Blog Posts

PROVOKING PRAISE TO GOD

Author: Cheryl Shoffstall

I have been thinking a lot about ministry fundraising over the past few months. As with every non profit across the nation and the world, giving is down for so many reasons. Perhaps it is/was Covid, perhaps it is the inflation that seems to be on the never ending rise, maybe there are just too many churches, charities, organizations or entities competing for our limited funds, or perhaps, just maybe, it is a lack of a spirit of God within the hearts of people.

Now before you go and get mad at that last option, I believe there are SEVERAL factors as to why giving is down, and yes, I believe in extenuating circumstances, however, I 100% do believe that giving is Spirit led. I can say that from first hand experience. Hear me out……

Early in our faith, we used to not always tithe, and when we did tithe, it was always minimal. After all, there is only so much money to go around and well, we had other things we wanted, bills needed to be paid, and yada yada yada.

That story of how we went went from non tithers to abundant tithers is for another day, but let me just say this… tithing and giving is 100% spirit led, AND…here is the big take away…you can NEVER out give God.

He will ALWAYS give back to above and beyond what you give to Him

Have you ever given any thought to the idea that when we “give” to God that we set in motion a chain of events that ultimately lead to others giving thanks to God?  Have you ever thought about when we ask somebody to give; those who have done the asking have just set in motion the opportunity for God to bless the giver?  

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-14, Paul teaches about sowing generously.  In verse 11, he makes a valid point of reminding us that our generosity “will result in thanksgiving to God.”   So what exactly does that mean??  That means that each and every time we give something, whether it be money or supplies, we set in motion a chain reaction:  We give…..somebody takes our gift and uses it to purchase supplies…….those supplies are then given out……the receiver of those supplies will then look to the heavens and give thanks to God for the provisions that were just given.   By our gift, we have just provoked praise to God.  We have just given somebody the chance to say thank you to the Lord. 

A great theologian once said that “”The ministry leaders of the church who depend on the people from the church to provide for their financial needs walk a very tight rope. On the one hand, without faith and confidence, asking people to part with money can be intimidating. On the other hand, with faith and confidence, asking people to part with money can be an invitation for them to experience a rich blessing.” 

Most people would rather do anything than ask for money……..Why is that?  Why do we fear asking people to do what is good and what is right??  It is because of our lack of faith. If we believe the purpose for which we need money is God ordained, then we must believe God has prepared certain people to meet that need. Asking then becomes a simple process of discovering in whose hearts God has put the desire and ability to give.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they asked the Egyptians for resources for their trip and discovered God had put it in the heart of the Egyptians to give generously. But they first had to ask! God is able to do far beyond what you might ask or think–but you have to ask!”

Not to ask others to give to God and God’s ministries is to possibly deprive them of the blessing that would otherwise be theirs.

Therefore, it is my belief that God wants to bless the ministries He has ordained and most importantly, he wants to bless the people who give.   Take a minute to ask yourself these questions:

• Am I in a position to be blessable??”

• Am I willing to ask somebody to BE the blessing?

• Am I willing to be the start of the great chain reaction?

While it’s true that the Gospel of Jesus is free, it costs money to provide the pails in which to carry the water of salvation.

If you feel called to provide those pails of Salvation, so that others will thirst no more, we would love to hear from you. We have so many different ways in which your financial gift can change the world for those in Honduras.

You can make your tax deductible gift at: www.RightTurnMinistries.com/donate

Take a look at our trip to Honduras as seen through the eyes of Team Blogger, Carrie Gaxiola. God has given her such a gift of writing, and she has once again blessed us with that gift.

Thank you Carrie, for being so transparent and making those who were not there, feel like they were front and center with us every day.

Honduras Day 4,563. Just kidding, of course, it’s our Day 1 in this beautiful country but the road to getting here was really long. Four cancelled and rescheduled flights, a car trip to what we thought was one city and changed to another 3 hours further and several other obstacles finally led us to our destination: doing what God told us to do and that’s tell His people about Jesus. Meet their needs in practical and spiritual ways. Love on them. And we will. Today was a day of settling in, going to the Super Mercado (grocery store), buying items for the piñatas for the children we will see this week and settling in after a long journey from home. Best part: feeling like we’ve come back to our second home, new friends experiencing their first trip, and hearing the amazing stories from our RTM Men’s team that have been here for a week and now want to stay. The men have modeled Jesus to the people of El Belen in beginning the project of our new Community and Training Center and building relationships with the people of the village. The team members and local community members worked hard to build a vision for the future and they played hard, too! The most impressive thing to me, as we heard the guys’ stories tonight, is their connection to the people of the community because of Jesus. Because of Jesus… it doesn’t matter what trials we face, what hurdles we have to overcome or what satan tries to throw our way. Jesus always wins. Because of Jesus… that’s my theme as I journal this coming week. Because of Jesus I am alive and free and have eternal life. Because of Jesus I am serving in this precious country. Because of Jesus our men have modeled His love and practically met the needs of this little community called El Belen. Because of Jesus we have the tenacity to do what He tells us to do no matter the obstacles. And you? What is your “because of Jesus”? Right Turn Ministries, NFP

