Shine your Light
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin” -(1 John 1:7)
This verse comes from 1 John, which my team and I have begun to study. I believe that it speaks so much about the importance of God’s light and a community of believers. Recently, I have been very inspired by the Holy Spirit. I love how when one invites the Holy Spirit to enter them they become beacons of light and are filled with a joy that prevails through darkness and despair. This past spring I truly invited the Holy Spirit to take over my whole life. I realized how much better life is when I let the Holy Spirit, my Father in Heaven lead me.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”. –(Matthew 5:16)
This verse is so relevant to everyone’s life, but more specifically what I am doing right now. I can’t just let the light of the Lord fill me and sit and be happy in it because the Lord has asked me to do something greater than anything I could have hoped for myself. He wants me and us, once we know His true greatness, to spread His light to the whole world, especially the places that are uncomfortable and so filled with the devil and his demons. My squad is ministering in Bethel, a small town that is full of so much darkness. The Lord’s light has not reached its potential in this town, but my squad is here to change that. We are here to shine God’s light that will destroy the darkness and will then bring hope and true JOY to this town.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” –(Jeremiah 29:11)
I am on this crazy journey, doing just about the opposite of all the people back at home and of my friends who are at college. I am sleeping with scorpions and rats who love to crawl on you in the middle of the night, avoiding volcano eruptions, and seeing enormous poverty here in Nicaragua. This week, especially, I have learned true abandonment and brokenness. I had to let go of the expectations that I had for myself and for this trip. I have to re-examine myself and continue to become more dependent on the Lord and not on the things of this Earth. Though it has been hard I have faith that this is the place for me. I am surrounded by a community who the Lord has placed me with and I have chosen to follow His path that He has uniquely and beautifully created for me.
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” –(Matthew 6:33-34)
You are a beautiful beacon of light! Praising the Lord for his dwelling in you! Keep going to Him in the present day-He has so much purpose for you and it’s SO EXCITING…and hard…but the good kind:) we miss you!!! Thanks for blessing us with your blog! Peace and grace to you!
Hi, Ellen.
I have enjoyed reading these posts and look forward to reading many more. I (and my family) continue to keep you and your new mission family in our prayers. I know God’s light is shining brightly through you all!
– Anne
(Julia and Legare’s mom)
Ellen Hudson, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorites. I have clung to it even in the darkest times. As friend of mine, a special forces chaplain, gave the following sermon, several years ago:
http://savharvest.com/images/4969/Sifting.pdf
I reprinted it my church’s newsletter because it made a profound difference in my attitude and in my life. I hope you and team will take the time to read it so you can rejoice in your times of “sifting.”
I have prayed for you.
Lex
Precious Angel:
We are so proud of you, your strength even in times of great challenge and especially your unwavering faithfulness and ability to shine God’s light even when you are feeling broken and maybe even abandoned. Put on God’s armor; carry his shield and sword for he will protect. Call upon his angels to surround & protect you & know he does have great plans for you.
Please be careful. Please kill that disgusting rat that keeps jumping on people in the middle of the night (I cannot bare that thought); and use heavy shoes to kill all those scorpions in your room!)
Can’t wait until your next Facetime call. Getting to talk to you and seeing you so beautiful, happy and glowing gives me such comfort. You are such a blessing, and I am so grateful that God allowed us to raise such a wonderful daughter and amazing son.
We all miss you lots. The house is very quiet without you, but we are all fine! Keep working hard and know that so many pray for you and your team every day. (Tell Colton to start running with you again, and carry rocks to keep those wild dogs away!!! Good grief. I am going to gain more wrinkles just thinking about the rodents, bugs, wild animals and natural disasters that you deal with every day. Thank goodness God is watching over you!)
Love,
Mom
How wonderful to hear from you – your maturing faith is a real testimony to me! Early this am I read yhat the word “in” used Biblically is so impt. & it meant so much to me so hear goes (Ephesians 1:3).
Example: take a piece of paper to represent you & take hold of Bible to represent Christ. Place the paper in the Bible & close it. You are in Christ- where the Bible goes you go; where the paper goes, He goes -thus you are totally identified with the Bible & receive every spiritual blessing from Christ.
Keeping you & the team in our prayers. Love Dear
How wonderful to hear from you – your maturing faith is a real testimony to me! Early this am I read yhat the word “in” used Biblically is so impt. & it meant so much to me so hear goes (Ephesians 1:3).
Example: take a piece of paper to represent you & take hold of Bible to represent Christ. Place the paper in the Bible & close it. You are in Christ- where the Bible goes you go; where the paper goes, He goes -thus you are totally identified with the Bible & receive every spiritual blessing from Christ.
Keeping you & the team in our prayers. Love Dear
Ellen Hudson,
I am so touched by all that you have written and experienced. The Lord is doing a mighty work in you and I feel so honored to see it. Keep calling on the Spirit to guide you and He will be there to direct your ways. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Linda
Jeremiah 29:11. That’s my favorite line from the Bible.
Love to hear how you are shining while here in Nicaragua! Let the Lord radiate through you and His presence overwhelm you everyday.
Every time I re-read these I am just more and more proud of the fact that I get to call you my best friend! LOVE YOU!
EH,
I LOVED seeing you on facetime last night. What a gift it was to be talking with your mom when you called. You look wonderful, even with the various holes in parts of your body, and you sound wonderful too!
Be safe as you continue this amazing journey. By the way, you don’t need a bit of makeup!
XO,
Gigi
We are so proud of you in facing deep challenges through the power of the Holy Spirit. The honesty & vulnerability you express to us is so valued. We are confident as you address each issue, God will direct you. Your ministry will be so genuine and meaningful as you speak from your experiences and even the “dark night of the soul” that Bishop Dickson references. We hold you & your team in our daily prayers and love you to peaches! Dear & Papa John
Hey girlie! So funny…when I got your update happened to be right behind your dad on I-26! He is going to Greenville for co-workers wedding and we are going to Carolina game. What a small world with so many connections! Let your light so shine – YES!! We love you and continue to pray for you. No rats allowed! Nicole