Mama Barb's Update: Mark 1:7-8

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Mark 1:7-8

"And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John the Baptist has been baptizing people in the desert and preaching a whole new song of the day. Telling people to live lives of changed hearts and forgiveness of sins. When the Holy One approaches John and now wants to be baptized by him.

Can you imagine this seen? These two men are second cousins actually. John the Baptist was the son of Zachariah & Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Mary were cousins and found each other pregnant when Mary came to visit her.

John's baptisms was a purification rite for repentant sinners, performed in "living water" (in this case the running water of the River Jordan) in accord with Jewish custom. All four gospels relate to John's ministry, his preaching and baptism in the River Jordan. Most notably he is the one who recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and on Jesus' request, baptized him.

The baptism marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and (most clearly) Luke relate that Jesus came from Galilee to John and was baptized by him, whereupon the Spirit descended upon him and a voice from Heaven told him he was God's Son.

How exciting this day was!! Heaven opened up a window and a dove descended and rested upon His shoulders. God has such an amazing way of showing us His deep love for us. This made me think back to the time of Noah...Noah kept sending out the dove until it came back with an olive branch...it was the sign Noah needed to know the rains has stopped and the waters were receding. The storms were finally over.

Jesus is about to begin His ministry...and He comes to John to stand before the Father and he asked to be baptized...this marking the start of a new beginning. The Son of Man is about to take His position in eternity.

If you have never taken in this picture and understood the powerful message of baptism. I ask you to go to the Father today...pray that He would reveal His will for you and the message He gives us on baptism. John says, "I baptize you with water, but One is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8).

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. — Malachi 3:1 (KJV)

May the God of Peace bless you today!

Mama Barb

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SPERO MINISTRIES

We have now have a Non-Profit called SPERO Ministries. It is a fund raising organization the helps support our daughter on mission in the Dominican Republic. It also supports the local community through Helping Hands.

My main reason for posting this information right now...is Cara Jane is seeking funds for her mission in the DR. She is being lead by God to build a building for the women of La Tienda and their Coop.

Please take the time to pray how you can partner with God's work through Cara Jane. We pray that God will bless you as you walk this journey of love with us.

Mama Barb

Cara Jane's Ministry in the Domincan Republic

Hello Loved Ones,

You’ve been with me on this journey for three years now, starting with my first one-week trip to the Dominican Republic. I give thanks to the Lord for how he has used each of you to carry me all this way. It has not been easy, or simple, but my life here has been made possible. God has given me hope in the manifestation of His power.

Once again change is happening in my world here. My dear friend Robin, who has been with me since the beginning is leaving back to the states. And another friend Ashley that has been here two years is leaving as well. The constant change adds to the difficulty of living far from my family and comforts, and this time I feel it will be the most difficult. I’m gearing up for what I feel may be my last year here. Pray for me that God would continue to show me what I can live without and how I can use every blessing to love others.

I spent the past year working with a friend from Canada, Rachel Sticklee, among a cooperative of women called La Tienda. Rachel started the coop as a means of work for women that would provide dignity and keep them from resorting to other unacceptable means of finding money. It has been a joy this year to see how working creatively has improved the quality of their lives. We began the year with the hope that we could create a system of independence for the women. We opened bank accounts; we’ve started teaching them where to buy and how to prepare supplies. We’re nearing the end of a construction project. We were given a 100 year lease of our building, which was such a blessing. So we started making improvements. Now we have a huge storage room where materials for work can be prepare, stored, and sought.

Currently I have been gathering information for each item that we make, how much of each material is used, which ladies do what parts. Everything will eventually be translated into Spanish so that the women can use the information to prepare and make their own work, and then fill orders that will be sent to Canada and the US. Our hope for this year is to do a trial run with the women running the art coop independently, working out all the kinks, and then preparing ourselves for the next step. Pray. In the past three years I have spent here one thing is certain, any and all successes are because of what the Lord has done. He gives me strength each day to face the challenges ahead.

Please consider partnering with me once again on this journey that God has begun and will complete. I am working freelance under a new non-profit, Spero Ministries. My goal for now is to raise enough support for this next year at $1000/m, as of now I have enough to get me through August. Spero will be sending me 100% of the support that I raise to go towards my living expenses and needs. Checks can be made out the Spero Ministries and sent to 2002 Aster Way, Round Rock, TX, 78665 along with a note indicating that the money should be applied to my support. For information about La Tienda visit latienda.ca, and for information about Spero Ministries contact mikedonwelch@gmail.com.

All my love and the peace of the Lord upon you,

Cara Jane

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Mark 1:7-8

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