Out of Context

I cried myself to sleep last night.
 
I know some of you might not think it would be unusual, or rare considering the places I go and the people I see around the world in such dire straits of poverty, disease and death, but none of those situations were the reason for my sadness.
 
I am not fond of "forwards." Even the ones promising good fortune in 10 minutes if I send it on to ten friends, or questions of my faith or patriotism should I dare be the one to "break the chain." With that disclaimer, I can add the link at the bottom of this email and you can chose for yourself whether or not to go to the website and get the full story. You will not receive a check from Microsoft, Bill Gates, or anyone else - and the good things that happen after you receive the email - well - they are just good things.
 
I cried grieving the failure we commit each day to recognize the beauty, the wonderment, the awesome power, the mighty nature, the omniscience, the omnipotence, the love, the mercy, and the tenderness God shows towards us and showers on us each and every day. I wondered because the article I read (see link) illustrated how beauty taken "out of context" for the most part goes totally unrecognized, unappreciated, and worst of all ignored. It is present and unmistakable on anyone's scale and yet...
 
I wondered how the Father feels about that?
 
Several years ago, The Washington Post conducted an experiment with one of the world's irrefuted top violinists in the world. Joshua Bell was a child prodigy, and now as a young man he travels around the world and is a sought after performer. The Post asked if he would be willing to participate in an experiment and being young, and known as a bit of a character he agreed.  He would stand in the middle of the subway station, instrument case open for tips and play some of the most difficult pieces ever composed for the violin. The Post asked sociologists if they thought "out of context" (a concert performance in a subway) people would "get it." They agreed at least 10% most likely would recognize "art" and "beauty" and take note. They even calculated how much he would earn in tips. The newspaper grew concerned about security, what if hundreds of people recognized the performer and stopped and drew a crowd and held up traffic and the subway....etc... this could be a nightmare.
 
Of course cameras were in place to catch all on tape. The virtuoso took out his 3.5 million dollar Stradivarius violin and began to play.
 
After 5 minutes, not one person had stopped, or even noticed.  No one even turned their head. Just a little over 6 minutes into the amazing performance one man did pause to listen.  Joshua Bell (and the Washington Post crew) were astonished.  He commented, he felt invisible. Here is a young man who earns thousands of dollars a minute when he picks up his bow and now -
 
out of context
 
the superstar was ignored.
 
I cried.
 
In our "advanced" artistic, intellectual culture, you would hope - someone would recognize beauty and stop and stand amazed.  Finally, after several pieces, a few coins tossed in the case, a young woman stopped and stood a few feet away from him. She held back her applause because after all she was not in the concert hall she was in the subway. She said, "I heard you perform the other night and you were amazing. Only in Washington could something like this happen." Joshua Bell performing for everyone and anyone and no one in particular at all - for free!
 
The Creator of the Universe stands before us each and everyday flinging His artistic talent and majesty just because that is part of who He is. When was the last time you thanked Him for a sunset, a sunrise, a wonder in baby's hand or cool breeze across your face?  When was the last time you just "listened" to anything?
 
We rush through our day, going past beauty and through beauty and just like the thousands of commuters who passed a virtuoso playing a "free concert" we never stop, we seldom listen, we fail to see we are standing hallowed ground.
 
Joshua Bell played the night before and was paid a handsome sum indeed. The open case of his 3.5 million dollar instrument was just a prop - added to see if someone would care, pity, take notice leave something of themselves. I was reminded of the verse where God asks His people if they think He needs their thousands of bulls as an offering.  God really doesn't "need" any "thing" from us. He certainly doesn't need our loose change. He is beauty incarnate - shown through the love of an Only Son. He has given us His heart freely, He just wants us to notice.
 
I leave in a few hours for my 50th Birthday vacation, compliments of close friends and supporters of the ministry.  (My actual birthday is August 31). When I was returning from the Warrior Getaway, accompanied by my oldest son Alec, we talked about the upcoming adventure in Italy. He asked "do you think they would let me come?" So... here we go. He just dropped off his suitcase and is off on errands. I asked, "are you excited?" to which he replied, "you have no idea. It has been 13 years - half a life ago I did something like this".
 
Pray for travel mercies and his heart to be open to the "music" of the Maestro. I know I will be listening!
 
Ears and heart open to the majesty of the Master!
Charlynn

_________________________
Pearls Before Breakfast - washingtonpost.com

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?referrer=emailarticle <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?referrer=emailarticle>

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Proverbs 16:19

"A man may plan his steps but the Lord directs his path"

I left DFW this morning under the threat of bad weather in Chicago. As much as I fly, stormy weather still makes me anxious. We were on time, but the bad weather came with us. Hail, wind sheers, and torrential rain hit and that, as they say, was that. It wasn't long before my little commuter flight to Bismark bit the dust. Flashing lights filled the Departure screen signalling "cancelled", and "delayed".

Chicago O'hare is no place to be stuck when bad weather hits. It is the hub of thousands of flights and when things shut down - they are down!

My best laid plans of flights and long drives came to a thunderous halt when I discovered I could not get out of Chicago to my planned destination no matter which way I flew (Denver, Minnesota, etc... Etc...)

The Lord has directed my path - for reasons unknown - right back to Dallas. Oh well. I was looking forward to the celebration and time with friends but... then again we serve a God who is totally in control and in charge of all weather events.

As I was running to the gate to try and make my stand-by flight, moaning at the inconvenience I passed by a familiar face (how odd is God). It was Joni Erickson Tada in her wheelchair followed by her assistants. I stopped - reminded her of who I am (she is used to seeing me as CARE EE) and greeted her warmly and humbly. Here I was able-bodied, thinking what a nightmare and then the Father gave me a picture of grace, mercy, love overflowing in spite of everything and anything!

It was a terrible day to be stuck in Chicago - but it is always a great day to praise God for all His goodness - no matter what.

Smiling on the way back home

In the Air Again

It is early morning in Dallas and once again I find myself sitting in the airport and waiting for the "boarding call." This trip doesn't take me over oceans, but to the plains of Montana to celebrate the 75th birthday of my friend J. The Ps, are the missionaries I have worked with in China for the past 8 years. One of their students (now a businessman in Shanghai) is even flying in for the event.

I am excited to be part of this time of a life well lived in service to the King. As a young man J served in Singapore/Malaysia planting churches and evangelizing. A few years ago he and his wife D returned to celebrate the anniversary of a church he was part of starting. The children (and children of children) are mighty servants, pastors and evangelists and continue the harvest!

Praise God for those willing to go and go and go at sacrifice of comfort, family and all things familiar.

I praise God for the opportunities He has given me to minister to thousands of students and orphans these past 8 years in China. It is only through the faithfulness of these and others in the "field" doing the day in and day out "work" that allows me to gather fruit I did not sow! Thank you for being a part of the gathering and watering - now pray for more sunshine than rain!

Broom Trees

"... he went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed he might die. "I have had enough Lord..." 1 Kings 19:4

Elijah the prophet's story is familiar. He had great favor from the Lord and was well known throughout the land. Just days before he gave up under the shade of a broom tree, he called on the Name of the Lord at the altar of sacrifice, ridiculed the prophets of Baal, witnessed fire from heaven consume his offering then slaughtered those who worshiped false gods and idols. He predicted the end of a three year drought and saw the rains approaching in the distance.

Elijah was no stranger to miraculous moves of the God of Israel. He knew Him better than any man alive in his day. But...

he grew weary

he got tired of being in the battlefield with his life threatened after each victory

he felt alone in his pursuit of God's will and plan

he wanted to give up and just die.

But God showed up.

"Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?... Then he was told, "Go stand on the mountain at attention before God. God WILL pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountain and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake: and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper." 1 Kings 19:9-13

During the last few days of the Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway no one experienced hurricanes, earthquakes or fires - but they did experience the gentleness of Immanuel - God with us.

After a particularly hard night, I sat at breakfast sharing with one soldier's wife. Through her tears, she said, "what if God doesn't show up this time?"

No one is immune to doubts in our journey toward home. Not Elijah, not me and not you. No matter what glorious victories we have experienced, the first hand witness of God's hand on our life, the knowledge of His sacrifice, or the assurance of salvation can spare us the shadow of the broom tree where we just want to throw up our hands, throw in the towel and lay down and ask for God to just take us, take us now!

It is during those times, the whisper is heard - asking us what we are feeling and assuring us we are not alone. He is present and He is listening.

We long for a hurricane of hope to blow trials off the map of our heart, the earthquakes of change to alter our circumstances, and fire to consume our fear and doubt - but too often it is the whisper of simplicity where the evidence of the Living God appears.

He whispered to a teenage son of a soldier by giving him a teacher who spoke to him and gave him a safe place to have his feelings about war wounds to be heard.

He whispered to a woman as she sat on the floor of a hotel room and played a card game with her wounded husband and two children, sharing it was the first time since his return from Iraq they felt like a family.

He whispered to a soldier it is okay to mourn the loss of your friends and share your story of pain.

He whispered to a young mother of five as her hands and feet were massaged by a woman with spina bifida sitting on the floor speaking words of encouragement and love to her.

He whispered to the children who told of the loneliness of not seeing their fathers for years at a time while they were fighting for freedom.

He showed up - because He never left.

Thank you for being part of the "remnant" God has preserved for Himself to bless, support and intercede on behalf of those who go into battle. You may not feel your role is as important as the Elijahs, called to the front line of duty whose lives are in danger - BUT you are the testimony and witness God uses to say "you are not alone".

Out of the shadow of the broom tree - smiling in Son-shine service

If You're Content

... to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Luke 18:14

Sometimes being more than ourselves involves donning a funny wig and hat and laughing at the simpleness of being silly.

Today, 27 families who have served our nation arrived at the beautiful Tapatio Springs resort in the Texas hill country. They were met by a bevy of clowns (I enlisted a clown troupe from San Antonio) hundreds of hats, wigs in a rainbow array of colors, and a multi-palette of costumes swinging in the breeze. They smiled. Even the most serious of soldiers let down their guard as pink wigs and miniature cowboy hats were secured atop their head. Those without hair (either by nature or razor) found new stylish additions to swing from side to side and remember days of innocence and youth gone by.

Tomorrow will be a full day of programs, break out sessions and for the kids FUN!

The Kingdom is advancing and the enemy is starting to fire up his fury.

More than I ever thought I would be - and certainly stranger looking!

Keeping up Appearances

"Hello, Mrs. Bucket..." "Its Boo-Kay, like the French..." from the BBC Comedy show Keeping up Appearances

Because this will be my son's first experience in ministry, I caught myself praying for the reputation and character of God to be faithfully represented by the believers serving at the retreat. He brings baggage from childhood on who "Christians" say they are and who they act like. I want the REAL Christ-followers to influence him and dispel his notions of who "they" are and find out who God is. As I was praying for my son's life to be changed, recognizing the baggage he will arrive at the retreat with, I realized ALL of us carry a piece (or two) of luggage around that holds what we think of God, and who we think He is. The families may have a suitcase full of disappointment. God did not "keep up appearances" of being a God who protects. Bags soaked with the tears of an uncertain future - facing doubt that God has a plan and a purpose, and that He works all things together for the good.

Well-meaning servants may offer up these scriptural platitudes - just as Mrs. Bucket repronounces her name for callers and guests. We want others to know our God IS good, in spite of circumstantial appearances: loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts, blasts and burns. But it takes more to communicate the character of the Living God than a few memorized verses when the tragedy of others confronts us.

How we LIVE, communicates more than what we say.

On the last night of His life, Jesus gave His disciples an example for living in the days ahead. They were to become servants of others, humbly bowing to the lowliest task needing to be done.

Followers of Christ strive hard to "keep up appearances" for God's sake. We forget He doesn't ask us to become a successful marketing team, winning the lost by the way WE look and sound or the brand of "suitcase" we carry. His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts, His ways are so much higher than we can begin to imagine.

The next few days, my prayer is to travel light; to give my burdens (and fears) over the appearances of others to the King I serve, and to free my hands, feet, back (and heart) of my personal baggage. This will enable me to be free to carry the load of others; to pick up what THEY are carrying and make the journey towards home easier - if only for a few days.

"Carry each other's burden and thus fulfill the law of Christ" Gal 6:2

Gladly acting and smiling as Mrs. Bucket Baggage Handler in His service!

ELEEMOSYNARY

I will save you the time and trouble of looking up the word which no doubt makes appearances in Spelling Bee competitions on a regular basis. My daughter included it in the list of words describing me on her homemade Mother's Day card. "Eeee – lee – moe – sin – ary. What?" I consulted Google immediately to make sure this was not a hidden joke (doubtful but you never can be too sure with those big words). The meaning is defined as "relating to charity; from the Medieval Latin "alms dispenser". The $4.95 Thesaurus proved better than Hallmark. I was duly honored and impressed. I glad she considers this a word to describe me, but it is a definition of ministry as well. We are commanded to consider others higher than ourselves, and to "dispense" the love of God to those the Father places in our path.

This clown is ready for some "eleemosynous" action; I've been counting down the days until I return to the field! Finally, after the longest hiatus home in years, I am ready to hit the road and travel to San Antonio for the third Warrior Retreat, sponsored by the local branch office of Joni and Friends ( http://www.joniandfriends.org ). I will be joined at the retreat by my 25 year old son Alec. It will be his first experience to see me in "action" as well as his first experience to serve the needs of the young men and women who have fought to keep us free. I was astounded by the statistic - 90% of the 3.3 million serving in the military are between 17-21 years old! And another surprising number: there are 45 million military dependants; which is more than 10% of the entire population of the United States of America. But all 304,000,000 of us are dependant on the military. We are able to enjoy the freedom we have because of those willing to put their life on the line and serve.

We need ammunition. Your prayers prepare and equip us to be faithful servants and to fight the good fight of faith.

BULLETS FOR THE BATTLE

★ Safe transportation of the troops and their families

★ Hotel accommodations to be comfortable and suitable to their needs

★ The speakers to relate well to the soldiers the message of hope and truth

★ The volunteers to love and serve with joy and fun with all the participants

★ Safe driving for the volunteers and leadership

★ The Pastors and Army Chaplains to have discernment and boldness in sharing truth and faith

★ The Counselors to minister Christ's love and to have His wisdom and discernment to address the issues these families face

★ All staff working with the children. For patience, safety, love and FUN!

Prayerfully consider your financial participation for this opportunity as well as our upcoming orphan outreach trip to Kenya with East West Ministries International July 17-27. In spite of the financial condition of the country or any personal upheaval or uncertainty, one thing that is certain:

§ Without the truth of salvation

§ And knowledge of the hope in Christ being shared with those who have lost hope or have never heard the Good News

§ Their life will be forever separated from God

There is no brighter future than the one awaiting those who place their trust in the Living God.

It is printed on our money.

Our actions need to reflect our belief.

Ready for duty again

TEXAS - Calendar of Events

MAY 13

Depart for Warrior Retreat

MAY 14

Training and Orientation
Soldiers and Families arrive between 3-5 pm

Evening Program

MAY 15

Full Day Children's Program

Family Dance-a-Thon!

Evening Program

MAY 16

Full Day Children's Program

Fishing Tournament

Kayaking

Evening Program

Sharing the Good News

MAY 17

Half-day Children's Program

Return to DFW area

Interruptions

"After the Sabbath, at the dawn of the first day of the week..." Matthew 28:1

The holiday weekend is past, leftovers of feasts are packed in refrigerators, and for folks who have children the cookbook "101 Ways to Serve Hard-Boiled Eggs" would probably come in handy this week.

On Friday, I was blessed to attend one of the most unusual and impacting "Good Friday" services. Our Pastor warned us the prior Sunday it would be "different" and some might find shocking, but I could not imagine the power of the illustrations.

As my friend and I entered the dimly lit sanctuary, the first thing we noticed was the casket - showing the horrible reality of what we call "Good" Friday was for the followers of Christ - a death of all they believed and held on to. At that time there was nothing "good" about what had just happened. How could they possibly be encouraged to hope for something "good" in the broken and lifeless body of their teacher and friend?

The service included emotional dramatic expressions by His "friends" as they shared how His "life" had changed theirs but now His death...?

As the audience sat somber and reflective, without warning noise was heard coming from the hallway behind the sanctuary. It was as dishevelling as a cell phone ringing during a critical scene in the theatre. And then...

the doors burst open and in came a dozen or so, sign-carrying and shouting people -

"He was a liar! You see He is dead! Where is His power - how do you feel now?"

Men (who were part of the "funeral party") stood up and ushered them out saying what you would expect "have some respect for the family, this is a funeral."

Interrupted

We were all "spiritual" sitting there in church on "Good Friday" thinking of our "God" things like you are supposed to - and then our thoughts were abruptly interrupted. Although during our regular "spiritual" activities (quiet time, Bible study, prayer) there will (hopefully) never be a group of strangers bursting through the doors shouting at us "He is a liar - why would you believe in Him now" the internal work of the enemy "interrupting" is still there using similar phrases designed for each one of the followers to wonder "why" and to question the Truth of "good", on our Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays every month and year of our lives.

The enemy interrupts
The risen King instructs -

The last words His disciple Matthew records are "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life ... I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." v. 18-20

Whatever real or circumstantial "death" we face this Monday after celebrating "Resurrection Sunday" we have been instructed to "go" and we are reassured He will be by our side through it all. He will be there at funerals and births, baptisms and beatings, weddings and days divorce papers are signed, deposits and withdrawals; home purchases and foreclosures; day after day after day.
I cried Friday night as the "pall bearers" carried out the representative casket. My friend and I turned to each other and said "what happens now?" And while we were referring to the actual program - it remains a valid question of faith. What does happen now? How do we respond to those we know (and even ourselves) facing "Fridays" filled with loss and doubts, and truly live and share knowing the truth and power of "Sunday"?

Tomorrow my oldest son and I are driving to San Antonio to Brook Army Medical Center to help promote the upcoming Joni and Friends Warrior Retreat in May. It will be his first experience and I know life changing. We "go" please pray. We know we are victorious - in the end, but every battle has it's casualties - pray the presence of His Spirit to heal the wounded, and bind up the broken-hearted.

Serving after Sunday
And finding the Monday reason to smile!

Faint

"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord: and my prayer came in unto Thee, into Thine holy temple." Jonah 2:7

These are the words of the infamous reluctant missionary, spoken from the belly of the whale. He had been disobedient and run the other way, because he did not want to see the salvation of those who in his judgment did not deserve it. Over the past two weeks, I have heard the stories of perpetrators whom I have judged do not deserve God's mercy or salvation. They are murders, rapists, glue sellers, pimps of street girls, corporate owners who know their product is taking the lives of thousands and look towards profits instead of people. My heart is glad Hell is hot.

