Yo Yo, how’s it going? I have got just a few words of update for my blog today, one cool story, and I will end with a poem. Sound good? I think so.
First off, along with my VBS ministry in the Barrios, we walk around the community with the Pastor’s wife of the “Light of the World” Church and invite the community to come pray for Granada with us. All I do is follow Maria and present my bright blonde hair and smile and nod, sometimes saying, “Buenos dias” or “you are the coolest person I have ever met.” Last Tuesday, God met those who came, about twelve adults, and Laura, Caleb, Mario, Seth and I, in power. We started off with prayer and worship and then broke up into groups of men and women and prayed for specific needs. I am in awe of how well this time went-there were tears from grown men, one lady was healed, and everyone was vulnerable. Also, two weeks ago we asked for prayer requests and this week during our meetings, Jader stood up and praised God because after looking for a job for a long time, two days after we prayed, he had a job interview and now has a full time job. Praise God!
Also, I am headed to Costa Rica-Nicaragua shuts down on March 7th-15th due to a holiday-so why not go all out? Surfing is definitely in line and I am definitely doing many beach runs. I am going with four other people, J.D Russell, Annie V, Laura O, and Heather King. Leaving the Country will allow us to renew our Visas and rejuvenate. A team of missionaries is coming down in our stead and will carry on the ministries our team is involved in. The trip will be out of pocket except for 30$ given to us for food. Caleb Spitler and Baker have volunteered to stay back and hold down the fort, what champions.
The 5k-race is doing well; Mario, the man, translated our proposal into Spanish and Jener, the leader of Young life in Granada, is going to set up a meeting with all the Young Life leaders in Nicaragua so we can get their support too. I will keep you posted-oh a new plan is to have the Worship band from our Church play in the park after the awards ceremony and I think my parents are going to try and bring race prizes when they visit me in April. My Fatha is running, by the way, bringing up the rear no doubt. Ha, just kidding. I expect him to bring back some hardware to Vermont.
Okay, well yesterday I sat down in our prayer house and asked God to speak through me-I wrote these words on paper. Doing this is always an amazing experience. With this poem, it really felt like my soul was reaching out to Jesus. Hurr it is:
The Race:
Your light is what shines from within,
my face responds and complements the song
plucked with the strings of my soul.
Like a faun I jump through your fields,
oblivious to the stalkers with flashing gleams that scream
Danger, Danger.
As a father veils the eyes of his son from crude images,
so my father cloaks my being from these lions.
Father, show me this wardrobe,
one spring day,
you who are worthy of all praise.
Oh, the honey flows through my veins as my Shepherd
beckons me nearer;
Teach me how to run towards my mission,
spreading your name like water spreads itself on the land
after a dam, withholding nutrients in a scorched land,
no longer withstands.
May you break the clogs in my arteries.
May I exhale results of your hands.
Nothing compares to your inspiration,
it is above any words of worldly helpers.
And now my steps quicken,
through a forest of snares,
on the righteous path lined with wool
from a sacrificed lamb.
And onward clothed with righteousness
from your grace I push towards the clearing,
into a sunshine of your splendor
and the smile on your face.
Amen!
Hey Joe-son,
I was thinking of you today – and finally got my act together and read your lastest blog. Your mom told me about the race – sounds exciting. We’ll pray for that event – and the opportunity to reach others with the Great News!
I’ve been thinking a lot about the plight of children in this here world lately. Our three went home to their mom’s on the weekend – not that it’s much better than when they were removed, but they don’t have enough to keep the kids in care. I think it’s because the “government” doesn’t want to make statements that sound like moral edicts. Kids living in physical poverty does not scare me as much as kids living in moral/ godlessness poverty. Do you find the families to be intact in Nic., moreso than here? Please pray with me for this dilemna in our country/world. I feel strongly that VBS is a good way to reach the kids who can’t/won’t come to church. Thanks for being part of this ministy. Keep shining on and loving the kids.
You are on our minds, and in our prayers often, love you – aunt Donna and uncle paul.
PS – no surfing with the sharks!
Joe Carter!
Thank you. Your blogs make me smile and encourage me so much. I hadn’t read them lately, so I just went through and read them…isn’t God amazing? I see His hand working everwhere!! Nicaragua, Connecticut, Vermont, Nebraska…and that’s just the beginning. I’ve been observing the power of prayer and am JUST beginning to understand how great our God is. He answers prayer and guides us to where He needs us.
Last Thursday I was part of the prayer team for the Navigators [the college group I’m a part of] and we prayed from 2 Corinthians 7:14-15. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Our prayer is that He reveals His glory to our campus, that we will call to him, turn from our sinful wicked ways and follow Him and seek His face. We also prayed that we would see His glory like the Isrealites in 7:3…that we will truly understand Him and why and how to worship Him and can say honestly with our hearts, “He is good; his love endures forever.” and now, I’ll pray this for not only this campus, but for your team as well, and for the kids that you work with. May we ALL see God’s glory, and see Him working in our lives. [btw…I’m already beginning to see Him answer this prayer!! :-)]
I love reading your blog, and I can’t wait until the next one!
~Maria
p.s. Check out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 23-24. 🙂
p.p.s. that’s a beautiful poem. MUCH better than the poems that I’m reading for my poetry class! I’m glad you asked God to speak through you…’cause it’s beautiful.
Hi Joe, I have to tell you that you encourage and inspire me. Your poem is just lovely, and exactly the way I can imagine the Lord speaking to you. Isn’t it neat to know that it is Him speaking and not you. How do we know that? Because we know that the abilitity is not in us, but in Him.
I was excited to read that your folks are planning to visit you in Apr. Joe, you know I love you as though you were a grandson. One who is nearer to me than some of the others. God has blessed me with some grandchildren who know his name and his face, and others who do not and have not been awakened yet. But we have the promises of His Word, that He hears our prayers and answers them. HOW EXCITING.
Hang in there Joe, have fun on your vaca and keep on serving the Master. Love to you….
Joe! Great poem. Roses are red, violets are blue…. That’s about my speed. Caleb and Baker staying back – champions is a great word to describe them. I’ll lift them up in prayer. You are building relationships that will last a lifetime. Isn’t God great?!!
Great to see how you are a witness to tears of men as gratitude to God and his work in them and their community. The Gospel is preached. The Word is placed upon their young Christian hearts. Wretched sinners just like us who come to place their trust in the one, true savior, Jesus Christ.
Enjoy Costa Rica you world traveler you. 😉 b
Poetry from Joe Cahtah, ladies and gentlemen. Les clap it up, y’all. Les clap it up.
Hi Joe,
Great to read about the good works that the Lord had prepared in advance for you to do and now you’re getting to do them. Amazing!! PCBC is having Missions Month in March and we’re doing a prayer walk on March 21st. Do you have any specific prayer requests? If not, I’ll just glean them from your blogs.
Thanks. Blessings,
Corinne Kehoe
Hey My Joe,
WHat amazing things God continues to bless your group with. Thank you for being so faithful about weekly blogs. I am sure it is not always easy, but it makes me sleep better knowing God is watching over all your activities.
BE Wise and careful in Costa Rica-no running alone!
Josh and Connor-they are rippin’ up the court in b-ball. Vergennes is in the finals on Saturday against Springfield. Wish you could be there but I will sent you a link and you could listen to it if you are in the cafe around 3:45 Sat afternoon.
Lindsey is headed to Alaska in MAy. She had ANOTHER fender bender..this time with Andy’s car. I guess you are right-you are the better driver!
Take care and know we think of you and pray for you daily.
Love, momsie