Welcome to this wild April!
I am always encouraged when I remember that there is no where I can go that God hasn't already been. In everything, He is there, waiting for me to meet Him. Last April very few people would have been able to predict where we find ourselves this unprecidented April of 2020. But God was already here a year ago, He was here 200 years ago. Our God exists outside our temporal understanding of time and is simultaneously every where and every time at once! But before I get too deep too fast, Hi!!! I hope that you and your family are well and safe, sheltering not only in your homes but in the peace and love that Christ offers us.
We are safe and hunkered down here at the Village. We have been blessed with ample room and were able to offer housing (simple accommodations, to be sure) to any Auntie and her family members that would be willing to move onsite and continue caring for the babies. Amazingly, every single one of my wonderful staff members chose to move on site. Some came with family members and some family members chose to stay home and release their moms/wives to stay with us. One of my Aunties, when discussing with her children whether or not she should come stay with us or stay home with them, one of her sons said, "Mom, you have to go! I have a dad who can take care of me but you are like these babies' mom. They need you." Admittedly, I teared up on the spot! I am humbled and honored to serve alongside such wonderful women who have laid down their rights and comforts to love these precious babies. Please keep them in your prayers as they live and serve together -- I am trusting Jesus for even more growth and team bonding to be birthed after this season of sacrifice.
I came across the quote above a week or two ago and it perfectly sums up how I am experiencing this tumultuous season we find ourselves in. I am working hard to let go of anxiety, fear and the desire to feel more in control of life while I cling as tightly as I can to the truth that I have found in Jesus Christ. I am trying to heed Paul's instructions in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. To confess and set aside my worried thoughts about what tomorrow may contain and focus on the good that God has set before me today. Each day surely has enough trouble, joy, peace, mercies and tasks of its own -- especially if you are helping to care for a gaggle of kiddos like I get to! As my heart begins to sink when I hear the stories of lost lives, overworked health systems and staff and the injustices highlighted by COVID-19 I am working to remind myself of who Jesus is and what only He can do. He can and will use what Satan has meant for evil for His glory and our good. I started the week immersed in melancholy, missing my family and community in California in an intense way and generally despondent about my life and the state of our hurting world. But as I have kept my eyes on things above I have found myself on a steady, albeit slow climb, into happy heartedness and joy. I pray the same for you, dear ones. May we hold tightly onto Jesus, His Word and His love and release the things we were never really in control of in the first place!
I am excited for and hopefully anticipating all the stories of God's faithfulness, goodness and provision that this season of life is producing in and through your lives. Thank you for praying for me and the precious people here at LIV Lanseria. Please let me know if there is any specific what I can be praying for you -- my nights and weekend are currently wide open!
Love you so ~ Nicole and all the babies at El Roi