Honduras Day 2 (when you stay up talking with your roommate till 1 a.m., you blog in the morning ) February 4 found us preparing for our visit to the Jeremiah 29:11 Mission house to see the children and bring a little joy. The men that are leaving had to take care of pre-flight business so the rest of us bagged up beans and rice, stuffed piñatas and care packages for the kids. The sweet reunion is always a highlight for the team and the kids. The emotions were high for those that are here for the first time. Seeing all these beautiful children and hearing their stories of how they got there does something to your heart. It illuminates the depravity of man and what one human can do to another, like some of the abuses the children have faced, but it greater illuminates the power and love of Jesus as He calls people to care for the least of these as He has Chuck and Joyce Harper. Because of Jesus, the kids have so much love given to them. Because of Jesus, these sweet children have the transforming power of Jesus offered to them. Because of Jesus, we are privileged to bring a little love, food and gifts and an all out Silly String war We have so much in our country that we take for granted, including each other. These children show us every time that you can have so little, yet have so much because of the love of Jesus. It’s stripped down to that when the trappings of this world aren’t part of our battle. It’s all about Him. After returning we joined our Honduran pastor, Wilmer Godoy, for church. We worshipped, experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit, the preaching from our team member, Pastor Zack Dunlap, and ministered to many people at the altar in prayer. One young couple was there for the first time and crying out for help for their marriage, many souls gave their hearts to Jesus for the first time and Bibles were put in 100 peoples’ hands. Because of Jesus, heaven rejoiced! And we did, too!

Honduras Day 3. What a day! Once again the word of the day is flexible. Our men’s team was scheduled to fly home early in the afternoon, Rachel Dunlap was scheduled to preach at the women’s retreat and none of that happened. Our mens’ flights got cancelled and rescheduled. Rachel isn’t flying in until tomorrow. Just before leaving for church services, one of our transport vehicles wouldn’t start and we had to get it jump started. Plan C or D or F. I’ve lost count! But God… flights got rescheduled and God put it on my heart to share my story of God’s redemption in my life. The theme of our ladies retreat was Beautifully Broken. The pushback we received from the enemy just kept coming until the first note of the first worship song was played. God will not be mocked and His work will not be defeated! Hundreds of women came, Jesus saved precious souls tonight. A healing work began in hearts, we got to pour our hearts into beautiful ladies that have a hunger for Jesus. For me, the best parts were this: I got to tell many ladies about the love of Jesus through my story of brokenness and our team got to pray with women that had never given their hearts to Jesus before and pray in faith for many hearts to be healed. After several months of Spanish lessons, with my teacher by my side, I was able to speak several sentences in Spanish by myself. Then, that same teacher, Maestra Mandy, was my interpreter! Many people at home were praying for us and we felt it. The next thing is my husband and dad were covering me (and the event) in prayer and they got to watch from thousands of miles away. I felt like they were with me! It was a hard day that stretched our limits but because of Jesus and the tenacity He has put in us, we pushed back in His Name and heaven rejoiced again… and so did we! Because of Jesus! Right Turn Ministries, NFP

Honduras Day 4. Our day started with getting the remainder of the men’s team off to the airport and picking Pastor Rachel and Lorrie up from the airport. Hallelujah on both counts for success…finally! Betty and I were blessed to spend some time with Mandy and her sweet baby. It’s a joy to be with them! Next we waited out the rain and went to the park in downtown San Pedro Sulas. We felt God telling us to go share Jesus and offer “free prayers and free hugs” to anyone that had need. I’m still in somber reflection of the response we had. In America, for the most part, you couldn’t walk into a public square bustling with the activity we saw today and have people be hungry for human touch and care, let alone prayer. We prayed for marriages, family concerns, job and health needs, battles with drugs and alcohol from those that were sick from the results of that abuse. One man had someone actively using witchcraft against him and wanted prayer. We hugged those that wanted a hug or handshake, prayed hard, handed out water and Bibles and simply loved those that feel unlovely. Cheryl ministered to one young man and talked straight with him about life with Jesus. His response? “Thank you for taking the time to care for me.” He looked her in the eye and saw genuine Jesus love. I’m still choked up about this one. I’m choked up about the whole day. People just want to be loved. I don’t care what state of mind they are in. There are evils in this world that we have no idea torment people. We saw some of that today and prayerfully, because of Jesus, brought some light into the darkness. We had a short break and headed back to Pastor Wilmer’s church for Sunday night service and Pastor Rachel’s preaching. Pictures are worth a thousand words so I’ll let the church photos speak. Although I will say, the baby at church was a balm for my soul after the day at the park. There is evil in this world and the longer I live, the more I get weary of the pettiness of life, competing for position or being “the best”, holding grudges and just not being about the Father’s business. Our focus must be the importance of love and sharing Jesus. Christians, we have a job to do. Because of Jesus…

