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STANDING STRONG

Introduction:

As many of our readers already know, Nicaragua is going great turmoil these days. The people are under attack in their own neighborhoods. Hundreds have died at the hands of government officials for peacefully standing for their beliefs. I do not preach or teach politics. I do teach a Biblical message of hope found in and through Jesus Christ. Many people who we have worked with and ministered to for the last nine years are in crisis. This message is written to them, and to anyone else now going through a crisis of their own,

because with Christ,

HOPE IS ALIVE!

For my precious friends in Nicaragua

There are times in our lives when everything seems to be falling apart…when we don’t know what to do next…when it seems like we’ve lost our way, and our strength. When everything is dark it is hard to see, hard to remember. But during those times it is also easy to forget that we have hope. We have hope because the promises of our God never fail! Never. It may feel that way…but the truth is – God Never Fails His Children.

“When you don’t understand what God is doing, you can Trust His heart! “  Jake Thornhill

In a time of deep trial God told Jeremiah in 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

BELIEVE HIM THIS DAY!

This time of upheaval in your country has been a DARK time. But darkness always has to flee when the light appears! And Never forget that our Jesus is the Light of the World. He sees what His children are going through. He is with us in the valley. He will calm the storm. Some storms last longer than others. But the storm always ends! And when it does, and the sun starts to shine again, it is a new day. A bright day, a day of recovery and rebuilding, a day of Bright Hope for tomorrow.

“For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning”
Psalm 30:5

Tonight, as you read this message from my heart to yours, you can know that thousands here and across the world are praying for you. We believe that our God will prevail and your country and your people will be restored. We believe in a bright, hope filled tomorrow for Nicaragua. And we look forward to the day that we can be with you again!

 We stand strong with you, ready to help right now in prayer, and tomorrow when the rebuilding begins. So, you stand strong too! In Ephesians 6:10-11 Paul says;

 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

 

Paul points out 5 things to us in these two short verses:

  1. It is his final word to the people.
  2. To be Strong by depending on God’s power in you – through the Holy Spirit who lives in you if you have given your life to Him.
  3. Put on His Armor – not our own fleshly armor
  4. His Promise – you WILL be able to stand firm if you do these things!
  5. Flesh and blood – people – are not our enemy. Our real enemy is the forces of evil in the unseen world. Satan.

 

Therefore, let us come together in unity – using the armor that God supplies – and defeat the real enemy of our souls! We can trust our God and His Mighty Power to bring victory to His people!

God in Peace my friends. God is watching!

Blessings,

Brenda Lancaster

 

 

photo credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/thiagofest-60126

GOD IS ON THE MOVE IN NICARAGUA!

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
John 4:34-35 (NIV)
20160319_123222Well, here we go again…

If all has gone according to plan, I am in Nicaragua today with three other members of our ministry team, my husband Tom, along with Nick and Jessica Wright. Tom heads up the Men’s Ministry, and Sports Ministry part of our ministry, and Jessica and Nick head up the School of Hope Child Sponsorship Project that you’ll be hearing lots more about in the days to come. As you read this, we should be in the middle of the rural community of Solidaridad.

Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor? Do you remember a story I shared with you years ago, in 2009, after I’d had a scare in El Salvador? It involved snakes and floods.  I confessed publically my fear of encountering snakes, especially during flooding, while on mission. While there, we experienced a volcanic eruption, an earthquake, and a tropical storm…and massive flooding was predicted.

Fear like I’ve never felt before flooded my soul. And I didn’t handle it well. Afterwards, I asked you to help keep me accountable for getting over it, and conquering that fear.

Well, I have, just a little bit. But I’m still working on it. Fact is, I don’t think about it much anymore, but there are times when it still comes to mind. Such as when I’m getting ready to head back to a country known for snakes and floods during the rainy season. And this time, it’s the rainy season in Nicaragua. And snakes there can be as big as a 12-year-old boy’s leg.

One thing I remember most of all about that story, was how I’d been a coward and wouldn’t walk down a fierce looking, overgrown path, in flip-flops, to minister in a church perched in the jungle. Or rather – common woods – as the locals would call them.  I begged to go to a city church instead, and Bob, our fearless leader, had mercy on me.  Others boldly got off the bus and courageously followed the footpath to victory. Not one of them got snake bit or washed away in a flood that day.

Defeat is what it was to me. And here we go again – to Nicaragua – in the rainy season.20160319_093643

However, sitting here in my quiet, dry office today, I choose to focus on all the Lord has done over the last seven years since that story happened. I choose to remember the grace and mercy He showered on me as I confessed such a lack of faith, asking Him for another chance…which He has given, many times over. I choose to remember how, in the Old Testament, the Israelis struggled and failed over and again with failing faith, and the price they paid for it.

Today, sitting here, I choose to focus on the fact that He has proven, time and again, that He really is able to do exceedingly, abundantly; above all we can ask or think.  He really will be with us wherever we go. He really is our strong tower and our help in times of trouble. Because He has proven it repeatedly over the last seven years!

But, that is today, sitting here in safety. And like most of us, my faith often falters and fails. So dear friends, please pray with us, that we will remember what He has done in times past, that we will remain faithful, and that He will do what He does best…bring much fruit that remains!

We’ll be there August 10-15 to break ground on the School of Hope Building Project, child sponsorship program, and to work with the Nicaragua Team in preparation for the 2017 mission trip. You can follow our trip on our FB page – ZMI Family Ministries International.

Next March, God willing, our mission will be for two weeks, involve 2 separate teams of people coming and going, who will help with:

  • Three crusades, in three different cities.
  • At least 10 Men’s, Women’s and Family Teaching conferences.
  • 10 baseball clinics.
  • Children’s Bible clubs
  • Sewing for Success project.
  • Human trafficking victims.
  • Medical and Hygiene ministry projects.
  • Shoes for Solidaridad
  • School of Hope Project

Wew! I get tired just telling about it! So, please, we need you! Please pray now about joining us on mission in 2017! Because He calls us all to the Great Commission.

Because He is on the move in great and mighty ways!

And the Fear Factor? Though there are times in our lives when we are afraid to go where God wants to send us, let’s ask Him to change us – one baby step at the time – that His mercy will see us through, and we will grow towards becoming what He created us to be.

Come with us…we’ll keep the light on for ya…

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda