Day 7: It's all fun and games until someone mentions a poisonous spider...
Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Mark 9:23-24 - “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes. The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Faith … a word with a small amount of letters that holds such a big meaning.
It is so refreshing to be around people who have large faith. In our few days here on the field, I have been blessed to learn to know a few of the missionaries better. I’m sure they might be the first to tell you they are not perfect, but time and again I find the missionaries I meet, whether on mission trips or at the church, are faith-filled people. Whether it is someone who has served faithfully on the same field for almost 30 years or someone who recently sold their house, vehicle, and belongings to take a major step to serve God here in Arizona - wow! To God be the glory!
The other day I was reading a devotional by Charles Stanley on the father of the demon-possessed boy in Mark chapter 9. I have always loved the father’s honesty when he is asking Jesus to heal his son: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Now that is true honesty before God. There is no point pretending in front of God. He knows the number of hairs on our head. I am sure he knows if what you portray to others isn’t the real you.
We were working in one of the buildings yesterday when one of the missionaries casually mentioned to be aware of the possibility of Black Widow spiders. Anyone who really knows me can imagine the type of reaction that went through my body. To be honest, a wave of fear that I haven’t felt in an incredibly long time cascaded from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Desperation set in. It may have been the whole fight-or-flight response kicking in but I no longer had any interest whatsoever in being here. (Ladies and gentlemen, Becky Darfus has LEFT the building! And the state.)
So this is me being completely real in front of you, but most importantly, in front of God.
“Lord, I believe that we are supposed to be here for this time, but HELP MY unbelief that this is where I should be. You know I hate the creatures and someday want to ask why you created them. But I am going to choose to have confidence that you will protect us and assurance that what I might not see stays that way.” ;) (Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly what that verse means).
So these are my ramblings for today. We appreciate the prayers you have prayed, and I would appreciate the prayers you might choose to pray about protection from certain creatures.
Blessings!
Becky
Elijah and Josiah are getting quite handy with the dishes.
In the down time, the boys have played many rounds of Martian Flux.