Honduras Day 5: Today was our rest and recharge day. The remainder of the week will be very busy with ministry, and Tela Beach is just what our souls needed. After a 2 hour (Honduran time) ride, we relaxed, enjoyed local food, played with the children from ministry friends’ families and sponser children and had an all around relaxing time in the sun and sea. (Sorry Midwest snow dwellers ). We were all so grateful for the time spent together and are ready to get back to work tomorrow. God gives rest to the weary and gives His beauty for us to enjoy. Sometimes I think we work so hard that we can become ineffective if we don’t recharge. Irritable, tired, cranky Christians don’t do much for the kingdom if we act like the world. Take time to rest and then get back to His business. Find the balance but enjoy His creation. He made it for a reason!“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6

Honduras Day 6: I almost don’t have the words to describe today. The ministry that happened today pierced our souls and brought some real impactful change to this community so it’s hard to put it all into words, but I cannot stay silent but must proclaim the goodness and power of God. He is faithful! He is worthy of all our praise! We started the day with devotions as usual, then went to a different park, this time in Choloma, where we partner with Pastor Jose, to hand out water, Bibles and pray for whoever desired to be prayed for. There were men that were in the park desiring prayer, saturated with the smell and addiction of alcohol, asking us to pray for their health and freedom. I can still see their faces. Their glazed eyes and the desperation. The Bible says the eyes are the window to the soul. The eyes spoke pain and suffering today. I didn’t get many photos of our time at the park. It was busy. But I can’t get their eyes out of my mind. We also handed out flyers for the church event in the same community and we saw a few people from the park come to the church tonight. We came back for a short rest and then out again to pray for people in the River community of Choloma. Pastor José has a children’s feeding program in this community, and a vision for a kitchen and a playground for the children was birthed. I’ll share more about that later, because we need you all to partner with us to make it happen. We went into one home and the matriarch of the family, Maria, was in severe pain as she has bone on bone at the knees. She lives with debilitating pain every day. We prayed hard for her, we wept with her, gave a little food to the family and hopefully eased her suffering for a moment. Because of Jesus, we are trusting He will ease her suffering with a miracle. She told us He has healed her before. He can do it again! We arrived at Pastor Jose’s church to hold another Beautifully Broken Women’s event and the glory of God was with us in worship, the gospel shared and powerful prayers. The spirit of discouragement has been a battling entity this trip. It’s hit us hard, but God in His power has hit back harder. You see, He is the Waymaker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper and Light in the Darkness. Discouragement can plague us, but God says I came to defeat that plague and saved 8 souls tonight! Countless people were prayed for at the park, at the church and Pastor Rachael prayed for the city of Choloma today. I said I didn’t have many words and here that am, thinking I need to do a Part 2 . Because of Jesus…

Honduras Day 7: Last ministry day for our February 2022 team. Thanking God that we ended strong at the community of Belén. So much progress is being made on many fronts and Right Turn is so grateful and honored to be a part of the work God is doing. We were able to see the construction progress our men’s team made and the local men continue to make on the Community Center. It’s amazing! So much good is going to happen for the people of Belén through this center: classes for the children, trade programs, church, Bible studies, sports programs and more! We were able to take food to each home in the community and invite the women to church for another Beautifully Broken service. The community, through Pastor Walker Somerville, was able to purchase a small plot of land, and the service today was their first! Pastor Rachael gave the women a wonderful word of encouragement and Pastor José shared his testimony. Eight beautiful souls were saved today! We played with the children, gave them little toys and treats and another piñata lost to the children’s pounding . We reconnected with women we have met in previous trips and it is such a joy to spend time with them! A request was made to pray with a lady in the community for healing from leukemia. She had not been out of bed for weeks and not eaten for days. After laying hands on this sick woman, she was able to get up out of her bed and expressed that she was hungry! Praise to God! This community has so little but loves so very much. We are so humbled to be a small part of the work of God in Belén. After our time with them, we headed to these beautiful water falls. We were in awe of God’s creation! Shouts of joy over the beauty He has provided for us! Jesus said , “Whoever has believed in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This beautiful, powerful waterfall is just a period at the end of the sentence of the past week for the women’s team and the previous week for the men’s team. The water source was strong and powerful. Water like this can power a region. This is how God’s living water is. One small stream can flow into a river and that river a waterfall that could power a whole city. We’re seeing it, stream by stream and flowing river by flowing river and then it overflows to do more than we can imagine and we are in awe! God has truly brought Right Turn Ministries, NFP to Honduras for such a time as this. Although I think our team would say that God brought Honduras to make our hearts never be the same! Because of Jesus…

