The Lord directs His steps...

Yesterday was exactly one month until I will step off the plane at RDU! Since we are talking about our “steps”, I think this is a great time to share with you my next steps. First, a little background information: When I was preparing to come to the Philippines, many probably thought that I would arrive and it would fulfill my desire to take the gospel to the nations; but, in the depths of my heart I could not help but feel like this was going to be just the beginning. I really did not intend to stay in the Philippines or go somewhere else for that matter. I had always pictured myself going back to the states, possibly going to seminary, or getting my masters; All the while, I could not let go of the verse in Proverbs 16:9 that says, “the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” I continued to pray that the Lord would help me to make my plans into His plans. Fast forward a few weeks and you will find me at a crossroad of decision. I was faced with the opportunity to stay at Faith, take a position at Santiago Christian School or just go home and find a job. All looked promising, all looked good. I really believe that sometimes the Lord gives us a choice. He gives us options of ways we can serve Him and he wants us to use our Godly wisdom and discernment to make a decision. Through much prayer, counsel from wise friends, and guidance of Scripture (and many hours of no sleep), I have made a decision.

In October 2011, I will be leaving as a full time missionary to serve the people of the Dominican Republic. I will be serving at Santiago Christian School as the Coordinator of Middle School and High School Special Education. While in the Dominican, I hope to be able to establish community outreach programs (feeding programs or vacation Bible schools). I have a desire to be involved with community outreach and discipleship in the surrounding villages. The Lord has given me the opportunity to lead a short term trip of college students to the Dominican this summer. (This opportunity came before I was even offered a position at Santiago! Crazy, huh?!) We will be going to San Pedro to a sugar cane village to do a VBS: Creation to Christ. I pray that this will lead to the forming of relationships and ministry in the Dominican.

You are probably thinking (like me), “WOW Madison! It sounds awesome!” I am so blessed beyond comprehension to be able to take the gospel to the Dominican Republic and share His message of salvation with so many people. Right now, I am faced with the reminder that I cannot do this alone. The Lord has reminded me that He has called me to something so much bigger than myself. In order to leave by October, I have to establish my prayer support and financial support to live in another country. Santiago Christian School provides a lot of benefits for their teachers, but I will still need to raise support. I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use this empty vessel to do His work. Thanks for reading and coming along on His journey with me! I pray that you are somehow blessed through this and will partner with me in taking the Gospel to the Dominican Republic. If you would like to know more about the mission I will be joining, where I am going, or what I will be doing, please send me an email (mcwheeler@liberty.edu) or a facebook message!

Resting in His faithfulness,

Madison

One Month, 30 Days

Today is April 10. (Well, in the Philippines at least)... I can’t believe that I only have one more month here in the Philippines! Time has gone by so fast since arriving January 10, 2011. When I think about the last three months here in the Philippines, I am overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord and his precious faithfulness. I can remember stepping off the air plane that warm January night (It was quite strange getting on the plane in 30 degree weather and getting off the plane in 85 degree weather, still in the same month!) and having this overwhelming feeling of peace. I knew from that moment that the Lord was going to use the next four months to change my life completely and to stretch me in ways that I have never known. This has proven to be true. I want to share with you a few things that I have learned and that the Lord has worked out in me during my time in the Philippines.

1. God is faithful. This is a lesson that I have known for most of my life, but I have really learned to live like I believe that He is faithful. Not that He can be faithful, when he chooses, or that He is faithful sometimes; but I have learned that my God is faithful at all times. This is a wonderful truth to learn because it changes the way you live. The way that you live is a direct reflection of what you believe about God. I want to learn to live in such a way that people have no doubt about what I believe about God.

2. Poverty is real. Living in the States, you often know about poverty or see it when you go to different parts of town; however, there is nothing like seeing it first hand and living in it. Often Americans have the mindset that poverty is a result of laziness and mishandling of your resources, but my view is quite different. Sickness, sin, and lack of clean water all contribute to poverty (as well as many other things) and create a spiraling effect of poverty. Statistics can help you get an idea of how many people are hurting all over the world, but seeing it with your own eyes changes everything. I am disgusted when I think of all of the times I have wasted food or gotten wrapped up in material things. I am wrestling with how to change my life to help others, even the little things can make a difference.

3. Spending time with God sustains you above all else. The past four months have been a beautiful journey of time in God’s Word and spending time in prayer. There were so many distractions living in the U.S. that took my attention away from His word. Although there are still distractions (often different from those in the states), I have seen how crucial it is to spend time with Jesus. His word wakes you up in the morning when you are still tired. His word replaces the thoughts Satan may try to feed you. His word is enough to encourage and keep you even in the lowest of times. He is enough.

4. The Lord will direct your steps. I learned this lesson in a HUGE way this semester, but you will have to wait until my next post to read about my next steps…. (sorry, this post was getting rather long…)

Thanks so much for reading. I cherish your prayers, letters and thoughts along my journey! Hope to see you soon. May God bless you and keep you.

Sincerely, Madison

Because He is.

“But, dear Israel, you'll also realize that I am God when I respond to you out of who I am, not by what I feel about the evil lives you've lived, the corrupt history you've compiled. Decree of God, the Master.”

Ezekiel 20:44 (msg)

Wow. Read that again. Let it sink in. After reading this verse the other day (a great friend shared), I was left in awe of my God. How humbling it is to realize that God responds to us not by the way He feels about our past or the way we have lived; but, we have a God who responds out of WHO HE IS. (This is where I want to jump up and down). Now this wouldn’t make much sense if you didn’t know the character of God. Let me just break it down for you a little: God is patient, gracious, merciful, powerful, caring, all-knowing, loving, kind, just, awesome… I could continue, but hopefully you understand. His response to us is a direct reflection of that beautiful character. It brings tears to my eyes to know that I serve a God whose reply to me doesn’t rely on me… It is a chance for me to realize that: He is God.

