This morning Ellie was eating her breakfast and the sun was shining through the window, hitting something in just the right way so that there was a perfect little rainbow reflected right in her bowl of cornflakes!
And that reminded me of something… 
In June, Ellie and I had the AMAZING opportunity to attend ‘Breathe.’ A 10 day missionary retreat in the Swiss Alps. TEN DAYS IN THE SWISS ALPS. AMAZING.
‘Breathe’ was attended by about 100 missionaries (including children) from around the world — mostly Africa, Asia and the Middle East. I arrived at Breathe feeling pretty tired and ready for some input into my life. I’ve been at this (missions) for a while (16 yrs!) and it just seemed like a good time for something big. Many missionaries arrived from places much less safe, and much more primitive and/or isolated than where we’re at here in Swaziland. Whatever the circumstances, everyone came just needing a break and needing to be filled.
At one of our first meetings the guy speaking gave the perfect illustration (which I can’t seem to recount concisely here J) and ended with the question, “What have you lost or given up that has left you feeling depleted?”
Here are just a few of the answers offered up from the group:
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physical safety and security
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some personal freedoms/’rights’
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financial stability
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personal identity or aspects/strengths of personality (that don’t translate to another culture)
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friendships (many people come and go)
Throughout the ten days you could see God filling up areas of depletion, as people were being encouraged, renewed and refreshed. We were having time to come up for a breath (a wonderful breath of fresh clean air in the Alps!!), and God was ‘breathing’ new life into all of us.
Something I will always remember from our week was one of the first evenings when we were all just hanging out outside on the big veranda, surrounded by the Alps. Someone shouted, “LOOK!” and we all looked up to see the most brilliant double rainbow, clear from end to end, stretching across the mountains right in front of us. Then we all shouted, and snapped a million pictures — because for a bunch of people that were in need of some deep refreshment, that rainbow just seemed like a very obvious sign that God was going to do it. Ellie immediately started singing a worship song she knows: “The rainbow’s in the sky to show God’s promises are true…” and that truth just cycled through my head all week. GOD’S PROMISES ARE TRUE. What an awesome reminder. (This morning we sang the same song, but replaced ‘the sky’ with ‘your cornflakes.’) J
Speaking of ‘wonderfully taken care of’… that’s really just how I’ve felt lately. In so many big and small ways God has shown his care and provision for us. I’ve been looking at Psalm 121 this week. It’s a Psalm the Israelites sang when they were making the trek to Jerusalem to worship. It starts like this: “I lift my eyes up to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” In other words, the same God that made those huge rainbow wrapped mountains we were surrounded by in Switzerland…that same God is the one who is my source of help and strength and knows my every need. He sustains me and He fills me up. All of His promises are true and I can depend on Him.
Ellie and I spent the rest of the summer in the U.S. visiting friends, family and supporters. We loved our time there as well, and are missing our family! (and Mexican food) We just returned to Swaziland last week and are getting back into the swing of things. There is much to be done! Thanks for your prayers and support and for all the many ways you allow God to take care of us through you!!!!!
Oh, how wonderful that you two got to experience this relaxing and rejuvenating get-away. You soooooo deserve it! I am so blessed to have met you and Ellie through our trips with New Hope Church. I look forward to seeing you in Swaziland again next year.
Our windows at home have a prism groove around the perimeter and almost every day there are little rainbows reflecting on our walls, our floors, and our table. It happens so often that I never thought about it being so special. Your story about the rainbows will remind me now to thank the Lord every day for the little rainbows in my day.
God bless you and Ellie, as well as all of the AIM missionaries in Swaziland. I know it’s not easy, but rest assured that you are doing God’s work and he is smiling on you daily. I look forward with excitement to read your blog as well as the other blogs of those stationed in Swaziland. You guys are an inspiration to me. I am feeling called by God to do more with the people in Swaziland so maybe we will connect in the future in other ways to help the struggling orphans and widows in Swaziland.
Have a great day, a great week, and a great life!
Is it scheduled again for next year? Or sooner?
I’m SO glad you got to have this amazing experience of rest, relaxation, and refilling! You definitely deserve it!!!
Your life gives life to so many others, but I know it requires great sacrifice. Great to hear you were able to be pampered and refreshed!
Sounds wonderful, Julie. It makes me happy to see that pic of you and Ellie enjoying yourself.
Praise the Lord for cornflakes, rainbows, and the Swiss Alps!!!!!!!!!!! He is good and faithful and I love hearing your testimony of His provision!
Hey Julie! I was just thinking about you and wondering how you’re doing! It seems like ages since Mexico, but I still think about our time there often, and I miss you! Your little girl is beautiful. I’m praying for you as you’re in Swaziland!
What a great description of a wonderful experience that the Lord provided for you and Ellie. It probably even prepared you for some of the not-so-relaxing times after you arrived in the states. It was so much fun to have you and Ellie here as we had opportunities to enjoy some good family time and a couple of “mini” vacations. We love you and miss you and Ellie so much!
Thanks for the beautiful reminder Julie. Needed that word today. Looking forward to seeing you and Ellie soon!