little Jeferson

I meant to update about this last week, but last week just turned into this week.




Steve and Shyrel had been caring for Jeferson for a month or so, maybe longer. I met him only one time, when we went for dinner at their house.



Jeferson was about two years old, but only the size of about a three month old. He was born with his brain only partially formed and had signs of Cerebral Palsy. Not only that, but the little baby was born blind and deaf, and he's mute. He had been pretty much left in the hospital to die. He came to Steve and Shyrel's very malnurished and sick, but under Shyrel's care, he had gotten better, even laughing at times to Shyrel's voice and touch.



As the e-mail update I got from Steve stated: "Jeferson can see now". God brought him home last week. As my friend, Brennan, wrote,



"His burial was held a little over a week ago at the

big public cemetery. Heaven’s welcome ceremony was

given the evening before. Praise God, our creator

notices when the sparrow falls..."



Can you imagine that little boy's first vision EVER being our Lord??? He's the lucky one, if you ask me.

Praise be to God!

This week has seemed a little stressful, not really, but I just had a lot to do and think about, and it all seemed to come together at once. I only have a little time left and I'm trying to use it wisely. That, along with making some final decisions about exactly what I will do when I get back to Guate.




I have been so blessed today. God is so faithful, even through our short comings. I was given the opportunity to speak at two different churches today. This morning I spoke about 10 minutes and sang a few songs at Freedom Christian Center in Elkmont. This is a different kind of church in the fact, well, first of all, it's come as you are. I wore dress pants and a pink shirt, and I was probably the most dressed up person there. Jeans and T-shirts are the norm, but that's only the beginning. They accept people for who they are and where they come from. They are non-judgemental and loving to all people. A really great ministry they have in Elkmont. They are erecting, as we speak, a new building in West Limestone County (Salem) and really growing as a body.



Tonight, I was invited to share at my sister's church in Toney, Harmony Baptist. I had the whole service, about an hour, and I was so nervous. If I'm behind a guitar, singing, I feel much more comfortable than just standing there, guitarless, just me speaking to all of those people. But they made me feel so at home. I sang a few songs and shared about Guatemala and the girls' home and what I do in Guatemala. They were all so interested and before I knew it there had been an hour and it was over.



I was blessed in so many ways. Just knowing that those people will be praying for me is such a comfort.



I will let you in on a little secret: Those who support me, whether it be through prayer, finacially, or encouragement, go with me and are there with me every time they pray.



Today was a great day!

25 sleeps

I've got some speaking arrangements scheduled. This Sunday night I will be at Harmony Baptist Church in Toney (my sister's church). That morning I am most likely going to be in downtown Elkmont at the Freedom Christian Center, where I used to sing at the X-Change on Friday nights. Then the following Sunday, May 1st, I will be at a church in Athens that I'm not sure the name of, but I will edit this post as soon as I find out. The pastor is a friend of my dad's. I am going to his house on Friday to create a power point with my pictures and all that. I am so excited about that! I've never done anything like that. Who knows what God has in store? It is exciting though.






My days are numbered. I have 25 sleeps until I head back to Guatemala!! I am so excited, yet a little anxious at the same time. And when I look at my nephews, it makes my heart ache. But I know that God can fill me when I'm empty. Like the song we sang last night at Planet Rock, "You are my portion" :







FATHER I WILL NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW OR ALL OF IT'S QUESTIONS.

FATHER I WILL JUST TRUST YOU.

AND I WILL BE WAITING FOR TREASURES IN HEAVEN.

MY HEART IS WITH YOU, FOR THERE MY TREASURE LIES.

MY EYES ARE ON YOU FOR YOU ARE MY DELIGHT.



THOUGH I MAY NOT WEAR THE GARMENTS OF PRINCES,

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

FOR YOU CLOTHE ME IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

THOUGH I MAY NOT SIT AT THE TABLE OF KINGS,

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.

FOR YOU FEED ME FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF YOUR HAND.

YOU ARE MY PORTION, YOU ARE MY PORTION.



MY EVERYTHING, YOU MEET MY EVERY NEED.

YOU COVER ME AND MAKE ME BE AT PEACE.

4 weeks and 4 days to go

I have less than 5 weeks left before I head back south. I'm excited about it. I feel like I'm counting the days. I am a little anxious about the decisions I have to make regarding exactly what I'll be doing when I get back. Also, there are a few things I need to do before I go. But I know that God is in control of everything, if I just trust in Him.




I may be going to visit some old friends from Casa Aleluya this weekend. They live in Birmingham now and have a new baby. I may get the chance to speak at their church also, which is really cool. I'm not that good at it, but I just speak from the heart and pray I say what God wants them to hear. (BTW, Bo Bice, from American Idol, is a member at their church) :)



Other than that, I have a few other churches that I will visit before going back. I feel very blessed that these places have offered to let me share about the wonderful country that I now call home.



There is no telling how many people I take with me through their prayers. Only God knows and I know they will be blessed for it. It amazes me even to think about it. I can't imagine.



I am so ready to get back.