Ministry update june 19

I know I am very late on this today. But here goes.

I'm not going to lie to you. I'm pretty discouraged right now. It seems to be impossible to get in touch with people. I make a thousand calls, leave a thousand voice mails, and the few times that I get people on the phone they either say no or call me back at a better time. When I do call them back they don't answer that time. I know it sounds like I'm complaining and on some level I am. Just need to vent every once in awhile. Right now I am sitting down praying and searching scripture for something to help lift me up and get me through the next few calls I need to make.

The biggest obstacle right now is figuring the best time to sit  down and call people. I know people are busy. I have no hard feelings about that. I'm busy with too. I blame no one but chance. Luckily for me there is no chance for me. Only Gods Providence.

But I will continue to diligently do what God has called me to do.  I Will make the calls and I will do it with a right attitude. Only God can bring the partners to me, and only God can bring in the support.

As far as prayer request go, they are pretty much the same as last week. Pray that appointments will be scheduled and partnerships will be made. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

"Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right Spirit in me." Psalm 51

LITL: The hardest post I've ever written.

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; [...] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:6, 8-9)

"And the Lord said to Job, 'Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God let him answer it.' Then Job answered the Lord and said, 'Behold I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice but I will proceed no further.'" (Job 40:1-5)

Last night I had a Job moment. I was angry and bitter towards God. I was demanding he give me an answer. How proud and foolish I am. Who do I think I am to demand something from God?

Brief back story. One of our Mixtecan families had their 2 month old daughter rushed to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. She is having seizures, which are getting longer and more intense over the last few days. The doctors she may not survive much longer, and if she does, she will most likely never go home. She will need to stay in a home for disabled children, because half of her brain is underdeveloped. Above: Her tiny hand clings to my friend's finger as she watches over her after one of these seizures. 

My church and friends have been praying so intently for healing, comfort, wisdom, the whole package. Last night I reached my wits end. I was angry with God. I wanted him to just hurry up and heal her or take her. The uncertainty was killing me. My answer from Him came much like that to Job.

I realized God didn't owe me anything. He doesn't owe me an explanation. He doesn't owe me an answer. He doesn't owe this baby girl anything. He doesn't owe the mother her child. He doesn't owe the child her health. 

He doesn't owe me my own child or her health. 

I was way out of my place to demand anything from God because He is the creator. He gives and takes away, as we sang in church Sunday. He has a reason for what he does, and for no reason do I need to know what it is. 

My job is not to heal or to judge or to decide or to understand. My job is to pray and to trust and to love on this sweet family and the friends that are ministering to them.  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

Ministry Update: Follow the Leader

"As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go!” Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” “Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.” But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”" (Luke 9:57-62)

I have been very encouraged as the summer ministry has taken off with Christian Youth in Action. Although I am not directly involved this year, due to my call to partnership ministry at the present, I am still able to ... nudge, if you will. 

I saw a couple of our teens off to training in the last few days. I have also had the privelege of hearing a young girl, friend of a friend, who has been called to ministry recently. She is 12. That is just awesome, especially in the opinion of someone who was also called to ministry at a young age. Jesus does not fool us into thinking his ministry is easy. But those He calls, he also equips. He also rewards them in so many ways.

I have been rewarded lately with being able to spend time and speak with some people who are so instrumental in God's work here in Montgomery. between school teachers, committee members, supporters, and Good News Club teachers, the company I have had over the last week have been great. :)

I have had two meeting since my last update. Both went well, and resulted in some strong prayer partnerships. I am blessed to have God keeping me in these peoples' minds. I made a whole bunch of calls yesterday and so far have scheduled one more appointment. 

PLEASE PRAY for God to have his sovereighn hand ofver communication, that he will place people in the right place and attitude to receive my calls. 

Pray for the meeting Thursday afternoon, as well as a few tentative meetings that have not been nailed down yet. 

Pray for this young girl and her mother as I meet with them tonight. If CEF is where God is leading her, she is very interested in helping this summer.

What Direction?

"And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bythinia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the Gospel." (Acts 16:6-10)

I am intrigued by this passage that we studied in Sunday School yesterday. Peden and I have recently started praying over direction in our life. And from I have experienced, god very seldom hides it from you when you ask, "where to, God?" 

So this could get interesting. 

