Suffering

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;  in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;  in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;  through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;  known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed;  sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

2 Cor. 6:4-10
----------------------

I have been writing in my Quebec journal the things that I have been learning and experiencing over the past few days.  But here now is something that I must blog rather than write in my little journal or post on facebook or send an email about.  It's about my new friend Meka.

I don't know for sure what happened, but Gloria's friend Meka from Brampton came to Montreal to get money for her rent.  How, I don't know for sure.  I don't judge her, but from the moment she got off the bus Gloria and I were worried about her because she was going with a guy she didn't know.

The guy ditched her and she stayed at Tim Hortons for like 6 hours having anxiety attacks.  Gloria and I had asked her many times whether she wanted to stay with us at the missionary house instead but she didn't agree to it til like 1am when she was at her wit's end.

I woke up Angela and she was gracious about it and allowed Meka to come sleep with us.  But I had to pay for her taxi from Montreal West area all the way to Ile Perrot and with a generous tip I basically paid $110. 

This though is a small sacrifice because at least she was safe and at least she would not be harmed and have a place to sleep.  I only pray that God would touch her life through all this.  She seemed not completely open to share but she shared a bit and I prayed with her before I went to sleep which was like around 3:30am.  Right now it is around 7:30am and yes I am lacking major sleep  but that's OK.

The Bible verse I put at the beginning shows that suffering for Jesus is worth it. You might not like sleepless nights but if it helps someone then praise the Lord.  You might not like beatings but if you are taking the beating for Christ, you will have your reward in heaven (dont worry i didnt get beaten)
You get the idea.

I got the call to full time ministry in March 2006.  After I got called, look at all the crap I have been through: bipolar disorder, period problem, breakups, family stuff, etc.

But it was worth it, it made me a stronger person and a more down to earth able to relate to people kind of person.  By the way did I tell you I want to write a book about how bipolar disorder was used by God to change my life?

Lord knows, dreams are hard to follow, but don't let anyone tear them away, hold on, there will be tomorrow, in time, you'll find the way... (from Hero by Mariah Carey)

God knows what you are going through.  It is not an accident.  You may not see the full picture now but later on you will understand. May God guide you through your trials and pain, and may you become better out of it, and not bitter.  :)