Friday, November 10, 2006

Rebecca's Journey - 80

Check out http://www.rebeccasjourney.com/ for photos, videos, an archive, and more information.---------------------------------------------
9 November, 2006

Dear Friends,

Paul is in the States, and we here at home are feeling your prayerful support. We have beautiful autumn days, and peace and joy are undergirding all our relationships.

Recently, a friend gave me a notepad with a scripture from III John 4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." This week, I have heard from three of my "children."

Stephen called to say "Mom, I only have a minute, but I had to call you. It's snowing!" He knew I would be delighted to hear of the first snowfall in Michigan. And I received a note from Kristina, another one of my "children." Kristina is the young lady who came to us from the Faroah Islands.) In the note she said that as she was walking across the campus where she is a medical student, the leaves were brilliant colors, and they reminded her of me. When she saw them, she rejoiced in God's goodness.

These two, it would seem, have received my "heart and eyes" to see the wonder of the Lord in His creation. Such a gift to me to hear from them!

And then today, I heard from Victoria, one of Paul's secretaries who worked and lived with us here in Europe in the late '80s. It was a sweet note in which she expressed her appreciation. It seems to me that these three are reflections that my labor in their lives is bringing forth good fruit.

Through the years, God has called Paul and me to labor in the lives of our own children and many young adults. At times I have felt the cost of having so many people in our home. At other times there have been difficulties, relational and interpersonal. Whatever God calls us to "do", there will be moments of cost. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Cor. 4 11-12: "For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you."

This is the process of "death" in us that brings life to others. Whatever God calls us to do, we can be sure in the difficult moments that He is working and that Jesus' light is being formed in us to be reflected to those around.

Often the process that God calls us to is costly. But whatever it is, we can be sure that He is working, and that Jesus' life is being formed in us. He wants to reveal Himself.
When we feel the pain and are aware of the price, we must wait on Him and the fruit will come: life for others.

Thank you again for your love. Paul will be home in one week, and we will begin the "count down" to the European Prayer Breakfast at the end of November. The days will be as full with the flurry of wonderful activity as the falling leaves around the house. We will be counting on your prayers.They are days that are important for Europe and what God is doing here.

All my love,Rebecca

PS This was written a week ago. Paul is home now. And we are shifting into the Prayer Breakfast mode.