Permeate 2014

Permeate 2014 had the theme of  Mind: Set. 

We focused on Colossians 3:1-4 but really looked at the whole chapter. This year was just as exciting as last year. My small group consisted of 9 girls ages 11 to 14. At the beginning of the weekend two of them told me that they didn’t think that they were going to learn or enjoy the weekend very much. They expressed the sentiment that they perhaps had wasted their money on the registration fee. 

With this beginning it is so exciting to give you a glowing report at the end of the weekend. On Saturday evening as they packed their bags they shared with me and with each other some of the things they had learned. 

It was so very endearing to hear these young women share with me their struggles-regarding emotion control. Most of them were very concerned with how to handle their anger in relation to their siblings, parents, and friends.  It made me think about my days as a junior high student. I don’t know if you can relate but it was hard to control my emotions. I was proud that these young women were seeking to follow Father’s way for their life. Colossians 3:8 says: “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” This sentence is easy to say but not so easy to follow. All nine of my girls wanted to know they could apply this in their lives. How encouraging to me. 

This young women told me that she thinks she learned more this year than last year and that she was really glad that she came. 

The other event that touched my heart during this year’s Permeate had nothing to do with my 2014 small group but actually had to do with how two girls from my 2013 small group have grown. My small group last year had two girls who did not get along. In fact they got along not at all. Surprisingly, they knew just what buttons to push to drive each other CRAZY.  This year as we were preparing to make roommate assignments I was shocked to see that both of them requested the other to room with at Permeate. Father truly does work in mysterious ways.  During one of the game times these two girls plus their other roommate did not show up. When I discovered them I found that my former small group girls were talking with their roommate about why they believed in Father. I almost cried. How far they had come in their love for each other and their love for Father. 

How blessed am I to be involved in these youngsters lives and not only get to witness their growth in Him but also get to impact them. 

Thank you for all your thoughts, support, and love in this endeavor in pointing young ones closer to the cross. 

This year we had some difficulty with the retreat center and we are hoping that next year these same difficulties could be avoided. If you could be petitioning on our behalf asking for good relationships and favor with these ladies: 

These three photos are of one of the stations at our Pr8yer Maze. We did a scrabble puzzle of what our relationship with Father looks like. The pictures with the green background are from Permeate and the finished brown background product is when Mikayla and I finished gluing all our words down. This will be hanging at the Youth Center for future generations to see. :)

Thailand, The Doctor, and the beach.

I recently spent what was supposed to be a time of rest and relaxation in Thailand. However, the time spent in Thailand this year was filled with stress, sickness, and confusion. I know that we all have had expectations that have fallen short of reality. When you thought the ice-cream was fudge flavored but in reality was coffee flavored. Or maybe you thought it was mint but it was actually pistachio. These days can really change how we look at the world. 

I currently am dealing with a world outlook shift. While in Thailand I visited the doctor. This is usually a big part of our trips to Thailand. Bumrungrad Hospital is a very well known for it's medical tourism. Their Yearly Physical department runs all day everyday doing health screening for people from all over the world. It is a very interesting place to people watch. I had no inkling for how much time I would actually spend time there. Many of us have been in a similar situation: Yesterday, our computer was working "fine" and now today it won't boot up.   My dental appointment was the only thing I was nervous about. But I needn't have worried because my teeth had no cavities.   The routine check up wasn't even on my anxious radar. Alas, it was discovered that I needed to have some follow-up procedures done to check on the status of my stomach and colon. So what should have been a two day ordeal turned into a three day one. At the end of it all I was diagnosed with ulcers. 

Me in the hospital prepping for my procedures. 

I was prescribed medication and was given a list of dos and don'ts. 

In the course of all this drama I began to question if the ulcers were a symptom that I was not trusting Father well enough. I began to talk to Him in ernest. Asking Him to reveal to me my sin in this area. I desire whole-heartly to trust Him in all things. Up until now I thought I did a pretty good job. I came to the conclusion that I did need to trust Him more on a daily need basis. So since I have been diagnosed every night as I lay in my bed in the dark I have been asking Him to help me to trust Him in ALL things. 

If any of you have any recipes that are good for ulcer patients or if you have specific thoughts that could give me more peace I would welcome those suggestions at DeniseJ@worksmail.net.  I never claimed to be un-broken but ever since November when I broke my toe I have felt that my bodily health has been attacked. Thankfully I know the Great Healer. Who only allows what in the end will bring Him glory. And so in this time of healing I point my face to Him and work on my Psalm 16 verse. 

My broken toe-completely healed.

Toes in the sand. 

I did get a couple days of soaking in the sun and marveling at the beauty that He has made for us. 

Official January Newsletter

As I look over my future in 2014, I am very glad that I know the one in whom my future rests. Because I realize that I am very unsure as to what will happen. There are challenges and changes occurring in this country and in the various teams I am a part of. I hope that the position that I am working in is one that lasts a while. I hope that the teammates I have invested time, energy, and love into will continue being a part of my life. I hope that the government officials who I have been working with and who have been opening so many doors for us would have favor and not be removed from office. I hope that the school I continue to go to will continue to provide me visas. I hope that I will get to come back to the States for my second home assignment in June of 2014. 

Things began with much excitement and enthusiasm last September and we had high hopes to visit lots of schools and touch many many students. But our human plans are often suddenly changed. This too is my story from the second half of 2013. I can happily report that in 2013 I taught at 7 schools. An estimated 1200 students were educated about trafficking, their personal worth, and how to be more safe.  But these numbers are far lower than we had expected.  Since about the second week of October those directly involved in this education and prevention work have been waiting on our Father. We have been petitioning Him for guidance, open doors, and healthy relationships. 

I know that many of you are involved in networking and cooperative works. It is not easy to get multiple groups of people to work together for a common good. Mostly because every group has their own vision, purpose, and ways to accomplish said good work. Sometimes the different ways or different purposes don’t seem to coexist very well. It takes good communication, time, understanding, and a lot of grace to work through all of the little and big disagreements.

 

So we have been waiting on Father to show us what step to take next. This has been a very stretching time for me. Often I have felt like I should DO something. Many days I was very conflicted in my soul. I struggled with the struggle. Shouldn’t we all just get along?  But Father is working within me a new work. I am at peace today because I know that my future is in His hand and today that is all I need.  I ask that you too join in asking Father to work in my list of hopes above. May you go forward in this new year knowing that He is in control and He is with you.