“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” -Joseph, weeping
Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings of peace and joy to you. I hope this letter finds you confident of God’s love for you.
Ten days ago my dad died. His passing has caused me to think a lot about living…how I want to live.
As I sat on the bed with my dad last month before he died, we got to talking about our favorite people in the Bible. We thought about Joseph. His story in Genesis jazzes me. As Joseph was humble, obedient, and forgiving, God used him to save his murderous brothers from famine. True undeserved grace. I love it! What’s more, God was in control, lovingly orchestrating history from the beginning of the saga. Can I trust that He is still compassionately planning life, even now? In my family? In our Word Made Flesh community in Freetown?
Like the guy talking to Jesus in Mark 9, I yearn, “I believe, help my unbelief.”
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
This summer at the once-every-three-years Word Made Flesh gathering in Omaha we took time to do just that. BE STILL. We took time to practice and learn about meditation and contemplation together. As we create space in our schedules and souls for God, we hope He will saturate and permeate our lives with His truth, His love, His eternal perspective.
Still very much a distracted novice, I am finding that as I take time to BE STILL, I can more easily stop my selfish, culturally-conditioned ‘auto-pilot’ thoughts, actions, and emotions and choose Joseph’s (ultimately Jesus’) way of grace instead.
Wouldn’t it be wonder-full if, just like Joseph, our own humble obedience and forgiveness could have such a positive effect on our loved ones? on history?
That is my prayer for you. May your love, righteousness, and forgiveness bring about dynamic restorative healing, unifying reconciliation, and vibrant life to your families, work environments, churches, and communities.
Will you pray the same for our Word Made Flesh community in Freetown?
Love,
Cami
P.S. If you would like a newsy update of current events in Freetown, please visit
P.P.S. For those you financially support me and the youth in Freetown, please rest assured that the two emergency trips to care for my dad were NOT funded by your donations. Furthermore, the majority of my time with my family (except for two weeks of “bereavement”) was unpaid leave.