Monday, December 12, 2011

Mama Heart

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19

First of all, I would like to thank so many of you for all the ways you have supported me as an inner city missionary in Atlanta. The Lord has been doing great things through the ministry of NightLight Atlanta, and it is such a joy to get to be a part of what He is doing.

Children are learning to love in an environment based on violence and fear. Women are leaving lives of prostitution, and entering into the Kingdom of God. People are experiencing His hope, and salvation. Jesus is so good!

As much as I love my current job, I have decided to step down from my position with
NightLight Atlanta as the Director of Prevention Programming, because the Lord has made it clear that He is about to launch me into my calling to be a mother to the orphans.

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a mother. Many people have spoken prophesies and encouragement over me about my “mama heart,” and about the Lord’s call on my life to be a mother. Motherhood is what I was created for.

Even though I don’t know exactly what it will all look like yet, I know that this is the time for me to start making transitions so that I’m available to do whatever the Lord has planned for me. This is my last month working for NightLight.

I dream of having orphanages all over the world. I want kids everywhere to know that they have a good Dad … and a good Mama, and I want them to have abundant life filled with hope. The Lord has told me that I will be the mother of many nations, and I believe Him. I have a feeling that my life as a missionary mama overseas will start sooner rather than later, but until the Lord speaks clearly about when and where to go, I plan on being in Atlanta for a little while longer.

I have been making plans with a few friends to move into the area of town where my kids live, and have an open home, where the kids are welcome anytime. I foresee them planting a garden in the backyard, having worship nights, dance parties, neighborhood dinners, movie nights, and more. I often think about how the name, Maribeth, means “blessed house.” That’s my identity, and it’s exactly what I want this home to be for the kids.

I plan on moving into the “blessed house” in February or March. I know that this open home will be just the beginning of a movement here in Atlanta. The kids that the Lord has entrusted to me will hopefully become the leaders of whatever ministry is birthed through me soon.

I have also been looking into adoption. The Lord made it clear to me that this is top priority in my life, so I am currently going through training to become an adoptive parent. I don’t know if the Lord’s intentions for me going through this are for me to get some really good training, or if He has a certain child, or certain children in mind for me to adopt as my own. Who knows? By this time next year, there might be a couple of little ones calling me “Mama.”

So please, be praying for me as I continue to say yes to the Lord’s voice. I would love to have you support me through this journey. Ask me how things are going. Come and visit the kids. Pray that the Kingdom comes. I know that the dreams the Lord has placed on my heart will require the entire Body of Christ to play their part, whatever that may look like.

I will let you know specifics along the way, and keep you updated about ways you can be involved, and ways that you can support me and the kids that the Lord entrusts to me. The seeds you sew into the ministry the Lord gives me – whatever that may look like – are producing and will continue to produce great fruit. We will all share in the harvest and the reward.

I praise God for each of you, and all of your prayers and encouragement!