It's Harvest Time

Rachel

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that He will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:38

It's harvest time around here! Rachel is on the mission field with the youth group this week. She was so excited about leading music for the Backyard Bible Clubs but a bit apprehensive before she left. This picture was taken before we loaded her suitcase onto the trailer and held her close, prayed over her, and kissed her goodbye until Saturday.

She called me to let me know that, "Momma, this is W-A-Y out of my comfort zone...but it's okay!" They are staying in an apartment that only has a table and a few chairs. They don't have a TV, beds, or even a couch, they are sleeping in their sleeping bags on the floor. I thought this might be the case when the instructions were to bring a sleeping bag and their own toilet paper!

Their first task yesterday morning was to clean two houses. She explained that one lady had NEVER cleaned her house before. It was so dirty, they had to remove the furniture before they could clean. But, she said, "it was good!" Good?? Is this the child that wants to roll her eyes at me, but wisely chooses not to, when I tell her that it is her week to vacuum? Oh, I kid, sort of. I can only imagine what she had to clean up in this house. I can also, imagine the woman's face when she returned home. Oh, how that must have ministered to her heart, and possibly her health...it must have been filthy. Totally, worth a morning of getting Rachel's hands dirty and cleaning for the Lord.

She was excited about leading the music this afternoon. Oh, how I know the children are just going to love her. I reminded her, before she left, that her Daddy and I met doing children's mission work at Baylor. That seems like yesterday...and now our daughter...be still my heart! Oh, Father, use her mightily this day, bless her, fill her with joy overflowing, energy to serve, safety, good health, delight, and Your glow on her face. Please, let them see You in her.

Hannah

Meanwhile, Hannah and I are harvesting squash every day from our garden. It is so much fun. We are anxiously watching the cantaloupe and watermelons and hoping the foxes and coyotes don't come in and steal them.

Hmmm, that makes me think about Song of Soloman 2:15, "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." We have worked so hard in our little garden, I don't want the fruit of our labor to be stolen away. Rachel, the youth group, and this particular mission project have put so much into this project. I'm praying that little foxes will not come in and destroy their efforts this week. Oh, that none of the people they minister to this week would say, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." (Jeremiah 8:20)

...and Father, if it be Your will, please let them see the fruit of their labor. It's our prayer that many will come to know You this week.

Joyfully,

Kristi