Frances Blog
Welcome to Frances Blog page.
Here you will find updates and progress report posts related to Frances Swaray mission in Liberia.
We start our second phase this morning of training with our practical for Trauma healing for children. We have 36 children coming this morning from 8.30-4pm at SIM/ ELWA compound, all have experienced trauma. We are in pairs and have 6 children designated to us for the week.
Please pray God touches these tiny precious hearts and they start to heal.
Pray for us as leaders that God's love and grace will flow from us..
We are praising God as we watch how God is healing the wounds of these children.
Praise God for the completion of the first stage of our Trauma healing training for children, 3 of us participated.
Please pray as we put it into action at a children's camp from the 20th to the 24th..
This camp has been especially organized for vulnerable children who have already been identified.
Today as the rain continues to bring hardship on so many and to delay what I thought were my plans.. God continues to teach me that despite what happens to us, what obstacles may appear in our way.. Peace and rest instead of anxiety and weariness is a great gift from God. Our ability to overcome or to simply rest and lean on Him stems from the joy and peace only God can give to us. John 14 vs 27 says Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, not let it be fearful… God is good
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Greetings from Monrovia,
Thank God for safe arrival and I am happy for the cooler temperatures now that it is rainy season. But it has been torrential and earlier than expected. Many side roads including my own full of mini swimming pools!!!!
We still have no electricity and each person in the community has to contribute to the fixing of the generator at the electric plant!!! It is difficult to fathom this or how much petrol, food and communication top ups have risen in 8 weeks.. Petrol from 435 local currency to 535.. A bag of rice 1.800 to 2.200...huge inflation..
Today I went to the church beside me and I was blessed through the worship and message.. 2.5 hrs.. Donegal Family.. The Pastor was speaking on the call of Abraham and as he obeyed and left both his own comforts, family and resources, he was blessed. The challenge the Pastor presented are we willing to leave our comfort zone!!!!
Challenging indeed.. But I felt comfort, comfort in knowing God's ways are better than our ways
So in heating my water up for my coffee and to wash myself on the coalpot (I am so happy I finally got the knack in lighting in) I give thanks.. that I am blessed because I can finally have hot water and blessed because of God's grace to embrace the experience and endure what others go through on a daily basis here
Frances Message 20th April
Good morning,
It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks I will be home..
God has done so many wonderful things in such a short space of time and as I reflect on it all this morning several things come to mind..
God’s timing is always perfect
Psalm 31 verse 14 and 15 says
But I trust in you O Lord, I say You are my God My times are in your hands..
We often struggle and strife trying to accomplish things in our own strength, with our own timeframe in mind.. But often all it leads too is added stress and pressure in a life that is out of balance and sync with God..
Psalm 31 ends with this verse
Be strong and let your hearts take courage all you who wait for the Lord..
We are not good at waiting…
We live in a world that is now now!!
Here waiting is a part of everyday life..an occurrence that at times for me is like an endurance test.. I have had to physically wait for hours at times.. Even slow my pace of walking, my talking, my cooking..
But in all this waiting did God not show up and do it anyway!!!!!!
In His time… Abundantly more than I could imagine…
So a big lesson is being learnt by myself….
Today as I again find myself waiting.. God gave me this verse..
Exodus 33 vs14
My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest..
As we wait… We have an opportunity to just simply lean in on God’s shoulder and rest in His arms…
To press the pause button and just BE in His presence
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