It was not Jonah's judgment to make and it is not mine. Christ's teaching was very clear in many parables about Who gets to make that call (the 12th hour workers, the man forgiven of his debt who went and beat someone who owed him money, the celebration of the return of the prodigal son, even the thief on the cross).

After traveling 30+ hours across the globe, we returned late Thursday. You can imagine here it is a whole different world. And in some ways it IS like being vomitted up from the belly of a fish onto dry land. The unfamiliar has gone, the smell is gone, the red dirt choking our lungs and staining our feet has been washed off. Safe drinking water and familiar food has satiated hunger and thirst. But the memories remain.

There is a little girl still wearing a tattered yellow dress waiting until daylight can take her safely back into the compound of Oasis of Hope where there will be food, water and a for now a remnant of childhood - where she can run without the fear of broken glass, and she can laugh because that is what 3 year old children do.

"From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to a rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

I called to the Lord while I was at the end of the earth in Africa. My heart was and still is faint. I am still walking with Him as He leads me to the Rock - that is higher than where I stand today. The view from His perspective is not my view - of that I can assure you. I have read your emails filled with brokeness for the children, prayers for us on the ground, and have held tightly to the character of the God I serve. Questions are consistent and constant, "how can you do this, how can you see this, what do you do?"

"Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God your God, is with you every step you take." Joshua 1:9

For reasons yet unclear, God commanded us to go - to this place at this time. We took our strength and courage from your intercession on our behalf. We walked into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We were not shy about it, and we encouraged each other when we faced discouragement.

We know God is our God. ALMIGHTY!

He was with us every step we took: through the Maasai village in Amboseli, dancing the "Chicken Dance" with orphans of the Adopt-a-Legacy program, in the slums of Kitale, sitting with us among 57 infants and toddlers abandoned and infected with TB, and with 100 children at the Oasis of Hope struggling to beat the addiction of glue.

I'm home, and while I am back in my "comfort zone" I am uncomfortable. If sadness and sorrow could cause the breathe to escape one's body and induce fainting, I would praise God because the chair I am sitting in and have little motivation to rise from would keep me from falling flat on the floor. I know prayer changes things and God hears the cries of His people. But - what do I need in Dallas, TX - when there is a little girl in a yellow tattered dress, without a mother or father to hold her, without a blanket to keep her warm and with perhaps only a fleeting remembrance of a tall white stranger who sat in the dirt and made her laugh?

"God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch His breath. And He knows EVERYTHING inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to the dropouts... But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. They run and don't grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

Waiting
Not fainting still
In His service

Night

"Then I said to myself, "Oh He even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light! In fact, darkness isn't dark to You; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to You." Psalm 139

When I first laid down in my bed I heard the sounds of night; songs of crickets are muted by the traffic in Big D. Now, as I begin to write the night has fallen silent, perhaps the nature surrounding me is being reverant to the message for the "night".

This is the last time I will lay on this particular Kenyan bed, cover myself with a sheet brought from home and comfort myself with music to send me to sleep. I am not sure rest will come easy.

Our last day in Kitale was filled with traveling to different ministries working with children in the area. The first was a home for 57 babies -most discarded at the IDP (internally displaced people) camps when the violence broke out. The sight of 57 small children (47 being treated for TB) is too much to take in. We arrived in the morning when they were all outside in a "gazebo" like structure some napping, some crying, some being fed, some crawling and some looking at the strangers and trying NOT to cry.

We heard some of the stories. One of the newer babies had been born literally over a latrine and the mother WALKED away, leaving the child to drown in excrement. Somehow, the newborn was never submerged and a teen passing by heard the cries, jumped down into the hole with a rope and rescued the infant from death. Each child had a similar unbelievable tale of miraculous rescue and survival to be brought to a place of God's mercy and love.

Our second stop, was Oasis of Hope. The ministry featured in the "Glue Boys" documentary. It was hard to know what we would see, the state of the children, or really any of the conditions. We were pleasantly surprised. There were close to 100 children wandering around the compound taking a break from their schooling and of course "checking us out". We were given a tour of the facility (an abandoned private hospital) by the Director and the goals and purposes of the "stepping stone" center were clearly explained.

While some of the children would pass us in the hallways and shake our hands, most were outside, washing themselves, washing their clothes, or playing. I tried to stay attentive to his words, to hear the passion of his heart to get these children into group homes and integrated into the school system, but I could not keep from looking at the children soon facing another night on the streets.

I could take another two paragraphs to explain the rationale behind sending the kids who were safe inside the compound back onto the cold, harsh and dangerous streets - and it is a viable, logical, well-thought out plan and has been proven successful long-term. But I won't.

It made sense to my head. But when we went outside to be with the children, there was a little girl in an ill-fitted, ragged and torn yellow dress, no shoes but a big grin. As I sat on the grass to let her touch my white skin (which she found hilarious) her laughter never stopped. I would make a funny face, she would break out into peals of glee, turn to run - but make her way back again and again to giggle some more, smile larger, touch and be touched. She was barely three.

Tonight, I know she is not laughing. She is somewhere on the streets of Kitale protected by an older sibling and trying to stay warm. I wonder if she is crying, if she is scared, if she remembers the laughter of today. If she remembers me?

I am remembering her.

"Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. " Rev 22:5

In the dark about so many things
But still in His service

Choice

"Choose this day who you will serve, but as for me..."

Joshua gave the Israelites an option before they went into the Promised Land; an option to choose whether they would serve the pagan gods of those occupying the land - or if they would serve the Faithful One who brought them out of Egypt and preserved the nation for 40 years of wandering in the desert.

The first choice of everyday should be Who we will serve. Will it be a God focused, desired day or will it be self-serving and fear driven? We make hundreds of choices each day, what to have for breakfast, what to wear to work, how to wear our hair, which one of the multitudes of pairs of shoes will match our attire or allow comfort for what the days plans hold. Our choices are seemingly endless - even in an economy that has begun to limit financial expenditures and commitments. BUT... we still have choices.

Today, we met 100 children with no choice. They represent a far greater number hidden in the slums of Kitale, with no option for education, clothing, food or hope. At the edge of one of the largest slums Wycliffe, a local believer, began an outreach to children living on the streets without even one choice. He saw there would be no opportunity for them to receive an education (they could not pay the school fees) and their future was sure to be cut short by disease, malnutrition or abandonment through the death of parents suffering from AIDS. He began an informal "school" in two mud huts teaching the basics. He also took orphaned and abandoned children into his own two room home.
Then God moved

... in the hearts of a few visiting Americans to come alongside the work he was already committed to and expand his territory. Teachers were hired, a tin building was constructed to enable three classrooms to operate and serve 100 children. Each day the children come and start the day with a cup of porridge. They are taught not just "reading, writing and arithmetic". They are taught the love of the Father. Before they leave they are fed rice and beans. The food the children have at school is the only nourishment they have for the day - but they take home in their hearts a portion of "the Bread of Life".

What choice do you have if you are 5 years old living in the slum, your mother is dying and you are the caretaker of your 2 year old brother? You watch the older children. You learn to look through the trash heaps for scraps of food, you learn to pick up discarded plastic bottles and fill them with the filthy water running through the ghetto. It is the water you wash your face with, it will keep you hydrated but in the temporary quenching of thirst lies the dangers of parasites and bacteria a small body has no choice or chance to fight.

We watched the documentary last night called "Glue Boys" to educate us to the plight of the thousands of homeless and abandoned here in Kitale. IF they survive - they are offered another choice to help them cope with the cold nights, the hunger in their bellies, their sorrow.

Glue...

The plastic bottles that once held water are now used to hold the toxic glue that will create a euphoria deep enough to drive away the cold, it numbs the hunger. And as it kills brain cells it also kills the memory of their loss and the hopelessness.

Most are dead before their 12th birthday. The poison creates brain damage and eventually kidney failure.

There are ministries here fighting to give them a choice. But the addiction of children so young, combined with those willing to exploit and continue to provide them an toxic but anesthetic substance to numb the pain - make structure a choice to hard for their damaged minds to make. A choice their hearts did not have an opportunity to understand - love over "slavery" to forgetting.

After seeing the film, we asked, "if there are "glue boys" where are the glue girls?" Then the horrifying truth was told. Some did not think the world was "ready" to hear about the "glue girls" kept hidden in the back houses of the slums, and forcibly sold as prostitutes, who are having babies (born with the addiction) succumbing to HIV/AIDs and the epidemic of TB that is ravishing the area. Babies are born to these girls as soon as they reach puberty - they do not live long after that. The "world" is not ready to hear - were we ready to "see"?

Outside the English run cafe filled with foreign missionaries, sitting in the grass with his water bottle held closely to his mouth for inhaling the fumes of euphoria was a boy barely 10. He had been there all day - dazed and forgetting how he got there. He will quickly forget the blur of white faces that passed by him during this day. Especially, when the darkness requires he find a sleeping place where he can cover himself with a discarded potato sack for warmth - the rest of the heat coming from the intoxication of the glue - his sleep induced by the fumes that will soon take all his choices.

The "glue girls" lost their choice long before they lost their caregivers. They are covered with bodies of men hungry for the innocence they are free to steal.

"Remember oh God, that my life is but a breath, and my eyes will never see happiness again". Job 7:7

Job cried out God.

Cry out for those who have lost their hope to cry at all.

Cry out to God for the workers are few.

Cry out to God for provision in abundance - to build a clinic to serve those in the slums.

Cry out to God for mercy.

Cry out to God for forgiveness for all the choices we take for granted.

Cry out to God for the church to have a heart to exercise pure religion undefiled - VISIT the widow and orphan in their distress.

Cry out to God for the nation of Kenya - for the continent of Africa where evil reigns but GOD is King!

Cry

For those who are under the influence of impoverishment and glue have no tears or remembrance of love.


Searching for a breath of life to impart to the dying

For more information and learn about the ministries helping the children in Kitale see the website:

www.glueboys.com

Multitudes

"When He saw the multitudes, He had compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd". Mark 9:36

Our day is over here in Kitale, the sun is down, and a brief respite of rain is falling which will settle the dust of the dirt roads we travel down. The cool breeze blowing is bringing the first relief from the relentless heat that has plagued us since our arrival. We changed our accommodations this morning from rooms right next to the road into town to a quiet guest house run by British ex-patriots in the area know as "high hill". The bathrooms are outside, the shower is shared by 6 (not at the same time of course) but even with the small inconveniences - the peace of the Lord has eased us and we are certain to gain refreshment and renewal of our fading strength after a good night's sleep.

Yesterday, we spent the entire day traveling. First taking a flight from Amboseli to Nairobi; a few hours in the madness of a metropolitan area - then back to a different airport for our flight to Kitale. As usual, our multiple heavy bags COULD have been a financial issue transferring to a small in-country plane. We pushed our 250 lbs of luggage up to the counter and I prayed for the eyes of the assistant to be veiled. "A" laughed, "there is no way she is not going to notice we each have 2 bags instead of the 1 allowed and they each weigh 40 lbs instead of the 20 lb allowance!". I just laughed right back, especially when I overheard V talking to the older man behind us say he was the director of the seminary in El Doret. I turned to her and said, "God is our vanguard AND now you see He has brought the rear guard!". At 25, I think this was the first time she heard the KJV term "vanguard". "What?"

Of course, no charge!

We spoke to our "rear guard" until he reached his destination of El Doret (the plane's first stop) and we flew on to Kitale. He told his experience during the outbreak of violence. He told how the seminary took in hundreds of refugees seeking safety from what was happening in the surrounding rural villages. He said, "as far as you could see - on all the roads leading into El Doret were thousands of people carrying whatever they could grab of their worldly belongings before the terror rained down on them. There were mothers who had been gang raped by their own neighbors (from the opposing tribe) then forced to watch as their husbands were murdered and their young sons brutally sodomized."

It is too hard for our ears to hear, incomprehensible for our minds to imagine the horror. And to learn those who perpetrated such evil remain unpunished, still waiting for the chance to terrorize again.

The Bible teaches satan is lurking like a lion waiting to devour those he can. It is a certainty here in Africa there IS an evil lion pacing back and forth across the continent - devouring innocence while the world remains unaware and seemingly out of danger from his jaws and his appetite.

The Lion of Judah has compassion on these multitudes. He is watching - never slumbering or sleeping. When we were met by the Kenyan nationals they expressed thanks for our coming at this time when there is still violence and so much uncertainty. They also asked questions of the problems America is facing.

Frankly, I thought "what problems do we have that could even be mentioned in the same context? We have never been chased from our house and walked countless miles carrying all we could to escape a horror we cannot comprehend. And yet we worry - we are anxious - we fear. Why? We have been blessed, and we have been taught - be anxious for NOTHING; FEAR not for I will be with you.

I felt inadequate and shamefully ill-equipped. And then He reminded me of His question to His disciples when the hunger and need of the multitude moved Him to compassion. "What do you have?" I know more now of how they felt totally overwhelmed by the NEED they saw before them. "You expect US to meet THIS need?"

"What do you have?"

He blessed the small amount (totally inadequate) - broke it and His disciples passed out HIS provision through their submission.

Today, we went to visit the orphans of Adopt-a-Legacy. They have lived through the terror, AIDS claimed some of their parents, violence or tragedy has left them alone in a world where government "bail outs" cannot ease their pain or erase the debt of their loneliness.

"In you the fatherless find hope"

We brought what we had to the hands of our Master. A few frisbees, some jump ropes for limbo dancing, some tricks for teaching, some stories for telling, and some music for dancing.

We saw the fullness of their spirits expressed in the laughter. Our ears heard whispers of "I love you's". Our arms embraced the sorrow and briefly transferred the message of His "I love you" back to them. Our hearts saw the provision of our King. We returned to our rooms with baskets full of their joy.

He is ALL in ALL and He is always ALL we need!

Satisfied in Him - satisfying others with Him

Greetings!

"I send this letter to you in God's church (across the world), Christians cleaned up by Jesus, and set apart for a God filled life. I include in my greeting all who call out to Jesus wherever they live. He's their Master as well as ours".
1 Corinthians 1 The Message

A verse written close to two thousand years ago, but the words rang true today from the plains of Amboseli amongst the Maasai people.

Yesterday, we had little more information about what would be taking place today at the village other than the time we were scheduled to leave this morning. But, as His word promises and is continually fulfilled, He is sufficient, He has a plan, He has a purpose, and He has a future and a hope for the nations.

When we first arrived at the "boma" a few of the children not in school returned out of curiosity, but remained close to the dung huts, out of the sun and out of our reach. We started rolling and tossing a ball, and with coaching soon had a circle of willing players. Before long there were frisbees flying haphazardly through the air (with our prayers they wouldn't hit one of the little ones) and the sometimes bouncing, sometimes rolling ball (with prayers it would not land in the thorn fence and explode prematurely ending our entrance and access to the children.

Pastor J went and asked the school teacher if we could have a small program for the children at the school. She agreed, but with the shy demeanor and age (most under the age of 8) of the children we still did not know exactly how this was going to work. Not to mention the fact the interpretation was still in question!

We walked across the dusty plain avoiding thorns, rocks and animal "remnants" to the one room schoolhouse. Once inside, our eyes had to adjust, for the only light coming inside was from small open windows. But the brightness shining from the dark children's eyes did more than illuminate our way - it eased our hearts with that peace that passes all understanding.

J asked us to introduce ourselves and then the teacher stood and with impeccable English said, "Thank you for coming. I greet you in the Name of Jesus. The Lord I love and my personal Savior."

Tears filled my eyes as she spoke of her thanks, her salvation, and proved to be the answer to our prayers for how we were going to be able to communicate the love of Christ to the children.

I told a story, we played games then promised to return later in the day, when the sun was lower in the sky and their bellies had been filled. When we returned, the children all started running after the car, anxious to see us, excited to hear us, and ready for whatever we had to share. Once again, the teacher did the interpreting and enjoyed my dramatics as she retold the tale.

At the end of the day, we went back outside, turned on the music and made like young and old, black and white hens, dancing the classic "Chicken Dance". Standing on the sidelines or sitting on the rocks, proudly stood the beautiful Maasai women; dressed in the traditional and distinctive red, with multiple beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Those not mimicking the beaks of the chickens, flapping arms like wings and shaking and twisting to the tune were laughing hysterically at those who were! What a sight it was indeed.

"Just think - you don't need a thing, you've got it all! God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene..."

We showed up today in the village -
And so did He!

Sometimes a little chicken in you is a good thing
Flapping my wings
In His service

Vision

"We don't see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright!" 1 Cor 13

The frogs, crickets, and other night chirpers are singing in the dark Amboseli night. My roommates are soundly sleeping having succumbed to jet lag earlier. I am hoping to finish this report before the generator turns off at 11 pm stopping the only breeze in our tent coming from the oscillating fan positioned strategically between our three twin beds.

We arrived without incident late last night into Nairobi, drove to the hotel and left again after too few hours of sleep to catch our 7 am flight to Amboseli. Our "camp" is just outside the Amboseli game park so from the airport we actually had a semi-safari to get here. I mentioned the location of Amboseli is at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, I must say this was a thrilling idea having barely glimpsed the peak while visiting Tanzania in 2006.

But today, in the early morning hours there she was in all her glory! Even though I had only a small glimpse 2 years ago it was still one of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. Today, I didn't care to look at the passing gazelles, the wandering wildebeasts, the occasional warthog - all I wanted to do was to look upon the spectacular snow-capped summit rising up from the African plains.

We serve an amazing, awesome creator God who brings mountains out of the flatlands and fashioned dust into human form. Oh what a mighty God we serve. By the time we settled in, had our lunch and made our plans for visiting the Maasai tribe just outside the game park, the clouds had rolled in and covered "her" beauty. I felt as though the Lord had pulled back the curtain of inspiration and said, "now, back to business".

Back to His business it is. We drove to the Pastor's "boma" (a small group of huts consisting of mostly family members) within the village. We were introduced to his wife and baby and one by one the other women (his sister, aunt, sister-in-law) all came out of their dwellings to greet us. They were dressed in the traditional Maasai wardrobe, varieties of red plaid coverings and heavy beaded necklaces, bracelets, earrings and head dresses; stunning against such a back drop of small domiciles, babies in tow (with most crying at the site of us). It reminded me of the verse in Matthew regarding the lilies of the field "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed so lovely as these". I couldn't imagine how.

We brought our greetings, and assured them we would return tomorrow. We are not quite sure what we will be able to "do" since our interpretation is limited. What we do know is we are ambassadors of the King and He has placed us here at this time and He will have His way. We are ready, willing and able to do all things through His strength.

We don't see clearly - what His plan is. We are looking through the "fog" of the way we have done things in the past - but tomorrow we pray to see Him clearly - face to face - in the hearts and eyes of the beautiful Maasai.
Sun shining - no rain
Smiling still
In His service

Yet...

...we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet posessing everything.". 2 Cor 2:9-10

Yet...

