Take time to Rest. In Jesus.

Over the last several weeks, I have been faced with a feeling of lack of purpose and direction. I am aware that this feeling is not from God because I have been spending my time speaking with people about my mission, babysitting, taking care of sick family members, and doing random jobs for friends and family. I have been busy to say the least. But I can’t help but be reminded of the verse in Luke chapter 10 that says, “you are worried and bothered about so many things;but only one thing is necessary..” In the midst of feeling like I need to be doing something or checking things off of this grande to-do list, I catch myself wondering what I am doing. My version of productive is being remolded to that of Christ. I am realizing that I may have a list of things to do and not one of them be something the Lord would will for me to get done that day. One of my sweet friends reminded me of a verse in Hebrews chapter four that talks about resting. She went on to say how it says that we must be diligent to enter that rest. Sometimes, we just have to slow down, take a step back and realize the Lord may have us in a place in order to take a deep breath and rest. As I am continuing to raise support, speak with those about my mission, and getting things ready to leave for the mission field, I pray that I don’t forget to rest in Jesus; to sit at his feet, pour my heart out before him and allow him to change me from the inside out to look more and more like Jesus. I want to share a quote by one of my most favorite pastors, John Piper. Thank you for reading. God bless.

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word’" Luke 1:38

"Can you say: ‘Let the Holy Spirit do with me as he pleases’? Do you trust the Spirit enough to say: ‘I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put me where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do’? Do you know why we can entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit? Because he exists to exalt the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the heartbeat of your life is the glory of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will empower and help you with all his might. Let’s live and speak so that men and women might know that Jesus Christ is a great Savior, the Son of the Most High, and the never-ending King of kings. That’s the passion of the Holy Spirit. To be full of that is to be full of him.” ~John Piper

-Mads

Ps- check out my previous post to watch my support video! :) Thanks!

Video Update: My Journey to the Dominican Republic

I want to share with you guys a video that my sweet friend Megan made for me documenting some of my time in the Dominican Republic and a vision of what I will be doing for the next two years! I wanted to share it with you guys. I pray that the Lord uses it to bless and encourage you! Simply click on the link below and it will take you to the video! Thanks for watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dcmaOmxGJ4

-Madison

Two Months.

I woke up this morning and glanced at my watch. August 11. To many of you this may not be a day of great significance, but to me this marks exactly two months before I fly out to Santiago, Dominican Republic. These last three months have gone by so fast, but God has done BIG things to prepare me to go to the Dominican Republic. I had the opportunity to speak at Camp Lapihio to the Middle School and High School students. I was given the privilege of speaking at New Hope Baptist Church and First Free Will Baptist Church. I had the honor of leading 7 precious women to San Pedro, Dominican Republic to serve in the sugar cane villages (previous posts). I have also had the opportunity to participate in Silent Worship at my second home, Fort Caswell. The theme of the serves was “From the Cross to the World.” This service definitely hit home with me because I have such a passion and desire for my life to scream “From the Cross to the World.” A verse that has been resounding in my heart for the last few weeks is found in Acts 20:24: “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

As I am continuing to prepare to leave the United States and head to the Dominican Republic, I would ask that you would join me in prayer for the ministry that I am about to join. Pray that the students I am going to work with would have softened hearts to learn and hear the gospel. Pray that the Lord would continue to do a work in my own heart to remove the things that keep me from becoming more like Jesus. I would also pray that you would consider supporting my mission financially. I am currently at about 60% of the monthly support that I need to be able to serve in the DR for two years. If you would like more information about how you can join my mission, please email me at madison.c.wheeler@gmail.com or visit www.crossworld.org. Thank you once again for reading and I look forward to updating again soon! Stay tuned for an awesome video to come!

-Mads

To God be the glory.

After a week of ministry in the Dominican Republic in the Batays of San Pedro, our team made it back to the United States safe and sound. Many of us came back different than when we left just 6 days before. Relationships were built, trust was established and God was brought all the glory.

On Thursday, we were able to measure and count the children in Batay Pinones, so we could purchase the shoes we needed to give the children. On Friday, we loaded up 35 pairs of shoes, 8 pairs of gloves, 4 towels and some buckets in order show the children the love of Christ through a simple act of kindness. The team was overflowing with anticipation as the time came to explain to the village our heart and purpose. Seana began by telling the children that we enjoyed spending the week with each one of them and how we love playing games with them. She explained that we wanted to bless each one of them by giving them a pair of shoes. Jason translated this and added how we want them to experience Christ’s love through these shoes. We lined up the kids from smallest to largest shoe size and brought each one to a bucket one at a time, washed the dirt and sores on their feet, dried them with a towel and placed the new pair of shoes on their feet. The smiles on their faces showed how a simple pair of shoes could make someone’s day! Each of the children walked away with an excitement. Each member of the team walked away knowing we had just experienced something special. We got a glimpse of the glory of God right here in this village in the middle of the Dominican Republic.