Reflect on that today and be thankful. God is good.

-Mads

Make a difference for one.

“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it. –Well, why don’t you ask Him?- Because I am afraid He would ask me the same question.”

Over the last three months, I have witnessed more hurting, poor, sick, lonely, and needy people than I have seen in my whole life. Initially, I was overwhelmed with the great need of some many people. It broke my heart to see children needing families, parents struggling to provide and survive, and groups of people distressed beyond comprehension. I didn’t even know how to swallow these emotions and overcome the feeling of helplessness (exactly what these people were feeling in the other extreme). After a few weeks, these emotions began to mellow and I was able to see the situation without the flood of emotions and in light of what I really had to offer. I came to understand that these people needed hope. They need Christ.

I have been wrestling with the balance of knowing these people need Christ, but also knowing these people needed practical daily needs too. In the past, many churches have struggled with the balance of faith and works. I struggled with knowing what was right and happened to stumble upon a book that I would highly recommend (it was recommended to me by a dear friend): “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Sterns. In one of the chapters, Richard discusses the issue exactly. He takes his readers straight to the passage in Ephesians 2:8-10 that says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Right there in the book of Ephesians it settles it: We are saved by faith for His good works. [It was like my eyes were opened wide!] God doesn’t call us just to have faith, but to carry out His good works that He has prepared for us. After establishing this, I was still left with the question: What does this mean for me?

This brings me to a story that I read that really changed my perspective:

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

The Lord is calling me. Not to become overwhelmed with the great need, but to pick one star fish up at a time and make a difference. He is calling me to make a difference in word and deed in one person’s life at a time. I am praying that the Lord would continue to do a work in my heart and that He would break my heart for the things that break His. Thanks for reading friends. I also pray that the Lord would do the same thing in your lives, in your community and in your own home.

“Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me- you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 MSG

-Mads

Prayer Request:

-Wisdom and discernment for future job/mission [financial and prayer support]

-Stewardship of the finances the Lord has blessed me with

-Opportunities to share my faith to those I encounter

-Health and Safety during this last month in the Philippines

Jesus Won.

"Your soul's business is in the hand of a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of your infirmities...He well knows that world through which you are struggling, for He dwelt in the midst of it thirty-three years. He well knows 'the contradiction of sinners', which so often discourages you, for He endured it Himself (Heb. 12:3). He well knows the art and cunning of your spiritual enemy, the devil, for He wrestled with him in the wilderness. Surely with such an advocate you may well feel bold.

Are you alone in the world, and neglected by those who ought to love you?

So also was Jesus.

Are you misunderstood, misrepresented, slandered and persecuted?

So also was Jesus.

Do you ever feel great agony and conflict of mind? Do you feel in darkness as if God has left you?

So did Jesus.

It is impossible to conceive a Savior more suited to the wants of man's heart than our Lord Jesus Christ--suited not only by His power, but by His sympathy--suited not only by His divinity, but His humanity...[He] is the most loving and sympathizing of friends, as well as the mightiest and most powerful of Saviors....you want no comfort...so long as you can repose your weary soul on the Man Christ Jesus." ~J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pp.240-242

[taken from Girltalk Blog]

May you rest in the fact that Jesus knows. He can relate. Everything is going to be OK. Jesus won.

-Mads

My favorite Filipino Fruits!

Everyone knows that tropical countries have the best fruit. The Philippines has held true to this statement and exceeded my expectations. I have enjoyed some of the best fruits since arriving in January and I want to share with you some of my favorites!

1. Ube: a purple root crop that grows on the ground. My favorite is Ube ice cream!

2. Langka: also known as Jack Fruit that grows on a tree; I like Langka yogurt!

3. Coconut: Most Americans know what a coconut is, but most have not had one fresh off of a tree, cut open and a straw stuck in to drink the juice!

4. Pomelo: From the outside it looks like a melon, from the inside it looks like a pink grape fruit; however, it’s not bitter like a grapefruit at all!

5. Calamansi: Its about 1/3 the size of a golf ball; mandarin orange meets a lime; Sometimes Filipinos mix it with soy sauce and put it on fish! Calamansi juice is so refreshing and tasty!

6. Mango: You haven’t had a good mango until you’ve had a mango from the Philippines! I arrived just in time for mango season and I can’t get enough of them. Note: You don’t eat the skin!

7. Dalandan: They are about the size of a lime, but look like a tangerine on the inside! We passed these out on Outdoor Education at the elementary school! The kids loved them!

8. Banana: Who knew that anyone loved bananas more than me? Filipinos have so many ways to eat bananas! They eat Banana Lumpia (wrapped in a tortilla and fried), Banana-Que (like BBQ but a banana), Banana chips and just plain ol’ bananas. They are much smaller than the bananas in the states and have much more flavor!

9. Durian: Also known as “stinky fruit”; I haven’t worked up enough courage to try this fruit yet, but I thought I would share. This fruit gets is affectionately named because of the putrid smell it gives off. People say it tastes better than it smells, but why would you eat a fruit that you have to hold your nose to even get close?

10. Lychee: I had this fruit cut up in a juice. It is a white-ish pulp with a “perfume” fragrance.

So there you have it, ten fruits that I have encountered in the Philippines. I am going to go through fruit-withdrawals when I come back to the states! I better eat as much of it as I can now while it is readily available! Thanks for reading.

-Mads