STRETCHING

Isaiah 56:3a  Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people." Isaiah 56:6-7 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.  (NIV)

One minute we are all gathered around tables to celebrate all the wonderful mothers in the family that live here in the San Antonio area, then the next I find us packing up items intended for a summer missions group in Honduras, a medical ministry in Guatemala, and my dear husband accompanying his friend, Lanny, as they drive through dangerous territory to their various destinations.

My husband bravely states, "Don't let anyone threaten me with Heaven!  I'll take them up on their promise!"

As we eat our last meal before our two week separation, I remember the first conversations we had when we first started dating.  Jerry was in Central America on a mission trip.  He was on cloud nine as he shared about the church property they were able to raise funds for in order to pay it off.

Since we married seven years ago, it has not been very safe to travel back and forth and so Jerry took up insurance sales to take care of us after our honeymoon.  He labored hard and excelled in sales.  He worked long hours and drove all over Texas and surrounding states to provide for our family.

Yet, it has not been until the past year, after we decided to survey and travel to Costa Rica, that I have seen that sparkle in his eyes and heard the passion and excitement in his voice like our earlier days.  

Traveling over two thousand three hundred miles through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and then into Costa Rica is really stretching it.  He will be covering a lot of territory and taking ground for our vision for our ministry in Costa Rica.

Several years ago I heard God tell me that our home would be a house of prayer.  I have had small groups come and pray and study, but now I know that it will also mean that we will be interceding in prayer and others will be drawn to join us as they seek truth and walk in faith through Jesus Christ.

Yet, now God has challenged us to take our house of prayer to Costa Rica.  We have accepted the call and are willing to go no matter what.

Now, we are stretching our tent stakes and by Jerry taking our vehicle down we are solidifying our commitment to take up our suitcases and to follow God's leading for good works and to see people set free.

Isaiah 58:6-10  Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.  If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Stretching, yes, and much more.  We are running into a life of purpose; ready to experience God in new ways: new beginnings.   


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