That is all. :P

Revival Song (Ministry update)

ministry update for week of 5/23

"You start where I belong: on my knees." I am definitely doing a lot of praying these days. God has blessed me so much just through daily prayer. I know what you're probably thinking. "Duh! Aren't you a missionary? Shouldn't you know all about prayer?" Yes well this may come as a shock to you, but missionaries are humans. :P I have been especially blessed through praying for people. I have a list of all my contacts, family, friends, partners, and prospects. I pray through them about ten people at a time. On various occasions, I have prayed for an individual who later in the day I find out is going through something or in need of encouragement. It does my heart good to be able to say "Hey. I prayed for you today." :)

Spring ministry newsletter.

Sadly Trouble can't write. Because if she could, she could have helped me fix all 150 newsletters. But oh well. After much labor and only minute procrastinating, here it is. :)

Spring 2013 Newsletter 

LITL: Love has a new address.

"The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

I am here to tell you what love is all about. Twister. That's what.

I have two dear friends. Like sisters. I have known Hallay since she was born and Hannah since she moved here from New Orleans in 2005. We have worked together. I've even taught them in classes. Now I feel like they are teaching me. Or at least reminding me. (But more about that later.)

Because this isn't about Hallay and Hannah. Or about me. It's about Jesus and the example that he set for us to follow. As John says, Christ came down and lived among us. he didnt yell down to us from heaven, "Hey! y'all down there! (Because he wouldve had a southern accent.) I love you!" He didn't get in a bus and just pick us all up, haul us to the pearly gates. He came down to us messy, unreliable humans. He became like us. 

Love Triangle: me, my family, and my job.

When my daughter smiles at me I feel the same way as when I walk into a YMCA and kids run up and hug me. All i have to do is watch her sleep and it thrills me. Thrills me as much as telling kids stories from the Bible that show them how much God loves them.

Does it make me a bad mom to say that I love my job as much as my family? :P

Strangely these were the thoughts that kept me persevering through the doubt that I could a wife, mom, and missionary all at the same time. God has called me, and he is able to and will equip me. :)

So yeah. Ministry. I have a confession to make. Hopefully no one will hate me for it. In the flesh... I am extremely lazy. :( Monday, I slept until mid afternoon, and once i lost that big chunk of the day, it was so hard to resolve myself to anything, whether it be exercise, cleaning, or making calls. However, I did meet with a friend to practice my ministry presentation. Not only did I have a great run through, even while caring for the baby, but she is also considering partnering and spreading the word. :)

So yesterday i resolved myself to getting up at six am. yikes!And I was actually quite productive. I didn't get as much as wanted done because of a praticularly needy baby that day but still. I made four calls, left two messages, and got one really great response. Following up on that response in the next couple of days. 

Unfortunately my KCT coach cancelled our first call because of health issues, but i am looking forward to our first call next week. 

So over all not a terrible start. :)

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

I'm baaaack!

I know. You've missed me, haven't you. Pining away, checking facebook every day to see if I posted a new blog. Or perhaps getting by on the adorable baby pictures all over my timeline. Yeah. I can't get enough of her either. :P

Well, I have returned. After a three month vacation (HA! haha! right.) I have returned to the blogging world. I am excited about whats in store for the future.

I am starting a new phase of ministry, after having completed a special training. I hope to start posting weekly ministry updates, to keep those curious informed, and to keep myself accountable to managing the time God has given me. 

Of course I still have that adorable doodle bug pictured above. I hope not to let her take over the blog too much. But i will be occasionally chronicling motherhood every once in a while. Don't worry. This will not become a purely mommy-blog. 

Finally, if you know me, you know one of my greatest struggles and convictions is the fact that I am horrible at keeping a daily time with God. I hope to return to frequent "Lingering in the Light" posts to share the things God is doing in my heart and in my life. 

Hope you will enjoy the ride alongside me. :) TTFN. (Yeah, the Pooh nursery theme is starting to get to me.)

PS. if there are any suggestions, stories, updates, etc, you would like to see more of, just send a shout out. You know where to find me. :)

Winter Newsletter 2013

Here is a link to my Winter 2013 CEF Newsletter. 

If you would like to receive my quarterly newsletter in the mail, please email me your contact information. You can reach me at savannahlrbarber@gmail.com or here on my blog. 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1lq6nJ9mgZkAW7aD_v-tW5LHJGTsQ1-zik1J0BcZB5P6rkELNXanqbrFVsL10/edit

LITL: Beauty is in the Eye of the Record Holder

While reading through one of my Fitness magazines, I ran across an ad for Oakleys that featured Olympic gold medalist, Lindsey Vonn. The headline of the ad read "Beauty is in the eye of the record holder."

Many people have aspirations in life. Some hope to be rich, famous, attractive, athletic, etc. The world has so many things that it labels as beautiful. For some it lies in complexion, size, shape, accessories. These labels have changed over time, and have been used to describe not only people but many aspects of the world around us. The Romantic movement in literature hinged on a term, "sublime," that referred to something's beauty, not due to aesthetic pleasure, but to its ability to intimidate or terrify. I say all this to reitterate that beauty iof fleeting, not in its presence, but in its definition. 

This of course results in the phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

However, I particularly love the headline of this ad, because it places the ability to judge beauty not on the person looking, but on oneself. The record holder would normally be the object of beholding. But the one beholding you does not decide how or why you are beautiful. You determine that for yourself. 

I am pretty sure Linsay Vonn has days when she wakes up, looks in the mirror, and thinks, "Man my hair is rank." But even when she does, she still know she is looking at an Olympic Gold Medalist. While this may not necessarily be the most important think to her, I am pretty sure it ranks up there, or she wouldn't train or compete as hard as she does.

I say all this with this question in mind: As Christians, where do we find our own worth or beauty? What drives us to so determinedly live the way we do?

I'm a Saint! (yes. song included.)

“I love to hear missionaries pray, because no one knows daily communion with or the constant provision of God like a missionary does.” Pastor Myron

Wow. If that's not convicting, I dont know what is. As many of you know, I am in the candidacy stage of becoming a full time, faith supported missionary. Typically one might think of missionaries up there with Sunday school teachers and Pastors. We have it all together. We know the Bible front and back. We never worry, and when we mess up its nothing big, or we get it back together nice and quick.

Don't get me wrong. This is of course what I strive for but not any more so than anyone else should, regardless of my personal calling. But we're not what some would call saints. In fact, the idea of a saint is poorly misunderstood to so many of today's Christians, I think.

When someone thinks of a saint, they most likely picture angels and halos, soft speech, gentle walk. Maybe the sky opens over their head and the heavens sing. I myself picture a sweet grandmother whom one can't even imagine raising her voice, let alone doing anything wrong. If this is the case, I am no saint. And many Christians aren't either, as much as we would love to insist the contrary.

Let me show you a people in the Bible who were referred to as saints:

“For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you.”

“It is widely reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among the Gentiles—a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are inflated with pride, instead of filled with grief so that he who has committed this act might be removed from your congregation.”

Ministry Report: Fall Newsletter 2012

The first newsletter of Savannah Barber, Missionary Candidate for Child Evangelism Fellowship, is now available. If you would like to see it, you may do so by clicking here. :)

TADAAA! :P

A current newsletter will be sent out quarterly, or every three months. It will include such information as my involvement in various ministry activities, how God is blessing my ministry currently, and any prayer requests or needs of the ministries. 

If you would like to contact me about receiving the newsletter in the mail, or you would like more information about Child Evangelism Fellowship or getting involved with my ministry, feel free to contact me at Savannah.barber@cefonline.com. Additional contact information is available in the left hand column of the newsletter. 

Have a great day and God Bless.

In Christ's love and mercy, 

Savannah Barber

LITL: The Answer is always No

Yesterday I had my first ministry support appointment. It went very well. I got the opportunity to sit down with a Pastor with whom I am quite familiar through various involvements with the ministry already.

At the end of the meeting, I jokingly asked him "So how did I do?" His response was very encouraging: "You did great. Just relax and don't ever be afraid to ask." This is similar to the idea that the answer to an un-asked question is always no.

This later brought to mind a passage I have recently read in small group, the one when God gave Solomon wisdom. 

"At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”

 

And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. Lord my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 

 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life. If you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.” (I Kings 3:5-14)

Solomon's response to the Lord's question shows a great faithfulness and longing for the Lord. Often we are too caught up in our lives and our problems to even notice that God is trying so hard to bless us. We won't sit down for two seconds to enjoy the things God has given us, or to hear his voice. We just keep on trudging through our daily lives because that's the way its always been and always will be. 

WAKE UP! Yes, God calls us to some pretty mundane and difficult things sometimes, but he is still our Father and still wants to bless us. If we are willing to follow him wholeheartedly, he will bless us as he blessed Solomon. 

"All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Your descendants will be blessed, and your land’s produce, and the offspring of your livestock, including the young of your herds and the newborn of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out." (Deuteronomy 28:2-6)

So in all things, seek the Lord's blessing. He may not bless everything you do, but if that is the case, then maybe you should change what you are doing. But when something is laid on your heart, don't ever be afraid to ask. God loves you and wants what is best for you. Better than anything you could dream of.