I have been using that word more frequently these last few days and weeks. It seems everyone I speak to has the "state of the nation" (i..e. the economy, the war, the bail outs) on their minds - and for good reason. The uncertainty in the air is almost palpable, with each day bringing more bad news of our troubled times.

Yet...

As I pray, I praise God - I have never known hunger, I have never known thirst, I have never been without a roof over my head, I have never been without more than enough clothes to wear to keep me warm and protected from the elements. Because I live in the "land of the free and home of the brave" I am more comfortable than 4/5ths of the world's population. Those same people live on LESS than $2 a day for all their basic survival needs to be met - that is less than a regular cup of coffee (no fancy Grande Caramel Machiatto) at my neighborhood Starbucks.

Yet...

To whom much is given, much is required! Which is why in a few short hours my comrade and I leave for the other side of the world - yet again. Our burning passion and desire is to see those who have little in the eyes of the world - gain everything in the eyes of God; the salvation knowledge of the love of Christ. We will fly to Amsterdam and then on to Nairobi where we will spend the night and meet up with the third person on our team, before catching the first flight out to Amboseli (at the foothills of Kilimanjaro). There, we will spend our time establishing relationships and working with the Maasai people in the area. We will then fly back to Nairobi and catch a flight for Kitale where most of our ministry will take place; meeting local pastors, spending time at the Adopt-a-Legacy orphanage and meeting with area believers to assess the needs of the community and how future teams can come alongside the work being carried out in this volatile region.

In my daily reading (Mark 8:10) I came across a city I had never taken note of before - Dalmanutha. I was convinced it was the translation I was reading because who has EVER heard, read, or remembered "Dalmanutha"? After checking all versions - the name of the city was the same. You might be wondering why this caused a pause in my study - face it there are a lot of Hebrew names in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy that make our eyes glaze over - Dalmanutha doesn't flow off the tongue quite as easily as Cana, Capernaum, or Galilee.

Yet...

There were people in Dalmanutha Jesus went to see. He taught there, healed there, ate meals there and probably rested there as well. The people of Dalmanutha may not be remembered by us - but they were remembered by the King. You may have never heard of "Amboseli" or "Kitale" and you may wonder how we chose these particular destinations. We didn't - but our King did!

We pray His name is spoken on their lips and His love remains in their hearts - even if we glaze over the unfamiliar sound of the cities "at the ends of the earth" like I did with Dalmanutha.

Yet...

"By an act of faith, (we) said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place... (As we leave we) have no idea where (we) are going.." Hebrews 11:8

But He does and it makes me smile
In His service

One by One video from Kenya trip 2004

Never Before in the History...

…of the Bachelor

I confess. The ads and promised “shocking ending” lured me like a trout seeing a wiggling worm at the end of the line. “Boy meets many girls, boy falls madly in love, boy asks one dream girl to marry him and live happily ever after…”

But then boy takes it back, girl cries in humiliation (hope the paycheck helped the sting and pays for some of the therapy) and then boy asks other girl to have coffee.

Laugh if you will, be disgusted as you should – but the truth is we are ALL longing for the “happily-ever-after” the one TRUE love to make us eternally happy, and the even sadder fact is we really do believe we will find a human being that can meet all those needs and fill the hole in our heart approximately the size of one bite out of an apple. (see Genesis 3:6)

During these uncertain times, we needed to be distracted and for the past six weeks or so, for some - the Bachelor proved a suitable outlet for those who find Jack Bauer (24) too intense. The wine infused, evening gowned, false-eyelashed women vying for the attention of a single father was far more amusing and after all, at the beginning of the program the Bachelor said he did find the “love of his life”. This of course came after the first “love of his life” the Bachelorette dumped him for a wild snowboard champion. Go figure.

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner over me is love” Song of Songs 2:4

I am thankful my life’s ups and downs are not played out in tabloids or television screens. I praise God, He knows all the details of my life and we don’t have to have a special time, place or “one-on-one” date to experience intimacy. He has seen me naked! He endures my anger at the unexplained, He comforts me when I cry, He never ever turns His back on me. He is ready, willing and waiting. He demonstrated His love once and for all. There is no taking the engagement ring back, no second thoughts the more time He spends with me, NO change of mind.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you in with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

Next Monday, I leave for Kenya on a journey to share the meaning of true and real everlasting love. Our team will meet with nationals serving the Maasai tribal community located in the region of Amboseli. After two days at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, we will travel north to Kitale and meet with local pastors and orphanage workers to prepare for the team traveling in August. Kitale is the area where much of the tribal violence broke out after the elections. We pray to minister to the hearts and spirits of the children and adults we encounter. Our desire is to be an encouragement and bring hope of the Living God.

“As the Father sent Me, so send I you.” John 20:21

You might think I’m crazy; I’ve been home from India just a little over two weeks. But what is crazier – thinking true love can be found in a competition, or knowing True Love was given and wanting to tell the world the message of John 3:16?

“They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different” Mark 6:12 The Message

Urgently smiling
Living radically different
In His service

KENYA - Calendar of Events

March 9
Depart DFW – Amsterdam

March 10
Arrive Nairobi
Overnight in Nairobi

March 11
Flight Nairobi to Amboseli

March 12
Ministry in Amboseli with Maasai Tribe

March 13
Flight from Amboseli to Nairobi
Flight from Nairobi to Kitale

March 14-17
Area Ministry in Kitale

March 18
Travel by car to Eldoret
Flight from Eldoret to Nairobi
Flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam

March 19
Flight from Amsterdam to DFW

We are not Home Yet

"To all the travelers, who are journeying to a place called home..." Steven Curtis Chapman - We are not Home Yet

We are making our way down the interstate from Nellore to Chennai. It has been a long two weeks but a great Harvest for the Kingdom. In our days here in India we have ministered directly to over 2400 children and adults. Visited the Leper Colony as well as presented a program for the Leper-Beggar community and provided a 20 lb bag of rice for each family.

We learned much about the harvest, both in the physical sense (how rice grows) to the spiritual sense (there were 6 churches planted from the children's ministry I participated in last May.

Please don't stop praying now. Not just for the logistics of time and travel - but for the workers here in India. Their passion to reach the lost is humbling and keeps us coming back.

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go - And go again

Flying home smiling at the service!

Naked

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness....?" Romans 8:35

The farther we drive down the back roadways of Nellore, we see more and more nakedness. We have grown accustomed to the sight of children lingering near edge of the street with nothing on except perhaps a string tied around their waist. Inside the villages they run freely, unashamed and "untethered" by clothing.

While the base cause of their lack may be poverty, I am reminded of something I have heard often by those who grew up with little material goods, "we didn't know we were poor." I know these children do not KNOW they are poor. They are simply living, running around, playing with siblings, and naked. We take no offense or embarrassment - this is just part of their life and living out one day at a time.

With so much material need confronting us each and every day, we could easily lose focus - but we don't. We came to India to share the love of Christ and the Message of salvation. For us that includes our faith in the verse found in Romans 8. There is nothing that can separate THEM or US from the love of Christ. Paul goes on to say just two chapters later "how can they call on Him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent?

Today, you sent two pair of beautiful feet into an isolated church amidst a Muslim community, a schoolhouse run by a Hindu school master sympathetic to the Christian cause, and at the end of the day, our feet walked into a Leper-Beggar community of 19 families. This is the third time I have met with these people and the older women smiled, bowed with folded hands and thanked us for returning again. We gathered them all together and presented a short version of our program.

When it came time to make the "Good News" bracelets, there were those in the crowd whose diseased hands could not thread the beads. I knelt down beside a deaf and mute leper and as he held out his hand, I tenderly took the beads and said the meaning of each of the colors. "Yellow is for Heaven where the streets are paved with gold. Black is for the sin that separates us from God. Red is for the shed blood of Christ who took the punishment for our sin. White is for being made pure and righteous, and Green is for new life growing in Christ. Although I spoke a language he would not have understood even if his hearing was not impaired - I illustrated something he could understand, the love of Christ, who comes and sits and eats with the lepers. Who treats them with dignity and humanity and grace. Can leprosy separate them from His love? No. Can nakedness or poverty? No.

The only thing that separates them is no one going in His place - no one telling them, no one showing them - no one willing to clothe them with His grace and mercy.

There in the dust, in front of their thatch huts tied together with whatever materials they can scrounge out of the trash heaps - we tied Gospel bracelets around their wrists.

They called upon His Name today
They have believed in the One they heard of
They heard the preachers because you have sent.

"When saw we Thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw thee sick, or in prison and came to thee? And the King shall answer...". Matt 25:38-40

Waiting for the voice
Until then in His service

Blood and Guts

"...who made us a Kingdom, Priests for His Father". Rev 1:6

LEVITICUS

It is one of those hard chapters in the Old Testament to get through. All the laws, rites and rituals - what must be done in payment for sin. The offering for accidents versus intentional crimes. It is VERY detailed. Today as I was laboring through the technicalities of the Israelite nation, and mummering "I'm glad I live under grace" another thought came to me. The structure for law and order was not just detailed it was BLOODY!

The third chapter outlines the details of the entrails, the liver, the fat portion, the blood wiped on the altar. GUTS!

In 21st century America we are very far removed from the "blood" of our food source. For most, our meat comes cellophane wrapped, cut in nice neat portions, and underneath the flesh of our animal of choice lies a small absorbent square to improve the eye appeal of the packaging so no "blood" pools around it.

While we might not be gutting the fish we eat, or plucking the chickens we broil, or heaven help us slaughter the cows that dominate our diet - we are (in every century since the resurrection) a "priesthood" of believers.

The Priests serving in the Temple had a dirty, and you can bet smelly job. How did we become so sanitary in our approach to faith? Frankly, although some of the experiences I have had in the field have not been the most pleasant at times (bed bugs, roaches, rats, unfamiliar food and uncomfortable travel) I would take that any day over slinging blood on a gathered crowd of worshipers!

These "priests" in the Harvest of India visited two village churches today. When the program was over and the beaded bracelets were all tied together our interpreter (Pastor Haripaul) presented the Gospel to the children and gave them a chance to accept Jesus as the One true God. At the first church several of the older girls wept during the repentance prayer. It was beautiful to witness. The Blood of the Lamb shed once for all!

Late this afternoon we returned to the Leper Colony where our pilot project Sewing Center was built. The ten women trained wanted to thank us for the life-changing opportunity this has given them. They are now praying for more sewing machines so more women in the colony can be trained and have this experience.

No one wants to sew clothing for the lepers, they had a very difficult time acquiring even the basics needed to cover themselves. Now, they have not only learned to make clothes for themselves and their children - but they also brought out beautiful embroidered clothes and saris with sequined beaded designs. You could see the pride as they unfolded their handiwork. They are "owners" of the machines and "seamstresses" of dignity.

One of the duties of the Priests was to pronounce "lepers" cleansed so they could participate in worship. I was searching for the verse covering this "service" and strikingly found the verse regarding where Jesus was when the alabaster box of oil was poured over His head.

He was in the house of a leper (Simon).

In the 21st century, there IS medicine available to cure leprosy. But there is only love to cure "shame".

Two "priests" from America sat in the presence of the lepers today. We shook their hands, we kissed their children, we rejoiced with them knowing we are covered by the Blood - and so are they!

No gore!
But washed in the Blood

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Who wants to be a "slumdog"?

Two questions with very obvious and quick answers. We would all like to be millionaires - and not one would chose the life of a "slumdog". If you have yet to see the movie, let me explain that a slumdog is a child whose existence is no more than a dog rooting through the trash heaps in the slum to survive.

"...in heaven their angels always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.". Matt 18:10

Unfortunately, there are few millionaires and hundreds of thousands of children living in India without much hope for more than the moniker of "slumdog". The story may be Oscar winning - but it will do little to alter the fate of those who live the reality of being orphaned in a cruel world too big for them to change.

But fate has changed for twenty children living here at the Jane's House orphanage who are "slumdogs" no more. They are children of the King. Their past circumstances are difficult to hear, hard to fathom and unbelievable to understand. Several were found living at the train station and taken in. Each has a story - each child is part of His-story bearing truth to the promise found in Jeremiah 29:11.

He had a plan for the small girl who witnessed her own mother beat her baby brother to death and then turn her hand to kill her. His plan included her running away from that past and into His future for her among believers who would love and nurture her.

We saw His hope in the smiles and laughter of the children today as we told stories, played games and created unique crosses for them. Their past sadness may linger - but the present joy is undeniable.

For those who trust in Christ, no game show grand prize can compete with what He has prepared for us. We might never become slumdogs but we are guaranteed to be more than millionaires!

"Where your treasure is there your heart will be also"

Banking daily

Calcutta, Chaos, but no Catastrophe

"I have set My angels charge over you, to keep you from stumbling.". Psalm 91:11

I would also have to add to that verse - "to keep you from missing your connections.". We arrived at the airport in Dibrugarh in time enough to put us first in line when the ticket counter opened (exactly when we like to be there). It was a good thing today - because while the counter was open the computer systems were not quite. The agents were having trouble with every aspect from printing baggage labels to boarding passes - and we were finally told to take a seat when they could not print our continuing boarding pass to Chennai.

The line grew behind us, the computers slowed to molasses (or perhaps a thick Indian dahl) and the airline employees were becoming increasingly frantic. We were assured we would receive our boarding passes in Calcutta - BUT we only had 40 minutes between flights and now we were late! Oh well!?

It really was out of our control (as much as we hate that) and Vicki with her airline background muttered, "can't they just hand write them the way we used to have to do?"

I typed out a quick email to be ready to fly across time zones as soon as we touched down in Calcutta. We were going to need prayer and some extra pull to get us (and our luggage) to the next flight. One of the bonus side effects from a downed system - they were not able to charge us for the excess baggage.

We sat on the 5th row from the exit which would make deboarding faster. One and a half hours later - touchdown, up, out, standing in the aisle ready to run - only to be informed over the loudspeakers, "Chennai passengers please sit down.". Ah... Could it be we were taking the same aircraft?

NO

It did mean the airline was going to assure that we got on the next flight along with our bags! You can't ask for much better than that. We stood out on the tarmac, waited to identify our bags and then - back on board. Onward and upward - to infinity and beyond - or perhaps just the next stop - Chennai.

Still smiling

Save the Best for Last

"For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. " 2 Cor 4:17

Our last day in Lakla brought one last stop. L explained we would need to leave earlier for it was farther away than we had been. Confusing, taking into consideration we felt like we had already reached "the ends of the earth" we saw the "end" was even farther (and rockier) than expected.

We set off down the usual road taking us from the school into the main town of Jagun. Once again we turned off the road onto a dirt path that cuts through several villages. We passed by one of the schools where our performance was on Wednesday - but we kept going, and going, and going.

Yesterday, our interpreter returned on his motorcycle with his pants legs wet up to his knees. He laughed and said he had to see how deep the river was before we went to the village. We really didn't understand the humor behind his statement, but he was laughing and so we laughed (mostly out of politeness).

It was not until we reached the river we understood. The only bridge was bamboo and built for bicycles not cars. He crossed the water to see if it would be too deep for the car to ford the rushing water without stalling out! We were definitely in for an adventure. My thoughts went from "how did they ever find this place" to "what happens if the car breaks down?" We passed few houses (although some of those did have DishTV, no gas stations, but thousands of acres of tea plantations.

Our backsides and our sore backs kept us from breaking out into the song, "over the river and through the woods". We were hanging on for dear life and wondering when the car trip turned simulated horseback trail would end.

After 45 minutes of bumping, grinding, gripping, and praying - we arrived at a beautiful clearing, surrounded by tea bushes as far as the eye could see. A small one room mud school house stood against the breathtaking backdrop with a few children already seated on the benches waiting.

L spoke to the headmaster and was informed more children were coming. He suggested we visit the church in the meantime. One of our team members laughed and said "get ready for the horse ride". MORE!!

We all got back in the Jeep (stallion) and headed deeper into the tea that has yet to make it into a cup.

"Horse ride" was an understatement - rather "roller coaster log ride" would have more accurately described the rocking from side to side, or the grass path cut through the over growth that was hardly wide enough for a human much less a "horse-powered" vehicle. The brambles were certainly leaving their mark on the paint job.

As soon as we stopped the car the people of the village came out to see the visitors to the New Kenya Baptist Church. Children carrying babies emerged from thatch houses and eyed us with curiosity. Lipok invited them to come to the program at the school. We thought, "well, it will help the numbers increase from the handful we left."

We loaded back into our motorized equine although a horse would probably carry us in as much comfort. By the time we arrived - not only had more children arrived - it looked like the whole village! And by the time the program was over - even those in the fields had walked the distance to see the curious strangers.

After the program, we began our relay games. All the parents and family members surrounded the lines to cheer their young ones on. If they weren't following instructions (passing a frisbee over your head then under the next one's legs) the mothers were quick to demonstrate and shout their encouragement.

It is hard to describe such a setting.

Deep into the jungle, a clearing for a school house, a field for playing games, against a backdrop of giant Banyan and palms, with the mountains rising in the distance.

The children ran, laughed, tried to figure out why we were excited - but it was all more contagious than the latest strain of the flu! Even the oldest people on the sidelines laughed and delighted in the simple fun of a childhood game.

Although their were "winners" who took first prize of a bar of soap, and the team that came in last received erasers and pencil sharpeners, this day in Lakla - they all had an unforgettable experience.

As we prepared to leave the school master approached our young interpreter. He set off on a long monologue as he surveyed the gathered villagers and the children still running around enjoying their biscuits and looking at each others gospel bracelets. When he finally stopped, he turned to look at us while K(our team member) related what he said.

First, K explained the real headmaster of the school had just died, and his replacement (the man before us) was embarrassed the village had not offered us a proper welcome or given us more suitable gifts for our visit (we each received the traditional red and white scarf of the Assam area). He explained they had never seen or heard such things we shared with them. And then finally he said, "All the people here, the children and our villagers, want you to know this is the best day of their life!"

Tears filled my eyes. What a privilege God saved for our last day in Lakla. What joy awaits us we know He really is saving the "Best" for last.

Maranatha

Strangers

"...and they confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.." Heb 11:13

Our last night at the Mount Carmel school compound we spent the evening vespers with the children that live here during the school year. It was enjoyable to hear their praise songs and have one last bit of "quality time" with the children in all probability we will never see again.

I shared the "Apple Tree" story to their great delight and ended with the moral that feeling bad about being "different" is a way the enemy keeps us from realizing who God intends us to be, and knowing the joy He has for us.

Our "strange-ness" (in looks, dress, behavior and all other-ness in between) makes an impression. For many of the children in the village, we just may be the only foreigners they will ever encounter. We make sure it is one they never forget. And while God uses the "foolish" to reach the unreached, He also rains joy down in such overflowing abundance, it will surely produce a harvest.