By Team Blogger: Carrie Gaxiola

Day 1 (technically yesterday was Day 1 but long travel hours makes one too tired to compile 2 complete thoughts ) Buenos Dias from this beautiful city of San Pedro Sula. Today is the first day of on site work in the precious community of El Belen (which means Little Bethlehem in Spanish) We will bring food, oversee the building of a house for a member of the community and build a swing set/playground for the children that live in this village. Things we take for granted. A house can be built here for $1200 and the joy it brings is insurmountable. Every time I come here, I am awestruck at the simplicity in living and the gratitude for living each day that comes from the people we care for. It’s humbling to me to know how much I have and often how much I think I need. My heart wants to be purged of anything that means it will take away from worship of and devotion to my God and the work He calls me to do. How about you? What can you lay before Him and say, if you take it, God, I will still praise you? Set your mind on Jesus today! Love Him and do all the good you can in His strength. More tonight!

Honduras-end of Day One. Just when I think God has outdone Himself, He surprises us and does even greater things than He did just 5 minutes ago! We started the day with team devotions, then headed to the community of El Belen. I was there in 2019 and recognized some of the faces but this visit was different. This day was full of community and watching each person on our team flow in their giftings. Some designed and built a swing set, others pounded the walls of a new house up in record time, some picked up 6,000 pounds of food and bagged it up for the families and others held babies or played soccer with the children. What we all did do together as one body of people striving to accomplish the same purpose-connect people to Jesus and bring joy-is work in community with the people of this village. No one cared what the color of our skin was, what our financial or social status was, what we wore or what our politics were. We just came together, alongside a community of people that live and hope for better lives, and we accomplished a purpose in unity. In love. It was hot, humid and we all left with a layer of dirt that could have filled their new playground, but we left with a sense of knowing that, maybe we helped the people of El Belen as we worked alongside them, but even more so, they helped us. In a troubled country such as ours, they left an imprint on our hearts. Just love, just work alongside each other for a common purpose. And as a momma who is so thankful to have her daughter on the trip, to hear these words, “Mom, I don’t want to leave, but since we have to, I want to come back on the next trip!” that is the music I think reaches God’s ears. Today I learned that we can talk about love and being the hands and feet of Jesus, but when we walk that out as an action word in whatever realm of influence God has us, we are truly being world changers! As my pastor often says, “Goodnight world! We’ll try it again tomorrow.”
Honduras Day 2 – This is the time of night when I try and get quiet and, as the team blogger, put into words what I perceive God has done. So, let me tell you all. I’m in a room with a young adult and my teen. I started this an hour ago but we have had the best time talking so I deleted everything I had written because I had a blast spending time with them. Here’s what sums up the day:
-We love our bus driver, Jose’. He drives the American missionaries in the crazy Honduran traffic, pastors a local church and works hard to feed 50 children at least 2 meals a day in his community. He’s the one with the ukelele.
-We have an awesome team of people that care about the mission and each other. No drama, let’s just get the job done and make sure we are all okay! These people are a gift to me in ways that have an impact that is beyond what I prayed for. Thank you, Right Turn Ministries, NFP for creating the atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to move.
-We bagged food supplies for those in need. I think we would do this every day. The people are so very grateful to get beans, rice, sugar and flour.
-We hosted a one night revival and saw 4 people give their lives to Jesus, 11 people get baptized and numerous people get prayed for, hugged and loved on. Our Christ Church Women’s Prayer Shawl ministry was once again a comfort and blessing to all who came to be covered with prayer and God‘s love. Martha Lane-Bevineau, please let the ladies know what an impact they are making!
-We danced with little children that didn’t have the trappings of peer pressure or social media to keep them from worshipping the Jesus that loves them more than anything.
-Pastor Zack Dunlap brought a message of love and hope to the world the people of Choluma live in. He shared of losing his grandparents to Covid but brought it back to Jesus and everything we need being in Him. His compassion and vulnerability gave way to many hearts being touched by the Holy Spirit.
-We helped a local pastor, Pastor Oscar, pour love into the community God has called him to.
-We came back to our lodging dirty, tired and sweaty but with hearts full because we know it’s not about us. It’s not about a competition to see who can do the most in ministry. It’s not about entitlement. It’s about the sacrifice Jesus made for us all and then doing what He says to do.
-Those of you that pray for us, thank you! God is using you. Don’t discount your role in the mission. It is a joy and comfort to know we are covered and the spirit of revival is moving because of your love and faithfulness.

