The benefits and blessings of serving our Miskito friends on the Rio Coco are endless and I would find it difficult to express the fullness of the experience in a single sitting. We have labored persistently for more than 20 years and have seen much fruit come forth by the hand of God. This in itself is a privilege beyond words. The continued action of sowing sacrifice, time, prayers, money, and sweat have reaped great earthly and eternal rewards.
Through responsibility and perseverance, the Lord establishes His authority and blessing in us, through us and among us. Many of you have willingly chosen to be a big part of God’s eternal scheme with us. You are a huge part of our blessing and adventurous journey through this life. We are deeply grateful for your involvement in these eternal blessings.
After our time in Nicaragua with the Deep Water Discipleship experience (changed lives), teacher’s conference and ministry time along the Rio Coco, our Bagby family was able to visit friends from the past in Honduras (where we lived from 1984 to 2000). We had frequent opportunities to encourage and share time with strangers, friends, and some of our long time missionary partners. It was sweet!
While in Tegucigalpa at the home of our fellow missionary friends, Danny and Suyapa, we had an amazing time of catching up and exchanging “God Stories”. We also got to meet their 4 year old daughter, Gianna. Moselle especially liked playing with Gianna and it was obvious that she was very happy to be the “older” one for once. While in the kitchen one morning, Moselle was helping Gianna get some cereal. I said to Gianna, “Moselle is like your older sister isn’t she?” Gianna smiled and Moselle said quietly,
“I like having authority.”
She continued to Gianna: Now, Gianna, just tell me when to stop …that is what my Grandpa says when he is giving me my cereal.”
I said, “So, Moselle you like to have authority?”she said glancing at me with the look that said ‘You know I like to be in charge if I can…’
“Yep.”,
I thought, ‘Yep’ this kid could take over the world…”
I could tell she was thinking, ‘I like to be the boss’ so I asked her:
“Do you know what it means to want to have authority? It means you have responsibility…with authority, you have people you serve and care for…it really means that you want to be a responsible servant. Is that what you want? With every blessing, there is a responsibility. Do you want responsibility?”
She nodded with a not-so-convincing yes and went off to play, while I began to think about her comments.
We all want the goods, but we often just want to go off and play and not actually ‘pay the price’ of being responsible and “doing the work”. I always tell my children that there is always a price….to our actions, behavior, words, etc… The law of reaping and sowing. Upon returning from this trip, we all have felt the impact of our diet of rice, beans, fried foods, carbs, lack of regular exercise routine etc… we are out of shape and heavier than normal. Consequently, we are now making a concerted effort to take responsibility over our intake especially while in this abundant land of privileges and options galore (especially salad, fruits and fresh food!). We have all begun to pay the price of discipline through our work-out routines and exercising our authority over our food choices.
It doesn’t seem like anything in life is free. Pay now or pay later…
In the midst of all that God has charged us with …each other, our children, our ministry, our many friends along the river Coco and abroad, coffee/jewelry businesses to supply needs to others, resources, every day living expenses, bills, repairs etc…we have often felt the “pressure” to “make it” happen. I awoke one morning this week with an intense feeling of fear and overwhelming. When we come back to Vero from Nicaragua, we have mail to go through, bills to pay, expenses from a myriad of sources, office stuff to catch up on and the monthly $15,000-20,000 to send to Truman in Nicaragua, people to care for, meals to prepare for guests, bible studies, classes for the kids, general every day stuff of life etc…we often ask ourselves how will it ALL get taken care of. I think ‘this is IMPOSSIBLE’. Doubt rises, fear begins to creep in slowly and trust begins to wane and falter…even Michael’s heart starts to skip beats in the midst of it all. Suddenly, I have to shake myself out of it and take authority over my thoughts and choose to trust.
In moments of fear, I must decide on faith in my heavenly Father who has always provided in the past and who will once again come through in a way that only He can. I remind myself of His faithfulness and go to His Word for assurance of mind, body and spirit. I remember what my life is to be about…and that is I am about the business of my heavenly Father and whatever He has called us to do, He promises to make that way and provide for us in every detail of life. The birds aren’t worried, nor are the flowers of the field all too concerned. He is an extravagant God and He has lavished upon us all that we need and more. Our desire is to receive from a generous God so that we ourselves can be generous to others. We are all called to display who God is in all that we are, do and say.
It is good to remember His hand at work and to talk of His wonder over and again with each other. Strength and inspiration comes through such breathing of life one to another. Together, our family took a walk yesterday afternoon at dusk. Suddenly, Michael pointed out the majestic sight of nine cranes flying in formation over us. It was a beautiful display of God’s wonder & creative function of a group and a simple reminder of how he does take care of the birds of the air. How much more will he take care of us, His precious children.
I am thankful for the treasure of His presence and His life giving power through His creation and His God given relationships.
Authority, responsibility, fruitfulness, humble servanthood and loving God and others all fall within the same frame. Much shall be required from those who have been entrusted with much. In the midst of trying to “remind myself” I feel like I hear the Lord say, “yes, it is impossible…I never called you to do the possible…or you wouldn’t need me. It is good to need me and it is good to ask.”
My heart feels comforted. Whatever God has given, He promises to support. I choose to trust, obey and live by faith and not in fear.
I would love to hear your stories of hope given by God…Write us. We would be greatly encouraged to hear from you. Laura
