God the Initiator

I am so glad that God is the initiator of love. "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19. Every time I come across this I have an image of a child walking to his father while the father is running towards him with open arms! The story of the Prodigal son shows how God takes initiative in loving me, in showing me his love for me, in being there even if/when I choose to walk away. This year has definitely been trying times but I have assurance knowing my Father approachs me with love.

Yesterday I received an email from MercyShips stating my faxed application has been received. Now with the strike, it may take a bit longer for them to receive the references and physical docs. Hopefully the timing will follow through - I'm certain it will. The lady also mentioned if at all possible that I can extend my time two weeks longer to help wrap things up for the year. That makes it SEVEN weeks instead of five. My first response was no. After contemplating and praying about it the past two days, honestly it came down to money. Serving for two more weeks means two more weeks of unpaid leave at work. That's a whole pay cheque! That's seven weeks of unpaid leave, that's a lot of money! oiy~ At the same time, since I'm already there... I might as well stay a bit longer.. it's the same costs in terms of airfare. lol, but will also mean I have to raise two more weeks of funds to stay there. (I'm so not looking forward to fundraising.)

Anyway as I subwayed up after work I started reading the article "beauty for ashes" from Gospel for Asia. These girls really need help, they are considered worthless and better dead than alive. It totally redirected my thoughts to the purpose I had wanted to serve with MercyShips. I wanted to help these people with the skill God has graciously given me. So what's two weeks? 14 more days of witnessing miracles, 336 more hours to build relationships, 20160 more minutes to give hope and healing to those who really need it. My savings account can wait but lives can't. God will provide when I return as He always have.