Honduras Day 3
A lot of thoughts running through my mind tonight. First, it’s been a bittersweet day in that we worshipped with our Honduran pastor, Wilmer Godoy’s, church but pastor could not attend. His father was taken to the hospital and his prognosis is not good. While we missed him, we were able to pray for him and his dad, worship with his congregation, minister to them in prayer and experience their wonderful hospitality.
I personally had a day of doing warfare for a situation at home that brought some fear and despair. I almost stayed back at the hotel but God clearly said no, and I am so thankful I obeyed. I would have missed God pouring into me and so many others as His Spirit moved in the same park we went to in 2019. I would have missed my little friend Brian who I met and prayed for two years ago. He was there tonight and immediately recognized me! What a gift! Lives were changed at the park in the neighborhood. Eleven were baptized and at least one gave their heart to Jesus. Our team was busy and active with playing and dancing with the children, praying for many people and creating new friendships.
Here is my take away for today. For those of us on the team that don’t know Spanish, there is a barrier. We don’t just walk up to someone and start talking or praying with them because we don’t understand each other. We have to find an available interpreter to help. When we worship with the band at one or the local churches or at the revival nights, we don’t know the words to the songs in Spanish, so it makes it more challenging to sing and worship. But it struck me, we still come. The people still come. God understands. God’s Spirit knows no boundaries. He hears our cries whether those cries are in Spanish, English or those deep groanings of warfare or burden that come from the depths of the heart. It doesn’t matter to God. He has no barriers but just bids us to come. He is an amazing Father that brings love and comfort no matter our frail limitations. Again, I am so grateful for my teammates that care for others so deeply and those that have cared for me today and my daughter this whole trip. And I am so grateful for Jesus, our Advocate, our “interpreter” that advocates for us to the Father and calls people to come and follow Him. I love Jesus so. He has no barriers, no limitations. He just says come.
Right Turn Ministries, NFP

Honduras Day 4
We work hard, we play hard. Today was a rest and refresh day so that we can hit the remainder of the week with strength! Hey, even Jesus rested from His labors and encouraged us to do so as well!
We went to the beach in Tela. Most of our team went on a boat ride to see some coral reefs and a pirate island. A half hour boat ride turned into a 3 hour tour… (I know, you’re humming the Gilligan’s Island tune right now ) The food and fun was just what we needed.
One thing about being on mission: you learn to be in unity and take care of each other or you drain the strength and focus you have. This team has been an example of what a team should be. We’ve had fun, prayed for each other, looked out for one another and made some real long lasting bonds. We’re going to finish this race with joy! My blog is short tonight because a few of us forgot the Honduran sun is a little brutal. Aloe Vera to the rescue!

Honduras Day 5
We had another full on ministry day with a visit (actually reunion) at Jeremiah 29:11 Mission House. RTM got to buy pigs for the house and fill the aquaphonic tank with tilapia. Because of the covid lockdown, food had been scarce and this was a great blessing to bring in a new food supply. We are hoping for the Three Little Pigs to have more little pigs so the pork can keep on coming . Our bus driver, Jose’, shared his testimony with the children and young people. He was a child of the streets, used and abused, left to fend for himself over and over before he was 14, but God had other plans. Nine children gave their hearts to Jesus as so many of these kids can relate to his story and today chose Jesus’ love and freedom as Jose’ did. We played in the blistering heat (literally) and as tradition goes, Uncle Doug hung the piñata for a grand old time! Sadly we had to say our goodbyes but for good reason to head down the road back to Belén for a children’s lesson with Señora Lisa, a dedication of the new swing set and a house blessing for the 7th house built by RTM. After Lisa told the kids of the story of Adam and Eve, the Fall and the rules God makes for us to follow in His word for our good, we had a prayer of blessing for safety and all around fun for this new Village addition. Once done, a new piñata was hung and treats abounded for all! The children lined up 20 deep just to swing and the joy was palpable! We then went to the house that was built for a member of the community. We prayed a blessing over this new home and for all that enter in to receive God’s blessing. Again, pure joy! My take away for today: we have so much yet are often unhappy. I would venture to guess that most all of us haven’t lived alone on the streets at 6 years old, been abused in multiple ways before age 14 and had multiple other traumas. We don’t have to live in homes made of roofing tin and whatever materials will give some semblance of shelter, and our children have every toy and gadget available to them. Today all these things were a gift to the children and people of Belén and the Mission House. And what we witnessed was sheer joy. Jesus joy. The kind that nothing in this world can give us. We experienced gratitude that is beyond comprehension because God delivered a life from death and destruction and made it new again. And we experienced His love because He is good, a Redeemer that lives and gives life. We got the bigger gift again today: the squeals of children breaking piñatas and receiving the goodies inside, swinging on a swing for the first time and a momma that cried tears of joy because God gave her a home to love and serve Him with. Joy that you can feel. His name is Jesus and we certainly felt Him today!

