Crazy! ... Or Jesus?

2008 is already shaping up to be the wackiest year on record for me!

I began this year by asking the Lord to reveal Himself to me and to my friends in a special way as Redeemer and Provider. And, I asked Him to send a fresh passion for holiness among us.

When He reigns … it pours!

In January, I began to sense a strong call to formalize my personal teaching/speaking ministry. I’m still discovering what that looks like, but hopefully soon www.mariposaministries.com will display a purple butterfly logo and information about “Celebrating the Transforming Work of Christ in the Lives of Women” as well as teaching samples, and the verse God continually reminds me of, Isaiah 43:18-19, which says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold! I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up, will you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness, a stream in the desert.”

In February, I got on an exercise and work out kick that has led me into the realms of kickboxing, Pilates, and 5K races. Look out, world; I may become a “ninja” yet!

And, then, came March. I have been praying since last fall for a house that is “safe, affordable, and big enough to host [YOOJ].” Just a few weeks ago, during my time with the Lord, I had the strongest impression that I should look into purchasing a home rather than renting. So, I am. I keep telling myself I’ll just walk through the process until the Lord shuts the door, but so far, the doors keep opening.

Finally, Wedgwood takes trips to the Peruvian jungle 3-4 times a year, and Jake and Dodie have been trying to talk me into joining one of these trips since they first started going four years ago. It appears the time has come. Today I received confirmation that from May 23 – June 1, I will be serving as the interpreter for half of the newest REAP Peru mission team. Our work will primarily be discipleship in some of the villages previous teams have already reached with the Gospel.

Did I mention I have a full time job/ministry, too? Things at Cornerstone Christian Women’s Job Corps continue as well. We have just begun our second Life Skills and Job Readiness training class of the year, and the four women God has given us are doing splendidly!

So, here’s the deal. I need your prayers.

*Pray for Mariposa Ministries, that God would continue to give me the pieces of that puzzle in order. Specifically, I need to design/select a logo, and learn how to host the website. And, always, pray for God to provide opportunities for me to grow in the areas of teaching/speaking/writing.

*Pray with me about the purchase of a home. I’m so excited that God might bless me with such a thing, but tempted to be overwhelmed by all of the details and the responsibility of homeownership. Pray for the right home at the right price in the right place!

*Pray for this trip to Peru, for the finances, for physical health and stamina, for spiritual preparation, and for God to seriously bestow a gift of tongues on me, that I would be able to clearly interpret all that needs to be communicated. (If you feel led to give financially to this trip, checks can be made payable to Wedgwood Baptist Church with my name and REAP/Peru in the memo line.)

*And, please pray for CCWJC and all that goes on there in the lives of women who are coming to know the Lord in fresh and exciting ways each week. We are abundantly blessed!

Love,
Kristen