Nehemiah

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the book of Nehemiah lately. We’re working through it at church, it was the theme of LAM’s day of prayer last Wednesday, and the Lord has been speaking to my heart in seeing how His hand moves through history to accomplish His purposes.



The book of Nehemiah has opened my eyes in new ways to:

• God’s perfect timing


• God’s perfect plan


• God’s perfect provision

Consider that news of Jerusalem’s destitute state arrived to Nehemiah while he was in captivity, and his response was uncontrollable grief, repentance of sin (both personal and for his people) and seeking the Lord for months (not minutes as I too often do). In God’s providence, Nehemiah had been placed as cupbearer to the most powerful ruler (and enemy to the Jews) at that time, Artaxerxes. The very man who had ordered Jerusalem not be rebuilt decades earlier (see Ezra 4:21-23). Yet God planted a seed in Nehemiah’s heart, nurtured it and at the perfect time gained not only Artaxerxes permission, but protection and the materials necessary for building Jerusalem’s walls once again. Even before Nehemiah came before the Lord with his broken heart, God had put in motion His plan to provide for His people by placing Nehemiah in the King’s service. Absolutely amazing!

Over the past year, as I have responded to the call to head up the ministries department at LAM, I have had an unprecedented and admittedly sometimes unwelcome view of the needs throughtout Latin America. Needs that frankly break my heart. From young, hopeless, pregnant mothers in Costa Rica to the churches in rural Cuba with no Bibles or pastors to lead them. From street kids not expected to survive past the age of twelve to the addict crumpled on the corner, or the “no name” being cared for after being shot and left for dead. It can be overwhelming. But then I get to see the other side of the story as well. Those who, like Nehemiah are rebuilding the walls of broken lives through Christ’s eternal and tangible love and His church.

Michelle Stockman: Building a girls home in Belize to care for orphans and seek out families for adoption.
Matt and Jennifer Allen preparing to leave a comfortable job to work alongside a Honduran pastor as he plants churches and disciples lay leaders and pastors to minister where the only gospel voice is through Radio.
Greg and Cathy Saracoff giving guidance and care to ministries that in turn care for those caught in the middle of Tijuana, Mx. crime, drug wars and poverty.
Megan Riggott helping plant a church in the slums of Tijuana
Lenni Barber who has managed a home and shared the Gospel with young mothers that have no place to turn, or means to care for their children in Costa Rica.

and literally hundreds of others working through seminaries, mercy clinics, schools, Christian camping, Church planting and outreach ministries. God is rebuilding the walls of broken lives and is giving His people both an eternal hope and immediate purpose. Just as building the wall was dangerous, exhausting and impossible aside from God’s provision and protection, so it is with those who respond to God’s call in the many ministries the LAM serves. It is truly a privilege to serve partner ministries and missionaries in the way He has allowed me to. I see how His perfect, patient hand has moved me and my family from the San Francisco Bay Area to working in a small seaside town in Chile, then in Cuba an now in South Florida focusing on all of Latin America. His faithfulness and care throughout miles and trials is faith building, and we trust in His continued perfect timing, direction and provision to continue doing so.

Thank you to all who have been and continue to be partners on this journey!For online donations please visit The Abegg’s LAM page.