Praise the Lord! Keep us posted.
So, how do I add this as a "favorite"? I'm only semi-literate. --Ted
a devotional schedule prepared by Papa Patterson for
Joe Patterson using BlackabyBytes
INBOX
ENCOURAGERS
return to:
pastorob's blog
Joe's Journal for more info on:
P.E.A.C.E.
EXPERIENCING GOD
IN
LIBERIA
FOR 80 DAYS
Day 1 Wednesday, January 11, 2006
CLICK HERE
for CURRENT DATE and TIME in Liberia
1.
Joe flies United Airlines
Flight 6524 12:25
(1.5 hours)
2. British Airways: to
London Flight 282 5:35 p.m.
(10.5 hours)
Click here
for Joe's Response
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
1/13/06
Joe called
at 5:00 a.m. California time.
Although the delay from the cell phone
made communication difficult, Joe sounded happy.
He reported that he was
currently holding the baby: Moses Wesley.
--Papa
Many
INBOX ENCOURAGERS today:
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
to send us
a comment or testimony
Day 4 Saturday, January 14, 2006 CLICK HERE
for CURRENT DATE and TIME in Liberia
Joe,
who preached
today? What was the message and the primary texts ?
Were there any visitors in church today? What was the same about their
service? Were there any noticeable differences?
Click
here for Joe's Response
Click here
for a Day 5 letter from Joe
A short interview with Pastor
Wesley
CLICK HERE
Click here
for a Day 5 letter from Pastor Wesley
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
Joe,
have you
struggled with selfishness of any sort during the last couple days?
Elaborate.
This will be useful for your paper.
Click here
for Joe's Response
Click here
for a Day 6 letter from Joe
Inauguration Day
in Liberia covered by
NBC with Video
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
CLICK HERE
for CURRENT DATE and TIME in Liberia
Day 12
Sunday, January 22, 2006 (Sanctity
of Human Life Sunday in America)
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
Joe, before the day is over 'make at least two
investments for eternity'
…then
before tomorrow, write two prayers to water
the seed you
have
sown in the field where God has plo'd.
1.
2.
click here
for Joe's response
click here for yesterday's
letter and photos from Joe
click here
for Dad's reply to Joe
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
Day 20 Monday, January 30,
2006
Click here
to read Joe's Day 20 letter
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
Joe
, write down three probing questions
you would like to have answered by God.
Quickly write them down now:
1.
2.
3.
Today or
tomorrow , choose three unsuspecting
individuals and ask them these questions.
What were their responses? I'm serious. Write down what they
say….(God works in mysterious ways).
1.
2.
3.
Click here
for Joe's Response
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
Click here for Day 21
Letter from Joe
Day 22 Wednesday, February 1, 2006
If I do not know when God is speaking, I am in
trouble at the heart of my Christian life!
1.
2.
3.
Click here for
Joe's Response
CLICK HERE
to send us a
comment or testimony
So, what was the sermon about?
Who showed up that delighted you in some way?
Click here
for Joe's Response
Click Here
for this morning's note from Joe
Day 27 Monday,
February 6, 2006
Joe, please give an example of the fourth point (above) in your life.
Do the same for each of your sibling's
lives and in your mother's life.
Write something really meaningful for each,
please.
Click here
for Joe's Response
Day 31 Friday, February 10, 2006
1.
2.
Joe, please choose a
Bible verse and write a long,
and full prayer for your Dad that is
somehow connected to the verse. THANKS!
Click here
for Joe's Response
Joe, take at least 30
minutes to get all alone with God and review your life in your
notebook.
Write an autobiographical sketch before the
Lord . Take as long as you can.
Quit anytime after 30 minutes.
Check this box when you have finished the
assignment: □
Click here
for Joe's Response
Today, you should
read Day 1 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and
write 3-5 sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do
his assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 2 of the Purpose Driven Life.
