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MISSION ARTICLES
This is a collection of articles that our missionary wishes to make available to you. If you find that our efforts are important and worthwhile, perhaps you would consider supporting us financially. If so, Please Click Here and in Preference, please enter "Elizabeth Ratliff"
Or, perhaps you would like to come to our mission and participate with us in this very fulfilling work. To find out more about how you can organize your own team, Please Click Here. Or if you would like to find out about how to join a team that may be looking for additional members, Please Click Here.
Okie dokie… Let’s dive right in:
Honesty:
After a long night fraught with nightmares I am reminded of God’s Word and Matthew 6:25-33 (ESV) Jesus tells me …”do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body… Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?... BUT seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.” (emphasis added) And again… Psalms 37:4 (ESV) “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
I know that it is NOT beneficial and can even be detrimental to worry, and yet I am so prone to go to those dark places in my mind. Living in a world that is fallen and filled with sin, and the evil that ensues from that sin; well, it’s not easy! I lived a fairly sheltered life as a child. My parents are loving, and kind and they knew that the brokenness and tragedy tore up my compassionate soul. When I graduated high-school and started my nursing studies at the University of Central Oklahoma. Well… It was an eye-opening experience to say the least!
Currently:
Fast forward to today and this global pandemic... I will never be able to get the images of the mass funerals in Italy out of my mind. That compounded by the fact that I am currently living in a third world country, riddled with political tensions. Seeing poverty and cruelty on display at every corner and in every precious face... Well it came as no surprise when I woke up in a cold sweat, shaking; because I thought an intruder had broken in and was holding a gun to Tom and I. Thankfully I have a very kind husband, Tom, who reassured me that the house was safe and there was no intruder. What came as even more reassurance and warmth were the words that I memorized from the Lord. Psalms 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Praise the Lord that He redeemed me, and I can approach His throne. He listened to all of my fears and gently comforted my trembling heart. What’s more, He has given me promises that I can cling to in these uncertain times, such as Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT) “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. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord.”
Application:
So where are you? What thoughts are you allowing to take root in your mind? Are you filling your mind with God’s Word and His truth? Are you seeking the Lord wholeheartedly? Are you choosing God’s plans for your life? Let me be honest that it’s not easy for me to choose to be in Nicaragua and the Lord’s plans. Everything in me longs to be back home in Oklahoma with my family. Yet, I am reminded of what Jesus says in Matt. 7:14 (ESV) “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Choosing to take up your cross and follow Jesus is difficult. Paul writes in his letters several times that trials are to be expected and even welcome! Why? Because our loving Father uses these hard times to mold us into something beautiful.
Pray:
Father You are amazing. You are omnipotent, holy, wonderful, and so much more! I know that You are my Healer, and You see me. Please forgive me when I doubt and allow worrisome thoughts to enter my mind. Help me to remember Your truth! I know that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it! (John 1:5) Help me in this adventure to be the light that shines in this present darkness. You are a good Father. Thank you for the hope and the joy that I find in this walk with You. Amen!
To my team:
I love you guys. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS to those of you who have jumped in the boat and joined Tom and I in our ministry. To each and every one of you, you are a part of the change that is happening in this broken but beautiful country.
Ruthie