2012 Child Evangelism Golf Tournament

 

Yesterday my husband and I had the privilege to drive out to Wynlakes Golf Course for the annual Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama Golf Tournament Fundraiser. Although the weather started out dreary, and there was a little light drizzling when we arrived, the sun eventually came out for a beautiful day.  

We got there some time between 11:00 and 11:30, just in time to witness a wonderful sight: Dreamland Barbeque unloading our lunch from their delivery van. :)They provided a wonderful hot lunch of barbecue (of course), potato salad, baked beans, bread, and a grand finale of their banana pudding. As we set out the plates, silverware, drinks (sweet tea, of course) some of the golfers began to make their way in for a bite. Most of the golfers sat down together for a good meal and fellowship. Some more determined golfers grabbed their lunch on their way back out to course.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time together. Staff, committee members, family members, and some who were new to the idea of CEF fellowshipped together. All golfers could linger over to the prize table and see the beautiful plaques made for the teams that raised the most money or golfed the most holes, as well as the fantastic door prizes provided by many generous companies such as Earthfare Grocery, Chickfila, Zoe's kitchen, Subway, and many more. 

God has blessed us greatly with the success of this year's golf tournament, in the form of funds raised, donations made, spread of the ministry, and a good time together as followers of Christ.  

LITL: When Giving Up Isn't a Bad Thing

Now for a blog, after a fun filled morning. Remember that little incident I had with my windshield? (If not see Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is) Well I got it fixed today. Yay! And for a decent price too. And they vacuumed and washed all my windows and it is so pretty. :) Yeah, I'm a little excited. I even got new windsheild wipers for a great price at Fred's. 

But anyway, this is not a shopping post, although one of those is soon to come after I post this.  

This blog is actually about sacrifice. And coincidentally (yeah, right) the passage I studied this morning for BSF was about the offerings of Cain and Abel. A story most of you know, but just in case, here is a recap:

"Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain^. She said, 'With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.' Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.'” (Genesis 4:1-7)

This passage speaks to us about the attitude of giving. Who cares what Cain brought before God? There are various laws in the Old Testament pertaining to harvest offerings. What really matters is the way he brought it. God obviously already saw the state of Cain's heart, and he warned him about giving in to the sin of pride. 

This truth has recently come to be a much greater presence in our lives, as we have finally taken the leap faith to start tithing. I know, we're heathens. Married over a year and we are just now giving our tithe. But as I explained in The Math Doesn't Matter, letting go of control of our money situation is a very hard struggle for me. However, when we realized how convicted each of us were, we could put it off no longer. 

LITL: It takes one to know one.

I taught myself something without realizing it. Don't you love it when that happens? So many times I will give another person some advice or help them in some way and then within the next few days, or even sometimes few hours, I realize that thata lesson was really for me. 

Because, God, you are so cool like that. 

So, I figured I'd tell about it, seeing as how I'm never the only one that needs to know things. Life is pretty much a situation where everyone knows something, but no one knows everything.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of reconnecting with an old friend from high school. We started out talking about the baby and being excited for the future.Then unfortunately, she admitted to me that life was not at all going the way she hoped. (Unfortunate about her situation, not that she told me :P I am glad she confided in me.) I know all too well what it is like to be in a situation where its impossible to make ends meet, and you feel absolutely helpless. 

She shared her hopes of getting out of Montgomery, but the means to do so are no where in sight. She even wishes she could back into art, which she loves so much. Her situation is even keeping her out of school, a place where she would feel focused and able to move forward through studies. 

I know exactly how she feels. In a way, our high school was a safe place, complete with numerous oppurtunities to get involved with anything that interest you, as well as high expectations for success, and a plethora of people willing and able to assist you and guide in your chosen direction. 

Most Important Days

"The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." -Mark Twain

 Mark Twain makes a good point, to which I would like to respond. In a sense he captures the essence of the fact that the things that make you who you are include where you came from and where you are going. 

I came from two pretty normal parents, who brought me into a world with a big sister, a great family, a loving church family, and one day a little brother, although I specifically asked for a puppy. 

First most important day of my life:

Actually this is 6 days before I was born, my parents' wedding day. Glamorous, I know. But you get the point. That's my momma, with Savy filling, and my daddy being silly (note the pouty lip).

My momma was a giving woman, always searching for ways to show someone love. For Christmas one year, she gave a little girl in our church a whole bucket of bubble gum, so that kids to come to her for gum, instead of her always searching some out right before service. Daddy was careful, but so much fun. He would tell dumb jokes, silly stories, and play games all the time. I remember the first time I laughed. It was with my daddy. 

So that's my past. It made me who I am today, for better or worse. 

Another crucial day in my more recent past looks more like this: