Joyfully.

Sunday evenings we have an informal church service for those of us who can't make it off the ship or to ward service. This past Sunday was an all worship service, which I absolutely loved. As I was standing in the service, I looked over and saw my friend and immediately “Wait joyfully on the Lord” came to me as clear as day. I didn't know if this was for her or me or whoever is reading this or everyone, but there’s something to be said about how we wait on God for the things he’s promised and what he’s shown us. Many times we feel we are waiting on God, but how we wait is so important. I feel like there have been times where I've waited for something in impatience, tears, or with a bad attitude rather than peaceful trust, obedience and joy. So many times in the bible people have waited on God and have chosen to either groan and complain or rejoice and proclaim God’s faithfulness regardless of what they see.

I was in the Ward service last Sunday and there was a guest speaker(from somewhere in Africa) and he grabbed a guitar and sang a simple but beautiful song that went something like, “He will save you, he will save you…you can trust him, just believe him..” So simple but so true. God is so worthy of our trust and our worship through all times and situations.

We have dress ceremonies for our VVF women to celebrate their healing.This condition is common among woman in developing countries after childbirth. Because of inadequate healthcare, these woman are unable to treat this condition and live with it for years. I was able to go to the last two ceremonies. These woman have their procedures and are given beautiful dresses for the ceremony. They give their testimonies of what God has done and tell of the difference it's made to them. Some women quietly told their stories to the translator, while others broke out in song in french or their own local language and danced. It was so beautiful. Each woman told how long they've had this condition, some 4 years, 10 years, and over 20 years. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to wait joyfully on the Lord for their healing. I'm sure some had lost all hope after it seems their prayers hadn't been answered and their loved ones left them. I'm sure they never expected God would answer by sending a big white and blue hospital ship to them. God sometimes surprises us with how he answers us. His way. His timing. 

 Whatever you’re waiting on God for

T r u s t     h i m  +   b e l i e v e   h i m .

He will Save you.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,  though there are no  sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord,  I will be joyful in God my Savior. The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.    -Hab 3:17-19