Yesterday, a few of the girls living in here came over to the guest house to see what we were like up close and personal. I brought out the speakers and the music and V taught them to "dance". They laughed, had a great time and saw we were still strange but perhaps not so scary. Tonight, at the end of the evening - those same girls kept motioning for us to star the "dance" time. They were happy to come up on the stage and lead the rest of the kids in the new activity.

The chairs were pushed back, space was cleared and the fun began.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.". Heb 13:1

In reflection over the last few days: how alien we are to the people living here, and the impact for eternity our presence makes, I thought of Dr. David Livingstone in the deep jungles of Africa. I had to laugh, he brought medicine along with the Gospel....

We brought the "Chicken Dance"!

"Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it, strip down, start running (or dancing) and never quit!". Heb 12:1 The Message

Dancing and smiling

God had a Better Plan

"I know what I'm doing, I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, plans to give you the future you hope for. ". Jer 29:11 The Message

Working with orphans, lepers, untouchables and those living in unimaginable poverty makes the makes the verse a well used homily - offering a promise of hope given by and unchanging God.

"The way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.". Is 55:9

But... It doesn't make daily life easier. It doesn't make the mission field a picnic. God does things His way - not the American way.

Sharing the love of such an amazing God with people who have nothing the world counts as valuable is a humbling experience. We go into believer's houses, climbing into the stilted dwelling, and listen to their testimony of miracle after miracle; healings, provision, barren women who conceive, lives brought back from the brink of death - and offer a prayer of hope of even greater things to come.

If you were to look around the one room serving as kitchen, bedroom, living room, dining room, closet, and pantry, you would see the worldly goods of a family of six can be counted on two hands. Yet, the requests they ask prayer for are not for "increase" of wealth, but for boldness for their testimony, their lives, the lives of their children to bring greater glory to the King and more souls to be saved.

If this is His version of a plan, how has the American plan gone so far the other way?

When we left the village, life was all around us; children were drawing water from the well, mother's walking along the path nursed their infants, older women were weaving cloth, young boys were collecting firewood for the evening meal, various livestock searched for food,, dogs trailed alongside us, and a few bathed in the open before the sun set in the western sky.

It brought to mind the testimony of the great faith hall of fame: "...homeless, friendless, powerless - the world didn't deserve them! - making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world. Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised."

The rest of the verse brings the reality of how His way is SO different from mine:

"God had a better plan for US; that THEIR faith and our faith would come to together to make ONE completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."

Somehow, we need THEM to make us complete, they need us -

It didn't pass by Congress

It passed by the Throne.

Destitute to Destination

We pulled our Jeep off the road about ten miles from the school compound. There were no houses around, so both V and I were curious - just where the village was we were having our program.

Pastor L explained the unusual landscape as we started walking down the uneven craggy path. On one side of the road was dense jungle, where we were walking had been cleared by hand by the "Mising" tribal people who fled here after their homes were washed away during the flood season. On both sides of the path we noted trees hundreds of feet tall felled by men armed with only machetes and brute strength. Before us, a clearing with scant evidence of a former jungle, only stumps rising up from sandy areas once so dense humans could not penetrate its domain.

We walked, and walked, and walked, and walked. Deeper into a world we knew nothing about. As we approached the village, L pointed out the many houses built on stilts. "These are river people," he explained. "So even though there is no river here, they are still sticking to their old ways of living. It is only with time they develop a safe feeling and build their houses on the ground."

Our advance team arrived 30 minutes before us to gather the children at the church. We heard their singing well before we saw their faces. Because of our height and the color of our hair, they surely saw us coming up the path - before we arrived.

Gathered in front of a 10 x 30 thatch church - 20 children made hand motions to the praise songs they had learned inside. None of their words did we understand - save for one "hallelujah".

They weren't quite sure what to make of the strangers, and you won't be surprised at their answer when I asked if any of them had ever seen people that looked the way we did, as I rubbed my skin and tugged at my blonde hair. "No, No, No" along with all of their heads shaking side to side. "We have never seen anyone like you!"

After our program, the village pastor invited us to his house, and asked us to pray for the family as well as the new home he was moving to the following day. The village pastor and elder of the church asked if we had ever seen a house like this, "no, no, no" and our heads shook side to side. Especially when we saw the carved tree trunk we were going to have to climb to enter.

The men all had a good laugh as they pulled us up the post, while we were praying for balance and not to go crashing through the floor. The houses are set on beams approximately 5 feet off the ground - the fall wouldn't kill us, but the embarrassment most likely would. The floors of the houses are slats 3 to 4 inches apart with bamboo mats covering the gaps. We were instructed to walk only on the slats (think of walking through an attic). We both made sure we didn't pick the same slat at the same time for fear our combined American weight would wind us up under the house instead of in it!

After the men stopped laughing long enough to tell us we should sit down - we gained a bit more comfort. There in the 20 x 20 house the pastor, his wife and seven children - lived, ate, slept and praised God for the miracles they experienced.

As the pastor shared, he told us 3 years ago he was so sick, his family had already built his coffin. But believers prayed for him and here he sits today - still preaching the Word and leading others to the Living God. These "Mising" (pronounced missing) people were once lost - but now they are found. These refugees from the floods, now have an eternal destination to look forward to - without fear and filled with hope!

No fear in falling

SOUND

"And there was silence in heaven..." Revelation 8:1

Things are very different here in Assam. For one, we are staying on the school compound in the guest house instead of our usual quarters of a local hotel. Lakla is more like a village than a town; which is why even the satellites here are silent with no Blackberry service. It is also close to three international borders so the military controls the transmissions.

The most notable difference (pleasant surprise) is the sound, or more appropriately stated, lack there of. In the city, the din of daily life, close to 24 hour traffic with horns blaring well past our jet-lag bedtime, is a constant. But here, as I write in the dark with the aid if my booklight - I hear crickets. In the distance the occasional unintelligible conversations of the workers and children can be heard, but mostly, the singing wings of the crickets is this night's symphony.

Another surprise is the cold. This is the farthest north we have been in India, ans for a Texan, when you "read" a temperature like 50 for the nighttime low - that doesn't sound too cool. But... in the semi-warmth under 4 blankets, long johns AND my fleece jacket, when I READ the actual temperature of the room (61) I know - THAT IS cold when you are not used to it. There is the sound coming from an old body trying to turn over in the night without exposing any body parts and thinking my teeth chattering will be the next sound I hear, other than the echo of the groan I just made.

Laughter...

What a great sound that is! One that needs no interpretation. Today our program here at the school for over 200 kids, generated plenty of that. Whether it was from my exaggerated antics seeing their friends dressed as kings and queens, chasing each other playing "duck, duck, goose", or learning to "Limbo" - the children were laughing.

Crying...

We don't like it, we try hard to avoid it, but we have come to expect it. At the village outreach - many of the children were very young. Those under 4, generally stay close to their siblings and eye us with caution at best, downright fear at worse. When we spot a potential "crier" (quivering lip, retreating steps, and then finally the inevitable "waaaaaaah" - we look away, avoid drawing any more attention to the situation - and try to regain the attention of the other children who are by this time making that favorite noise -

Laughter -

But the best sound of all is the one we are not privileged to hear. The sound of the angels rejoicing in heaven as the lost are found, the sinners redeemed, and the Chosen respond to the Shepherd's voice.

When I look out at the faces of children praying, the "inner ears" of my soul perk up. Like a dog hearing the inaudible whistle of his master and starts running - so my heart starts rejoicing. And them even the sound of my heart beating keeps heavenly time to the

SOUND!

"All God's children singing glory, glory, hallelujah HE reigns, He reigns."

Listening and smiling

Toto's Visit to Elah

"Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew their battle line". 1 Sam 17:2

In a few short hours, once again I'll board a plane bound for a place exactly halfway around the world. Far from Kansas and nowhere near the Land of OZ. It takes a long long long long long time to get there, I tell the children of the village. The number of times I say "long" always makes them laugh. But the reality is this- is no laughing matter.

I still have much to do, last minute things to pack, trash to take out, mail to drop off, etc.. etc... BUT, I had to just breath this morning and keep the MAIN thing the MAIN thing; my daily reading of the Word, Oswald Chamber devotion, and finish the last page of my January devotion book "Lessons from John". It is written by my dear friend Dr. Betsy Botts on things she has learned from her son with autism. For the past 31 days it has blessed me and given me an awareness of the many people and ways God pours restoration into my life. The last chapter is "the Valley of Elah" (where David defeats Goliath).

As I read the story and reflected on how the battle lines had been drawn, the enemy facing the Israelites and taunting them. I thought about what has happened in my personal, spiritual and family life's battlefields over the last several days. I can usually count on some form of attack by the enemy BUT, this week was a doozy!

I think our cultural Christian tendency is to be comfortable "holding our ground" camped out, looking at the enemy and listening to his taunting. After all, as long as we don't go down to the "valley" and face the giant we are pretty much safe - but sorry (and shamed).

It took a shepherd boy to visit the camp to question "why are you listening to this?". Everyday we hear the name of God profaned from all forms of individuals, media, politicians, irritated drivers, you name we hear it - and we stay encamped.

We are called to BATTLE, not campgrounds. When Goliath ridiculed the size of the boy who "manned up" David responded by saying "it's not me - it's my God who will hand you over". God has given us victory over the powers of darkness. He has given us authority to cast out demonic influence - not just in foreign lands filled with pagan gods, but the demonic influences in our own families, neighborhoods and country. He HAS given us WEAPONS to bring down strongholds. If one stone can take down a nine foot giant - just think what your faithful prayers are "nuking" in the realms of the heavenlies!

Vicki Mullins (director of orphan ministries at East West) and I are headed down to the Valley of Elah today. For the next two weeks we will be taking back Kingdom ground held by the enemy. This IS an area of extremist activity but we are armed with far more than stones and a sling shot.
We have YOU!

And HIM! The Lord our God goes before us in the battle, our eyes are fixed on Him and He promises the victory.
Pray up
March on

And don't be afraid to walk down into your own Valley of Elah even if you think "what, I've just been tending sheep". Our God is always faithful to those who call upon His name!

Smiling and picking up river rocksI invite you to share in this adventure.

Previously NOT on 24

“The following events take place in real time”

I confess.

I am a “24” junkie. I thought I had kicked the habit of watching Jack Bauer save the world in a single day, but when I finally sat down to view the 4 hours of episodes I taped earlier in the week I had to admit, I still have a habit! After the first hour ended at 11:47 pm, I thought to myself, “I can go ahead and watch the next episode”. It was like the “one more small bite of ice cream”, the “just a little” piece of fudge, the “last slice of pizza that will not be good tomorrow” syndrome.

Perhaps the popularity comes through the cleverly innovative way the broadcast is filmed. “Events occur in real time.” There is no break in the day of one who has to “save the world” from terrorist attacks, assassination attempts, and a variety of other cataclysmic events threatening to effect our country in the next 24 hours. Call in Jack Bauer. The establishment doesn’t care for his tactics (torture, rage, and even law-breaking), but they know Jack can get the job done.

Here’s entertainment:

Housewives are still Desperate
Superman can be found in Smallville
Americans are looking for their next Idol
Ugly found beauty in Betty

We desperately want to believe there is someone out there who will “get the job done”; someone who can preserve our lifestyle, our consumption habits and do what is necessary, without us ever having to know what is going on behind the scenes.

Tomorrow, the President elect will be sworn in to office. Things will change, history is in the making. “His-story” is always in the making. Each 24 hours allotted to every individual on the face of the earth has the potential to be the last hours of their life. If we knew… how would we spend our day, at what sacrifice for others, what would the “real time” look like?

On the 31st of January, my “real time” events will begin and end on the other side of the world in India. It is a land filled with diversity, rich history, and over a billion people longing to understand and embrace “hope”. They have no reference point or speech (“I Have a Dream”) to elevate their status in life. Thousands of years of the caste system, makes it virtually impossible to rise above the circumstances of poverty or disease, injustice or racial bigotry and hope one day things will be different. Our country is built on freedom, but also on the ideology of “hope.” Anyone who works hard can overcome overwhelming obstacles and achieve greatness.

After hearing “Slumdog Millionaire” won the Golden Globe for Best Picture, I determined to see it before I returned to India. If you want to understand the India I see, the children I work with, see the movie. However, be warned – there are very graphic depictions of life for the children of the slums. There are scenes of horror for the orphans, several people walked out of the theatre during the showing. Even before the release of the film in India, it has sparked a wave of national pride, a movie filmed in India about India. And in the end, the “slumdog’s” life is changed by “destiny”. As believer’s our destiny is not part of a game show dependant on the right answer to the question. We don’t have three lifelines of choice: we have one. His name is Jesus. He keeps us from a feeling of desperation, He is more than a Super-man, He is God. He is not an Idol who sings, He is a Savior who serves. And while the scripture tells us, He had no physical beauty, He is beauty incarnate, the expressed image of God. He is saving lives each second, of every minute in our 24 hour day!

I confess.

I am nothing more than a slave to His wishes. His desire is that all be saved. His command is “Go and make disciples of all nations”.

I invite you to share in this adventure.

Pray
Give
Consider going in the future!

INDIA - Calendar of Events

January 31
Depart USA

February 1
Arrive in Germany
Depart for Kolkata India
February 2
Arrive in Kolkata 1:00 am
Flight to Dibrugarh 7:00 am
Drive to Lakla

February 3
PROGRAM AM
School Children
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 4
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 5
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 6
Travel from Lakla to Dibrugarh
Overnight in Dibrugarh

February 7
Flight to Kolkata
Flight from Kolkata to Chennai
Travel 2 hours by car to Nellore

February 8
Church Program AM
Orphanage PM

February 9
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 10
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 11
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

February 12
Travel to Chennai

February 13
Depart for USA 1:50am
Arrive DFW 2:30 pm

Joy

"Thou will make known to me the path of life, in Thy presence is the fullness of joy, at Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

The last evening is here. Today I felt like wind blown leaf in a temporary resting place along the side of another foreign road.

Yesterday's flurry of activity began with our trip to the Grace Orphanage. In just one year, the entire landscape surrounding the old traditional Chinese neighborhood has radically changed. It made it difficult for us to locate. Although H (our friend and acting interpreter), had detailed directions, the cab driver still needed to stop and ask police as well as street cleaners where we were and where we were going.

The street is closed to traffic now, so the director came to the corner and a broad smile of familiarity and thanks broke across his face. He walked us the rest of the way to the building our arms loaded down with the packages filled with new shoes, socks, toys, gifts and other items we negotiated for the day before.

The 10 youngest children were there - many now old enough to remember last year's visit from the "soo-chow". We played games, told the Christmas story, took photos and closed with the children singing "Jesus Loves Me" in English. We took a tour of the building and saw the three new water heaters for the children's bathrooms as well as the air purifiers we purchased last year. Perhaps small improvements but they will make a big difference in the quality of life for the orphans during the cold winter months.

We loaded up and hurried back to the hotel to be picked up by the University's driver and taken to the performance. We drove away from the city and watched the car's thermometer continue to drop. The shoulders of tree-lined lane leading up to the campus were sprinkled with snow, the thermometer read -6• C.

It was COLD - but the warmth generated by the awaiting students was better than a blazing fire. I can't recall every entering a classroom that was heated adequately (for a Texan). Everyone in the audience remained bundled in coats, scarves and gloves. They laughed. The volunteers willingly acted out the stories. And in the end they asked the "questions" I am always ready to answer.

My friend G sat on the front row and prayed.

It wasn't long before the "why" question opened the door for the answer of faith. Then one young man asked if I would sing them a song. You might find this curious but it is not uncommon. I told the students I would sing the song of the orphans. I stepped off the stage and began "Jesus loves me this I know.. " I reached out and touched the hands of the audience members "yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves YOU".

More questions, deeper and deeper into the depths of faith came the answers. Several students asked H for her number so they could plan to visit the orphans. Today I received an email from the Ps in Jinan that already the ENTIRE class is arranging a visit to the orphanage!

This morning Professor N (S) who makes all the arrangements for my performance said one of our taxi drivers inquired what we were doing there and when he was told about our visit to the orphanage, he was so excited because one of his relatives is looking to adopt a child. S gave him H's number to contact Grace Orphanage and schedule a meeting. God work's in mysterious ways indeed. He guides us to the path of life.

I have been in China, but also in His presence. I can say this with confidence because I experienced great joy.

Pray for harvest hands! The Chinese people are hungry for love, joy and Truth.

Pray for the young girl student who approached me as we were leaving and took the scarf wrapped around her neck and said, "I must give you something, for what you have given me." She then began to cry. I embraced her and asked why she was crying and she could only choke out the words "I am so sad". Pray God's love comforts her and His Truth heals her unspoken pain.

Pray for safety and rest for the journey is long and never easy.

Pray for the meaning of Christmas to reap the largest harvest the workers have ever witnessed!

Pray for the gift we have been freely given to be boldly shared.

Praise God for the Reason of the Season!

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

I've already said goodbye...
...Smile for me You are in His service too!

"Now to Him...

... who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in His bright presence, fresh and celebrating -" Jude 24 The Message

Our Master certainly kept us on our feet today! I met my friend this morning at her hotel and had my first non-Chinese breakfast in 10 days. It was quite continental: British cold baked beans, French croissants, Swedish museli, German sausage and good ole American scrambled eggs!

My friend H arrived to take us to shop for the orphanage. She already arranged the "big" purchase of new water heaters to enable the children to have hot baths (without having to heat water over the stove). Today we bought new shoes for each child, warm winter socks, and educational toys for the toddlers. The three of us then returned to stuff Christmas gift sacks and pack everything we will need to take tomorrow.

It will be jammed packed. First heading out to the orphanage - then immediately after returning we will be picked up from the hotel and go to the campus performing for close to 200 University students. Our day will finish late in the evening. But oh what a day.

Pray for joy and happiness for the orphans. The director told H, "I can offer you nothing for such a great gift but I will pray for you and your families".

Pray for the students who are taking time away from their end of the year exam studies to learn a lesson that will change their lives.

Pray for questions that will open the door (and their hearts) to the Good News!

Pray for us to "stay on our feet in His bright presence". Pray His radiance to shine shine shine.

Pray for our health (snow in the forecast). Pray for safety on the roads.

"God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Ephesians 3:20 The Message

Dreaming and imaging His abundant provision!

A Measuring Reed

A few weeks ago, I was reading in Ezekiel where the Lord instructed the prophet to write down the dimensions of the Temple. I confess, reading details like these in measurements I don't understand and frankly am not sure why I sure care about, I am tempted to skip on to the "good" stuff. You know the part where the justice of God is meted out against the enemies!

I realize however, the exact details and measurements are given to make sure we understand the "concrete" reality of the new Temple, the new Heaven the dimensions may not make much sense while we live in cities of concrete and steel - oh but one day, gates of pearl and fine gemstones. Not to mention the streets of gold!

