Chandler and Jamie Sharpe
  • Home
  • About
  • Give
  • Photos
  • Subscribe
  • Contact


My Christmas Gift

January 9, 2018 by Chandler and Jamie Sharpe

Can I just be honest?

The month of December was my hardest month so far here in Tanzania.

It seemed like we were having challenge after challenge and in the midst of all of our transition I wondered how much more I could handle.

Moving was stressful. It took a lot out of me. On top of that I was sick with strep throat and this particular case just didn’t want to leave me. Shortly after our move our water went out for 4 days. Our kids were acting out, partly because of transition and partly because they are natural born sinners. Every sink was leaking. Our clothesline fell completely out of the wall. Oh, and I am learning how to live without a washing machine.

And then there was that time when we thought we were communicating to our neighbor about him helping to take our trash to the next street over for the garbage truck to pick up and the next thing we know our garbage is in the middle of the street being burned for all to see.  At the time it felt like our lives were exposed for all the world to see. And we were hurt and felt taken advantage of because it seemed he was looking for an easy way to make some money. Maybe one day this situation will make more sense as we learn and grow in this culture.

Not to mention it was Christmastime. Our first one away from family and friends. And it was just. so. hot!!!

It seemed that no matter where I was or what I was doing I was always on the verge of tears.

I began longing for home.

But God, in his perfect way, was gracious to dump out His love on me the week before Christmas. It started with a word study that I was doing on the word “burden” in Psalm 55:22.

“Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you.”

This particular word (just in this verse) actually means gift. I sat there on our couch and began to ponder what that meant for me. I knew I needed Him to sustain me, but what was this gift?!? This poem became the overflow of my heart that day.

My Gift

My Gift this season comes in the form of a trial.

To refuse the gift would show my heart, so entitled. 

This is the ugliest of wrappings, no ribbon or bow.

Yet one day soon, maybe I’ll know.

The gift that He’s giving will change and transform.

My heart has the need to be broken and torn.

Right now it is hard and filled with such sin.

But this gift from the Giver will change from within.

From there the Lord continued to work on my heart. The fact that this “gift” of trails came around Christmas became something sweet and precious. I also looked at THE Gift of Jesus with new eyes. I saw my need for that perfect Christ-child who was born long ago. For me. For my sinful heart. For YOU!

Our first Christmas here in Tanzania was spent with our host family, co-workers and some new friends. It was a sweet day of worship and fellowship, celebrating the PERFECT gift! Although it was hard being away from family, the simplicity of that day helped to keep our minds focused WHO we were celebrating.

Well, the trials keep on coming, but so does His grace! We know that He is up to something great, within our hearts and even here in our new community.

Again, thanks for journeying with us!

-Jamie (for the Sharpes)

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Ethnos360

More Posts:

« Welcome Home!
Following Jesus »

Comments

  1. Katy says

    January 14, 2018 at 8:35 am

    This was so encouraging to me today!

    • Chandler and Jamie Sharpe says

      January 16, 2018 at 12:46 am

      Praise Him! I’m sure you can relate to the struggles!

  2. Crystal says

    January 13, 2018 at 7:08 am

    <3 I'm confident that He is truly up to something great. That poem is so good. I just imagine -fastforward ahead in time- when you can see the ways that God has worked intentionally through the relationships and situations that have been a burden during this season. How sweet it is to know He is with us through trials. I'm praying for him to continue to show you that!

    • Chandler and Jamie Sharpe says

      January 16, 2018 at 12:46 am

      Thanks so much for your encouragement Crystal! We are blessed to have you on this journey!

  3. Don and Joanne Alban says

    January 10, 2018 at 8:40 am

    So appreciate your transparency, Jamie. Oh we have had days like that in the past 54 years of married life in ministry! Keep looking up and don’t let Satan disable you in the ministry over there! He giveth more grace as the days pass on!

    • Chandler and Jamie Sharpe says

      January 16, 2018 at 12:48 am

      Thank you, Dr and Mrs Alban! You all are such a blessing and encouragement to us!

  4. Aunt Janet says

    January 9, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    Your Aunt Angie said it so well. Jamie, GOD chose your family and he will take care of your needs and you are so FAITHFUL in looking to HIM to help you handle all the new experiences. I love hearing you share with us the issues and the answers…..you are not just in Tanzania for the people of Tanzania, you are also reaching the people you left behind. Love to all the family…..

    • Chandler and Jamie Sharpe says

      January 16, 2018 at 12:48 am

      We are so thankful we serve a faithful God! Thanks for your encouragement! We love you!

  5. Aunt Angie says

    January 9, 2018 at 7:36 am

    The poem says it all. If only we all had that faith. Just remember you are doing so great. Lots of challenges but you are conquering them. Sending love.

  • About
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Give
  • Photos
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Disclaimer: This personal ministry website is provided by Ethnos360 as a courtesy to its members. Ethnos360 makes no warranty regarding the accuracy of the information on these pages. Opinions expressed are provided by members in good faith, but are entirely those of the member and do not necessarily represent policy, doctrinal position, or opinions of Ethnos360. If you encounter information that you consider questionable, please e-mail the Ethnos360 web team.

Chandler and Jamie Sharpe

© Copyright 2023 Ethnos360. All rights reserved.

Log In

  • 