21 days....

The year started, and so did our team’s fast. Each person spent time with the Lord asking Him what they were going to fast. I knew straight away that I was meant to fast coffee, which I struggled with not being enough. Some were on liquid fasts, no sugar or Daniel fasts. And I was only giving up coffee. However, to do anymore would have been fear of man. So I started.

I woke with headaches and stayed grumpy, as my body started to withdraw from the caffeine. The tiredness didn’t disappear during the day, while at the same time things got busier, so in all of this I was struggling. Plus God was waking me early (3/4am) a lot of mornings. They were sweet times with Him, but the days without coffee made it hard.

I appreciate that not everyone understands what not having no caffeine is like after relying on it for a good few years. And that some might be smiling and thinking ‘Oh Ruth’, in love of course. I would say the same to those who were in my situation. However, this fast was a hard one.

 So what was the point of it? Did God just want me to suffer and find things hard for a bit? I don’t believe so, not because I know Him better than that, but I saw the fruit. 

I started the year by writing a thank you card to God. This sounds weird I know, but as I wrote thank you cards to those who gave me Christmas gifts it came to my head something that someone said…’We don’t ever write thank you cards to God, why is that?. So I sat down and wrote out a thank you letter. I positioned myself in a place of thankfulness to commune more with my Father.

Little did I know that being thankful is exactly what I needed during the hard times in the fast. The times that I had people swearing at me and getting frustrated at me out of fear and frustration, I sat back and thanked God that they took it out on me rather than anyone else. I thanked God that this was a safe place that they could show some feelings. I thanked God that I had a family around me and we were all on the same page, they supported and they helped me teach simple skills, like dealing with anger. That I had a family around me that prayed with me, to ask the Lord what the root problem was behind this person getting angry. I thanked God for the times I had to lean on Him, as it reminded me again that I have a God that wants me to lean on them! He really does want that!

He is there as my stronghold and protector through it all and He wants me to draw close in intimacy.

There was one weekend that was one of the hardest weekends I think I have had, so I sat in worship and cried out to Him. Like really cried…snot and tears with my big ugly crying face. And this is what He gave me…

‘You’ve captured my heart, dear friend.

    You looked at me, and I fell in love.

    One look my way and I was hopelessly in love!

How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend—

    far more pleasing than a fine, rare wine,

    your fragrance more exotic than select spices.’

Song of songs 4v9,10

In another translation, it says, ‘you have stolen my heart’. Through my hurt and crying out to Him, He picked me up and told me how much He loves me. He gave me the sword of truth to cut through the hard stuff.

He asks me to go into the dark places that, without Jesus I wouldn’t go near. And I get to say ‘Yes’ with a thankful heart. I get to tell my flesh to be quiet as I cut through all lies with the sword of truth. That He loves me so deeply, just from one look in my eye.

He is equipping me so well.

Happy New Year!

As I look to the New Year, I sit in the attitude of thankfulness. I have so much to be thankful for, to hope for and to be joyful in. 2016 has been one of my most adventurous years, not staying in one place for long as God taught me and showed me more of Him in each place. God has healed me of trauma and fear as I took His hand and say 'yes' to Him, becoming a missionary once again and moving to America.

This year as a Christmas gift for each missionary, my friend and I made keys into a necklace with the word 'yes' put on them. This was to remind each one of us about the ‘Yes’ we gave to Jesus, when we gave our lives to Him. It was all inspired by a testimony our co-leader David Lancaster shared with us, of a conversation he had with God on his first missions trip…‘God showed me a blank piece of paper and said to me these simple words – ‘Will you give me your yes?’ I wondered what He meant so I asked Him, ‘Yes to what?’. Through our conversation He asked me if I would give Him Amy? (His wife) I said 'yes'. Would I give Him Jonathan? (His eldest child) I said 'yes'. Would I give Him Olivia? (His middle child) I said 'yes'. Would I give Him Sarah? (His youngest) I said 'yes'. Then He showed me that blank paper again. Will you give me your yes? I gave Him my yes. It doesn’t matter what to, God is looking for our yes.’

As I look to 2017 I want to go deeper into my relationship with God! There is always more and I want to learn about the more of Him. I want to always say ‘Yes’ to Him as I step out into the deep. Even if I don't know the specifics of what I am saying 'Yes' to. I have signed the blank paper with my yes - and I have given it to Him. 

Part of that 'yes' has been saying yes to more missions. I will be going on a short 5 day missions trip in February to Pennsylvania to visit a church there that came to visit here, at We Will Go with their youth group. I am excited to connect more with them, and to have the opportunity to pray with them and encourage them. When I prayed about going, God smiled and said, ‘Why wouldn’t you go?’ So I am stepping out in faith, knowing that this will be a lovely little adventure with God. I will be there over my birthday as well, so this will be an added bonus of celebrating while ministering, adventuring and loving on the beautiful people of the Pennsylvania church, alongside Amy and David Lancaster.

I have prayed big things for 2017! I love dreaming with God knowing that He gave me these dreams. Please pray with me as we all enter this new season together, and please know I am praying for you too!

Happy New year!

His love for this place from ruth Alexander on Vimeo.

It's Christmas!!!!

It’s Christmas!!! One of my favorite times of the year! The food, lights, people coming together and the carols. This is my first ever Christmas in America, let alone with We Will Go and so far, it has been a blast! We prepared many gift bags for every child that come to our afterschool program, plus every neighbor that we know in our community, plus those who come from further away to our church or our food and clothing ministry. Decorated EVERYWHERE and had a fun staff Christmas party!

On Christmas day, we are going to open our outdoor pavilion and cook a big dinner for everyone who would like to come. I was here when we did this for Thanksgiving and it was amazing! The rich and poor came together to eat, we played games and thanked the Lord for everything He has done and is doing. For saving us and for loving us! Christmas day will look very similar, except it will be much colder!

The weather here has turned very cold very quickly! Last weekend we had a lovely Saturday of 25degrees and the Sunday turned freezing! So I am wearing my layers and running from one building to the other. Every time I shiver and feel cold, I think about my friends who are on the streets this winter. My good friends who make me laugh daily, and have such amazing testimonies of God protecting them. Friends who hold on to God’s joy through the hard times. I pray for them to feel God’s warmth and for provision in every moment. Not just for their physical needs, but for their spiritual needs too. That the Holy Spirit lifts their heads to look up and the face of hope.

I have just finished praying for a man who has lost his job due to being sick with kidney stones. This means he can’t pay his rent and he is about to be kicked out of his apartment. All a few days before Christmas. What do I do with this? I can’t help him personally; although I can send him to the right people who can. But in it all, his Christmas that he planned isn’t going to happen. Of course, I prayed that God will provide, but my main prayer was for God to protect his heart. To not lose hope and to keep his eyes fixed on Jesus. If hope gets deferred it can be way more painful. Please pray for him.

I have handed in my application form for my visa this last week. Please pray this goes through quick and I have favour in it all! With this please pray for my finances to go along with me stepping out in faith, to apply to be here long term

Please know that I am praying for all of you during this holiday season! My UK friends and family, I do miss you all and think of you often. Please know you can come and visit me any time!

Merry Christmas!