Last night, at the foreign teachers fellowship, I think the "kingdom here on earth" could have been measured in the 10'x12' room. The participants went around the room making brief introductions of their name and country of origin. What a fulfillment of the prophecy, "all nations will praise the name of the Lord." Madagascar, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, America, Hungary, Holland, Germany, Australia and of course one itinerant clown.

Each week, they meet together and praise the Living God, have Bible study, encourage one another and PRAY FOR THE HARVEST. Some are students, some are teachers, some are starting businesses as an avenue to share the Good News but ALL are about the King's business.

I was exhausted after the day at the Jinan orphanage, and yet I knew being among brothers and sisters in Christ from distant lands united for one purpose would strengthen me for the remainder of the task set before me.

Many students accompanied our group to the visit the children. I took many pictures for the Jinan group of adoptive parents so they can share with the children now living in the States the faces of their friends who have not forgotten them (on either side of the ocean).

I have noticed many changes here, in the eight years I have visited, but many things remain the same. I would say, the biggest one is the great number of people who have never heard the Good News or have any hope in the greater love of the Living God.

Keep praying. Keep holding up the harvest workers who live far from comfort and familiar things. Pray for their stamina, health, and unity.

Tomorrow I leave for Beijing. I will be connecting with friends flying in from the States a few hours after I arrive. Pray for their connections and rest on their long flights from America. Tuesday night I will have dinner with a few former students who have helped me down through the years. Pray for their hearts to be open to hearing the Good News, as they have seen the love of Christ displayed many times.

Wednesday we will spend the day making purchases for the orphanage. Pray for good negotiated prices so we can buy even more needed items for the children.

Thursday we will spend the afternoon with the children and then off to the University for a performance for the students at the Technical College. Friday will begin the process of our journey home.

Close to 800 University students, orphans and public school children have heard the work of the mighty King. They have ALL heard the meaning of the celebration of Christmas. Pray for harvest hands to reap mightily during this "season" of the Greatest Gift!

Packing up and moving on!

A Real "Page-Turner"

Have you ever stayed awake late into the night, engrossed in a book because you HAD to know how the story would resolve itself? You keep telling yourself, "just one more chapter, surely the hero will turn everything around."

When the back cover is closed, we expect the story to have a fairytale "happily-ever-after-ending. The hero wins, the man gets the girl, the good guys win and the bad guys are defeated; all against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.

Last night I stayed up past my bedtime...

turning the pages of my heart
while I cried myself to sleep.

Our team of three Americans and four Chinese were all excited to return to the Taian orphanage a two hour drive from Jinan. We were surprised by a late night phone call from "J". He would be taking the overnight train from his home in Shanghai, just to see the children. He is a businessman, recently married, and extremely busy working with a foreign company. But in 2001, he was a student of the Ps and served as my interpreter. Ever year since, he has acted as liaison between the government and orphanage officials to arrange our visit. He wouldn't miss this for the world (or a good night's sleep).

When we arrived in Taian, friends of the Ps once again arranged an inviting energizing lunch in their home. Hospitality is a great gift, but even greater is their service to enlist their students to make all the purchases for the orphanage. They encourage them to share what they are buying is for the children in the orphanage. They both shared, every vendor, from food suppliers to clothing stores ALL gave them a discount and expressed their appreciation for the help the children would receive.

Their office was filled with crates of fruit, milk boxes, biscuits, meat sticks, diapers, wash clothes, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and of course special treats! CARE EE sat in the midst of the all the "goodies" and praised God for the testimony in provision for the children.

Last year we were escorted to the new $30 million (US) dollar facility and were told the children would be moving here in September 2008. But when J contacted the officials, he was told the building is still under construction. Setting out for the orphanage, we found ourselves temporarily lost, passing by the old building because the facade is covered with scaffolding.

We were met with the usual fanfare - newspaper reporters, photographers, and a television crew filming every moment from arrival to departure! The children were all excited and seated around a play mat where I quickly joined them on the floor. We tossed a sponge ball around and from their cheers you could believe in their hearts they had just caught the winning pass at a Superbowl Game. Bells, and instruments were passed out and we quickly assembled a band and filled the room with music heard to the heavenlies. After Polaroid photos, and decorated frames, we were escorted to the original building home to the infants and severely disabled children.

It is the same building visited for the past eight years. But now choking dust, and a cacophony of hammering, constructing and destroying filled the stairways as we climbed the six floors to the children's ward. The first room at the end of the hallway was very familiar to us. There are 15 cribs with children a range of ages, but all with crippling disabilities. Even though they have grown, they remain in beds designed with the safety of babies in mind. As I knelt down to look in their eyes, pat hands and stroke faces through the bars, it seemed like a cage. Don't misunderstand this is not cruelty, it is necessity in a place where proper physical therapy and treatment is limited.

"This is not at all how we thought it was supposed to be..."*

We were then led to the room where we performed the first year. Now it is filled with more cribs. Each with a tiny child clothed with heavy quilted winter wear and covered by a thick blanket. The room had no heat. When I touched the tiny hands, they were ice cold.

"We can cry with hope"*

We went from crib to crib, touching, praying and wondering "why"? On the other side of the city a "showcase" is being built, and yet here and now - they are cold, in need of such basic necessities as milk and diapers. After we finished we were led to another room - filled with more cribs...

"We can say goodbye with hope"*

And we were led to another room - filled with more cribs...

"We can grieve with hope"*

And another...

My interpreter turned to me and said, "these children are dying."

"'Cause we believe with hope, there is a place, by God's grace, where we'll see your face again"*

One of the questions during the performance at the University was "do you ever leave really sad?" Truthfully I answered, "of course, there are many times my heart grieves for the conditions and situations I see the children in. BUT... I know God knows where each one of the children are born, He has numbered all the hairs on their head, and His promise is not to leave them or to forsake them. He has promised to give them hope and a future - they are created in His image for eternity! It is never easy, but it is the Truth I hold on to."

"We wait with hope, we ache with hope,

We let go with hope,"*

Pray for the last performance in Jinan at the orphanage. Pray for joy, pray for laughter, pray for HOPE!

Faithful, hope-filled and turning the pages

* Lyrics from "With Hope" Stephen Curtis Chapman

THE END OF THE STORY:
"He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good - tears gone, crying gone, pain gone - all the first order of things gone... Write it all down- each word is dependable and accurate." Rev 21:4-5 The Message

"And makes the Nations prove...

... the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders, of His love!" excerpt from Joy to the World traditional Christmas carol

Friday WAS full of joy overflowing

The invitation to perform at a government sponsored Primary School was approved at the request of an "English" volunteer teacher. A young man and his wife, who has now lived in China for over five years with three young children. They are committed to the harvest here for they have seen the ripe fields! The two older girls (3yrs and 2yrs) came with us to the school. It was humbling to see his commitment as well as sacrifice for the work of the Kingdom. He chuckled, as we were weaving in and out of the traffic (with no "child-safety" seats) and said, "this is all they know". He and his family are here to "hear" the NATION prove.

"the glories of His righteousness."

The auditorium of the school housing over 2000 children filled quickly with the chosen 400 (10 from each classroom). They were well behaved (for youngsters) but when CARE EE walked in the room - it exploded into squeals of surprise and delight. They were ecstatic to see a real "clown" up close. They had fun with the skits, the tricks and in the end, when time came to close, CARE EE wished them a Merry Christmas. I asked them, "do you know why Christmas is celebrated?" They all shouted back, "it is the birthday of Jesus!"

Just one week ago, the young man had carefully, shared the real meaning of Christmas. They remembered. When we walked out their volunteer "teacher" exclaimed, "WOW, they remembered."

"If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me."

After a brief rest, I made my way through the dark below freezing night across the campus to J's combined classes. He was unsure of the turnout because most of his students are older and have jobs and families. The room appeared a bit vacant with only 50 students but they were engaging and had a good time with the performance. Once again, the evening closed with a question and answer session.

For the first time I can remember, after I gave the explanation for "why" (because I am a Christian) I chose this type of job, one of the students said, "can you tell us what lead you to make this decision to become a follower of Christ, and when did this life-changing event happen?" You can imagine, the prayers that were immediately shot as arrows into the Throne Room from J,D, myself and the other Chinese believers in attendance. I was able to give a clear presentation of the message of the Gospel. We are all sinners, in need of a Savior. I also was clear in expressing, in America, many children are raised in Christian homes and exposed to the Truth of the Bible at an early age. But, the Truth can be understood anytime you hear it. God so loved the World...

"...and wonders, and wonders of His love."

In a few minutes, my friends will arrive with our Chinese version of an SUV, we will pack up the treats and goodies and head for Taian (two hours away). The children are still in the old facility and still in great need. This year we added diapers to the list of items we are taking to the precious disabled young ones, who must spend the majority of the day, confined to a crib.

Pray for safety on the roads.
Pray for joy among the children.
Pray for understanding from the workers of what keeps me coming back and back and back.
Praise God for the WONDER of His love!

And all the nations WILL bow before the King.
Kneeling

T.I.N.A.

"T.I.N.A." is the acronym used away from home when faced with the unusual or strange. It is meant to secretly jostle (and quiet) one another, "This Is Not America." Often quoted, is the culture sensitivity reminder, "it's not bad, it's just different."

It's Friday morning here, and the University Hotel dining room was filled to capacity. Professors, conference attendees and a variety of other official looking people clamored around, with plates and chopsticks, dishing up breakfast. Can you imagine what they serve for breakfast? Chinese food of course! T.I.N.A. indeed.

This year I came prepared. Knowing the fare each day would be virtually the same (noodles, rice, ginger cabbage, steamed cauliflower, strange hot items I am too scared to try, and other hot liquids that are probably very healthy but... well different.) A good dose of protein is needed for a day filled with performances, exposure to the weather and the floating bacteria in the atmosphere. I added a new item to my list of "must have for travel" food bags. I have defeated the dreary common boiled egg by bringing packets of mayonnaise and mustard.

There I sit, alone, strange and VERY American, with cracked eggs and packets my fellow diners are curious about - to stir up "deviled" delights. Okay, so it is day three and I have had my fill of them. Tomorrow I may move to add PB&J to spice up my morning delicacies.

No, this is NOT America.

I cannot imagine University students being entertained by a "clown". Much less after a performance more suited to those under 13, to ask provocative life-challenging questions. A question asked last night during the Bible study (for the students) was "what I have learned" from my travels. I gave a lengthy response, but the core of the answer was love is communicated with much more than language. Everyone, young and old, feel the need for value in their life, purpose, and to know they are loved. It was a forum where I was free to share the full Gospel message. The love of God exhibited through the gift of His Son. This is NOT America, but people are God's creation wherever they find themselves geographically. People need to understand the real reason for Christmas. We don't need a "bailout" governments vote on - we need a Savior!

This afternoon, my first performance will be for Primary School students (about 500)! Pray for clear translation, joy and love to be communicated to the eager audience.

After a brief rest (and a PB&J) I will perform for J's combined classes. The conference room can accommodate 300. Pray it is filled to capacity! Pray for the questions. Pray for the Holy Spirit of the Living God we serve to answer with life giving, life changing truth.

T.I.N.A.

This is not America. This is the Harvest Field. "Red, and yellow, black and white - all are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the WORLD."

"On your knees, pray for harvest hands" Matthew 9:38 the Message

Hands serving, face smiling.

"I Know..

... what your visit means to the children."

Those were the first tearful words from the last University student to hug me goodbye after the performance. I thanked her, but saw her turn her head to hide the tears running down her cheeks. I embraced her again and and through her tears she explained, "I am from the countryside, from a horrible childhood. My family was very poor, and I often did not have clothes to wear or even food. We lived in a terrible house that really was not even a house." She could hardly completer her sentences. "I know the greatest thing you give, you give hope. Tonight you have helped me understand that I too can give the gift of hope."

American culture is built on hope; with hard work anybody has a chance at greatness, paupers can become millionaires, people without education can teach themselves to read by fireside and change the nation (President Lincoln). One of the greatest privileges of our country, the land of "opportunity", is the abundance of hope.

The students prepared their questions in advance. They were cheerful, open and inquisitive about many aspects of non-profit work. It did not take long before the proverbial question was asked, "why do you do this type of work." From then on the discussion was centered on faith in the Living God. The Truth, the Light, the Hope and great love of God was proclaimed boldly to the eager, listening audience.

As we were heading back to the hotel after the performance discussing the many thoughtful and provocative questions of the students, D commented in an atheist society, when God's love is shown people respond.

The harvest is ripe, pray for more workers! And keep up your prayers for this one.

Sowing seeds of love in the field smiling

Safe and Sound

It is a dreary Wednesday morning here in Jinan. After 24 hours of travel, plane rides, taxi drives and the burden of 200 pounds of "goods for services" - I arrived late last night. Sleep was fitful on the Chinese version of a mattress (closer to a floor than a bed), but I rested and now I'm ready to get started. My tiny room looks like a clown factory exploded with all the toys, trinkets, props, red wig and funny Christmas costume hanging from the doorpost.

Today will be the first University performance for around 150 freshman English majors. My friend discussed the "visitor" worked for a non-profit, but neglected (to surprise them) to tell them I am a clown. They are in for a surprise indeed!

Pray for JOY! A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

Pray for the question and answer session to open the door to the presentation of the Gospel. Pray for those who know His voice to HEAR the Truth.

Pray for health and stamina. This will be a whirlwind "tour" and I need to remain well and armed against any weapon or bacteria the enemy would try to use to slow me down.

Pray for the real meaning of Christmas to be understood among a people who have eagerly embraced the man who wears a red suit and gives gifts. Pray they understand the gift of the shed blood of the one whose birth we celebrate.

Live from the red zone

Black Friday - Red China Monday

The sun has yet to peek its blazing head over the horizon here in Dallas, Texas. I arrived early enough to the airport to miss the masses of people returning home from the holidays. At 6am the airport is already bustling and the gate agent is growing tired of saying, "no sir, we are completely full."

Approximately 24 hours from now and 15,000 miles I'll be back in red China. My mind was reeling watching three days of reports coming in from Mumbai India. Many of you asked I if I knew anyone there. I do not, but many of my contacts have friends and family who no doubt were affected by the terror.

Terror can happen anytime, anywhere. Even in a Walmart parking lot by unarmed, unwitting and enthusiastic people searching for the best bargain before they run out. For the family of the employee, hearing the news this young man had been trampled to death - was terror. Something totally unexpected and out of our ability to affect the situation.

I praise God nothing is unexpected to Him. Nothing is out of His control or dominion. We will never find an empty shelf where His mercy and love should have been.

Please pray for our hearts to turn toward the necessary not the temporary. There are millions of children not clamoring or even expecting toys, they would just like something to eat. There are mothers and fathers around the world watching their children suffer unable to do anything about it. Terror and terrible.

Open your eyes to the greatness of the God we serve - trust Him for the need. After all the Word does say' "for God so loved..."

May we love so well - we tell others
Flying serving and smiling

"So, Roll up Your Sleeves...

…put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives” 1 Peter 1:13

Today, in Texas it is a warm, sunny day with a high of 63, my sleeves are definitely rolled up, as the sweat is dripping down my forehead! December is just one week away, and I am just one week from “leaving on jet plane” to China. I was encouraged reading 1 Peter 1, especially by verse 13. I have been trying to get my mind to the necessary gear to prepare for my eighth trip to the People’s Republic of China. Over the past eight years over 10,000 University students have experienced Sunshine After Rain! We have visited the Taian Orphanage seven consecutive years, the orphanage in Jinan for the last five years, and the orphanage in Beijing the past four years, consistently ministering to the children, orphanage workers and directors. Our visit is something they look forward to each year.

Through a variety of media opportunities (televised public performances, cover stories in magazines, radio interviews and last year even a documentary) close to 3,000,000 Chinese have heard the story of the ministry, our visits and care for the orphans in their country, as well as the reason we come, to practice pure religion undefiled according to the Word of the Living God. God used the simple (a clown) to confound the wise. His message of love and hope travels beyond our days and into eternity.

We may look at the future as uncertain, but there is no uncertainty with God. His Word does NOT return to Him void. It produces a harvest, some ten fold, some hundred, some thousand fold. We have seen it in the testimony of our work in China. Pray for the BILLION fold!! Nothing is too hard for Him.

Sleeves rolled up, coat packed and smiling in His service.

CHINA - Calendar of Events

December 1
Depart USA

December 2
Arrive in Jinan

December 3
University Performance

December 4
English Corner

December 5
Grade School Performance
University Performance

December 6
Taian Orphanage

December 7
Jinan Orphanage

December 8
Home Visits

December 9
Travel to Beijing

December 10
Preparations for Orphanage

December 11
Kindergarten Performance
University Performance

December 12
Beijing Orphanage

December 13
Return to USA

Back in the US

Thank you for participating in prayer for our return back to the states. We have spent the last 12 hours slinging dirty clothes, bumping down the rutted roadways of Cap-Haitian and then trying desperately to avoid the mob of porters at the International Airport in Port au Prince. As can be expected once we arrived here in Miami our bags were the last holding us up through customs. This caused all five women and 400 lbs of luggage to run like Banshees through the maze of the airport.

Out of breath we made it to the gate only to discover a 40 minute delay! We are finally on board and bound for DFW. I will send out a final report by Monday. Thank you again for the coverage and "leverage".

Under the shadow of His wings

In the Eye of the Storm

There is a calm here in Haiti yet a flurry of activity. This morning one of our team members turned on the TV out of boredom, to stare at the snow and listen to the CNN audio. Unexpectedly, she heard "Hurricane Paloma in the Caribbean". She called our team leader and set is in motion back towards the US.

While Haiti is west of the storm - because of American's flight priority into Florida our flight might be cancelled. Here we go!

We Praise God for the "storm warning" and know we are traveling under His eye!

Flurring and smiling

Displaced

We are back on the road again toward the village hillside where the Word of God is being proclaimed. This is our final day with the children. Today the Bible station will cover the crucifixion and the Story station will be the story of the Three Trees. Each day we have built upon the Rock of truth and not the sand of passing generations deception through voodoo.

Pray for our protection when the "walls of this Haitian Jericho" fall down! Pray for the hearts of the children to understand the depth and width and height of God's love for them through the sacrifice of Christ. Pastor G has asked us to climb the mountainside above the village today to hear (and see) the vision God has given him for the village. Pray for our mountaintop experience to carry down to the valley and become God's reality in this place.

I have received many emails regarding prayer for the Nation. I praise God for a new day and His promise for all Nations to be blessed by the sons and daughters of the King.

Last night I began humming the praise song "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS and again I say rejoice". I looked up the verse translated in The Message:

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Phil 4:6-7

Around the world, we encounter people who have been "displaced" from hope by war, poverty, and disease. With the power of the Word and the strength of the Living God we are battling to bring Christ to the center, to communicate the "sense of wholeness" God brings. EVERYTHING is under His control.

