Learning to Abide

It's funny how many of my "moments" are captured on Family Fun Fritay Fridays! It's our movie night...as the movie plays I look around at our beautiful children and bask in our family here. Tonight right before devotions and movie night one of our girls, Nerlande comes up to sit and talk. When your children hurt, it is so hard not to want to react in defense; as she's sharing some painful experiences of her day I say all the "right" things; you know: - Forgive & pray for them... - people will always talk but God knows truth and sees our hearts - keep seeking Christ; keep your eyes on him and the fruit of His Spirit will shine through you and be your defense and blessing - people are hurting and jealous and it's really hard at times to be happy for others when they don't have what you do Then, I realize a few things: 1. I am hurting with my girl but I'm not mad - Wow! 2. I have finally learned not to respond in emotional reaction and can live in Exodus 14:14 because God is our defender and will fight our battles Then she says, you know what I love about House of Moses; the love. Well, that sums it up; people can say whatever they say but our children are confirmed and affirmed first by their identity in Christ and second confident in the love they have at home...Victory! During the movie, I look over at our one boy that didn't pass his government exam who has other dynamics entwined in his situation and is going to have a season of reflection out of the home because of choices he's made. Through this tough time, we stay faithful to our call as a leadership and discipleship home with which discipline and accountability come but He is more impacted by the fact that: 1. He completely owns his choices and how they impact him 2. This is his family and he is loved - God will do the work he needs to do for He is Soverign, in control as he saw in his brother Kenken's life and he rests in that. There is no condemnation in Christ... As John and I unplugging the movie and projector, I ask him if he responded publicly on facebook or blogging about Joel Osteen's wife's rant about obeying for yourself and not for God - so on and so on...He said, "No, it would have been out of a wrong heart and a reactional response." Looks like he's living out the same triumph lesson tonight too... I want our words, our life, our love to be not that of ourselves but from God. Tonight I am filled at the fruit of that desire; I go to bed with extra girls sleeping over with Terah; the littles extremely happy having a sleep party with two of their big sisters, Lovelie and Nerlande, a house full of secure and happy lives in Christ who survived a week of Rheto re-takes, first week of school, another week of Rheto and Philo prep club Summer School and getting home from Cap Haiten for a visa. We are all back home together and nothing else matters.

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : What I love...

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : What I love...: Though I OFTEN find myself humming..."Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this Mama said."  I also f...

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : What I see...

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : What I see...: I fondly call Fridays... Family Fun Fritay Friday.  I love Fridays.  We always have fritay for dinner; in Haiti that means some type of frie...

Mother's (Day) Devotional

With American Mother's Day just passed and Haitian Mother's Day coming up...yep, I get 2 Mother's Days (*Haiti perk!)  I am filled with awareness of the gift and power of parenthood and honor of what being a Mom means.

On Mother's Day, we had the blessing of sharing time with our friends in Houston, TX.  As we shared Sunday morning with a sweet fellowship there was a time of opportunity for Vanah, the first graduate of House of Moses, to answer questions.  One of the questions was what is the difference in an orphanage and a house of leadership and discipleship?  She rightly answered the spiritual growth but then continued to speak of the restorative and healing power of having parents.  With tears from her and every woman in the room, she shared stories of things that our family has shared over the last year speaking of memories of mother and fatherhood.  It was a humbling realization to identify how amazing it is to be chosen and used by God to reflect his glory and be a vessel of healing through His love. 

For the first time in two years we are not sharing Mother's and Father's Day in Haiti, and we sure miss our kids...our full house of love, joy and at times wonderful chaos!  They sent gorgeous pictures that they took after church on Mother's Day.  I have looked at those beautiful pictures a thousand times praying over each of their hearts, expecting God for great things in their futures and so thankful that God has blessed us with each child that we have the honor of parenting, discipling & mentoring and mostly just plain loving.

As Haitian Mother's Day approaches I want to give the gift to our family...

A look at John 2: Thoughts through devotion

Some think that John was writing to the church as the "chosen lady" in verse 1 and then some think it is directly to a woman in the body of Christ...whichever it is, as a mother I love this letter and 3 John.

It gives a framework for me to speak to you as a mom through this letter...  My greatest gift as a Mother on Mother's Day and always is you...the fruit of your life, the legacy that you leave your children and grandchildren.

2 John   Read through 2 John and as you do look at the below comments for the verses

*Verse 1: I love that he refers to her as the CHOSEN!  We are so awesomely chosen by God to be his and he has chosen the beautiful lives which He alone has joined to be a family.  I pray that their is an anointing upon us (Mother & Children as referred to in this letter) because of TRUTH! 

*Verse 2: Favor because of the power of God's unfailing truth.

*Verse 3: May the Lord continue to be strongly with us because of his grace, mercy, and peace

*Verse 4: When I think about how incredible it is that John recognized that the children were walking in the truth, just as the Father has asked - This is my prayer and it is my great joy to have a testimony that my children are walking as God asks

*Verse 5: Then, the reminder to live in love for one another.  I pray that we are consumed in love; that it encompasses our home and family, our hearts!

*Verse 6: That our love for Christ is so evident because of our obedience to his command of love.  That everything in us flows from the power of love

*Verse 7:  Know that there are so many deceivers and why?  Because they are walking in the flesh...in the ways of the world.  Do Not compromise.  Everywhere around you are people who use their place of leadership for corrupt means - Don't settle.  You have seen and experience such the brokeness of those who claim Christ and live apart from the Word and His ways.  Be different for His glory, for bondage to be broken...

