My Heart is Going to the Philippines!
In one short week, my sweet girl is heading to the Philippines for a 52 day mission trip to the Waray people.
Life with a little missionary is never dull. Hannah is constantly challenging me and her daddy through her boldness in sharing the gospel. Her boldness is indicative of the Holy Spirit’s power working in her.
“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Even yesterday, as a man installed an AC unit in our home, Hannah engaged him in a conversation about Jesus. The amazing thing is how organically my girl starts the conversations. It isn’t a “canned” presentation of the gopsel, but rather, she listens for an opening and weaves it seamlessly into the conversation.
My heart’s desire for Hannah is for her to serve God as it directs us to in Deuteronomy 6:5…
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And her love for the Lord our God is carrying her all the way on the side of the globe to share what Jesus did for us to restore relationship with the Father.
I know Hannah is safer serving God in the Philippines – in His will – than being under the roof of the Hollis home. <tweet this
So all the emotions are welling up in me this week…sad, scared, proud…but I am a firm believer in following the call of God on your life. I wonder often if many of us followed the path the world recommended for us rather than the path God had prepared for us. Romans 11:29 says for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. This truth trumps my emotions.
I can think of no better prayer than the one Paul prayed over the Ephesians in chapter 1:
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
Join me in praying fervently for Hannah and other’s who are obeying the call to share Jesus around the globe and around the corner. Hannah is an amazing daughter and Christ-follower and we could not be any prouder…You are my heart!