Monday, August 13, 2007 There is hope...

sis Sharon Sim("Queen" of Africa - a pastor sent out to pastor a church in Jinja, Uganda) shared about her experience in mission field. She was discouraged during the first few years as Jinja was a dead town and the leaders she raised just kept leaving for Kampala in search for employment.

She kept turning to God and... I cannot remember what she said about how God encouraged her but I remembered she said she encouraged the members to pray that God will bring life to Jinja, God will bless them with jobs etc.Each time they see God moves in their midst, they were encouraged to keep praying.What seemed to be dead has "come alive" - The government started repairing roads and buildings, some members learnt a skill to bake and not only earn a living but did well, factories started to employ more people, etc

As I was "recording" what she shared in my journal... I am reminded of the Valley of Dry Bones in Eze 37. At the Word of God, flesh & tendons grew on the dry bones = hopeless situation, and breathe came into it.Facing a hopeless situation??? Keep praying.. God's Word can bring forth life.... there is hope in God.... do not give up....

Ezekiel 37Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones1The (A)hand of the LORD was upon me, and He (B)brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the (C)valley; and it was full of bones.2He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.3He said to me, "Son of man, (D)can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, (E)You know."4Again He said to me, "(F)Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, (G)hear the word of the LORD.'5"Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause [a](H)breath to enter you that you may come to life.6'I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will (I)know that I am the LORD.'"7So I prophesied (J)as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.8And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.9Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and (K)breathe on these slain, that they (L)come to life."'"10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the (M)breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an (N)exceedingly great army.The Vision Explained11Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the (O)whole house of Israel; behold, they say, 'Our (P)bones are dried up and our hope has perished We are completely (Q)cut off.'12"Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will open your graves and (R)cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.13"Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people.14"I will (S)put My [b]Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD.'"