Change!

Dear followers,

I regret that it has been a month since you’ve heard from me. But, it truly has been a month to Change. My. Life.

I am sitting once more in the same comfy, living room chair from which I began my posts. Thoughts are washing throughout my mind and soul – but I believe there are only two things in particular that I must convey to you this evening.

First, I heard there was some confusion as to the type of trip I was on: vacation or ministry? What I can say is, God was glorified! Because of the specific people group I was working with, I was (and am) unable to publicly convey it’s depths… or even a very surface explanation! This breaks my heart for there is so much to share. But in short, God took my life this summer and used it as a mouth-piece to spread His love to nations that normally cannot be entered. This mission is what consumed my hours in Greece – not the sightseeing, not the day-cruise… but the people. (Please, email me for more information if you doubt! I will gladly call or write you in a safer environment!)
While overseas, I saw that the field is indeed white and ready for harvest; I was saddened to have to come in from it. But, praise the Lord it is not unattended! Perhaps He will call me back one day to reap! My ministry was mainly sowing seeds as I built redemptive relationships with hurting, starving, and lonely people. Many people fear those whom I worked with, but I love them and feel quite safe with them. I’d actually rather spend time in their presence then many people I’ve met in my short 21 years… They are beautiful and loving, kind and energetic, hopeful in the hardest of spots, and wise beyond comprehension! When I say I learned lessons – and when I say I changed – it is because of those whom I was to be teaching. Oh how often the teacher becomes the taught! I thank God that He gave me this opportunity to have my eyes refocused on the purpose of life (people…not programs!); that I have a new perspective on problems (oh how much worse problems can get than mine!); and that I see missions in a whole new light (one needs to know he is loved and can trust you before he will hear about Jesus).
I urge YOU to love the unlovable!…I CHALLENGE you to love them. I guarantee that when you reach out, you will be surprised to find just how enormously loveable they really are. They just may become embedded into your heart, never to be extracted. This is what I pray for you.

Secondly, my dear friends, I hope you like music. My students sure did! Their jovial outburts into song were welcome interruptions to the weekly lessons (how my heart sings with the memory: the energetic voices, the drumming on our lesson table… the laughter). As a tribute to them and a thought-provoker to all, I want to leave you with two songs. And my fellow believers?… These songs are a call directed to you – Enter the harvest field (John 4:35)!

First, “Asleep in the Light” by Keith Green.

Second, it’s modern echo: “Do Something” by Matthew West. Your “something” may be quite different than my “something”… that’s good! But, by all means possible to you, DO SOMETHING!

Reader, I love you. And I love them – whoever ‘they’ may be as they cross your path. Just don’t always wait for them to cross over yours, why don’t you go and cross over theirs? I have been blessed to see the fullness of joy that God gives when one walks in His pland for them. Because of this and my love, I speak in echo of these two artists, as well as the First Artist. He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).

Pray for me that I will go in the next direction that He points me. Pray that I don’t give up. Pray that I don’t grow numb. Please, pray for me (Romans 15:30)! Thank you for praying for me all this time!

The jobs not done. Join me, friend!
Love,
SR

Christ Shown to the Nations

I must say – I usually wait around for some “revelation” before I post, but it’s just not coming. I believe I have delayed long enough and it’s time for an update – main thrust or not.

Tomorrow will begin the last week of my ministry here in Greece. After that I will spend my last 8 or so days resting and enjoying with the family. But I ardently ask for your prayers this week! I have two more opportunities to impact the two groups I work with and my prayer is to be Christ to them.

I received a letter from a dear friend this week. That letter, which had been processed and shipped many days following its sealing, could not have come at a more pertinent time. it reminded me of an encouragement a dear man gave as I was about to begin my journey in Greece: “You are an ambassador, act like one at all times.”
It was a powerful word of instruction that the letter reminded me of as she told me “be Christ” to those I serve. In this nation of Greece I am to spread the Light by being the light! I am Christ’s ambassador – and even as we are going to take the dear ones bowling this week I am to act like His ambassador. Please pray for me as I seek to remember and accurately apply this.