Honduras Day 6
Final full ministry day and packed as ever. We shared lunch with the children from one of our feeding programs in Choluma. Pastor Jose’, our week long bus driver, is the pastor of this community and we were greeted by cheers, clapping and singing as the bus drove up. We were able to visit several houses and deliver food and prayers. These precious people had concerns like we all do, prayers for health, healing, loved ones that aren’t serving Jesus. It was an honor to pray for them and share their tears but share the hope that Jesus can bring.
From there we headed to the next river community where the poverty is profound. Pastor Wilmer has planted a church in this community where we probably saw hundreds of people in a small church building looking for some hope and help. The need is so great and many of our team members were overcome with the enormity of the need and amount of people in this small community. But God… we were able to bear witness to the power of the Holy Spirit and hearts that turned to Jesus for salvation. After handing out food, toys and candy, we took the long trek to the river where 34 were baptized. Even a sweet elderly lady that Linda Lynch Belvin and I met 3 years ago. Once again there was that recognition when we made eye contact and we both lit up with the joy of remembering each other. She giggled like a young girl when I showed her the photo of us 3 years ago. I love this part of the mission work. Building relationships that last. Knowing that not only is Jesus making an impact in their lives, but they are making an impact on ours. Today was hard. I’m not going to lie. Each time I come to this community I have a range of emotions because the need is so great. It is overwhelming and it is a helpless feeling to know that you can’t fix all the needs or problems, but we can offer hope a little at a time. I have to remember that God is in control. It’s not about fixing the whole world but being available to do exactly what God calls us to do. Go, give, or remain as our dear Mandy Haffer de Ramírez has done. She and her husband Carlos Ramirez and their children hosted us for dessert this evening and we were all able to decompress a bit from the day, share some fellowship and talk over our experiences. We were all grateful for their hospitality. And isn’t that what life is about? Being grateful for what we are able to do, for what we have, for each other. Without gratitude, we cannot magnify the Lord and all He is and can do. I am spent. I have to sort through the things I experienced today and the needs of the people I was privileged to pray for. I know that I have a place to run and that is to the feet of Jesus where I can lay all my burdens and the burdens for others. For that I am grateful
Right Turn Ministries, NFP

Honduras Day 7. I’m ready to see my dear husband. He has covered this whole trip in his prayers and has helped keep me grounded when I wasn’t so sure of myself at times. I think we’re all ready to return home but we’re coming home with a different view of the world we live in, renewed purpose and changed hearts. God has a given us all such an incredible team to love, work and serve alongside. We ended the week with covid testing. Then off to be a tourist for a little. It’s been an awesome week, and we’ve formed bonds that won’t easily be broken. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to do Your work in Honduras

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Twila Paris sang a song titled The Warrior is a Child. I can’t say that I ever heard it on the radio, I don’t think it was top 100 hit, in fact, I can honestly say that I really never gave that song much thought…until I became that child warrior.

Then it all became so clear. That song nailed it….it was my life unfolding in song.

I wanted to unpack this song so it made sense to me, made sense in my head. I needed to understand why, if God had called me to serve Him, why did it have to be so hard? Why are there so many battles? Why couldn’t this be easy?

I am not really sure what I was thinking when I said “yes” to God. I think deep down in my mind, I thought: “Well God, You wanted me, so here I am, lets DO THIS” and then it would be easy. I mean, after all, HE is the one who asked me to serve, right?? So why would God ask me to do something that He KNEW would stretch me in ways I didn’t know I could be stretched? Why would He ask me to do something when He knew I would have to go in to battle? I guess the simple answer is simply He thought I could be useful and He needed to teach me that I had to be dependent on Him. Not dependent on myself, not dependent on my husband, not the Church, not the World. Just HIM!

“Lately, I’ve been winning battles left and right”

Oh, yeah, this Warrior is on FIRE!!! Watch out world, here I come…I felt like jumping up and down screaming: “Yes!! I made the team!!! God thinks I am ready…He has asked me to do some BIG stuff…He must really think I am ready for the Big Leagues”

Yeeeeah……then reality shot up and slapped me in the face. Then it was like “Really God, THIS is what you have for me?? I was all of sudden not feeling so Big League material.

“But even winners can get wounded in the fight”

YUP! The wounds kept coming: Trials, Tribulations, Pain, Heartache, Lost Friendships, Sadness, Despair, Desperation, Backlash, Untruths., Sickness, Death.

I was wounded. I was beat up. But I tried so hard to never show it…..

“People say that I’m amazing, strong beyond my years,

but they don’t see inside of me, hiding all my tears”

That was me….hiding all my tears..

Until I couldn’t hide them anymore. I started to cry. I mean, really cry. Ugly cry. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. This serving Jesus stuff was supposed to be easy. Only it wasn’t easy. It was hard. Really, really hard.