From the Purpose Driven Life: You Are Not an Accident
“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born,” says the LORD. Isaiah 44:2
“Long before you were conceived by your parents you were conceived in the mind of God. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that you are breathing at this very moment. You are alive because God wanted to create you!”
Point to Ponder: I am not an accident.
Question to Consider:
Knowing that God created me for a purpose, what areas of my personality,
background, and appearance do I need to accept?
Joe, Choose one idea from the book, list page number
and write 3-5 sentences about the thought (below).
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 3 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5
sentences about the thought.
Click
here for
interaction between Joe and Dad about this chapter.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 4 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5
sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 5 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5
sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 5 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5
sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 7 of
the Purpose Driven Life. WHAT was the SERMON today?
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 8 of the
Purpose Driven Life. Choose one idea from the book,
list
page number and write 3-5 sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 9 of the
Purpose Driven Life. Choose one idea from the book,
list
page number
and write 3-5 sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 11 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 12 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his assignment? Click here to find out.
Today, you should read Day 13 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Sermon Title, Theme, Text and count
how many people are there.
Today, you should read Day 14 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 15 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out.
Today, you should read Day 16 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today, you should read Day 17 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today, you should read
Day 18 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today, you should read
Day 19 of the
Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his assignment? Click here to find out
Today, you should read
Day 20…you know the routine.
AND get to an INTERNET
CAFÉ for recording Days 51-60.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Joe, Make sure to update me from Days 51 to 60.
Today, you should
read Day 21 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
How many people were in church today? What
happened that was special? What about the sermon?
Problem areas that you are noticing. PLEASE give some details…fill the
space, sir.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today, you should read Day 22 of the Purpose
Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 23 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 24 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 25 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 26 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 27 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Joe, how many were in church today?
What special happened?
What
specifically could we pray about?
THINK….give some details….fill the space.
Today,
you should read Day 28 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignments?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 29 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 30 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 31 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 32 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today,
you should read Day 33 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences
about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Today, you should
read Day 34 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Check over the
names of people you've written down:
Tomorrow after
church, people will start approaching you asking you to REMEMBER THEM.
Don't make PROMISES
to anybody. Tell them that they can write down their names in your
notebook and
something about their hope, dream, need.
Tell them to be
honest because God doesn't bless the deceiver.
Write a list of names of people ...
edited .... That's just
the way it is….
IMPORTANT: Tell Pastor Wesley that you
want to travel LIGHT on your way home.
PLEASE ask him to discourage people from giving you wooden or other heavy
items.
You would prefer something handwritten and signed or cloth…nothing HEAVY.
Tell him that they charge the McCalls for that.
In fact it would be really cool if you could pack one suitcase into the
other.
Be as firm as you can about that. We already have lots of souvenirs.
Write a response:
Have you already been experiencing it?
Or do you think that it won't happen with you?
Just respond in some way…FILL THE SPACE and end with a written prayer.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Joe,
tell me about church today.
Statistics: kids, adults, visitors….what special happened?
FILL THE SPACE…details…
Today, you should read Day 35 of the Purpose Driven Life.
Choose one idea from the
book, list page number and write 3-5 sentences about the thought.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Joe, we're in
the COUNTDOWN.
AS you read today's passage for DAY 36…
write prayers for your context that interact with some of the paragraphs.
TAKE the time necessary to do this well.
FILL THE SPACE …You'll forget IMPORTANT matters if you don't write them
down.
Give details in your prayers.
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
Joe, please read Day 37 early in the day.
Then write whatever is on your heart/mind…not necessarily the book in
this space.
FILL THE SPACE. Tomorrow you go home.
TAKE PICTURES OF PEOPLE YOU WANT TO REMEMBER…
Write down what color shirt they have on.
Ask them to print their names…and note a descriptive item…
something to remember them by later…BE SERIOUS ABOUT
THIS TASK.
IMPORTANT: Read tomorrow's note and then
come back to this.
Pack up. Remember your weight restrictions.
Think about what you want to give to whom?
Remember, we can replace your clothes quite easily if someone would like a
shirt.
