Burning Cane Fields

I can't say enough about the amazing power of trial in life moulding me into the woman God desires me to be.  I have had my fair share of painful trials and loss, and I can honestly say that even though I am not sure the purpose of each one, I know that in the end they drew me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Today as I took my ride along the coast for LIFE Runners I was praying over the purpose that God has called me to.  I can feel it growing in my heart and I am waiting for all of the pieces to fall together.  Waiting, the lesson of patience that God has been working on in me for years!

Right now they are burning the cane fields, and as I rode along looking at the charred remains of a recently burned field it really struck me.  That cane field had produced its crop, it couldn't produce the crop any further than it had, so they burned it leaving nothing but charred ground.  Out of the ashes would come a field of rich nutrients that would be prepared to have a new crop planted and then grow into a harvest of sugar cane.  Out of the ashes new life would spring.  As I came upon another field that had probably been burned the week earlier I noticed that already there was lush green growth springing to life from the now fertile ground.

Wow.....

Sometimes God tries us by fire so that we will be fertile for the planting of new seed, to grow spiritually.  Fire hurts, it's not fun, it destroys what it is set to destroy and makes way for a fresh new sowing of seed, a brand new harvest.  I think that it is amazing to me that sometimes we get as far as we can in what we are doing and our spiritual growth can stall out, but then through trial God is able to refine us, to remove the "impurities" and make us ready to receive "new seed" that he plants in our hearts for future harvest.

This is me right now.  I was comfortable in the ministries that I was part of in America, I was also getting a little too comfortable in my daily life.  Truthfully I had hit a barrier in my growth and I was a bit stuck.  Now God has asked me to trust him in faith and to step out into something scary and painful.  I feel a bit out of place, lost in the waiting, but God is refining me by fire right now.  He has shown me bits and pieces of the seeds he is sowing in my life and I can imagine the harvest, although its still too far off to see clearly.  Its exciting to me to know that out of the ashes new life will spring, that I will grow and be even more of what he wants me to be because of this leap of faith.  New life will come from the death of my flesh, little by little I pray that God breaks the hold this world has on me and replaces it with only His purpose!  I pray that these trials will strengthen my faith and help me to wait patiently on the Lord.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

Bula from Fiji

Its crazy to think that only 2 months ago we had no idea what was about to happen, that we were going to be blessed with this amazing opportunity that is Fiji.  Its been pure insanity and chaos since the moment we took the leap of faith and trusted God to iron out the details and pave our way.  Now here I sit at my computer in our first home in Fiji!  I will admit that the emotional part of this I have not yet faced, I’ve been busy enough to stuff those feelings away for now.  Life is beginning to find its rhythm and so I know I will have to come to terms with all of this sooner rather than later.

God is amazingly good, from the start of this he took care of everything.  Some things he tested our faith deeply on and others he took care of right away.  He found an amazing home for the dogs where they can roam and stay together and will be deeply loved.  He helped us sell all of our property and belongings to people who will appreciate them.  He got us safely from Rapid City to Los Angeles towing our cargo.  He made provision for time with family and friends.  He got us and our few belongings safely to Fiji with little trouble.  He gave us friends here to greet us and help us get established.  He has provided for everything!  Last week He took care of the last detail, we received and accepted an offer on our house and now in a few weeks we will not have the burden of a mortgage while we pioneer our way in Fiji.

Coming to Fiji is nothing like going to India.  I do think having spent four years in India did fully prepare our family for this journey but Fiji is its own amazing place.  There are some similarities because Fiji is heavily Indian populated, but it has its own flair.  Mostly I’ve noticed that Fiji is clean, not heavily populated, and the environment is relaxed.  In India it always felt like everyone was on top of each other, but here in Fiji the villages are spread out and not heavily populated.  Its very refreshing.  It does cause one problem, without a car Fiji is hard to do.  They do have a bus system and Ella Mae and I have ridden it a lot, but we still end up walking about 4 miles round trip to the bus stop.  A few days ago God took care of the car situation. As we started praying over it we found a great car that we will pay cash for instead of sinking into debt! Praise God!

We were able to experience the raw beauty of Fiji last Saturday by visiting Natandola Beach.  I have been to some very beautiful places in the world but I have to tell you that this beach quite possibly takes the cake!  It was nearly deserted, it seems the guests of the Intercontinental Hotel prefer the ocean side pool to the salty sea water.  We spent the entire day exploring, and sheltered in our really cool sports umbrella we brought with us.

This beach has beautiful white sand, it is a very clean beach teeming with life.  The water was crystal clear, a beautiful blue and sea foam to contrast the bright blue sky scattered with big fluffy clouds.  The beach is long and stretches far beyond what the eye can see as there is a sandbar that comes to the surface during low tide.  We were told by the woman who braided Ella Mae hair that the horses we saw out on the distant sandbar were being used to handling nets during low tide.  It was crazy, from the distance it looked like horses walking on the water.

