Dark Days and the Voice of TRUTH

Dear Readers,

It has been FOREVER since I have updated the blog. The title tells it all. There have been many dark days.

Have you ever had a string of dark days? Just no good news anywhere. And everywhere you look there seems to be more darkness, discouragement and depression.

This is getting morbid, isn’t it? 🙂

Don’t worry, this is where the voice of truth comes in. In Mark 5:34 there is an interesting story of Jesus being caught by Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. He comes to Jesus asking for the healing of his twelve year old daughter. On the walk to Jairus’ house, people come running to Jairus with a message that his daughter is dead. “Why do you need to trouble the Master?” And immediately after these people gave their bad report, Jesus turns to Jairus and says, “Don’t be afraid, Only believe.” It was the voice of Truth. This passage just lifted me out of the darkness and gave me such encouragement and hope. Yes, there are bad reports from all sides. The medical reports, the work reports, the family reports. Everywhere I turned, I wept over the reports of the world.

But the report of my Heavenly Father is do not be afraid, only believe. This is my strength now. I believe what His word says, and I know what my inheritance and rights are because of the price Jesus paid for the world. Friends, don’t be afraid when you hear the world’s reports about you, instead believe what your Father says about you. I love this song by Casting Crowns, and I pray it blesses you.

Because every child matters!

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I’m excited AND scared to see Philip!!

Philip is finally on the way home from his first mission trip on behalf of LWR! In speaking to him, he is the normal, excited young man when he left me a month ago.

However, I know that there have been changes that have taken place in his heart and mind. There will be images, people, voices, that will never leave his heart. I gave Philip a book before he left for India by a young teenager called Be the Change. He wrote about past heroes who spoke and acted on behalf of the voiceless, and gave a rally cry to urge readers to do the same. I wonder what Philip will say about the experiences of this trip. Does he see hope? Is his heart even more bold and assured in his mission?

With the emotions and visual images Philip will carry in his heart, I ask that you keep us in prayer. As parents, we want to channel that appropriately and in light of the love of God visible in John 3 and verse 16.

I pray that we are able to do this for our Sara and Caleb as well. Their hearts are tender, yet they must be bold to stand up and to know when to stand up for those who cannot do so.

Pray for this generation. I know the Lord is moving in their hearts, I pray they respond and act with love and courage.

Because every child matters!

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Philip’s First Medical Camp

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers on behalf of LWR. Saturday marked a special day, as it was Philip’s very first LWR medical camp about 90 kilometers outside of Bangalore, India. We had almost twenty patients come in to the camp. There were ten patients who had actual craniofacial deformities, ages ranged from one month old to seventeen years old. Initial reports from our physicians indicate that all ten may have be appropriate for surgical repairs!!

Philip took the time to mingle and meet with family members who brought in their children with deformities. With the help of the interpreter, he confidentally explained his before and after craniofacial surgery pictures. He shared his testimony with those gathered there. I know many were comforted and consoled with his simple, matter-of-fact explanations of his personal experiences.

To paraphrase Philip in regards to people with craniofacial deformities, “Just because they have something wrong with their body doesn’t mean they should be treated differently. They deserve a chance too. We need to help them!”

Come join us!

Because every child matters!

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December 23, 2012

Several months ago, Philip questioned the significance of baptism and its importance to the believers of Christ. Since that span of time, he has learned more on baptism. He came to us a few weeks ago with tears in his eyes saying, “I want to be baptized, I want to be filled with the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit. I want to obey the command of God.”

After much discussion with him, and all the grandparents and our Pastor, it was decided that Philip will be baptized on Sunday. I initially had some doubt as to whether he was ready. But as I listened to him talk to Santhosh discussing his own sinful nature, and how he desired to be like Jesus, I knew he was ready.

One of my friends was commenting on baptism, how we are “putting on Christ.” I couldn’t help but pray, Philip will be “putting on Christ.” I pray for the display of perfect healing for Philip, his spine and his breathing issues. I pray that not only in the spiritual sense he is a new creation, but also in the phsycial realm, we will see with our own eyes, a new creation.

Please keep the service in prayer, as many of our precious youth will follow the Lord’s command regarding baptism. May the Lord be glorified!!

God bless!

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Creating something out of Nothing

In the beginning, God created the heaven and earth… those are familiar scriptures that we have all memorized in the past.

I was listening to the testimony of one of my new friends. She was sharing her gratefulness to God for the family and friends and fellowship. But she became tearful, and I could hear a yearning cry as she was thanking God for her family and friends. I did not know her well, but felt led to ask her later on if I could pray for her. I found out that she and her husband had no children. It explained the cry of the heart, and with her permission I had the privilege to pray for her.

In 2012 particularly, I’ve known several friends who have had miscarriages. One look at their eyes tells their grief inside. This was a burden for me, and God started to speak to me.