If I had to sum up this week in just a few words, it would go something like this: to God be the glory. The desire of my heart is to use the gifts and abilities God has given me to bring him all the glory and make God smile.

-Madison

No Bare Feet.

July 21,2011

Thursday. I can’t even believe that our week is almost over. The Lord did some amazing things in the hearts of our team and among those we are ministering to in the Batays (villages). God has challenged us to a newer level of living for His Glory and what that looks like in each of our lives. One way that the Lord has challenged us is in the way that we us our talents and abilities that He has given us to reach those that need Jesus. One of the girls in our group has a medical background, which has given her a different perspective on some things. Seana had the idea that our group put our money together and buy one of the village’s shoes. The team agreed and collaborated on how to make this happen. Today, when we went to the village, we were able to line the kids up from the shortest to the tallest (even the little ones that could barely walk!) and measure their feet. This was an interesting task because the kids don’t really know how to make a proper line or stay in some order without pushing. We took paper and had the kids step on the back and drew a line to measure about how big their feet were. After we left the village for the day, we went to the local “Jumbo”-grocery store- and purchased 35 pairs of “croc-like” shoes. The team was just beaming as we were thinking of specific children who would wear the shoes. As I walked away from the store, I was filled with this overwhelming feeling of the goodness of the Lord. For about $150, we were able to put shoes on an entire village of children-in Jesus Name. No longer do they have to walk the paths with broken glass and rocks with their bare feet. They have shoes.

His Love.

July 20, 2011

I find it amazing how each day we are here is better than the day before! It seems like the first day we had several spare moments to take pictures or take a breath; however, as our bonds are growing and relationships are getting stronger, the kids latch on don’t ever let you go! As we arrive at the villages, the kids gather around and follow the bus until it stops. The kids swarm us as we get off of the bus, wrap their arms around us as we share the love of Jesus with these precious little ones.

Every day after the adult teaching (which happens while we are playing with the kids), Jessica has been teaching English to the adults. I had the opportunity to watch her teach the few that were there. She went through the greetings, basic questions, and colors. It was so exciting to see the people from the village, who have never really had proper English teaching, begin to understand the language she was teaching! The people were so appreciative and thrilled to be able to ask someone their name in English! Overall, the time we have spent and the relationships we have developed have blessed the hearts of all of us on our team!

-Mads

In the Villages of San Pedro

July 17, 2011
We finally made it to the Dominican! Despite all of the security checks, TSA, and airports, we have arrived to SCORE International-Juan Dolio where we will stay for the next week! We were so blessed to be switched to the AIR CONDITIONED campus- free of CHARGE! Praise the Lord! The whole team is settling in and we are ready for God to do BIG things this week! Continue to pray for our safety, health and the salvation of those we love on! More to come soon!

July 18, 2011
We left the complex this morning with intentions of loving the people of the villages we would visit; not with our own love, but with the powerful-life changing love of Jesus. We spent our day at two different villages playing games, teaching the truths of His Word, singing songs, and doing crafts with the precious children. The kids were craving attention and love. The Lord poured out through our lives and allowed us to take a sweet hand, give some piggy-back rides, and lavish the love of Christ on His little ones.

July 19, 2011

Wow. What an amazing day! God has been so good to us. As we drove up to the first village the children all lined the path waving us into the field. They were so excited to see us again! We piled out of the bus and began to love on the children. The relationships that we began the day before only grew stronger as the day progressed. We played jump rope, volleyball, soccer and took tons of pictures-which to the kids is just as fun as some of the games! About an hour after we arrived, it began to rain, so we all ran to the shelter to begin the Bible study. The kids listened much better today and were much more organized during the craft. Our confidence in our own Spanish abilities grew, so we were able to communicate on a much better level.

As we entered the second village, we opened the back curtain of the van to see some of the excited children running behind us! The second village is much smaller and more difficult to get the kids involved. One little boy in specific, Achocho, was very withdrawn and timid. He would sit alone and only play with a few of the other kids. Today, he became interested in one of our girls and wouldn’t let her hand go. As we were leaving, she had to say goodbye and he threw a fit. Relationships like these make ministry much harder, but completely worth it. God has been so gracious to our group and we pray that He continues to do a work in us for the remainder of the week!

Thanks for your prayers!
-Mads