Dear friends and family,
I am writing to you from Nebraska City, Nebraska. I am here among the Word Made Flesh staff from all over the world for a staff gathering that is held every third year. In the past three days, I have already been so blessed to hear stories about how the Kingdom is being proclaimed through their service all over the world. I have heard how women in India are being offered freedom from their lives of prostitution. They are being offered dignity, hope, restoration, and new life through Sari Bari. (If you’ve never heard me mention Sari Bari, you should definitely check it out at www.saribari.com) Children in Nepal are being healed of deep wounds and being freed to love and even forgive. Children that used to live along the filthy streets of Peru are finding new life and gifts of artistry that speak hope amidst a dark world. The stories are inspiring, and I am so thankful to be a part of this beautiful community of believers.
Personally, this time has already been and hopefully will continue to be a much-needed breath of life. As I packed my bags to come and even as I arrived here, I was filled with much anxiety about how this time would be. If I am honest with you, these past few months have been difficult ones. I have become increasingly frustrated with this “in between” place that I am walking through. Having committed to come on full-time staff with Word Made Flesh in Lima nearly a year ago, it is difficult for me to understand why the obstacles still remain that hinder me from being able to go. I do not like this place of transition. I am weary of answering the questions about whether my house has sold yet, or when I am planning to go. While I am being honest, I must also confess that in this place of frustration, I have not often sought the Lord over the past few months. I guess that I have become weary of asking for things that I have not seen – a buyer for my house, an open door to move forward in my journey back to Lima. I have seen the results of the lack of time spent in His presence in my attitude and my heart. I have allowed bitterness, apathy, cynicism, and other sin to start to make a home there. Some of you may have felt that in my relationship with you, and for that I apologize and ask for forgiveness. I came to this gathering needing to hear a fresh word from the Lord. Perhaps some of you have been praying for that on my behalf, and for that I am grateful. Already in the past three days, I have been so encouraged. I have been reminded of the sovereignty of God and encouraged to trust in His timing, even though it may be difficult. I have been given fresh vision and have been reminded of the calling God has placed in my heart to love His children in Peru. I have heard the Lord speak through His Scriptures words of faithfulness and hope. I have been encouraged to trust, for He alone is faithful and worthy to be trusted.
I cannot express to you what it means to have you walking alongside me in this journey. I am so grateful for your prayer and support. In the coming weeks, I ask that you would pray most of all that I would fix my eyes on Jesus, so that I might live out of an overflow of His presence in my life. I need for Him to be my Center, my Guide. While I do also ask for your continued prayers that my house here in Atlanta would sell, I realize that more than that, I need more of His presence in my life as I learn to grow in faith and trust in Him. I do hope that God’s plans for me might include making a way to return to Lima in the very near future, but I pray that I would hold fast to Jesus, regardless of what the days ahead hold.
I am still in need of monthly financial supporters to partner with me in this ministry. As of now, I am receiving approximately 20% of the income that I will need on a monthly basis in Lima. I would love to be able to share the blessing involved in bringing God’s Kingdom to the youth in Lima with as many of you as God leads. Would you pray to consider what your role might be? I am praying that God might provide a financial support team of 100 of you. While this seems like a long way to reach, I want to trust in the God that is able to provide abundantly more than I hope for. I humbly ask you to consider whether He might be calling you to partner with me in this way.
Thank you again for the ways that you love and support me.
Love and blessings from Nebraska,
Amy