Remember Macdonald said his friends took all his clothes before he got on
the plane.
Try to be fair. Be discrete.
Don't forget to bless Laura Wesley in some special way, the other
'servants', and Pastor Wesley.
SPEAK a SPECIFIC WORD of
EMPOWERMENT
to each one of the Wesley Children.
SIT DOWN for an interview with the Wesley children.
Look them in the eye. Ask about their likes/dislikes/relationship with the
Lord.
Then pray with them. This encouragement could last a LIFETIME.
WRITE IT DOWN in your journal. You'll be glad you did later.
Check with Laura for FULL NAME, correct spelling, BIRTHDATE,
and at least one personality trait or memorable attribute for each child.
Ruth Priscilla Abigail Eunice Richard, Jr.
Robert Moses Richard, Sr.
(We won't publish everything in your journal)
Did Joe do his
assignment?
Click here
to find out
We will read DAY 40 (DAY 80) together on U.S. soil . . .
Click here
for recent letters
and photos from Joe
return to:
Papa's page
Joe's Journal
for more info on:
P.E.A.C.E.
INBOX ENCOURAGERS:
Below are photos of Joe through the year (click to enlarge)
Praise the Lord! Keep us posted.
So, how do I add this as a "favorite"? I'm only semi-literate.
--Ted
Thank you, Thank
you, Thank you.
God is good......All the time.
--Robin
We are so thankful that Joe is with the
Wesley family and all went well.
He must be sleeping now as I checked the clock you have on the page.
I have decided my special prayer for Joe each day will be a good nights
sleep. I know how hard it is for me to sleep in a strange place unless
I
am just "worn out".
I will call my class members who don't have e-mail
and tell them he is there safely. This old grandma has prayed for lots
of boys when they were on the road, or not home on time, or in the Navy,
or on a plane, and I know a parents heart when their little chick-a-dee
is not home. Will also pray for you and Cathy to rest in the Lord
regarding Joe. --Love,
Virginia (Rod, too)
 |
|
How exciting to hear that Joe is in Liberia for 3 months. What a
wonderful opportunity for him to
experience missions first hand. I
certainly will be praying for him and for you to have peace
while he is gone. One of my friends (also
with the IMB) here also has 4 children, 3 boys and a girl.
Their oldest son Reagan, is also 19. He is a
gifted musician who has written a lot of music.
He went on a missions trip to Siberia this
summer and his mom was so worried about him,
especially taking the train across country,
but he did just fine and had a great time being involved
in someone else's ministry. I do pray that
Joe will have the same experience.
In the Lamb, Mary
(Moscow)
I am very glad to hear
that Joe is doing good. I really admire him for being willing to do
something of that magnitude. It's a big sacrifice, and you must be
really proud.
I was glad to read that Jerry was considering a mission trip also.
Love,
Eva
Listening to Pastor Wesley made me a
little home sick for Liberia.
I know that Joe is excited. We will be in prayer for him.
--Carl Hadley
www.liberianministries.com
Yesterday, in the Youth Sunday School class,
your sacrifice to go to Liberia
was the center of discussion. Alex, Mary and Daniel listed fears and
discouragements that one might face in order to take that trip to
Liberia.
The white board was full. Discussion was lively.
In the sermon, the remaining 3 Patterson kids were openly challenged to
continue the family work. Dad spoke boldly about David's words to
Solomon
in 1
Chronicles 28 and to God's People in
chapter 29.
In fact, the entire congregation
was challenged to FINISH THE WORK that God has for us in our generation.
--Cathy Patterson
I am thanking God
for you. As your 80 days of mission progresses you will pass
through many stages.
Perhaps right now you are still overwhelmed (I know I was for
several days).
You may become distressed at the vast need.
Perhaps you will even think the situation hopeless at some point.
But the sweetest moment is when you remember who God is and,
therefore,
that anything He calls you to is not only possible but, in fact,
guaranteed.
Here’s a quote from Phillips Brooks:
"Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to
your tasks.
Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a
miracle.”
Many men surrender to God’s will
after years of struggle.
For those who surrender completely early in life is a season of pure
joy
that the rest of us can never recover. I’m glad you are one of the
early ones.
--Rodney Edwards
www.liberianministries.com
Joe,
It is
hard to be in a situation where a structured family life or you
personally are not in control.
Joe I urge you to feel that you are our messenger to Liberia.
Perhaps you could go to the school
and speak to the children about your love of God.
I would urge you to start now on a sermon that you can preach
when you arrive back at home.
Express what God is doing in Liberia. Reading your e-mail you
stated how bad it was but also how
the people were praising God.
I just finished the reading of the leper and his encounter with
Christ (where Christ put his hand
on the leper and healed him). A point that I had missed was that
by Jewish Law (Tradition) Jesus
was to be declared unclean because he had touched a leper. We
know that he was not unclean
and the touch did not harm him.
He was the Christ!
We should not be afraid as He said in
I John 5:14-15
14And
this is the boldness we have in God’s presence:
that if we ask God
for anything that agrees with
what he wants, he
hears us.
15If
we know he hears us every time we ask him,
we know we have
what we ask from him.
(NCV)
Cathy and I love you, Joe, and are praying for you.
I was
wondering what is Joe's e-mail address in Liberia?
Answer: write Joe at
joep19@gmail.com
I want to write him and I encourage others to do
the same.
We all love him so much. What a wonderful
God-driven mission he is doing.
I love the pictures. Thank you for putting
them up for us. And the captions!!
Every day happenings Joe experiences there
will make him a Ambassador to Liberia.
May God bless him abundantly!
Love & Prayers, Beverly
1
Chronicles 4:9-10
from Miss
Parlee: Your
'quiet time' needs to be FIRST THING in the morning.
Get up 30 minutes earlier when there are no distractions...
... when everything is quiet. In the afternoon there are still
going to be distractions.
Wherever you find to read the Word,
READ IT until you see what God says...
...... or until you find peace.
Sometimes if you read the Psalms or Proverbs or Ecclesiastes
(the third chapter),
and meditate upon a passage, He'll talk to you.
Sue Lopez,
our newest new member of Club 163, adds this:
(quoting the preacher)
"When you do it first thing in the morning it serves as your FirstFruits....
--the best you've got.....right off the top."
Click here
to return to Joe's Answer for Day 14
Joe, see what
happens when you approve your comments?
everyone else: click on Ethan or
Aimee's photos to look at their myspace.com sites
 Ethan Johnstone |
1/13/2006 3:21:00 PM Joe, I miss you dude. I would ask you to hang out right now if you were here...but you aren't so i will be bored. Hope everything is going well for you. Have a safe trip and try to write me when you get there. I'll be praying for you man. |
I will walk by faith..  Aimee Sayre |
1/19/2006 8:22:00 PM Joe, I hope somehow you get this message! Well, I just wanted to say tons of people here are praying for you and your safety! You're doing such great work for God so don't let the devil discourage you ! ok well God bless you Joe! |
Day 25: Letter from Liberian Ministries
Joe, Day 25 (of 80)
I’m in awe of your
80 day
surrender to God in Liberia
(one of our senior church
members will not let us use
“commitment” as he says we
have a complete surrender to
God). As I read through
your daily emails I feel
emotions come back to me
that you are now struggling
with as well. It is
difficult to feel useful
there as the Liberian people
tend to want to “do for you”
rather than you help them.
Also, no TV, etc. means
that you have much larger
periods of time where your
attention is not externally
controlled.
Most Americans
feel like they are not being
useful
unless they are “doing
something” at all times. We
invented multi-tasking and
we’re usually pretty good at
it. As to your concern over
money, I can tell you that
if you had taken $5,000 over
with you it would evaporate
faster than you can believe.
There is so much
need there and the Liberian
people, without meaning to
be selfish, are used to
finding money any way
possible.