“They don’t know that I come running home when I fall down,

they don’t know, who picks me up when no one is around.

I drop my sword for just a while….cuz deep inside this armor, this Warrior is a Child”

I remember sharing one of my “ugly cry” moments with my husband, Jim. I lamented to him the same old thing I had been sniveling about for months: “this isn’t supposed to be hard…serving Jesus is supposed to be EASY…I shouldn’t have to work this hard to serve Jesus!!”

He, with all the love in heart, simply drew me near, wrapped his arms around me, held me tight, kissed the top of my head and softly said “Well, then obviously you haven’t read the Bible”

OUCH!

He was right! I mean he was spot on dead right. Did I mention that I hate when he is right?

He reminded me of all the great warriors that went before me: King David, Saul, Paul, Peter, Deborah, Sampson, Elijah….the list went on and on. He reminded me of the battles they faced in the name of serving Jesus, then he reminded me not only of the battles they won, but also how they DIED serving Jesus. (Did I mention that I HATE it when he is right??) He reminded me that it’s ok for warriors to get wounded in the fight and that even the best of fighters get knocked down at times. It is what they do when they are down that matters. They can choose to stay down, or they can grab on to something and pull themselves back up.

“Unafraid because His armor is the best…but even soldiers need a quiet place to rest”

I had a choice to make. I could stay knocked down and let my wounds define me, or I could, after a short rest, get back up, put on the armor of Christ and get back in the game and charge on. I chose the latter.

I want you to know that no matter what battle you are facing today, it’s ok to drop your sword and cry for just a while….you just can’t leave it there. You have to pick it back up and charge one.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are the product of an amazing God who made you…well….you! You are amazing, you are stronger than you think you are. Yes, you will have battles, you will get wounded in those battles, but those wounds are not fatal wounds. Sure, some of them may just need a bandaid, while others wounds may require some stitches, but no matter what, you will heal. Oh you might have a scar or two, but hey, we were never promised perfect, flawless skin.

Pick up your sword, mighty warrior, and charge on!

ELECTION TIME THOUGHTS

from guest writer, Jim Shoffstall

Originally Posted by: Jim Shoffstall

November 3, 2008

I spent a small chunk of this beautiful day at the Circuit Clerk’s Office of St. Clair County.  I was there to vote early due to my work schedule prohibiting me from participating in the election process tomorrow.  Not too long ago I would have simply passed on an opportunity to cast my ballot.

I couldn’t vote because I had to work.

I even pulled this excuse out of the hat once in awhile:

My vote won’t make one bit of difference in this election.  Besides, all politicians are crooks.

Yep, I confess that there have been elections which were tossed aside by me.  I saw no reason to participate in a process when the only choices I had were corruptible politicians seeking to advance their own agendas.  I am even more disappointed in my choices for President this year.  OH MY GOSH!

Anyway, tomorrow will see millions of American’s casting their votes which will establish new leaders and new policies.  We will not know what the outcome of this election will be for a couple of days, however I believe from the deepest areas of my heart that God is “privy” to the outcome.  In fact, I believe he orchestrated it from the very beginning.

“Praise be the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes the times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.”  (Daniel 2:20-21)

During Old Testament times when God selected a King for the Israelites he would send a prophet or priest to inform the nation of the winning candidate.  I have no doubt that God has already made plans for our next President.  At some point over the next couple of days the world will discover who that chosen person is.  And we will be a part of the voice which makes the announcement.

Regardless of what our next leader is like or what his administration does, God will someday send us His chosen one.  The King of kings and Lord of lords will take his place as ruler of all.  And for those who are invited to be a part of his kingdom, crooked and deceitful politicians will become a thing of the past.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-8)

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.  He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.  He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.  Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah 11:1-5)

Men and women of God, stand fast in the present times.  Though our election process may give us the illusion that we are in control, make no mistake; God is very much in control of all that is happening in our society.  I no longer fret over who our next President will be or what our next President will or will not do.  In know that in the end the rulers of this earth will one day be overthrown by Jesus Christ.  His term of office will never end.

To God be all glory!

JS

DISAPPOINTMENT

dis·ap·point·ment

noun: disappointment

“sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations”

Disappointment…..

That is a word I am sure we can all relate to these days. I bet if I asked each of you if you have experienced ANY disappointment in the last 3 months, the answers would overwhelmingly be “yes”.

I bet if I asked each of you what was your #1 disappointment, you would all have a very different answer.

COVID…….. CORONA VIRUS……MITIGATION………SHELTER IN PLACE

Who would have ever dreamed that those 4 phrase words could change the life as we knew it and turn it totally upside down and spit it out into a slurry of disappointments, fear, anger, and maybe, if we are honest, a little bit of anxiety.

