Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
May the peace of the Lord be with you.
The celebration of the birth of the Son of God, Jesus, who came to make a difference in the world made us to reflect of the difference that you have made in our lives during this year by getting in contact with you during this year 2004.
It has been a year full of new expectations from the Lord, which He has brought into fruition and will continue to do so through you and me for His Kingdom.The disposition of Mary's heart according to Luke 1:38 that says:"Let it be done according to your Word" made Mary available and present for the purpose of God in her life and for humanity.Thank you so much for making yourself available for the work in Bluefields, Nicaragua.
Hannah Dorean, a volunteer from Pennsylvania, came two months ago to make herself available for the work of God in Bluefields.About one month ago Hannah wrote the following to her church:
"I want to share with you this morning something Vital said this week.He said it full of the usual passion and zeal he has when discussing God and yet it took me a couple days to fully grasp the meaning and extent of his words. We were standing outside the church on a strip of land that one day is supposed to become a road to Managua and the man asked Vital if he thought the road would ever be built. (Managua is the capital of Nicaragua and at this point there is no road connecting the Pacific side, where Managua is, to the Atlantic side, where Bluefields is.)This road would bring many people directly past the church.The church actually lost some members and children from the after school program when they purchased this land in a new, undeveloped neighborhood.There is no road to get to it, you have to walk for about 10 minutes on a small sidewalk, which at night has no light.This proposed road to Managua would be a huge benefit to the church.
His reponse, rather than speculating on the possibility or time frame of the road, rather than discussing his frustration with the lack of anything being done although it had been promised for years, was simply "I AM HERE." He said I am here, I am here at the church willing to serve God, I am here waiting for God to bring the people. He kept repeating the phrase I AM HERE.
What a great perspective to have! To surrender our time and life to God, to be fully willing to do whatever He gives us to do, but then not to worry about it.By doing so, we allow God to chose the people, the timing, etc.I feel like so often we worry about the numbers or if we are doing the right things to bring people in, or what else we should be doing.I know I felt that a lot during my years of serving on the executive team of Dickinson's Christian Fellowship.
The truth is it isn't about us, it never is. It's about God.It's about the people God chooses and the time that He chooses.Our job is to surrender completely Him, to repeat over and over I AM HERE and I am willing.
While that may sound easy and take the burden off of us, in some ways it is a lot more difficult.To surrender completely means we give up control of our lives and our time.In Vital's answer he mentioned that he will minister to whoever God brings. He already leads a 2-hour discipleship class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but he said if God brings enough people, he will start a class on Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays, Saturdays, whatever it takes.That's a hard one for me, because I am very protective of my time.I am willing to give and serve, but once I'm done with my task, when I go home at the end of the day…that's my time.Well, if I am truly going to say to God, I AM HERE, I can't say between the hours of 8-5.I have to be ready for whatever He gives me, whenever He gives it to me.
Can you imagine what kind of impact this perspective could have?If we don't just say I AM HERE when we are doing a church activity, but rather say everyday at work or with friends I AM HERE, think of the ways God could use us!
Maybe this isn't a new thought for you, but the simple phrase I AM HERE, has challenged the way I view my walk of faith. It's not about me or my timetable, it's about what God gives me, the people HE brings me, and the time he chooses for me. I pray for all of you as well as myself that we can fully surrender, to say and truly mean I AM HERE. ---"
Just like Mary said "yes" to the Lord, let we say "yes" to the Lord and great things will happen in this new year 2005.Our "yes" to God will allow His dream to be born into our lives for His purpose.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
In Christ,
Vital and Ketly Pierre