Where in the U.S. we would
likely not ask a guest for
monetary assistance, in
Liberia it is a common mode
of operation. Planning
(budgeting) is not a way of
life there and there are
always 10 places to put
every dollar to use. Given
that most people there are
used to being without money
it is not in their nature to
expect you to spend yours on
a particular schedule.
You’re a young
guy
and I’m sure your parents
have taught you to be
mannerly. But you will need
to budget out your personal
spending through the rest of
your time there holding
money in reserve for fees at
the airport and emergencies.
You could then sit down
with Pastor Wesley, let him
know that you are doing
this, and work with him on
when and where any extra
might be spent. Liberia and
the U.S. might as well be on
two different planets in so
many ways (so I guess that
makes you an “intergalactic
missionary”).
You seem burdened by not
“feeling”
anything
and about
not being useful.
There are two things
that you must come home with
(from my perspective):
First
is relationships.
You need to get to know as
many people as possible on a
deeper level than normal.
Truly understanding the
heart of the people there
will enable you to better
communicate to the people
back home.
Second,
in conjunction with the
first need, you should
realize that hearing God
speak to you about the
Liberian people on a
spiritual level will be of
great importance. You will
be able to do more for the
Liberian people once you
return home than you could
ever imagine. But you have
to be able to communicate to
the people at home much more
than just the surface
issues. Look for the
opportunities that exist for
us to help them over the
long term. On my first
visit, I was 10 days into a
14 day trip before I
actually realized why God
led me there. But the
initial 10 days of
observation gave me the
proper point of reference to
communicate the real
opportunities to promote
Christ better than I would
have ever believed.
Dick Eastman, President, Every Home for Christ says:
"In no other way can the
believer become as fully
involved
with God's work,
especially the work of world
evangelism,
as in intercessory
prayer."
Oswald Chambers said:
"Prayer is not preparation
for the work... it is work.
Prayer is not a preparation for
the battle, it is the
battle."
There is nothing that can
keep you from doing the most
important job of all while
you are in Liberia…praying.
Anytime you feel useless,
pray.
Plead to God that He will
show you how you can be
His hands and feet while you
are there. But even more
important, ask Him to show
you how you can represent
the people of Liberia to
those of us back home upon
your return.
I am proud of you and
look forward to hearing more
as you continue
your 80 days of service.
3222 West Jefferson Pike
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
37129
office: 615.907.0702 mobile: 615.202.3517
Day 16
Hey, Joe!
I am so loving following your responses and the notes others
write to
you, etc. We are praying for you daily!
I especially admire your candor about prayer and Bible
time. You are
not alone, in fact, these feelings of "distance" are so
common among
believers that they have a name... Desert Times. Jesus was
drawn into
the desert or wilderness... so was John the Baptist and many
other
servants of the most High. In each case, God had a purpose
unique to
the individual.
A time of testing... certainly so specified in Jesus'
case. A time of
teaching as in Paul's case. If we are constantly full, if we
feel close
to the master all the time, how then will we experience the
HUNGER and
THIRST that drives us to be God Chasers.
Your response to this experience is just as God would have it
be.
You don't like it! You want Him more!
That's cool.
As for mornings... maybe true for some, not for me. I am a
zombie in
the morning. If I give my Lord my best, it is at night. But
really, I
don't think time of day matters as much as committing to
spend time in
the Word and in prayer... making it happen.
Whether you see it or not, there is spiritual growth going
on and you
are learning things you may not even recognize until long
after you
return home.
I encourage you to be in an attitude of prayer constantly.
Keep an open dialog going with Him as you go about the
fullness of your
day. Soon it will be so much a part of your mindset that it
will
require no effort at all and become one of the most noted
parts of who
you are.
Give my love to Pastor Wesley and his family... Peace will
come, you
don't need to strive for it, just strive for Him.
Blessed to be in His service,
iona
iona's blog -
http://www.pastorob.com/iona's
Joe was online
and immediately received this:
click here for his response
Wow, that was faast!
Yeah, as I said, I'm a night owl.
