thursday december 29

the day i came to the realization that the Lord is all i could ever want and need! i was created solely to praise and worship my Most High King. i’m kneeling at His throne, eternally humbled, and fully surrendering at His feet. all striving and performing was banished when He bled for me. i’ve recognized my urgent need for His unwavering grace, and He invites me to rest in it.

this afternoon a rain/windstorm passed through. i was sitting outside our dorms, listening to worship music while watching the rain fall. i felt the Lord beckon me to take a walk out in the rain for no apparent reason. my response to His strange beckoning was a shrug— what was there to lose? so then i made my way to a pathway edging the side of the base, and it’s bordered by lush farmland that goes on for acres upon acres. i walked for a while, hair dripping and clothes absolutely soaked, and suddenly i felt an urge to stop. i looked around and there was nobody or nothing to be seen except for the natural beauty of Nicaragua, rolling hills, volcanoes and all.

my feet were swept by a rushing wave of gratitude and peace and i fell to my knees. how small i felt in this moment — and how big God felt — i imagined i was face to face with the center of all history, and there i was, equal to the ground, made from dust.  

wow. in the middle of the wilderness of Nicaragua all by myself, wind blowing and rain raging down, trembling at the revelation of His glory, authority and power. my spirit was rejoicing with all of heaven, my heart inclined towards praise for Him and His character and all He has done, is doing and will do.

as i bowed in a deep awe, i envisioned my sin and shame and guilt and burdens being washed away by the pouring rain, soaking deep into the ground, with no intent of return. He has redeemed me! what a victory is that?! the dirt and gunk encrusted in my heart has been cleaned out by the living springs of water that came rushing in. i’ve been made a new creation, born again, into a life that is fully yielded to the King! innocence and purity were restored as I allowed the Lord inside to take what i was clinging on to for so long. my eyes were transfixed onto Him and away from what i thought i wanted or needed. the Lion of Judah and Lamb of God, full of power and full of gentleness, kindly reminded me of my name, Rachel, “little lamb”: innocent and pure in His eyes. He keeps no record of wrongs. i am just His little sheep that He holds close to His heart. He constantly reminds me of His love day to day, and always leads me back to remembrance of His faithfulness.

i am thankful for this beautiful encounter with the Lord and i look back on 2022 with thankfulness! the Lord has moved in my life and in my family’s life in incredible ways and has been a Provider this year! i encourage you to look back and see what the Lord has done for you this past year. and He has good things in store ahead for you!

a little update: we have 3 days left here in Nicaragua and then we’re off to a “debrief” week in Costa Rica where we will rest and process the past 3 months of ministry. after that week, i will begin ministry in Dominican Republic.

thank you for reading, and i miss you all! sending prayers your way and ever so grateful for each one of you.

until next time,

Rachel