The Bible says,
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”
(I Chronicles 16:23-24).

And that is what I pray to do this week – be more focused, more pointed in conversations, more broken and ready so that in my brokenness He shines. I pray that His light will be in my words, my smile, my eyes, my actions… Amen.

[Thank you, Lord God, for providing a “main thrust.”]

Rich in Mercy.

As I sit here reflecting on God’s grace and mercy I am blown away. I go to shake my head in disbelief at the thought that He would love a repeated sinner like me… but He does, and my head must stop its shaking and believe.

This week I was able to share my story of God’s grace in my life these past 21 years. In brief: He saved me from hell, but He went beyond that act of love to save me from myself. At one point I chose a path for my life that was a fool’s path – one of heartache, depression, broken promises, deceit, and false dreams. It was even leading me to physical death. But God, who is rich in mercy, reached down into my tiny life and saved me. He wrapped His loving arm around my gasping heart and calmed it. Thank you Jesus!

So now my life is His – I am His servant. But oh how I’m struck with memory after memory of myself carrying the title of “servant of the Most High,” while I am truly serving myself. I relate to the nation Israel deeply. In Scripture I read of their relationship with God – He touched their affliction and brought them to the promised land, they praised Him and made covenants with Him, they became content, they forgot Him, they were punished, they cried to God to save them from their affliction, He brought them to the promised land…….. and it went on and on!……. I used to mock, but now my heart weeps. I do this. Why do I do this?

Today I am broken and praising God who is rich in mercy! His love overflows for His children. He does not break His promises. He is faithful. So, I pray for a servant’s heart. I pray for a mind that will never forget who God is and what He’s done – to never forget Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Indeed I have come to a conclusion as to why mankind repeats Israel’s cycle. I’ve seen that it is when I forget who my God is that I return to that awful path of sin and death.

So, Who is God? He is…

The LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished…
(Exodus 34:5-7)

Does not change His mind or lie like men
(Numbers 23:19)

One God
(Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

Mighty and awesome
(Deuteronomy 10:17)

Fights for His children
(Joshua 23:3)

Empowers His children
(2 Samuel 22:32-34)

Holy and Most High
(Psalms 46:4-5)

Pouring out His love on us
(Romans 5:5)

Order and Peace
(I Cor. 14:3)

That’s only a miniature taste. Discover His true nature for yourself! Look in the Bible; don’t just believe what a human says, don’t just trust what I say, look for what He says. “Taste and SEE that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Because when you make the effort to taste, you will see.

I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
(Psalm 34:1)

 

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Introspection

What a blessed week! This week a team came from Pennsylvania to lead a VBS of sorts for kids in my neighborhood in the mornings, while in the evenings they shared testimonies, sang, and counseled our refugee friends.
The children loved the team, quickly bonding with many of them. They played games and were ecstatic about pizza and football (what we call soccer). But most important, they heard of God’s love and of His interaction with humans.
The refugees also loved the team as they saw how people across the world cared for them individually.
And I loved the team… for many reasons, the greatest of which is the heart impact they had on others as well as me. I watched as they interacted with the refugees. I saw a smile on one face that I had never seen curve upward before, I watched as one man previously closed to hearing us began to listen and ask questions! I saw the former man’s wife have keen interest and take home extra information on one team member’s testimony. I watched change and revival. My eyes have been so blessed.

 

My heart was also blessed because they say ‘laughter is the greatest medicine,’ right? Well, woven throughout this week were many beautiful patches of good fun and laughter. Some of these moments were trying squid tentacles, a day cruise to three of Greece’s islands, a sleepover, sweating so much that my sunscreen washed into my eyes, swimming in the saltiest ocean I’ve ever been in (the Mediterranean!), climbing the ruins of Corinth’s war barricade, sitting on a spiky plant, eating gelatos, evenings in the pool on the team’s hotel roof with the lit-up Acropolis in the background, sharing stories, playing chicken, laughing about nothing simply because our bodies were under extreme sleep deprivation, and much, much more.

  

Since I was more of a back-seat helping hand, filling in with little duties this week, I was also able to do some deep introspection. God used a series of conversations with the team members to point out to me that I had allowed darkness to creep into my heart and laziness into my spiritual life. I realized that I had been choosing not to die to myself on many areas because it is tough and painful, and because it requires dependence on God alone – complete surrender. So I say thank you to the team for being God’s tool in my heart this week! And I say thank you to Jesus for your longsuffering and merciful kindness that allows a broken heart to come home into loving arms. To say the least, I had a beautiful morning with God today.

Readers, don’t ever lose hope and faith in Him. He is so good. Jesus is so worth the hardship of daily death to myself (to give Him the throne of my heart). First of all I am never satisfied when I’m ruling my life – humans just don’t make good rulers. Secondly, the Creator of my life has a good and perfect plan for me – it’s just common sense to allow the Craftsman to pick the created’s destiny. Thirdly, He loves and cares!! He is, therefore, worthy of all thrones and our complete trust – even when He asks us to go through something painful.

Dear reader, I have come to accept that “Jesus is worthy of my sadness!” “Why?” you might ask. It’s because He showed me that I am worthy of His sadness. He experienced the greatest sadness when He died to open the door for me to enter heaven. Sometimes the greatest love – or rather, I think it should read – always the greatest love requires the mingling of the greatest pain: death. Death to self, putting another first. Considering them more worthy. So, onward and upward I go, because He is worthy!
Love,
SR

Love.

Having been blessed with the opportunity to experience both Athens and Corinth this past weekend I am struck with the thought of love. It seems everything is pointing to it these days – the biblical markings in the cities, the weekly evaluation with my host family, the hints of it on the metro as one human kindly gives up a seat to let a mother sit with her child, a homeless man mourning for his friend in prison, a man passing on to a little girl the reward of birds eating from the hand after he did the patient waiting to earn their trust, and even the desire of hungry hearts to hear the Word preached because it is preached so seldom to them. All these things are acts of love. But love is impossible without the One who created it and is, in fact, the definition of it. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I John 4:8).

As I was walking in Corinth I was trying to remember I & II Corinthians and what Paul penned to these people… all I could think of was the love passage. Love. What a word. As I was meditating on this, the chorus I sang all last summer at Pioneer Bible Camp played in my heart: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and love all of mankind as you have loved yourself…” I then prayed for the dear ones serving at PBC now and was reminded of all the souls that need told of Jesus’ love.

Below you can see a picture of Paul’s mark in Corinth… it was such a blessing to walk where he did and feel the sun beat on my skin with the intensity it did his. This experience opened my eyes to see Scripture differently – starting with the verse below that was in the very spot of my lesson.

I have a prayer for one specific lady here in Greece to be saved this summer. I will change her name here and ask for you all to pray for Jane. Please don’t forget about Jane this week. I trust that God will answer our prayers of faith and I’m excited to see the means He uses. Pray that her heart is softened, her ears listen, and her mind understands the riches of His grace. She already has a servant’s heart, as well as many unsaved friends – my heart is excited at the thought of her becoming part of the family of God and able to truly love, knowing Him.

Seeking to love the lost,

SR

THANK YOU

This is a quick note to thank you all for praying! I have seen God answer specific requests this week – it’s as if the moment after I ask for something (a conflict to be resolved, a ray of hope, etc.) it is answered! Amazing that even when I don’t pray, but just think it, the answer still comes! Jesus does indeed interceed for us.
Yes, the culture is different and I sometimes struggle. I often feel as though I am alone even though I’m in a room full of friends. When you understand nothing around you life can be hard and lonely. But this has given me a lot of time to talk to my Savior. He has truly become my best friend. When I feel alone I just have a conversation with Him. How thankful I am for His presence!
Tomorrow I will teach my first English lesson! Please pray as I seek to build a friendship with these who speak another language. Please pray for wisdom. And please pray for my energy! The people I work with are full of energy and excitement, pray I can match this and be a blessing, not a hindrance. Please pray that all of my actions are as Christ’s ambassador and point to Him.

Here’s a snapshot of my past week:

I had jet lag for a while, received kisses and large smiles from new friends, was dressed in the traditional Bangladesh women’s garb (building redemptive relationships! It was so fun!), went to a wedding, packed bags of clothes for those who have none, traveled the metro, sat on many balconies, breathed in dust from Africa, eat mucho amounts of lamb, grew a love for true Greek salad, gleaned advise from missionaries and other believers for my future, and much, much more. Tonight I will give my testimony to teens and tomorrow my “official” ministry begins.

I am reading in Genesis for my devotions and what I have found is a deeper understanding of Israel’s journey – they dwelled in tents with no firm place as ‘home’ other than God’s arms. Lessons fill my life every day. I am thankful. Thankful to God first, and to you second for your covering of prayers and support.

With love,
SR

Everywhere I Go

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It’s all coming together! God has provided every ounce of support – prayer warriors, finances, and peace within my heart.

I want this post to be centered around the song “Everywhere I Go” by James Loyne. Vocalizing what I otherwise couldn’t, it speaks of God – my faithful Friend, Guide, Savior, and Light. https://soundcloud.com/#sally-deford-music/everywhere-i-go-james-loynes

With this reminder I can take courage and step off the plane Tuesday, onto Greek soil, with a heart courageous and strong.

God tells me…
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isa 30:21)
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deut 31:8)
I praise Him for He has…
“beset me behind and before, and laid [His] hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Ps 139:5-6)

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Praising Him for Anticipation!

God has begun to clear my mind, allowing the thought of this trip to truly soak in and, as it draws nearer, my heart beats quicker with joy. I’ve done a lot of prep research today and, well, what can I say but “wow!” Beautiful country. Warm, generous people. Unreached, plentiful field.   I desired to go to a different country this summer, but God opened the door to Greece and so I walked through it, looking for Him to do a great work in me and through me. I love that God has since reached into my life and peeled back “my skin” to plant a love for the land and a burden for the people of Greece deep within me: the people both Muslim and Greek alike. Thank you, Lord!

I have been impressed by wiser ones, within the past two days, of the fact that God will teach me and mold me through this trip more than I can imagine! I needed that reminder… I need humility. I cannot do anything for God when going with a puffed up attitude of any sort; I must be broken. I need His grace. I am excited to watch Him put me through the fire and for the amazing opportunity this is to throw all my dependence and trust in Christ in such a tangible way. I am nothing; He is all.

   Tomorrow I have the privilege to meet with a dear Greek woman for breakfast at Panera. She’ll be teaching me more about this wonderful land – but more importantly, I will be learning of the people and how to effectively reach through the culture to touch their lives so that God may touch their hearts. “What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him. What a mighty God we serve!”

Onward and Upward!

As I prepare for my journey to Greece I find myself reflecting on how the Christian life is indeed a journey. Abraham before us journeyed on the path God had for him, living in tents, not really having a “home,” and so I walk in his example. One step on the path toward my heavenly Home that God has prepared for me is my ministry this summer in Greece.

These next few weeks are filled with planning and organizing, lesson making, and talking with the Lord. They are sweet days, but also hard. The inclination to worry is always pressing on me as I find there are too many required pages to read, forms to fill out, electronics to prepare for international use, lessons to plan, shopping, mailing, the daily family things, and on and on to do than there are hours in the day. Yet, there is a purpose! And that keeps me going.

God will never call His servant to something that cannot be accomplished in His strength (I Corinthians 10:13). So, I will trust in Christ, looking at one step at a time. Hence, the title of this post, “Onward and Upward!”

I was gratefully introduced to this phrase by my dear cousin, and I have often been pricked to remember it when hard times come. It is a good reminder to LOOK UP! As the old hymn sings, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace” (Hellen H. Lemmel).

As I look to Jesus to be my guide in completing these tasks, I find that their tediousness is not so overbearing because they are eternal.

With my eyes fixed upward I can smile in the bustle, so onward I press – as I pray you do too.

Till next time ~ SR