Hey friends! Thank you for taking time to read my update and for keeping me and my squad in your prayers!
I’d like to give a short update on where my team and I are and what the Lord has been doing through us! I am currently back in Gainesville, Georgia after being in Jackson, Kentucky for the last couple of weeks doing flood relief with Samaritan’s Purse. For two weeks, we visited homeowners to assist them in gutting out their homes that had been destroyed in the flooding just two months ago. It was heartbreaking to sort through moldy, muddy items that homeowners had held dear and put them in a pile to be carried away. In many cases, the homes we gutted had been family homes that generations of people had lived in, laughed in, and built their families in.
In a mud-out scenario, a group of 10-15 of us went into a home fully suited up in Tyvek suits, gloves, and masks to remove mud, possessions left in the home, moldy drywall, insulation, flooring, and anything else that would cause damage if left in the home. This process was clearly very painful for homeowners to go through, however, when we had cleared everything out of a home and let air and light in, hope was slowly being restored.
As I prayed through this, the Lord revealed to me that this is similar to the process He has led me through as well. Just as we removed the moldy, muddy interior of a home to reveal beauty and the hope of a new beginning, so does the Lord in His refinement of us. I have things within me like pride, jealousy, bitterness, and wicked intentions that the Father lovingly removes in order for beauty and hope to take its place. Wine cannot be made without crushing and pressing; steel cannot be created without being put under fire.
Isaiah 61:1-3 illustrates this beautifully:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all those who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”
Thank you so very much for keeping us in your prayers, the Lord is moving mightily through us! During our two weeks in Kentucky, we saw over 20 salvations and were able to serve many families in the Jackson area! Here are some further prayer requests if you are curious:
– My squad leaves the United States for Nicaragua this Saturday, October 15th. Please pray that we would arrive safely and that God’s will would be done in our ministry there for the next 3 months!
– Following our trip to Kentucky, a few people on my squad, including myself, are sick or injured.
– Above all, pray for the Lord’s will to be done in us, through us, and in our teams! We are so excited and thankful to be part of a growing Kingdom! Pray for open hearts to recieve the gospel!
I am overwhelmingly grateful for your love and support, my prayers are with you!
Much love,
Baylee
I am so great full to have such an amazing built in best friend like you! I’m so proud of you Baylee! I love you so much!??
Today might have been one of the hardest days for both of us.
Yet your timely words remind me to find the joy in the pain.
Praying you do too my dear.
Praying for all that has happened and all that is to come.
I love you!
Baylee! We miss you so stinken much, but it was so fun reading your update and of course you have a way with words to encourage and provide wisdom through whatever you are going through. It definitely spoke to us and we are continuing to pray for healing for you and the team.
Much love – The Bensons
Hi Baylee, I love the word picture you created as you shared what God revealed to you…how He is in the mess to remove the mess from us. This is the heart of the Lord- To remove the storm within us and wreckage of our sin and make us like Him, new and clean and beautiful and useful for eternal purpose. Thanks for sharing your insight and wisdom with us. God bless you and squad L. Hug my girl, Madilyn, for me.
Thank you for taking the time to send this update- so good to hear of your work. I will most definitely be praying for good health for all of you.MJ
I love the reminder that God is refining all of us into his people and his plan is always perfect. It was so good seeing you at debrief
Praying for all of you
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Praying and asking the Holy Angels project always and especially now. God has blessed you and will continue to bless you and your team. I’ll try my best to keep grandma out of trouble. Thank you for saying yes in doing God’s work. When you’re having a tough time ask Uncle Jim to pray for you. He loves to pray. Love Aunt Jan
Thanks for the encouraging words, Baylee! Praying for strength for your travels coming up. We’re so proud of you, friend!
Zellmans
Refined, what a great way to describe the experience in KY with SP. Isn’t it great when our friends rally around us during the tough times and pray in so many words to “mud-out” our lives, removing debris and the unnecessary, to let the air in, reveal beauty and let the hope of a new beginning restore our weariness.
Hi Baylee, Thank you for the update & for all you & your team have done to help those in Jackson. You’re a blessing.
I’ve been praying for all of you & for your health to be restored before you leave the states. I will continue to pray for health, safety, open hearts, & complete trust in the Lord’s plan for you in the next 3 months.
I miss you. Sending love to you sweet Baylee.