I thought about this familiar verse from Genesis 1:1-2. God is a creator God. He created the world out of the formless void. He created the Earth we live in out of nothing. Can he not fashion a baby out of the formless, barren womb?

There is nothing too hard for the Lord. We have seen this multiple times in multiple ways. He takes the marred clay and refashions the vessel to a new and beautiful vessel. What an amazing God we serve!! He took my marred self, and refashioned me.

In the same way, he takes our nothingness and reforms it to something beautiful. God has given a promise that children are a gift from the Lord. His promises are for each and every one of us. Therefore, take the promise He gives, and speak over your barren womb, or your nothingness. God will reform it. He will do it.

I pray that He turns your mourning into dancing!! Let me know of your miracle.

God bless!

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Look at the RAINBOW!!!

I was driving Philip home from school yesterday after a dreary rainy day. Philip was happily chattering about his day, and then he mentioned his most embarrassing moment in Bible class. He had fallen asleep in class!! His instructor had kindly advised him to go to the first aid station, but Philip told me that he resolved that would never happen again!

The past 3-4 days Philip has really struggled with his breathing at night, while wearing his BIPAP. Like I’ve said before, it is so difficult to watch him struggle. I feel so helpless in watching, repositioning, or holding him. There is nothing to do but cry and pray that he would rest well so that he would be refreshed the next morning.

I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed when Philip told me about his embarrassing moment in class. I again thought to myself, which doctor should I talk to, and how else could we correct things or help him? Suddenly, Philip shouted, “Mom, look, look ahead!” I panicked, thinking I was heading for a car. Then he shouted, “look at the rainbow, it’s a reminder of God’s promises!”

It was indeed a beautiful rainbow, and we saw two together, in fact. I thought of the promises obtained over the years. Many promises over the future of Philip and the miracles in the past, and the miracles we believe to come.

There is no such thing as coincidence. This was a providential reminder, God does keep his promises. People fail us, things, life, nothing is for certain. But God. His Word never fails.

Stay strong, my friends. God is on the throne, and He never changes.

Blessings!

Susan

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Wisdom at the Benefit Concert

Friday evening was an important night for LWR. We were able to hold our first benefit concert, with the band New Creation as our sponsor. I had the privilege to interview Philip and let him discuss his experiences in his own way. He talked about how he felt when others commented on the way he looked. “Sometimes it makes me sad, but I know God has a plan for my life…just like he has a plan for all of your lives” (pointing to the audience).

I prefer to get his honest answers, and though we do run through practice questions, I do not give him answers to the questions. I love to hear the child-like responses that are so sincere and honest.

Our children are so innocent and priceless. We must step up and be the protective voices for them. We must stand up for life, at any age, race, size, or sex. Join with us in our fight for the value of life!

Because every child matters!!

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Men need to be COURAGEOUS

With all the hype about the new movie from Sherwood Baptist, titled Courageous, I thought it would be fitting to relate the words to Philip. On Monday, he was invited to speak to golf players, who sponsored and supported the Craniofacial Foundation of America. This is a marvelous, life-saving organization, especially for new parents of a craniofacial baby. They were instrumental in teaching, loving, and encouraging us as a family when Philip was born, and each surgery that he has had! We are grateful to do anything to help the CFA.

Philip began his speech by sharing a little of his testimony. I find it amazing to hear him say words like, abortion. We had explained to him what the word meant, and why the doctors taking care of me while I was pregnant, mentioned this to us. He shared this with the crowd. After he thanked the surgeon who has done the primary craniofacial surgeries on him, he concluded by encouraging the crowd to do all they can for children.

I pray that Philip will always be bold in saying what he believes and stands for. It was the prayer of Jeremiah, as well. “don’t be afraid of their faces, because I am with you.” It is time for men to be men. To stand up for the rights of their parents, siblings, wives, children and posterity. If this kind of order is not established, or aligned, then I find it hard to believe that we can succeed and move forward. May God help all of us to move ahead according to His will!

God bless you all!

Sue

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God has put words in his mouth

I know I’ve mentioned before the prayer we have before Philip speaks in public or shares his testimony. The prayer is from Jeremiah chapter 1. God speaks to Jeremiah and tells him not to give excuses saying he is only a child. “I will put my words in your mouth” is what we read as God consoles and encourages Jeremiah.

So with one of the recent opportunities Philip had to speak, we were laughing, and yet in wonder about how these words come out of Philip’s mouth. Check out the the link. Siskin Children’s Institute, where Philip spent about 5 years of life and graduated from, holds their biggest fundraiser each fall. They put together this video to share the wonderful work that takes place at the Institute. Click here for the Video

There is much more to share about our recent trip to Trinidad, so keep watching!

God bless you all!!

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