"Summing it all up, friends, I'll say you'll do your best by filling your minds and meditating on things true:
God is good

Noble:
God is faithful

Reputable:
God is trustworthy

Authentic:
God has never changed

Compelling:
God tells us to Go, and make disciples of all Nations

Gracious:
God's mercy is new every morning

- the best not the worst:
Our salvation is secure

- the beautiful, not the ugly;
Our nation has been blessed with resources 90% of the world cannot begin to imagine

- things to praise, not things to curse
God is still on the throne

.... Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work YOU into His most excellent harmonies. Phil 4:8-9

Now that is something to sing about!

Rejoicing and serving

A New Day Has Dawned

Dateline November 5, in the year of our Lord 2008:

As we bumped and rocked down the rugged roads of Limbe yesterday the sun was beginning to set. In the distance out over ocean a huge white billowing thundercloud glowed with orange and yellow hues from the rays of the sinking light. I looked at the beauty but remarked "there is a huge storm coming."

Our hotel receives only one TV channel and it is only on at 7 at night. Although we knew the probabilities and the projections and had a certain degree of interest toward what was occurring across the ocean - our hearts remained focused on the Haitian children we had spent the day with.

We return to the village this morning with the hope He has given us. Yesterday, the children that attended from school had to leave. It was obvious the enemy was trying to limit our influence by dwindling the numbers. It was a bit chaotic, but everyone on the team was "flexible" and we filled in with games and limbo and chicken dancing. Those we were left with laughed, played and heard the Word of God proclaimed from the hillside where the Bible station was set up under the trees. The enemy has no dominion!

Here, from Haiti we want to encourage you across the distant shores the Kingdom is advancing! Pastor G explained how "this generation" of village children will have no heritage of "voodoo". They will have a new inheritance built on the foundational principles of God's Word. Strongholds where the enemy has been entrenched are crumbling under the mighty power of the Almighty God.

Our eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord - and His truth IS marching on!

Those of us under the authority of the King have nothing to fear. May our hearts be reminded of the Prophet Samuel, upon the appointment of Saul as King over Israel "far be it from me to sin against God and cease to pray for you."

We are praying, we are marching and WE are still on the winning side!

Fighting in His service!

On the Eve of His-Story

We arrived safely in Haiti after a brief night's sleep (up at 4:30 am) and off to the airport. The flight to Port au Prince was short (not long enough for a nap) and we arrived to sweltering heat, a blustering wind and the sun reminding us - we are in a country where the only real change in seasons involves wet or dry.

Our Haitian national was not there to meet us (stuck in traffic) but we were greeted instead by a swarm of men grabbing our bags, luggage carts and whatever else they could vie for in the process of our trying to get out of the terminal. "No, no, no we do not need your help" did little to persuade the hoard following our movements and exchanging heated Creole on who was going to get the tip out of these Americans.

Finally, we did find the Pastor's wife and she lit into the men in an equally heated exchange. An exciting way to start the campaign! People pressing forward on all sides trying to get your attention thinking - you have what they want.

Years ago on my first trip to Israel (when tourism was still at its peak) the crowds astonished me. Buses at every local - people pressing forward - I was expecting serenity at each site time for reflection and deep spiritual contemplation. When I was relating this to a friend upon my return - her perspective opened my eyes. She said "you know that is probably just what it was like for Jesus. ".

Our second flight involved a plane a bird could have taken down and we flew low enough over the green hills and vales to see the occasional herds grazing far below. It was breathtaking. Whenever I am privileged to see God's handiwork from the heights, He brings to mind the verse "what is man that you are mindful of him?".

Now we are at our hotel overlooking the sea, in relative comfort far above the impoverished streets and neighborhoods we drove through to get here. We are waiting to participate in His-story!

History may change - but His-story remains the same.

He leaves the ninety and nine to save the one that was lost.

Searching and seeking in His service

Key Battleground

Over the last few weeks I keep hearing the term "key battleground." It is used in the political arena to describe geographic locations on the United States map; these are States that could "go either way" as votes are cast; they are also called the "undecided." Campaigns have designed strategies and created commercials to persuade voters why they should make a certain choice.

Our "campaign" to Haiti begins in a few short hours. We will be flying to the political "key battleground" of Florida today, before heading on to Haiti early Monday morning. There we will encounter many "undecided."

The real "key battleground" is the souls of the lost - the hearts of men, women and children. We will definitely be campaigning for change! We want to give them an opportunity to decide on where they will spend eternity.

The apostle Paul wrote "I have become all things to all men so that some might be persuaded." This may be a poor strategy in politics - but the strategy that brings people to salvation is the same yesterday today and forever. Christ told His disciples "if I be lifted up I will draw all men to Me."

Our team will be using that strategy and claiming VICTORY in Jesus. He guarantees we are "more than conquerors", we are more than Senators or Presidents - we are servants of the King of Kings.

We are not in a race whose winner will be decided on Tuesday. We are not fighting in a "key battleground" to determine who will hold a term of office for the next four years.

There has been a call to prayer heard across the nation among Evangelicals. A call to turn our hearts towards God. Today as I embark on yet another "campaign trail" my prayer is that as Evangelicals we would pray for more than just protection for a Biblically based political view - but for the greater eternal view God desires, that people know He so loved the world He gave His only Son and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life!

Pray.

Change is Coming and a Clown is Leaving...

...the country that is – and only temporarily.

Because I’m a Texan, you know the subject matter is NOT a political statement. There are so many political emails flying through the internet inter-space, I wanted you to be aware of the critical call to prayer needed for our upcoming trip to Haiti.

The 2008 Hurricane season left Haiti devastated. Four storms in three weeks killed an estimated 700 people. Housing, crops and property were destroyed in a country considered severely impoverished. Considering the damage done to the Texas coastline from the last storm (Hurricane Ike), it is hard to imagine in a nation with few resources how recovery begins and where hope can be found. Because Ike did not affect the roadways along the northern coastal region, our plans for ministering proceed as planned.

The Message translates 2 Corinthians 4:1 like this:

Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.

Next week, I am expecting big changes! I anticipate the Holy One of Israel to make Himself known through our minds, hands and feet as we minister to 300 Haitian village children. I am know He will CHANGE HEARTS for eternity! That promise excites me and gives me hope far greater than a temporary change in Presidents or politics. Our team of 5 will conduct a three day outdoor program for children in the surrounding rural area of Limbe, Haiti. The Haitian Pastor and staff we will be working alongside, planted a church in the village, and asked for a children’s program for those who do not attend school. He described them as the “poorest of the poor”. The Word specifically states in Proverbs 21:13 what happens when we fail to listen: If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

In a time when “cries” for our nation need to be heard, please remember to heed His message and respond.

No matter who wins the United States Presidential election, the King is still on the Throne of Heaven. He is still in control, He is still seeking the lost, and He is still expecting US to fulfill the Great Commission and GO!

Going AGAIN smiling in His service.

HAITI - Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER 2
Depart DFW
Overnight in FL for morning flight

NOVEMBER 3
Flight to HAITI
Team Leadership Meeting

NOVEMBER 4-6
VBS Program with Rural Village Children

NOVEMBER 7
Tour of Area
Ministry Opportunities

NOVEMBER 8
Return to DFW

"I Still Have...

... my arms." Lt. N

The past two full days here in the Hill Country have been heart-felt, heart-changing, and heart-filled.

Families who arrived here broken in body and spirit have smiled, laughed, danced with titanium legs (or for Lt. N who lost both his legs in Iraq in May and is still waiting to be fitted) even wheelchairs.

I have seen angry hurting and confused children make new friends, giggle at silly jokes (yesterday we gave out certificates for things like the longest tongue, and blinking the fastest) and play like there was no tomorrow.

Some of the wounds are very evident. There are many amputees, and burn victims, but there are also Traumatic Brain Injuries (from IED blasts) that leave the soldiers with symptoms as varied as short and long term memory loss, to affected speech.

The first morning the Chaplain shared of one soldier who sent his wife and daughters but did not want to come because he is tragically disfigured over 97% of his body after being burned by steam in the boiler room of the ship he was serving on. His efforts (and those of his mates) saved the ship and the lives of the other men, but... his injury does cause stares he has not grown used to.

I sat with his wife and daughters (unknowingly at breakfast that morning) and his wife said "I wish my husband could be here because it is such a blessing - but... he is afraid of how people will react". While I was at the table he called and she said enough of the right things to give him the needed incentive and by dinner he had joined his family.

Tonight as the evening program was coming to an end - the parents were picking up the children from our program and allowing them to swim and splash in the pool one last time. I saw the wife of Lt. N and commented on the change I witnessed in her 11 year old daughter.

At first she stood back away from the table where I was seated, agreed she had seen a change, but added "We have changed too". By this time Lt. N had rolled inside and was playing Scrabble and laughing. She sat down, looked inside and said, "I have never seen him open up like this. But more than that I have never felt God this close. I knew He was looking out for me when He let my husband live, but here I have seen Him and His love for us."

For an hour, I listened to her story. She shared her heartbreak and her anger, and then she spoke of the first time her daughters saw their dad after his injury. "They were scared, and I was too at first. There were tubes coming out of every part of his body. My youngest (6) just stood behind me afraid she would hurt him. Then he said, "come here honey, come sit on the bed". My daughter backed further away until her daddy held his arms open wide and said "look, I don't have my legs but I still have my arms. I can still give you a big hug".

That was all it took, for the love of a father to be communicated to his child.

I have often seen that gesture (arms stretched open) to communicate the message of God's love for us by the outstretched arms of His only Son on the cross. But tonight - as I heard a wife and mother's story, I confess it took on a new dimension and depth of meaning.

The courage and sacrifice among these soldiers is humbling. The price they paid for my freedom - the freedom to share God's love and travel around the world to do so makes me even more grateful and determined to take NOTHING for granted.

There has been great sacrifice and blood shed on foreign soils through many years for our freedom. But an even greater sacrifice and precious blood shed on a cross for love.

"If that isn't love the ocean is dry, there's no stars in the sky and the eagle can't fly. If that isn't love then heaven's a myth, there's no feeling like this, if that isn't love"

God has blessed this time, God has blessed this place. God bless America and those who fight to keep us free!

In His service patriotically

Red-White No Blues

Reporting in after the soldiers arrival. One of the first families to arrive had been here in April. The two children ran up and embraced me with an arm load of love. Miss C, you're back! We are so happy to see you. They had my undivided attention being the first to register. They told me about their summer activities that included camps and kayaking and then the boring stuff like school!

When they tired of their tales and more children came they went outside to play. It wasn't long before their mother joined us (my friend S and I) on the floor and shared the saga of family life since the retreat in April. She started by saying, "you know we wouldn't have made it without the retreat. We were headed for a divorce because my husband felt his injury (double amputee)was too much of a burden on me." But he was saved that weekend and now he has the faith and trust in God to make it. Since then he has been shark diving, sky diving, skiing, white water rafting - he is becoming the man God intended him to be." She told of his fear of not "finishing" something he started because he has never been a quitter. She then went on to say they had just participated in the Army 10 mile run held in Washington DC. "I have two herniated discs" she said, "but if he was willing to walk (in his newly fitted prosthetics) I was going to be at his side. There were times we were holding hands and I felt like I was pulling him, but he finished! They left Washington DC closed down for an extra 45 minutes so we could cross the line." Then she laughed, "he did beat the one-legged man".

Many along the sidelines cheered them on and encouraged them. I immediately thought of the verse, "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Each of us has a race marked out for our lives. For the men and women here at the retreat, the race included a battle they volunteered to fight, but injuries that unexpectedly cut short their tour of "duty". Our duty (that means you) is to carry the burden and lighten the load through prayer, to share laughter or a smile, and at times to listen with the gratitude of a person who enjoys the freedom they sacrificed for. There is more than a "duty" to be served here - there is the upward high calling - sharing the hope of Christ and the eternal victory found in Him.

At the last retreat 8 soldiers claimed "Victory in Jesus". Five marriages were restored and 12 children put their lives in His hands. There are 31 families signed up, 40 children and an army of angels watching over us.

Pray for protection, for open hearts, and for the battle weary to find strength in Him.

"Some gave all, all gave some" but One gave His only Son!

In service for the service men and women.
Humbled

Debate

I don't know how the Presidential candidates did last night answering questions in the "Town Hall" forum. It is not for lack of interest - but time. I was busy packing my bags for the next adventure for the King and His advancing Kingdom!

However, for believer's in Christ there is no debate on the answer to the final question. When our life is over - did we love the Son of God and accept His redemption for our sins?

This morning I am being "deployed" down to San Antonio for the second Joni and Friends Warrior Retreat. There are over 25 families and 40 children!

The San Antonio office has done an amazing job enlisting many volunteers to help provide assistance on many levels. We have world class speakers, counselors, volunteers with a heart for service, and Bible based curriculum for the children to have an opportunity not just to learn more about a relationship with Christ, but for many a chance to trust Him for the first time with the rest of their lives.

The children of the enlisted may not see the battlefield, but they experience their own emotional war. Their parent "did the right and honorable thing" and paid a high price for that choice. The enemy has the territory of confusion and doubt to claim the lie "our God is not good, and our God does not care".

It is our honor to defeat the enemy and his lies by pouring love into these wounded hearts; the healing "balm" of God's unconditional love; to give them a picture of the victorious life and true victory to be found in His arms.

Don't forget to pray for me! That I may boldly share the love of Christ. Eight children were at the first retreat, so it will be a good chance to reconnect with them and establish a deeper a relationship. Saturday night, our team will present the Gospel and provide an opportunity for the children to make the most important decision of their lives!

This a battle of life and death - a fight to the finish. I don't know who "won" the most points in the debate, I don't know who will win the Presidential election - but I do know who wins in the end.

It is the King I serve
Smiling,

TEXAS - Calendar of Events

OCTOBER 8
Depart for Warrior Retreat

OCTOBER 9
Training and Orientation
Soldiers and Families arrive between 3-5 pm
Evening Program

OCTOBER 10
Full Day Children's Program
Family Dance-a-Thon!
Evening Program

OCTOBER 11
Full Day Children's Program
Fishing Tournament
Kayaking
Evening Program Sharing the Good News

OCTOBER 12
Nature Hike
Return to DFW area

Wrong Again!

Okay

Sometimes you just have to laugh to keep your testimony. Such is the case here in the Hyderabad Airport.

Last year when V and I were connecting through Hyderabad I was confident this being a MAJOR terminal there would be plenty for us to do at the airport - shopping, lounge, etc. When we arrived we discovered an airport smaller than Dallas' Love Field. AND we were not allowed inside until 3 hours before our after midnight flight. This left us in the company of 10,000 flies - certainly as many mosquitoes and a few women covered head to toe in Burkah's that watched curiously while we sat and applied a variety of bug-warding oils to all exposed areas we could modestly reach.

They giggled and wrinkled their noses at the smell wafting from our area of the room.

We were not happy but entertaining to others none-the-less. But...what are you going to do but be patient and wait. Much of the time I tried (vainly) to convince V of all the shopping that awaited us once the doors would allow entrance.

I was wrong (again).

When we finally did go inside (8 hours aromatically later) there was NOTHING! One kiosk selling Pringles and cookies (okay there were a few miscellaneous kitkats too - but it was slim pickins.)

I had to give the background (did I not too mention I have a lot of time on my hands) because NOW there is a state of the art 21st Century airport here in Hyderabad! When we first arrived I had to laugh at the luxury - the shopping - the restaurants - and we were only on the domestic side - my mind boggled at what lay in wait upon our departure through the International section. After all we would have 12hours in between flights.

I was wrong.

There is a down side to this new fangled fancy terminal it is about 1 hour from the city. So... To get to a hotel in between flights is a big hassle (think shopping time cut back). We arrived as scheduled - had a VERY helpful and friendly airline staff person help us collect our luggage and begin to escort us to the International side of the airport.

Wow - we passed a McDonald's and several other things that peeked our interest (come on after 8 days of rice, noodles and curry - even MickeeDee's has its allure).

At the check point we were stopped by the armed guards (typical) who proceeded to speak a battery of language that were bullets to our layover experience! Technically, our international flight leaves tomorrow (1:05am) so they were not about to allow us in TODAY!

I was wrong.

There went our VIP lounge, our shopping, our comfort et al. In spite of the best and valiant efforts of the porter, the Kingfisher manager - we were unable to get into the International side. They did however negotiate entrance back into the domestic baggage claim area where there is fewer flies and air conditioning.

We are sitting quietly now, all alone with only airport staff staring and probably wondering about our dilemma. V is doing EW business and most likely utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit not to slap me silly for convincing her to cancel our city hotel reservations (I said "think about the hassle and the luggage and the time and expense, 12 hours will go by in a flash - and anyway in that new fancy 21st century airport we actually SAW the shopping")!

Two hours down - ten to go - when you (in Central Standard Time Zone) finally awake and read this we might have gained access to the International side -

But I could be wrong.

Sitting sniffing Big Mac's and thinking of shopping...

Belated Beloved

"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw th light of day, I had holy plans for you: a prophet to the nations - that's what I had in mind." Jer 1

One week ago today I did not celebrate my birthday. Instead I was somewhere 30,000 feet above the world making my way to India. V did alert the flight crew and they did provide a First Class chocolate - but it carried no fanfare or cards or presents in the cramped confines of economy class.

When we were deciding on the choice of dates for departure V asked, "are you sure you don't mind traveling on your special day?" Obviously, I did not - and considered it a privilege to make such a small sacrifice to be in the next place God had an assigned task for me to complete.

Today was our last day of programs. We began the morning at a small village church where I actually delivered the sermon (on Isaiah 53:1-5). We had the afternoon to get our finances for the trip in order and then we made our return to Goodman Orphanage; home to 13 precious children (10 girls and 3 boys). We arrived after dark but could see the shadows of the children awaiting our arrival at the gate.

We slowly got out of the car and were met with the traditional shower of marigold petals. It was only when we were inside the gates that I saw the sign stretched across the orphanage. "Happy Birthday from Goodman Orphans".

I had to hold back the tears as all thirteen children came forward with handmade birthday cards expressing a variety of birthday wishes: "we love you" "thank you for your visit" "God bless you". And of course they sang several choruses of "Happy Birthday to You". Believe me, belated did not minimize the abundance of blessings.

The first day of our arrival, Pastor J told us they recently had taken in a small girl who was begging and picking up food out of the village streets. He sadly said, the dogs and the ravens chased her for the small amounts of sustenance she was able to collect. He said, "sisters even though we do not have the money to take in another child we could not let this happen to the girl. We had no choice but to help her." He went on to explain her mother died and her father disappeared. No one in the village would take her in so night and day she just roamed the muddy pathways in search of scraps - less than a "rag picker" for because of her age and her size she would not survive long enough to make money from what she collected.