*Verse 8:  The enemy wants to steal what God is building up.  As Gal.6:9 says, Don't give up...Mom says, Don't give in...you will be blessed!  (Matt. 6:33)

*Verse 9: Perservere!  Stand firm in your faith - Remain humble as you seek to live out God's kingdom on Earth

*Verse 10&11: Don't just let anyone influence you... Remember that Satan is masked as an angel of light.  He looks good but truly is not, is evil, is anything but good for you and your life.

*Verse 12:  Parents have so much to let their children know...John was full of words for the church or a messge for this woman...He couldn't put it all on paper.  This is on paper only because I am not with you presently to hold your hand, hug you or just gather around and talk.  When we are joined together as John said to close this letter, our joy is complete.

*Verse 13:  We send our greetings always because we keep you in our hearts and prayers always with such sincere and genuine love!  

As the letters continue from John in 3 John...the beautiful testimony continues!  Oh how powerful it is to be known for, through and by the things in this letter.

In closing 3 John 1:4 -  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth!  Love, Love, Love this in our Lord's Word and Love, Love, Love you!

My dear, precious children:  Read these letters to the church in John and continue to live it!

Who I am...Chosen with purpose!

As a young pastor's wife I used to wonder when I would reach maturity that would make me the "model" pastor's wife...would I learn to play the piano or organ, learn to be less demonstrative, passionate or simply quiet.  Would wisdom teach me when to speak and when not too?  All of these things circled within my heart and mind and I rest that I am found worthy covered in the blood

Years have passed and the more I see the wives of leaders the more I am convinced that God uses messed up, broken things and that maybe this choas that he has redeemed within me is exactly what it needs to be to live the life he's called us to.

I am the blessed wife of an incredible leader.  I am honored that I am the mother of countless children, all whom have been birthed through love and the gospel through biological, adoption, and discipled/mentored means as a gift of which I far from deserve.

If my life ended today; I am more than abundantly blessed with far more than some search their whole lives to find.

I am a great many things, outside of Christ all amount to very little...
I wrestle with the balance of raw authencity and transparent genuiness that is unrestrained with rectless abandonement for God and man

I have messed up more times than I can count and I have experienced victory more times than I should have had the privlege of

I have learned so much and yet have countless more things to learn

I am in a daily battle; yet consumed with peace that passes all understanding

I don't knowGod's reasoning for a great many things except that He is God and I am not.
I continue to struggle with the whys and hows but I have been created for a life beyond myself...

My passions, my convictions they daily drive me - inspire me to live this life far beyond earthly measures...to seek the eternal-the unseen...absolute greatness of seeing lives changed and souls saved for the glory of God

Unashamedly I have courage...I don't know why-I shouldn't. I am nothing and yet I KNOW in Christ I have all authority through Him and therefore I fear nothing because I trust in HIM Alone; I wonder if I share with David, Moses, Paul or Peter and even more humbly JESUS

I love so deeply...So deeply that I feel it's passions become offensive - OFTEN and yet I am not sorry.
I love Jesus and I am so thankful for His love of me; For His grace and mercy

The truth shall set us free and in that truth I need the freedom of the power of the Spirit to stir more justice, grace and mercy within me - Forgiveness - Righteousness

I am thankful He chose me and ever so imperfectly I live in that purpose and calling and desire more everday to know HIM more, be used mightily, in great faith to expect Him to show up and show out, to live fully who He created me to be and to see HIM made famous  NO MATTER WHAT

His love story in our lives is beyond explaination
and yet He is the answer

God's Big Kiss

A few weeks ago God gave us a big kiss by a visit from an inspiring young missionary to Venenzuela, Natalie.  She shared ministry in South America and we had a sweet week together.
She shared how her and some college students brush lice out of the natives hair because in their culture they don't brush their hair.  One head of hair takes 3 days and multiple hours per day in the process to brush out bugs, knits (eggs), medically shampoo, etc.   She talked about judgements and comments received from ministry such as this:
-Why don't you teach them to do it themselves... (Where would they get the medicated shampoo?)
-Isn't there something More effective you can do for the gospel?

But as you see her passion for the natives and pictures showing the relationships built and how much love was shared in this simple ministry time and process, you ask yourself...Why do we have to judge each other's calling and way we minister?

Satan's efforts to kill, steal and destroy what God is building up are evident.  I remember reading and being told early on from the Brumleys at Global that the #1 reason missionaries leave the mission field is interpersonal conflict with other missionaries!  I didn't/couldn't believe it at the time.  What?!  Surely not, but in our experience we've seen that to be very true.  It's nuts and yet it's real.

Why does one ministry have to be right and another wrong?

Then, we had the beyond blessed week with Sonlight ministry.  We were so encouraged by their incredible kingdom excellence in ministry.  They loved on us and God greatly encouraged our spirits as the body of Christ.  We were spoiled physically, emotionally and spiritually.

 TOGETHER we shared in a week-long conference/revival.  Two different ministries.  Two different ways but both with hearts for the Lord and to love his people, children, creation.  God showed up and He showed out (and I'm pretty sure He was smiling!) John 17 lived out - the power of unity.  The beauty of oneness.

There was no right - no wrong.  No judgement.  Just family, children of God. Love
It was awesome.

We are blessed to have so many sweet and precious friends all over Haiti doing things like, midwifery, discipleship, libraries, radio stations, orphanages, adoption, building, education, medical, well-drilling, etc...
Friends with different denominations, different personalities, from different backgrounds
Thank you Lord that you choose to use the foolish things of this world.
Thank you for making different parts of the body and then bringing us together for your kingdom's work.  Thank you for so many very special people and relationships in our life who mentor us, speak into us, inspire and encourage us.  YOU are an awesome God!

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : Only Jesus...

The Barnes' Family in Haiti : Only Jesus...: There are many moments...days...living Haiti adventures that I have "only Jesus" moments- Surreal moments where you know that ther...