Right in front of the beach was a huge reef that gets fully exposed during low tide and has amazing tide pools.  One area drops off steeply to a secluded part of the reef perfect for snorkeling and exploring.  Other tide pools were a great place for children to wade as they were covered with soft white sand and very shallow and warm.  My descriptions of this place give it no credit, its something only the eyes can truly appreciate. Even the photos fell short!

Right on the beach you can take horse rides or get a massage or have your hair braided and beaded.  Unlike other tourist beaches though I didn't feel overwhelmed by the locals who were trying to make a living, they were no pushy or overbearing, just friendly and helpful.

The drive to the beach was gorgeous, and I was happily surprised to see pine trees in the mix with all of the other tropical trees.  One area of the drive really reminded me of the Black Hills, I felt like it was God’s gift of a piece of home.  This Country has everything, and I can honestly say that I am excited to call this piece of beauty home.  I really do miss friends and family and of course my fur kids, but I can see that we will be happy here!

Last Sunday we tried out our first Christian Church in Fiji and it was a powerful time of praise and worship.  I felt like I had entered the throne room.  It was clear right away that this was going to be our church home for now.  Even Ella Mae went to Sunday school without tears and had fun.  I’m not used to being part of a small church and it was wonderful being greeted by individuals excited to meet us.  One thing that struck me was when we met the pastor he asked if we were missionaries, we said no and explained why we were in Fiji, but as I pondered his question the more I understood the answer was in fact yes.  Later as we spoke more I told him that what I had felt in my heart to say when he asked if we were missionaries was “Aren’t we all?” He smiled and said Praise God.  The truth is that as a Christian I am a disciple wherever I go, a missionary in life.  I may not be here as a missionary but my life is fully dedicated to God and His purpose and that makes me a missionary in everything I do.

We met a group of young adults who were here on internship to discover what God had planned for their lives, to learn to surrender all aspects of their future to him.  We spoke with them briefly at church and then headed to Denarau for lunch and as we sat down they came along and we decided to join them for lunch.  We were able to share our testimony of moving to Fiji, how we had done just what they were learning, to let God lead and be willing to follow no matter what!  We also quickly shared Ella Mae’s testimony.  I pray that our testimony will help some of them as they prepare to lay it all before our Father and trust him with their futures.  It was beautiful to see the way God set our paths to cross.  We have been invited to have dinner again with them on Wednesday and I cant wait to spend more time with them! 

This Sunday after church our friends invited us out in the boat and it was the greatest day!  We snorkeled on a reef out in the middle of the ocean surrounded by beautiful tiny sandbar islands!  The tide was high so there we not as many fish as they usually see (that's what they told us) but for my first open ocean reef trip I was in awe!  The fish were amazing, the colors were amazing!  We even witnessed two Cuttlefish who were flashing and changing colors.  The whole day was incredible followed by an outstanding sunset!  I was very excited because I conquered my open ocean fear and jumped right in.  I am happy I didn't let fear of the unknown stand in my way of the whole experience!

Every morning I take a ride in LIFE Runners gear to spend my time in prayer and praise spreading the LIFE message as a living billboard.  It has been a good time for me to check in with God and have fellowship with him.  Today as I rode I found the coast and marveled at His splendor, what amazing love He has for us to give us such a beautiful world to live in!

Yesterday Ella Mae started school, something I was not at all ready for but she was excited.  I spent the day counting down the hours and when I went to pick her up her first words were “can I go to school forever?” MY heart melted, she loved school and that is a huge blessing.  I love that she will have the opportunity to go to school in a Christian setting.  She is attending a Christian private school that will teach her with a Biblical background in everything.  Our family is centered around Christ and I believe that her education

should also be Christ centered!  Praise God he provided a school in our neighborhood that is just what we needed!

When we left America there was so much uncertainty, we left a stable job for an uncertain future.  We left knowing that we could not afford to keep our house and live on the pay in Fiji, but God told us to go.  We went on faith that all of these things would come together as God provided the way.  He has taken care of everything, and continues to care for us.  I don’t know yet what God will have me do while I am here, but seeing that he already had us witness to a small group I can see that he will use us in any way he can and I am excited to serve him fully and completely.

God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called!

When the desire for your life is to fulfill the call that God has placed on you there can only be success.  When we ask God for anything and our eyes are set on him then I believe what we ask for will be given because we will be asking for the desires he puts on our hearts.  Often people misquote these scriptures saying that anything you ask for from God will be given and that is simply not true.  I can’t ask God for a million dollars and expect him to give it to me.  However if the desire of my heart is to draw near to him, to serve him, to honor him, then my eyes are set on him and what I ask for will be given.  Our eyes are to be fixed on him, not things of this world.

Then he said to them, “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

The desire of my heart is that this family will remain united in serving God wherever he sends us in any way he calls us, that Ella Mae will experience the world and see the deep need for Christ everywhere and that she will make him her cornerstone, and that we will have all that we need.  He is the great provider, healer, comforter, and He is my purpose.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)