He told us her name, but said, "you can pick a new name for her". I of course spoke up and said "you can call her C..." to which V replied "but you could also call her V...". Pastor J laughed at our contest. I then explained my name means "encourager of women" but V piped up and said "well MY name means victorious". Pastor J said "then we will call her Vicki Charlynn" and she will be a victorious encourager!" We laughed at the thought and honestly thought he was just going along with our back and forth "name calling".

But tonight after the choruses were sung and the cards presented - the other children said "and here is V... C...". A beloved child rescued from starvation, abandonment and death, shyly offering only an occasional grin. A great birthday present indeed!

In the six days of programs - we have ministered to over 1700 village men, women and children. Many heard the Gospel for the first time. The Harvest here is daunting, but the faithfulness of the workers is inspiring. We will be back (before my next birthday) to sow, to plant, and to reap along with our brothers and sisters here in the fields of India.

May God bring the increase in your lives as you participate in the great commission -to the ends of the earth.

He is on His way
And so are we

Watch

... with Me". Matt 26:40

In the mission field it is easy to develop a watchful attitude: watching for God's hand; watching for God to "show up" in the midst of certain circumstances; and I confess watching for His favor.

In an environment as contrasting to God's goodness as India's - it is difficult to "watch" FOR Him. So many other sights and sounds and smells would tell your heart there is not much "good" in so much of "this". The evidence of a fallen and broken world is everywhere: extreme poverty, children naked and uncared for, roads congested with garbage and a variety of animals foraging through the rubble.

Here, there are people considered lower than those same animals that roam freely in the streets, as I said earlier we were with them yesterday, the "rag pickers". And as Pastor Johnson explained, "no one wants anything to do with them we must have a separate church for them, for even the children understand who they are and do not want to be ridiculed by the others."

Oswald Chambers always serves and trains me well both in the field and at home. This morning's devotion was Jesus charge to His disciples "watch WITH me". Our morning program was at the newly constructed "God's Presence Prayer Temple". Each Friday Pastor J and his team assemble in the village, fast and pray all day with the people who show up with a variety of ailments and predicaments.

As I looked out at the crowd of over 300 adults gathered, I learned the difference between watching FOR Him and watching WITH Him. The sick always sought out Jesus, loved ones brought their infirm relatives, parents brought in their demon possessed children, friends brought neighbors and lowered them through rooftops - all to get to the man they heard was healing.

I watched with my Master, the faithful, the faithless, and the faith seekers hear the Gospel proclaimed. I recalled the verse where Jesus said to the sick man "your sins are forgiven" and the Pharisees balked at His boldness. He replied, what is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven or be healed?" After which He healed Him as well.

I live in a culture far removed from miracle "healings". I live in a culture that no longer chases after the Master's presence to get just a touch of His garment. I live in a culture where the "good" things are seen on every tree-lined street corner swept free of trash. I live in a culture where our constitution says "all men are created equal" - though some could argue various discriminatory claims - I have never heard of a race or class of people in America being consider lower than animals. I live in a culture where children are not running naked in the streets.

I watched WITH Jesus today, and saw the "Truth" that has set me free BUT - the "world" that binds me to disbelief. That IS the GOODNESS of our God. He redeems it all, He uses it all, He shapes it all, He controls it all, and He was and is and is to come!

We have boldly proclaimed the Good News to close to 1500 men, women and children. We have experienced the joy of the Lord and gained strength. We hold fast to this promise, "...be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much you know that your labor is not in vain."

Watching, waiting and still smiling (but itching less)

The Den and the Din

It is loud in India!

Although Machilipatnam is not a big city by any standard, even late into the night the noise of the outside traffic can be heard - various levels of horns, blaring a variety of honks and beeps and blasts.

The constant drone of the air conditioner (praise God) drowns out some decibels but it is still there. It did not silence the sound of the thunder that echoed through the city at 4:00 am.

In many ways when we return to the confines of our hotel room in between programs and then at the end of the day - I feel as though I have entered a "den" of false safety. Here there are no lions, but mosquitoes, roaches, and something (as yet to be determined) that loves the taste of my blood lurk in wait for our return.

BUT, we praise God for ALL things - the toilets we no longer manually have to flush, the air conditioning cools our overheated bodies down and dries our sweat drenched clothes equally as well (no dangerous fan incidents).

We praise God for the HUGE (I am talking bigger than a toddler) monkey that scared us to death as we left our room yesterday because it brought the blessed joy of laughter (two chicks with hands full trying hard to get the door shut while screaming and trying not to drop our inflatable "world").

We praise God we brought lots of granola bars and nuts and M&Ms for treats so the curry doesn't overwhelm our delicate digestion. We praise God for the electricity that works 90% of the time - and of course there is the satellite we can't see allowing "notes" from the field to go forth and multiply into prayers that are availing much.

We have finished the third full day of programs and have seen close to 1000 village children and adults! The "den" also reminds me of the verse in Daniel: "But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32)

Each day V records the name of the village, population, Pastor's name as well as anything else Pastor J shares (number of believers, miracle healings, etc). This afternoon, he said "this is the "Rag Pickers" village." We didn't quite understand the name or even come close to guessing the meaning, and asked for an explanation. "Rag Pickers", he said, "they are the people that dig through the trash dumps and find small items to sell that have been thrown away. Plastic or glass items, you understand "rags".

Unfortunately, we did.

The village was only a short distance from the city center and we arrived sooner than we thought. We were broken in spirit considering their circumstance but when we got out of the car the children ran to us smiling and laughing shaking our hands, saying "hello" and renewing our strength with their joy. They smiled more, laughed harder and listened with greater focus than anywhere we have been.

But whatever their lack, their hunger and thirst for the Word will be blessed!

"(they) defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME? declares the Lord?" Jeremiah 22:16

It IS going well, we know our Lord, we are proud to do "exploits" for the Kingdom is at hand, we can see it in the smiles of the people He sent us to proclaim the Good News to in India.

"...preach good tidings to the meek;...bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives...comfort all that mourn...give them beauty for ashes..." Isaiah 61:1-3

Tomorrow, we have a program at the Prayer Hall with V giving a message to the women, then on to another village in the afternoon. Keep the fervency of your prayers going forth to bring down strongholds and open the flood gates of His Spirit on this nation.

Listening and knowing He is smiling at our service

Fighting the Good Fight

"If your enemy is the King's enemy, then your battle is the King's battle"

Pastor Tommy Tenney

We have not finished the race, but we are fighting the good fight! Today was the first day of our programs. We visited two villages and saw over 200 children and close to 100 adults who came to see what the visitors had to say and give.

The Good News was shared boldly, Gospel bracelets were made by both the young and old, and prayers that "avail" much were spoken over those who came forward for blessing and healing.

Pastor J has shared amazing stories of healings in the villages and has said "sisters, I didn't think my faith was big enough for praying and expecting healing - but what kind of God do I serve if I do not believe He is able to do the things these people are praying to their clay idols for?"

I immediately thought of the father who came before Jesus asking for healing for his son. The Message translates the passage "if you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!" Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." ...the father cried, "then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" (Mark 9:22-24)

Tomorrow begins the Hindu festival for the god Ganeesh (the elephant god). All through the streets people are selling floral garlands, party favors, incense, food items, leaves and other things that will be offered to clay images of the idol. This is the god that favors businesses so the worship is big business!

Thousands of people fill the streets in anticipation of the celebration. They are looking for "something". We traveled over ten thousand miles to share the real "something". With such obvious devotion it seems a battle too big to be conquered by a small army of two American women. But...

The battle is not ours - the battle is the Lord's. "Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's." 2 Chron 20:15

Keep the intercession flowing and filling our souls with spiritual ammunition. We are feeling a bit more acclimated but the heat is debilitating, the bugs are buzzing and the food is hotter than the weather!

We praise the Living God who asks only for our hearts not garlands or offerings. We praise Him for being the God who listens and answers - and in the smallness of our faith shows Himself BIG!

Winning with a smile!

Seasons

We have arrived at our final destination Machilipatnam, all baggage (and bags under our eyes) normal and at no extra charge! We have had an afternoon nap and are preparing for dinner at the only "safe" restaurant in town.

Because of the recent cyclone season all of the fields we drove through on our two hour drive here were lush shades of green. Vicki commented on their beauty. Pastor J replied, "yes, now is the time of planting".

The farmers are back, ready to sow the seeds - for the harvest is plenty the workers are few - but we are ready!

Last night as we were driving through the dark streets of Hyderbad, with an unknown taxi driver, to a place that seemed much farther than we remembered, I made conversation to keep our minds calmed. I commented about people not equipped for the task (nothing spiritual just conversational) and Vicki rolled her eyes indicating her own feelings about not being ready for her job (Director of Orphan Ministry). I said, "look around- not many people are willing to do "this" Abraham stuff. Face it this takes faith!"

"When he was called to go out into a place... he obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Heb 11:8

We laughed, eventually arrived safe at the hotel and slept as fast as we could before having to wake up for our morning flight.

We begin our village programs first thing in the morning, and will have two programs each day. Our projection is to minister to around 50 or 60 kids per village.

Keep us prayed up EPESCIALLY for health. We had to stop at the pharmacy on the way to the hotel for allergy medicine for both of us, and V for stomach acids. The enemy does not want us at 100% - but even at 10% we are stronger than he is.

We come in the name - and we are here to "hoe some rows!" Praise God for the "bringing in of the sheaves".

Satellites working - Spirit of the Living God moving in mighty ways.

Winners and Losers

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

When my oldest son picked me up from the airport upon my return from Tanzania a mere two weeks ago, aside from the hugs, and typical "I missed yous, glad you're home safes" he asked me if I had been watching the Olympics. "Oh mom, you should have seen the 4x100 meter swimmers relay race, we beat the French!" In his excitement he went on to explain the win was by 8 100ths of a second. I can't even type that fast. "The French lost because at the very end, the French swimmer turned to look to see if he was winning."

The glance away from the goal, cost them the gold medal and history was made again for American team member Michael Phelps.

I saw the repeats of his victory speeches, and the interviews. I noted his humility on the historic precedence of winning eight medals. He replied, "I couldn't have done it without my team members." What is unique about the eight medals is they include the medals that take a TEAM to win! There can be no argument about the athletic superiority and prowess of Phelps, but without the excellence, commitment and PARTICIPATION of his teammates, the eight gold medals would not have been possible.

You might wonder "how" can I be leaving again when I barely unpacked only to repack for another journey halfway across the world. Because I have YOU in the "relay" right along with me. We are in this great adventure of love and faith together. I don't get medals for my part - only air miles, and this year we have logged in another 100,000 for the advancement of the Kingdom.

And for your questions, "aren't you tired, isn't it tough on your body, you are getting older (I will be traveling on my birthday August 31)?" The answer is "YES, YES, YES," and probably yes to many other things you may wonder about. However, when I think of 1.2 BILLION people living in India, many who have NEVER heard the name of our King, there is no way I can say "no".

I don't need to turn my head to see if we are winners in this race, or if the enemy is "hot on our heels" I know he is BUT I know we are "more than conquerors" more than world record setters, more than gold medal finalists. We are called to "run the race with endurance"

"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured ...consider Him who endured ... so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

Smiling in His service and Diving In,

"So if you'll take my hand we'll close our eyes and count to three,
and take the leap of faith
Come on lets go - I'm diving in I'm going deep in over my head I want to be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I want to go
The rivers deep the rivers wide
The rivers water is alive
So sink or swim I’m diving in"

Dive: lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman

INDIA - Calendar of Events

AUGUST 30
Depart DFW

AUGUST 31
Happy Birthday in
Hyderabad


SEPT 1
Flight to Vijyawada
Drive to Machilipatnam

SEPT 2
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

SEPT 3
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

SEPT 4
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

SEPT 5
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

SEPT 6
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

SEPT 7
AM Church Program
PM Goodman Orphanage Outreach

SEPT 8
Drive from Machilipatnam to Vijyawada
Flight to Hyderbad

SEPT 9
Arrive DFW

Psalm 96:10

"Say among the nations, the Lord reigns"

We have finished the job and this leg of the race set before us. We were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (YOU) walking the African plains with us in prayer. (Heb 12:1)

"By faith Abraham went ... not knowing where he was going."

Although we had seen a map of the Shinyanga region, and had some idea of the direction - two weeks ago we did not know where or why the Lord would take us to such a place, but by faith we went. (Heb:11:8)

We did not raise all the money needed for the trip or the costs of the Bibles, but like the commercial says "for everything else there is Mastercard." (Phil 4:10-19)

And as far as the "priceless" things we witnessed:

Katome villagers who have practiced sacrificial killing of elderly women - holding their first Bibles (Heb 4:12-13)

Those same villagers standing and reading the Word of God out loud with pride and honor at the gift they have been given (Eph 5:19-20)

Two Muslim men in the village asking for a Bible school and a church to be built to teach the children the "light". (John 1:4)

The tribal leader taking copious notes for one of the victims accused of witchcraft (because she is illiterate) so her daughter can read them to her and teach her whole family (Deut 6:7)

Village women bringing in a "thanksgiving" offering of peanuts and 5 gallons of honey for us to enjoy the sweet, savor and remember we "tasted" the Lord was good to us in every way (2 Cor 8:2-5)

Villagers and women in attendance at the conference in Mwanza chanting the same song "Unity" reminding us we are ONE in the body of Christ and when one suffers we all suffer! (1 Cor 12:26-27)

Naama, the late Bishop's widow who traveled with us transform from a bereaved woman who had not left her house in 9 months, to one filled with joy and new purpose speaking out to the villagers and the women of her husband's church showing strength that clearly came from God (Psalm 30:11-12)

The driver Exhoud, (whose pig had just had a litter that we were able to purchase two piglets from to help the Bishop's widow) agree to the task at Debi's exhortation to teach the young son how to raise the pigs and help his family (James 1:27)

Rev Sabina Lumwe, on the last day stand for women's rights in the Diocese in speaking with the Associate Bishop on the work women CAN do and are often the only one's willing to do (using us as an example of two years of prayer) (James 2:22-23)

Mama Shangwe, whose significant role in the region does not keep her from humbly serving as her church secretary or an escort and agent to 4 sometimes "needy" American women (Eph 6:7)

And my three team members who laughed through the long and dusty roads of Africa, uttered not one complaint after two meals a day of rice and beans, shivered under cold showers or NO showers, used handy wipes as a luxury item, wiped each others feet off at the end of a long battle filled day, and prayed the strongholds of the enemy down! (Eph 6:12-13)

These things ARE priceless. However you have participated in this LIFE SAVING and LIFE GIVING mission - may God bless you. 2 Cor 9:6-15

"The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice." Psalm 97:1

From the home shores of American - I can still hear the echoes "rising from the African plains". The sound of the redeemed!

Smiling - still praising

He Saw that it was Good

"And on the seventh day He rested"

It was truly a Sabbath day for us. We enjoyed a day of leisure that allowed us plenty of time to pack and ready ourselves for the return home tomorrow.

Last night at dinner Sabina asked the main kitchen worker (Lucy) if she and the others would like to participate in "church" with us and allow us to pray for her and her family. She was touched. I am not sure how many of those who receive their hospitality actually extend it back to them.

We told her we planned to dance - she laughed at the thought (come on you are probably laughing too). Deb asked what would be appropriate attire for our impromptu service, I advised "this will not be a "King David dance" you must wear underwear!"

Lucy and Sabina broke out with peals of laughter. It was a great representation of the verse "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine".

We shared funny stories of past trips and laughed well past the usual signal for bedtime (swarming mosquitoes). A good beginning to the end.

And this morning we WORSHIPPED!

They are a bit embarrassed of their English but they sang along with us, and of course when we cranked up "He Reigns" they danced!

We made up typical "white chicks who can't dance" hand movements (to fake everybody out) but nothing could compare to the voices in unison singing "Glory, glory, hallelujah".

It is words every "tribe and every nation" understand.

"God saw that it was good - and it was morning and evening" of the last day.

We turned in earlier than usual (but still after the swarms arrived) and approached our separate adjoining rooms laughing while trying to dodge the flying menaces hovering around the fluorescents beams at the doors. We were having a contest over who could unlock, open just the smallest crack and squeeze through without any added (face it they are waiting for our return inside our domain) minion mosquitoes making it in.

Giggling like school girls, we began shouting through the open windows at each other: "goodnight Deb" "goodnight Debi" "goodnight Iesha" I said "goodnight John Boy" and they said good night to me with their laughter.

And for someone who is "smiling in His service" there is no better way or bigger compliment to end any day!

"A cheerful heart has a continual feast"

Pray for rest tonight and good connections tomorrow. We will leave Mwanza at 8am Monday morning Central Standard Time and arrive at 1:15pm on Tuesday. A long long way but worth every mile.

Just think how far He traveled for us!

Face to Face

For the past ten days, each morning our team begins singing praise songs, followed by a time of prayer. Before we left for Tanzania I looked at the schedule and prayed for appropriate "soul" songs to set our hearts in motion for the tasks prepared for the day. Of course when we arrived - our schedule changed: the best laid plans and playlists of mice and clowns!

However, in God's providence the praises we have offered have still prepared us and readied our spirits for the path He picked.

Today, originally would have been a "rest" day, instead it was the last day of the conference and the conclusion of our participation in what God was/is/ and will continue to do here in Mwanza.

One of our morning offerings was "Be Still and Know". With all we have seen, all we have heard, all we have driven by that has gone unnoticed it produced a certain consciousness: "be still and know that He is God, be still and know that He is faithful..."

When I tell you there a thousand sights and situations that confront your faith here in Africa I am not making an overstatement.

"For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then..." 1 Cor 13:12 KJV

The dirt and stone filled road leading to the compound where we are staying passes by a few mud huts. Each morning we wave to the naked children running around and the mothers washing or preparing the days meals while roosters and chickens are scattered by the noise of our van. But just before we reach the main road there is a plot of dark charcoal colored land where there are always people digging. Most are children which originally made us think they were playing. But one day when I saw clearly what they were doing I was shocked. I confirmed with Sabina what my eyes could not believe; they were digging through an old dump site for broken glass.

"Through a glass darkly..."

In Oswald Chambers study on Job, he states essentially when we are confronted with the tragedy of life we immediately think God where are you? When in actuality we have come face to face with Him and He takes full responsibility. It is the great tragedy of sin that created the need for the horrific sacrificial death on the Cross by the Son of God.

We don't understand the why of so many things. We couldn't fathom why elderly women were hacked to death, buried and buried alive for superstitious practices - but the Tanzanians could not understand why it is legal for pregnancies to be terminated in the United States with such frequency either.

There are things on this earth we simply cannot comprehend or explain. These children are not "recyclying to go green", if they do not collect enough shards of glass they go hungry, they go thirsty, and they stay naked.

