced Spiritual Warfare unlike anything I have ever experienced before except right before I became a Christian. Thank-you for your prayers!!! Satan is not going to get a victory!
Recap:
1. I have had 2 staph infections since I have arrived on the field. I was on crutches for several weeks while teaching school.
2. My prosthetic foot was damaged in May. I was told that no one could fix it in Belem and I would have to go to Sao Paulo to get it fixed. There is a world famous hospital that could not do the necessary repairs because they only specialize in upper extremity prosthetics. I am a below knee amputee. There was a possibility that I would have to go to another country to get my leg fixed. I was trying to get it fixed before I started school in early August.
3. I got really sick from intestinal infection and was in the hospital for 6 days.
4. I went on an amazing missions trip and there were about 45 decisions for Christ. I was able to share my testimony and the gospel. Satan didn't like that so he tried to discourage me in every possible physical, emotional, and spiritual way. I had a blister on my leg during the trip too.
5. My roommate, Anna, got scabies too and she had to boil all of her clothes and sheets every day. Satan wasn't going to discourage her either. She went on a mission trip the next week and they saw 100 decisions for Christ.
Yes, it was difficult circumstances but the most rewarding summer so far in my life, you know why-- not because my leg is fixed (although that is a blessing), not because God restored my health (although that is a blessing too) but because I have to rely on Him only. What a great peace, joy, and hope! He is glorified! Also, there are 145 people that I will meet some day in heaven because of faithful service by all the missionaries here and from around the world. WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO SEE PEOPLE COME TO THE LORD!! We were obedient to our call. I am being obedient to HIS CALL! No greater place to be!!!!!!
THE LORD IS VICTORIOUS!!
NOW FROM HIS WORD: (I love Paul's perspective here.)
2 Timothy 1:7-14
" For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."
Philippians 4:10-14:
"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern, for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all through Him who strenghthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction."
James 1:2-4;12
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
v. 12-
"Blessed is a man who perserveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Amen!!!
By the way, I got my leg fixed in Belem! It took a total of 3 hours! He fixed it in 1 hour though. Praise Him! See how God answered! He wants our obedience! Before I knew that the people in Sao Paulo couldn't fix my leg, I surrendered to Him and said I would be willing to go to Sao Paulo to get it fixed. Even if that meant I would have to miss some school to do it. I did some research on the internet and found a prosthetic store in Campinas that has prosthetic supplies and they recommended this man in Belem. We were not aware of this place! God opened that Door!
Humbled and Joyful in the Midst of All Circumstances,
Nova
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Pictures of the Iguana in My Front Yard
Iguana in the sunlight
Can you see it? It is so camouflaged. Isn't God good?
Hey everyone,
I hope you are well. I am not sure if this is the same iguana that was in the boys bathroom. But it could be. Wouldn't that be cool? Anyway, my maid was hanging clothes on the line and said, "Look, there is an iguana!" I got my camera and took pictures. He was in my front yard. I don't have to go to a zoo anymore to see exotic creatures!
Amazed by My Creator,
Nova
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July and a BAD SMELL!
Hi everyone,
I thought I update you all on the events of the week. Let's see..My roommate, Anna, is house and dog sitting for a fellow missionary family. She has to take care of 2 dogs. These dogs keep getting out and she has had to chase them around my school's campus. So I have gone over a few times to help her. So one night I decided to watch a late night movie with her and make dinner and sleep on the couch. I woke up the next morning and said, "Wow, what is that awful smell?" Anna could not smell it. So a little later she smelled it and she said, "I think I know what that smell is--it is pot." All of the houses have window screens and there is no glass on the windows, so you can smell everything from outdoors. The missionary, who owns this house, said that there are some shacks behind his house and the people who live in those shacks smoke pot. Interesting smell to be awoken up by!
Yesterday, Anna and I decided to go to church. So we rode the bus for about 25 minutes to get there and guess what the church was closed. Hmmm..I thought oh yeah it is vacation month for Brazilians and everything is closed. Then we decided lets get pizza while we are out and it was delicious. We rode the bus home and got off and then we were about to cross the street--When the smell of more drugs was evident! Anna said, "Is that drugs we are smelling and seeing?" I said, "Yes." The lady next to us had her bucket of drugs and coals on her bicycle. Did I mention I saw a completely naked prostistute on the main highway a few months ago? And human waste flowing on the side of the road too? (everyday I go on the bus and I walk by this)
You have to always be on guard and aware of your surroundings? Don't let Satan attack you because you let your guard down!!
THE GREAT NEWS! JESUS DIED FOR ALL AND WE CAN ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS! HE DIED FOR THE DRUG USERS, PROSTITUTES, FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR, AND YOU!
Thank-you for the freedom YOU GIVE! Thank-you for YOUR SACRIFICE!
I praise God for all nations! I thank-you that YOU ALLOWED FOR A GODLY FOUNDATION IN AMERICA! Thank-you for our freedoms! May we turn to YOU for SALVATION, guidance and direction!
NOW FROM THE WORD OF GOD:
Galatians 5:1-"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
I Timothy 2:1-8-"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension."
THE WORD SAYS IT "ALL!"
AMEN!
Nova
I thought I update you all on the events of the week. Let's see..My roommate, Anna, is house and dog sitting for a fellow missionary family. She has to take care of 2 dogs. These dogs keep getting out and she has had to chase them around my school's campus. So I have gone over a few times to help her. So one night I decided to watch a late night movie with her and make dinner and sleep on the couch. I woke up the next morning and said, "Wow, what is that awful smell?" Anna could not smell it. So a little later she smelled it and she said, "I think I know what that smell is--it is pot." All of the houses have window screens and there is no glass on the windows, so you can smell everything from outdoors. The missionary, who owns this house, said that there are some shacks behind his house and the people who live in those shacks smoke pot. Interesting smell to be awoken up by!
Yesterday, Anna and I decided to go to church. So we rode the bus for about 25 minutes to get there and guess what the church was closed. Hmmm..I thought oh yeah it is vacation month for Brazilians and everything is closed. Then we decided lets get pizza while we are out and it was delicious. We rode the bus home and got off and then we were about to cross the street--When the smell of more drugs was evident! Anna said, "Is that drugs we are smelling and seeing?" I said, "Yes." The lady next to us had her bucket of drugs and coals on her bicycle. Did I mention I saw a completely naked prostistute on the main highway a few months ago? And human waste flowing on the side of the road too? (everyday I go on the bus and I walk by this)
You have to always be on guard and aware of your surroundings? Don't let Satan attack you because you let your guard down!!
THE GREAT NEWS! JESUS DIED FOR ALL AND WE CAN ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS! HE DIED FOR THE DRUG USERS, PROSTITUTES, FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR, AND YOU!
Thank-you for the freedom YOU GIVE! Thank-you for YOUR SACRIFICE!
I praise God for all nations! I thank-you that YOU ALLOWED FOR A GODLY FOUNDATION IN AMERICA! Thank-you for our freedoms! May we turn to YOU for SALVATION, guidance and direction!
NOW FROM THE WORD OF GOD:
Galatians 5:1-"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
I Timothy 2:1-8-"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension."
THE WORD SAYS IT "ALL!"
AMEN!
Nova
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