For me, deep down, I think I secretly thought that if my heart was right with Christ, if I was living right, doing the right things for the right reasons in the right time, I would never fall victim to such words. I mean, after all, if I am living for Jesus what is there to be disappointed about, right?  Let’s be real, being a Christian means we get a free pass from such things, right? Life should be perfect…. because if Jesus casts out all fears, then I should never be afraid, right?

Yeah…..NO! That’s not exactly how it goes.

Why? 

Because I am human…made of flesh and blood. I am an imperfect person living in an imperfect world.

I am living in a world full of overwhelming disappointment and discouragement right now. I am surrounded it by it every day. I see it on the news, I hear it on the radio, I find it in the closed businesses, I read it on the prayer request pages, and I hear the stories from my friends who are suffering.  

I am Surrounded.

Totally Surrounded.

There is no escape.

I find myself now being worried about things I have ZERO control over. Why do I do that? If I KNOW I have ZERO control over a situation, then why do I waste on minute of my life worrying about it? 

I don’t know why I do it….habit, perhaps. Or maybe it’s just the flesh fighting against my spirit because my spirit KNOWS who is in control of this very out of control situation we live in these days. The struggle is real….the battle between good and evil….flesh and spirit….control and surrender.

Some days are harder than others. Some days it is easy to curl up on the couch, pop on Netflix and tune the whole world out, other days, not so much.

This is one of those days…..

Of all the things going on with the COVID crisis, and the shelter in place, and the mandatory masks, and the cancellations of well…just about everything, this week has been especially hard on me.

This week was to be an EPIC week in the life of our Ministry.  We had made arrangements to bring our Honduran Pastor, his family and The Freedom Band to the United States and we were set to embark on a 2 state, 4 city fundraising Evangelism Tour.  We spent months and months planning, arranging for Churches to host the band, make travel plans from Honduras to the USA for a team of 6 people.  Hours and hours were spent on the plans this week.  This was to be an EPIC week of sharing Jesus, sharing our ministry, as well as serving as one of our biggest fundraising events that would have brought in enough funding to see us through to the end of 2020.

Gone.

In an instant.

One Virus.

Game Over!

Or is it?

I had to look no further than Gods Word to see what God had to say about how I was feeling and what His thoughts were.  I was immediately taken to the story of Mary and Martha, who, in the book of John 11:1-6, you can read, sent for Jesus when their brother Lazarus was dying.

Lazarus was getting worse. Jesus still hadn’t shown up. I know they had to be asking themselves: “did He get my message??” “why isn’t He here, yet?”

 Lazarus lay dying.

 And they waited for Jesus to come.  He didn’t show up.

What the??  He didn’t show upt??  Who does that?? What kind of friend is that?? 

Disappointment!  Major Disappointment!!

He finally showed up…4 days later! Can you imagine the look on Martha’s face?  I can see it now…I bet she was fire hot red in the face, arms flailing, ready to beat him senseless.

You know the story from here, Jesus spoke Lazarus back to life….a MIRACLE occurred…people saw with their own eyes. Here is the cool thing, it was in HIS time. Not Martha’s time,  not Mary’s time, and certainly not Lazarus’ time.

HIS time.

Jesus knew what he was doing. It wasn’t Game Over.

If Jesus had come when Martha called for Him, there would’ve been no stretching of their faith. There would’ve been no crowd of mourners to witness the great miracle. There would’ve been no resurrection to astound the Jewish community.

If Jesus had responded when the sisters first called, the greater would’ve been sacrificed for what they thought was best.

I think it is ok to have a moment(s) of disappointment. I just don’t think we can live there forever.

I think it’s ok to tell God how you feel. He can handle it.  

I told God I was disappointed. I shared with him my concerns. He listened. He understood. Then He spoke to my heart, assuring me that He had not forgotten, nor forsaken me, and even in this time of great disappointment, He is still at work and that I just need to TRUST.

The key my friends, to keeping the faith in the face of our disappointments, is simply trusting that despite our situation, that God is still at work. When it all seems lost, or life seems unfair, God still has a plan—and the power to fulfill that plan in ways we could have never imagined.

I do not know why God has allowed this virus to invade every inch of our life, nor do I know how it has affected your life or what your personal disappointment is. But this is what I do know….God still sits on the throne, He still calls the shots, and He is still in control.

On behalf of all of here at Right Turn Ministries, it is our prayer that if you too, are in a season of disappointment, whatever that may look like, we pray that God will bring to you soul restoration, healing, peace, provision, and hope where there was nothing but disappointment and despair.

As a ministry, we still face mountains too big for us to climb and valleys too deep for the light to reach, but we know that our God is a good, All the time. He is faithful and true, He will come through—maybe not the way we expect or hope, but always in a way that allows His glory and power to shine through.