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Launch Party - Foundation & Cornerstone Set In Place

Prayer & Anointing
Prayer & Anointing 

What follows are Pastor Albert Chung's words as he led us in prayer. Just before Albert led in prayer from Isaiah 58, Trevor annointed Julie's head, hands, & feet. 

 

"As we come around Julie as her friends and family, the most significant support we can provide is spiritual—namely, prayer. Today, we want to do something special. We want to anoint her with oil. Oil has significant symbolic meaning in Scripture. 

 

First, we see that God used oil to consecrate, to set apart, his servants. He gave Moses and Aaron instructions to grind together a beautiful, aromatic, perfume like anointing oil. They would then pour it over the servant’s head to set them apart for God’s service. 

 

Second, we see that oil is a symbol of God’s blessing. Like wine and bread being the fruit of a good harvest and God’s blessing of favourable seasons, so too oil pressed from olives and the like was a literal picture of God’s blessing.

 

Third, we see that oil was a symbol of beauty in Scripture. There are many references to the oil of myrrh and the like being used to beautify the maiden.

 

So Julie, as we come around you as friends and family and anoint you with this oil, may you be strengthened in the knowledge that you are consecrated for God’s purposes. May you find power in the knowledge and experience of God’s blessing and provision. And may you be affirmed of your beauty in the sight of God—beautiful not only outwardly but inwardly with the gentle and quiet spirit that trusts God.

 

Let’s pray.

 

Isaiah 58:6-12

 

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:

 to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

when you see the naked, to cover him,

 and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

 and your healing shall spring up speedily;

 your righteousness shall go before you;

 the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am. ’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,

 the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

 then shall your light rise in the darkness

and your gloom be as the noonday.

11 And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

the restorer of streets to dwell in.

 

Amen"

 

Albert Chung

 

Shower Chatroom - Learning about the Foundation & Cornerstone

By Julie Seath

 

When God has something to say to me, it's always a good idea to hop in the shower!

 

The enemy sure was quick to try to take the joy from the fantastic evening we'd had at our launch party on Saturday night. I awoke early Sunday morning feeling quite discouraged. I couldn't fully understand why. I was quite restless and realised I needed some focused time speaking with the Lord. If you were there Saturday night with us, you'll have learned I hear from the Lord while in the shower. I guess everyone has their place.  :)  

 

While begging God to forgive my haste towards discouragement after such an incredible evening, I asked for Him to remind me of the future. To assure me yet again. I am grateful for His patience with me! This is what I clearly heard Him say, 

 

"Julie, you testify to trusting me. Now, do it.
Last night, the people who gathered in support - they are the foundation.
The time of prayer and anointing of oil - that is the Cornerstone – Jesus.”

 

Well, I turned the shower off pretty much right then and there, and went back to bed and promptly fell asleep. I was able to rest, knowing that God has set both the foundation and the cornerstone in place. He is so good!

 

In the past, the cornerstone was to be the first stone set in a foundation of a structure. It was important piece because all the other stones would be set in reference to it. It would help determine the position of the entire building. It was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed. Scripture describes Jesus as the Cornerstone in God's plan of redemption. 

 

The foundation and cornerstone for Love a Village are now in place. We’re set to roll!

Story #1
When the Past Collides With the Present & Creates the Future!

 

After the evening was over, Julie spent some time chatting with people. Two people independently expressed interest in joining Julie on her trip this fall. This was a bit of a surprise since Julie would arrive in Malawi in less than two weeks. After lots of prayer and conversation, it's become clear for Angelica that God wants her to take this step of faith. We asked her to share a bit of her testimony. 

 

"I'm going to Malawi!

 

Little did I know that when I attended the launch for Love a Village, I would feel a tug, a Holy Spirit heart pull to travel with Julie, my friend since high school, on her next trip to Malawi. The challenge: the trip so happens to be a week from now! After much prayer (6 dear friends, my mom and my family were all on their knees) God reminded me that this was an "open door" answer to what I had been praying for through the last year, affirmed by my eldest son, who felt through his prayer, that I needed to go. This is significant as my eldest happens to be home from university this year which truly has enabled such a last minute decision. He will be a great support to my husband Tony and our youngest who is only 13. Of course Julie’s enthusiasm and excitement has made this all so incredible. Can’t wait to serve the beautiful people of Malawi with you Julie, I look so forward to what God has in store!"

 

Angelica

Story #2
A Heart to Give

 

At our launch party, Julie mentioned in passing that a gift of $100/month would allow Love a Village to hire a Malawian team member.

 

While it's too early to say whether everything will line up for us to take on a year-round Malawian project manager, we were so encouraged by two guests' generous response to this possibility and we've asked them to share their stories with you here about why they've chosen to do so. 

 

DONOR #1

"I hope this doesn't come off wrong, but to put things into perspective (a bit) all I have to do is work 2 1/2 hours to pay this person's salary for one month! And hiring one person will help empower so many more, and those empowered will most likely continue to empower others! I like that you're not going in forcing North American ideologies but showing them love and concern for their well being. I'm happy to share and have others benefit! I completely trust you and believe in what your are doing. I sensed God's guidance and I admire your willingness!!

 

DONOR #2

"My husband and I are going to help Love a Village hire a Project Manager! Julie's journey to this point in God's call on her life has been inspirational, unquestionably. Another inspirational person is one of the people she has met there. We have heard Julie speak often about them ... about how selfless and dedicated they are ... and how they take exceptional care of people. At the Love a Village Launch Party, we heard that for $100 a month, Julie could hire them to work for the organisation full time! I was shocked. What is $100 a month? $25 a week... that covers a person's salary!!!! I know it will be more, maybe twice that, but between us and another contributor, we can make this happen. What a crazy world. We can afford to give away $100 a month and that pays half of a worker's monthly salary. We're grateful to do this, but I'm a little embarrassed at how easy it is for us to do it. We have SO much. Thanks Julie, for letting us participate in your mission in this way."

 

Story #3
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