I'm sure it is doubly hard on you not knowing exactly how and
what you
can do to be of most value to the people you went there to serve as
well as knowing what God expects or has planned for you. There was much
buildup for the trip, and probably a time of "flatness" when it all
finally came to pass and you were in a place you didn't fully
understand in a culture quite different from your own.
Then this time of spiritual dryness... And lots of advice from all
quarters... It hasn't been mentioned, but homesickness is probably
there, too. Yes, I know you have dome much traveling, but now you're
not with a group. So, all things considered, I think you're doing
fantastically well.
I have little doubt you know God is real. Since that is true, He
cannot
lie. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," and He
hasn't... and He won't... not EVER! I am praying RIGHT NOW that our
Redeemer will send you special little "Love Notes" (my pet name for the
ways God shows He loves you personally) and that you will be looking
for them and recognize them.
Just as you know your parents love you and do (or say) special things
to show it, I pray you will begin to see the encouragements and Love
Notes God sends. Try to see His hand in the little things. See His love
in the quick smile of a child or gentle caress of a breeze... and
respond with immediate thanksgiving. Your grateful heart will do much!
Keep listening for the "still small voice" of the Holy Spirit. His
leading can come in many forms. Faith goes far beyond feeling. God
knows how fickle our feelings can be. Resolve is so much more solid a
base from which faith can work. Hang in there, my young hero... you
are accomplishing much!
So, I'm off to bed, but offer this word of encouragement: You are
doing
a missionary work not only to the people in Liberia, but to a great
number of us here and elsewhere for whom you have set a shining
example. I truly wish I could join you.
Blessed to be in His service,
iona
iona's blog -
http://www.pastorob.com/iona's
Dear Joe, How wonderful that your Dad and Mom chose Joseph as
your name. For it means: "MAY GOD ADD"
And how wonderfully God has been fulfilling His work through you. I
simply am lost for words,
as I read of your trust and faith in God. Though young and maybe
homesick at times,
your LIGHT SHINES in your letters. Continue in seeking
His will in all you do in prayer.
Try hard to have a quiet time with your Father with no distractions each
day. He will supply all your needs.
You are a INSPIRATION to sooooooooo many others. Be of
good cheer for He loves you........and so do I.
Auntie Bev
Joe: February 8, 2006
As I read your daily journal entries and look at the pictures you send it seems to me that you are settling into a routine and that you are doing well. In both of my two week trips I lost about a pound per day. But you still look great! I am blessed by your caring spirit.
I love
missionary quotes. Here’s one by Tim Dearborn:
"Mission is
ultimately not a human response to human need.
The Church’s involvement in mission is its privileged
participation in the actions of the triune God.”
I like this one because it does get me back to the real reason we serve God in any/every capacity. It’s because He first loved us and now we get to love him back. There are many good organizations helping people of every race, creed and country. But it’s the work that is done out of love for our Heavenly Father that yields the desired results. If we simply tried to help everyone that needs help on our own then we would soon fall away from sheer exhaustion. But when we serve others because of our love for God we are refreshed daily.
You’ve been on the field for about a month now. That’s twice as long as I’ve ever spent in Liberia at any one time. I’m sure that you miss your mom and dad but what a privilege to gain the knowledge and experience that you are accumulating. Your value to the people of Liberia once you are back in the U.S. will be tremendous. Perhaps during part of each day you could meditate on the primary needs of the people there and try to put down in writing the thoughts that you will want to communicate to us back home. I would stop many times during the day and write something down in my journal to avoid the risk of it slipping away from my thoughts. Your trip will always be a tremendous experience but the true value is what you do with what you learn. Effectively communicating your thoughts back to us is an important part of what you are doing.
Enjoy the cassava and rice.
Liberian
Ministries www.liberianministries.com
CLICK HERE
to read Letters from Joe in
Liberia
CLICK HERE
for CURRENT DATE and TIME in Liberia
return to: pastorob's page Joe's page for more info on: P.E.A.C.E.