Refuge Released - Rhonda

As I write this blog I am waiting in Istanbul for my bus to Ankara where I will spend 2 more weeks with the church there. It will be a busy time but I am looking forward to seeing my friends and experiencing more of Turkish life.

I have just returned from the airport to see off the rest of the team as they start their journey back home (please pray for safe travel and health). As we rode along the shores of the Marmaris sea, looking out at the many ships in harbour, it was hard to believe that it was time to leave. Our time together here was really good and we all agreed that we didn't want it to end...

And it does not have to end here. As we gathered for our last evening together, eating Turkish delight and sharing, I encouraged each one not to go back to their "normal" lives. It's very easy to go back and hide in our place of comfort but we can chose to continue allowing God to challenge us and change us. For those who do not have that place of comfort it means choosing to live from a place of "refuge released".

The theme of the conference that we served at was REFUGE (Psalm 18). When thinking about a refuge, many of us would autimatically think of a place to run and hide; a cave or an isolated place where we can be alone and safe. We all need refuge. We all need something or someone to be our strength and to protect us.

Jesus is our Refuge. We hide in His finished work, His awesome power, His immense love. In Psalm 18 we see how David lived from this place of refuge. For many years he did live in caves and run from danger and the enemy. But in the last part of this psalm we see him running, jumping, living in victory over the enemy and his own failed attempts. His life was "refuge released".

It is not a place of rest but a place of involvement; it is not a place of keeping things the same but will continually bring us through circumstances that force us to change. David's choice to live from this place (Ps. 18:37-50) allowed him to renew his battle formation and to do what he was called to do. As the team returns home it is my prayer for them that they too would find themselves in that place of "refuge released", to do what they each have been called to do.

Please continue to pray for the women and youth who attended the conference - that they would also be able to continue working in the field of Turkey from the place of "refuge released".

Love & Blessings,
Rhonda

I have included a link to pictures of our time here:

You are invited to view RBerkhiem's photo album: Turkey Team November 2009

Turkey Team November 2009
Nov 1, 2009by RBerkhiem
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