It has been 1 year and 4 months since God put it on Michael and my heart to GO NOW onto a mission field outside of the country. I just want to take a few minutes to praise the Lord for all that he has done for us along this journey. First off, all of our family and close friends were immediately supportive. Having the support of family and friends is not a necessity but it is certainly a huge blessing.
Soon after announcing that God was calling us out of the country we began to establish opportunities to travel to the places we believed God was calling us to serve. Each summer we are aloud 2 weeks of vacation time. After setting up a 1 week trip to Texas for Michael’s brother’s wedding and a 1 week trip to Guatemala an opportunity arose for has to travel to Tanzania, Africa on a 2 week mission trip. Without asking any questions work gave me another two weeks of vacation time, this was a direct answer to prayer, a prayer I thought was almost too much to ask. Needless to say God can work miracles and the past year my faith has grown leaps and bounds along with the size of my prayers.
God clearly answered our prayer not to fall in love with both Guatemala and Tanzania leaving our heart’s torn between the two. God clearly opened the doors for us to serve him at Hope of Life in Guatemala and closed the doors in Tanzania, leaving Michael and I with no question of where God wanted us to go… what a blessing and relief!
God clearly answered our prayer not to fall in love with both Guatemala and Tanzania leaving our heart’s torn between the two. God clearly opened the doors for us to serve him at Hope of Life in Guatemala and closed the doors in Tanzania, leaving Michael and I with no question of where God wanted us to go… what a blessing and relief!
Another huge praise is that during both of our missions trips I was completely pain free. This is a huge miracle because I still suffer from debilitating neck pain and headaches 2-7 days out of every week. I am thankful for everyone in our home fellowship group who partnered in fervently praying that I would be free of pain and able to serve the Lord unhindered. God heard our request and he answered.
Before two weeks had passed since we returned home from our mission trips God granted me another two weeks of paid vacation time so that we could return to Hope of Life in Guatemala. The purpose of this return trip was to complete the application process, in person interviews, and service required for the ministry to properly evaluate and accept us as long term missionaries.
In February we had our first support raising trip located in Williamsburg. It was not easy or comfortable learning to call people and set up support raising meetings over the phone. However God blessed us with 2-3 meetings every day of our trip. Along with the opportunity to share at a friend’s church.
In January and February I continued to suffer from significant pain, work became more and more stressful and overwhelming. As we lifted this concern up to the Lord he blessed me with the opening of a part time job in the ER starting March first. Making work much more manageable.
In April Michael and I traveled to Ohio for a 3 day training on how to competently care for kids who have been through trauma. When we went to pay for our AirB&B the owners expressed that they would like to support us in our ministry endeavors by allowing us to stay for free. The timing of this blessing was astounding. I had just resigned from my job and was feeling completely overwhelmed by our financial state. I believe this was God saying,
“My daughter, trust me. I see your needs, I hear your prayers, I am in control and I will provide for all you need in my timing.”
I was reminded of What Isaiah says:
Isaiah 55:8-10
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God is so much bigger than my view of reality and it is exciting learning to look outside of my little box and realize just how big of a God we serve.
I’m sure there are many more incredible things God did for Michael and I this year but these are the few come to mind right now.
With Love & Joy,
Rachel Pouchot
Wow – I LOVE the miracle of the AirBnB owner providing free lodging for you in Ohio! Thanks for sharing the praises and prayers. That pic of the Roose Family Vacation is also the best!