Preparation

It is hard to imagine that it is already the day before May! How did the last few months fly by so quickly? So many good things that God is doing in our midst...so many ways He is blessing us...and so many minutes pass by without our ability to absorb all that God is "up to" in our lives and the lives of those around us!

I ask for your prayers as I prepare for a missions trip to Brazil. I know that God has incredible things for the team that is going, and I praise Him for allowing me to "tag along" with such sweet women of God. Together, we will share encouraging words with women throughout three cities in that vast country...giving them tips, advice, and tools that will equip them in their desire to lead women's ministries in their communities. We will equip them to lead and nurture women in their walk with the Lord...what an awesome honor.

We have prayed for the women of Brazil, and I am so anticipating the moment when we will be able to pray with them - seeking the Lord together, in the same room, rather than continents away from eachother.

It is such a humbling and worship-full praise that I feel in my heart that God is allowing me to present workshops that deal with evangelism and discipleship in these conferences we will be facilitating in that time with the women of Brazil. It is a gift from God, because He knows that I have such a desire to help women live out the "Great Commission" calling on their lives as believers...how great is our God indeed!!! He knows my desire and my passion, and He is allowing me to share that with others once again. What a glorious God we serve!

As I bubble over with joy about our God and His gift (this ministry trip) to a wretch like me, I ask you - ministry or no ministry, missions or no missions, conference or no conference - does your heart leap with joy when you realize that the God of all Creation has given you a desire of your heart? Whatever the desire of your heart, be sure to give praise to God when He opens up the door for you to be able to function in, or have that desire fulfilled in your life. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" comes to mind...doesn't it?

The best "heart leap" that can ever happen in our lives is the one that combines the desires of God with the desires of His followers as they obediently follow Him. When our desires match His...when our will is to seek the will of the Father...great joy truly abounds...the pure joy that can only come from the Lord and our relationship with Him.

So, as the women's missions team prepares to minister to others, with the message that the Father wills that all of His people share with the nations, please pray for us! Pray for a mighty move of God and for the hearts of the women who attend to be lit ablaze with a love and passion for their Savior, and an unquenchable thirst to share His gospel with the world around them. May our team be completely emptied of "self", totally dependent on God, and totally surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the women of Brazil!

For His glory, and honor...

Much love in Christ,

JD