"Be still and know that He is faithful, consider all that He has done."

We rejoiced seeing demons flee in the village - but Jesus told His disciples the thing to rejoice over was their own salvation (Luke 10:20).

He intercedes in our weak and feeble attempts to understand what there are no human words to pray (Rom 8:26) He equipped us through your faithfulness (Eph 6:18-19) He gave us this mission (2 Tim 1:9) before any of us was born. He trusted us to see His-story at a history making time.

And now we wait - like patient farmers for the Lord to bring the rain, to provide the sunshine and raise up more worker's for the Harvest that is sure to come.

"We have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:

Trust steadily in God, (even when you see children digging through broken glass, babies starving, and AIDS victims shunned)

hope unswervingly, (along every path and road He leads you on even if it takes you to the valley of the shadow of death)

love extravagantly (show the people He puts in your path you trust Him enough to solve the problems of the world through what was done on the Cross, travel ten thousand miles at great personal expense to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth).

And the best of the three is love." 1 Cor 13:13 The Message

The best we have accomplished without question and with a smile

08-08-08

Today was an historical day! I don't speak of the Olympic Games in China - although I am sure the fanfare surrounding the opening ceremonies was impressive. Here in the city of Mwanza, there may be some households with televisions, but there was no mention of the competition.

Although I am not a big sports enthusiast I do admire the dedication to physical achievement it takes to become a participant in the global event. Individual superiority is awarded, but it also represents a national pride - being the best in your country. At the end of the day, one of the tallies is how many of each medal (gold, silver, or bronze) each country has won.

What fascinates as well as saddens me, is winners and losers are separated by tenths of one hundreds of a second! Which is less time than it actually took me to write that sentence. Just one breath or less - faster or slower determines the outcome of the race.

WOW

Can you imagine in a race with 20 participants the first place and last place may only be a few seconds a part?

in Tanzania they may not take note of Olympics, but we are training athletic evangelists. Women ready to run the race with endurance. And the life they have to endure illustrates God has already prepared them for the marathon it will take to bring the country out of the darkness into the light. These are not sprinters - they are in it for the long obedience in the same direction. Their hardships have humbled us, their hearts have given us new courage, and their faith and willingness to serve the Lord without an "agenda" provides a conviction for our own "service".

To start the conference, the Bishop of the Diocese spoke the words of Jesus to Peter "feed my sheep". He admonished the women to feed those around them hungry for the Word of God. He then turned to our team and said, "I like the name of this ministry Sunshine After Rain. We have much "rain" here in Africa: poverty, AIDS, alcoholism, killing of old women and now Albinos. But I feel now with this conference you will usher in the sunshine. God bless you for coming."

There is only one other time in history the date could have been recorded as it was today - a thousand years ago on August 8, 1008. I told the women this as well as the Hebrew significance of the number 8 equaling "new beginnings". There were 8 people saved in the flood - I smiled and said "so you see we are all relatives!" I continued and encouraged them to look at this date as the start of a "new beginning" in their life, their ministry and their country.

"Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

Tomorrow we will conclude with Bible training, forgiveness and taking action in the community with a Christ-like response. Our original plan was to give the participants new Bibles, but since all of these women have a Bible - we will have them pray over their Bibles as an offering to another village where the tribal killing is being done and there is NO WORD of God there. Sabina and Mama Shangwe said this will be a great honor to allow them to give this gift.

Pray for listening hearts; seeds planted deeply to bear a great harvest. We are on the home stretch - we are passing the "baton" in our relay race - and we are guaranteed the winners of the gold medal (Revelation reveals the race is rigged in our favor all along)!

"Everyone runs, one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got." 1 Cor 9:24-26

Not one tenth of one hundredths of a second late in His will

Which of course makes me smile!

He Reigns

"It's the sound of the redeemed rising from the African plains"

Today during 7+ hour drive back to Mwanza I was able to pass the time Blackberry in hand and answer YOUR emails. It amazed me as I looked out over the savannah where thousands of sheep and cattle were grazing - electric wires crisscrossing the road and me, sitting in a moving vehicle connecting to a distant satellite seemingly out in the middle of NOWHERE!

The song we have opened our meetings with (I know it is a funny thought to think of us hooked up with iPod and battery operated speakers shouting from the depths of our souls - and not necessarily on key) in a 20x20 room with murderers, Muslims, thieves, pagans and in a virtual darkness, kept running through my head "all God's children singing Glory, Glory hallelujah He reigns".

As we prepared to leave our hotel this morning, I heard shouting and a great commotion not far enough away to be comfortable. My PTSD (post traumatic stress) kicked into high gear and I turned and asked Sabina what was happening. She looked pale (for an African) and said "not to worry it is just school children." Their cell phones were ringing, and they told us just to be patient and wait.

We did not notice the gates of the hotel compound had been closed and locked.

We had coffee, waited and in the distance heard the noise. After 15 or so minutes the driver returned and we were on our way. Two hours down the road when we stopped for lunch - Sabina leaned in and told me "you know that was not the noise of school children earlier? A riot had broken out after someone caught a thief - but the police were nearby and things were fine after some time."

I knew exactly what she meant. In my many visits to Ghana, my friends have explained when a thief is caught they are usually beaten to death or tied to a rubber vehicle tire and set on fire. Sabina assured me this had not happened as the police were able to intervene and save the life of the man.

This is the reality in Africa: justice sought with immediacy, revenge taken, answers demanded for the unanswerable (the death of a child, unfruitful crops, etc) and from the village we just left - elderly women murdered for superstitious beliefs.

This is the reality of God: He reigns!

We left the villagers with the challenge to be the answer to another person or villages prayers. We gave testimony God has seen what is happening here and we are His answer to the prayers. I asked "when will you answer the prayer of neighboring villages that do not have the Word?". We asked who would become the evangelist - they all raised their hands.

"It's the sound of the redeemed rising from the African plains"

There is still much work to be done and much fallow ground to be plowed to make ready for the seeds.

The last thing we did before we left the villagers was to provide low-cost mosquito nets. They clamored to purchase them ($1 instead of $4) and walked away with their Bibles in their hands and their "covering" under their arms.

Your prayers have covered and kept us. Please do not forget to continue to "cover" them. The only thing that breaks the yoke of the enemy is the freedom found in Christ. We gave them the tools, planted the seeds, beseech the Father to bring the rain.

You know He will - because He reigns!

And then there is always "sunshine After Rain"!

Pray for the start of the Women's Conference tomorrow.

Pray for our strength to return and our lungs to clear.

Pray and then pray!

No umbrella needed for His reign.

Sometimes a Shepherd

It is 7 o'clock here in the village - do you know what that means? Outside we hear the generator engine begin cranking up to provide us with our few hours of electricity. It is one of our few guilty excitements as we sit in virtual darkness when the sun sets. We start looking at the clock and counting down - 6:57, 6:58, and when 7:00 comes and no lights the exclamations can be heard across the courtyard.

We are strangers in a strange land, and in our total American skin, at the end of the day covered from head to toe with the red dirt of Africa we praise God for Wet Wipes and deodorant.

After a tangle free night, we were all ready to begin the last day of our village work. The car started with no problem and we were off to another "upward high calling" across the African plains.

All the participants were waiting eagerly in the building. We began by passing out the Bibles. When we asked them if this was their first Bible the majority of them raised their hands and clapped for joy. Deb spent time teaching an overview of the Bible and giving many verses for them to write down to look up for help with daily life. At the conclusion, their questions indicated they had a clear understanding of the presentation and were hungry for more.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled". Mat 5:6

It was amazing to hear their questions, to see them look through their first Bible to find chapters and verses, and to see testimony of the verse: "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.".

In the darkness of the room there was the electric feeling of the Spirit of Truth breaking through the darkness.

I presented the Gospel before Iesha spoke on forgiveness and gave them verses to write down and showed them the "Lord's prayer". We broke for lunch leaving them sitting pouring over the Word. When we returned they were still looking through the Word, sharing verses and sitting together in small huddles like they were part of an ongoing Bible study.

We cried.

When we began the seminar again, one of the older Muslim men said "we need a Bible school to teach our children.". Another Muslim man asked for a Bible for his wife, and told the Pastor when the church is built he will be there.

Debi concluded the day with Love. How we should respond to one another followed by Advocacy - how a community should respond using Mat 25:34-45. To our amazement one by one the participants stood and read 2 verses a piece WITHOUT even being prompted to do so. They took pride in the reading of the Word they had been given.

Now I am beginning to feel a bit like the Apostle John who concluded : and there are many other things which Jesus did, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books (or email). John 21:25

The Pastor prayed at the close and asked the people to pray believing God would hear them and answer their prayers. The Pastor prayed with force and conviction, and we could hear various voices echoing and after a few minutes one woman starting screaming out "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" it was one of the few true "deliverances" I have witnessed. She was thrashing and screaming and the Pastor went and laid the Bible on her head and there was silence.

Enemy defeated.

The nation of Israel had the King they asked for (Saul) they had a significant army and yet they stood by and let a giant blaspheme the Name of the Living God afraid to move forward. God sent a shepherd to feed his brothers and wound up using him to knock the enemy down with a stone and behead Goliath with his own weapon.

As our team was debriefing I said "we cut the head off the Giant today". "You think?" They replied and as Deb had given the villagers the illustration of holding their Bibles up in their hands and saying "swords up" I confirmed her instruction "swords up - God's Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. The Word is now in the village - satan has lost his dominion."

As we were saying our farewell's the village women came in chanting the word "upendo" (love) and laying before us a huge sack of peanuts and a 5 gallon jug of honey - we wept at the "widows mite". For we have given out of our "plenty" - plenty of Bibles in our homes, opportunities to teach and be taught, food on our table each night, electricity to run every modern gadget and entertainment device, water clean enough to drink straight from the tap, and the ability to bathe with hot water and bubbles if we should so choose. These gave out of their poverty and yet through the Word they were made rich today.

Sometimes God sends a shepherd, and sometimes He sends 4 American women willing to go without showers, electricity, running water, or other modern conveniences for a few short days to witness the "captives" set free!

"The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want, He made us lie down in the dark nights of Africa, He lead us without running water, He restored our souls through your prayers.

He lead us in the path of righteousness to teach for His Name's sake. And yea, though we walked through the village of the shadow of death - we feared no evil, for we knew He was with us, His presence was present and comforted us.

He prepared a table before us in the presence of murderers and thieves, He anointed and appointed us for this time and this place. Our cup ran over with the sweet treasure of honey from the poor.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow us on the 7+ hour journey to Mwanza tomorrow, and we will be once again in the house of the Lord forever.

Smiling Amen

Darkness Meets Light

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.". Matthew 5:16

Yesterday, as we were making the long drive to Shinyanga, Mama Shangwe and Sabina both kept saying "we must get there before dark, otherwise people will see you (white women) and all this luggage on the roof of the car and it will bring danger.

Swerving around the potholes created a slow down - but as soon as the road was passable again they would encourage the driver to speed up. This did not make us feel particularly at ease considering where were going there is virtually no place to hide - or "blend in".

We did arrive before dark (barely) got settled into the rooms only to discover we had no electricity and the sun was sinking fast. Our minds were put at ease when Sabina told us the generator would come on when it was completely dark.

Here when I tell you it is dark- I mean it is DARK! It is VOID of all light. When the generator turns off after 3 hours there are no street lights shining in, no ambient light from TV screens or computer monitors to keep the blackness from being total.

This presents a problem (again after the day's two liters of water) sometime in the middle of night. We are sharing rooms here, so when one person wakes to nature's call usually the other one wakes after hearing the toe-stumping "oh" or as happened last night Debi entangled by the decorative hippie beads separating the bedroom from the toilet. Just as she thought she was heading in the right direction, the beads turned her back towards the bedroom. Listening through my slumber to her torture I realized I had the "light" (flashlight that is) and switched it on to show her the clear path.

What a difference a little light makes! It was a great metaphor to begin our work in the village.

I asked Mama Shangwe the size of the village (assuming perhaps 100 families) she told me there were many more than that - I inquired why do you call it a village - to which she replied "you will see, they have no running water, no electricity nothing really for themselves. ".

And see we did:

Wide dirt roads for the burro-pulled carts to pass down, mud huts on both sides, hundreds of children running to see the "car" coming and people curiously watching from their doorways and places of business.

After a bit of difficulty finding our place of meeting (the village tribal council building) we arrived. The 50+ attendees were inside waiting (in the dark). The small bit of light that came through was soon further diminished by children and onlookers standing blocking the doorway and windows. Although the room was a mere 20x20 it was hard to see the black faces other than those on the front row.

We made our introductions and Deb began the conference speaking on fear. She shared openly and vulnerably which engaged the crowd almost immediately. It surprised us the people were ready to listen to learn and to dialogue with us on what was happening in the village.

When we took comments and questions one Muslim man stood and said "you have brought light, after today we will follow your light." We were blown away!

The rest of the day went far better than we could have imagined. During the break one woman came to show the scars left by the attack she endured from her brother who accused her of bewitching him. We went to a small back room for privacy and she dropped the back of her dress down to show the wounds. From the looks of the injuries, it appeared as though deep gashes of flesh has been cut out of her back and the stitching to close the wounds had not been the work of a skilled doctor. She also had a deep impression across her skull. Sabina and Mama Shangwe comforted her and listened intently as they tried to translate her story. From time to time she would wipe her eyes - the pain of the wounds still fresh emotionally and still causing physical pain as well. She told them she could not read or write, but one of her children could read the notes for her. For the rest of the days program, the village elder (a Christian man) took very detailed notes to give to her. It was a remarkable act of servitude.

We closed the day telling the attendees we were giving them Bibles in the morning they all clapped. I also told them God says He is watching over His word. Tonight I said is the last evening your home will not have a Bible - from now on whether you read it or follow it God will be watching it!

Pray against the traditional healers who were mocking us as we left telling the people we were lying to them.

Pray for the church that the Village elder has promised to give land for after we leave (a DIRECT result of this conference).

Pray for the Muslims and others who have not experienced salvation that tomorrow as the Gospel is fully and clearly presented hearts are repentant and redeemed for eternity.

Pray we continue to speak boldly against this demonic stronghold.

Pray for our protection (we are watched by an armed guard) but satan will not want to loose his grip on these people.

Praise God for Debi's upbringing at the side of her father (a mechanic) who once again REPAIRED a dead automobile! Her advice - always keep Alka Seltzer handy to clear corroded battery cables.

Praise God for His complete provision. A light has come into this part of the world. "In Him is life, and the life is the light of men" John 1:4

No electricity required!

Smiling though you can't see it in the dark

The Weight of the Wait

"For God is not slow as some would count but long suffering so that none should perish"

When we left Dallas a week ago, we had a schedule, a plan in place, presentations prepared, we were ready. And while starting the Women's conference the day after we arrived seemed like a huge challenge we were grateful we would have an opportunity to "practice" before the critical time came in the village.

God had a different schedule.

We had a few restful days, official greetings of the Diocese, a visit to the Sukoma (the tribe of the village) cultural heritage museum and a two hour presentation at the church yesterday.

Today we made the 7+ hour drive to Shinyanga region. Considering we are in Africa I can report for the most part of our 400km journey the road was good. There were short stretches where floods had washed out parts of the pavement but that is nothing in comparison to some of the highways and byways I have traveled. And here over 200 miles from anything resembling a city, somewhere flying overhead far above what the naked eye can see is a satellite transmitting this message.

I don't understand it. But there is so much more that I don't understand about the unseen that is all around us! We have been introduced like dignitaries to the various officials in the region - and yet when it comes time to make my team introductions I am quite clear - we are not here as a denomination, or a country, or people with the professional background or schooling for the situation the villagers are facing. We come in the name of the Living God - that is all we have

And yet all we need.

The wait is over. Tomorrow we will travel 12 miles of dirt paths to reach the villagers. Today, Iesha asked one of the church workers if they thought we would actually be around the men who had murdered the widows. Without hesitating he said "of course - you will meet them - they will shake your hand. "

The weight is heavy, but we have taken on the yoke of Christ and know He is carrying the "lion's share" of the load.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to pour out as in the Book of Acts like "Fire from Heaven". Jesus had the disciples "wait" in Jerusalem and perhaps that is a portion of what our "wait" in Mwanza was about.

We have no running water, only 3 hours of electricity, holes in our mosquito nets BUT

We are traveling with the King, He has come and He is conquering in the darkness with the power of His Word.

Smiling with my sling shot and a pocket full of rocks!

Strong's Strong

"Fight the good fight"

Familiar right? But tonight as Deb was trying to search for verses appropriate for her topic of "fear" she sat with one version of the Word Debi sat with the New King James, I had the Message BUT I also had the Exhaustive Strong's Concordance in the back of my KJV which comes in handy (in a way).

The three of us sat trying to look up various forms of the verse Deb thought she wanted "you know the one about enduring or something like that?". Debi furiously flipped to the ending of Paul's letters and I hit the Strong's (strongly of course). We would find a reasonable one "maybe that is it" Deb would say, "but I think it is the one with the athlete". Off again, it was Bible 101 in the room until she was finally satisfied the verse picked was what she was thinking.

I admit all the "versions" can throw us as we search for what the Lord is aiming at - but sometimes I believe He enjoys our digging in and searching for wisdom as a treasure!

Today, we worshiped in one of the Diocese churches with about 400 in attendance. We gave greetings from YOU their brothers and sisters in America who are praying for them. Then we SANG our song "He Reigns". It might not have been the greatest rendition - our voices cracked, the sound system gave "feedback" but our hips moved (not too much for you Baptist) and our hands were raised - I guess you could say it was a Bapti-costal performance. The congregation loved it got up and danced and whistled and joined in the Hallelujah's.

"All God's children singing glory glory, hallelujah He reigns!"

After the service we ate lunch and then conducted a leadership conference for over 30 women and men Pastors and lay church workers. They gave us warm feedback and were moved we would come so far to help the people in the village.

Tomorrow we will make the 7+ hour drive to the village to begin the conference on Tuesday.

Please continue to pray for our health, traveling mercies, and the flood gates of heaven to rain down on the souls of the villagers.

Pray the God of all comfort gives us the ability to comfort those who we will meet that have been victims of horrible crimes. Pray for wisdom on sharing the truth, and pray for courage.

We are listening to God's words to Joshua "be strong and courageous, I will be with you wherever you go". BUT we need the covering of your prayers on our behalf, they need your stronghold crushing intercession so they may experience Freedom in Christ.

We are strong in the power of His Word, and for those verses we can't remember where they are - well we've got "Strong's".

Ready with beautiful feet.

Covering

For those of you who have never slept under a mosquito net let me take a few minutes to describe the feeling: knowing there are potentially deadly malaria infested mosquitoes buzzing around in the night quickly inspires you to take down the thin swinging apparatus hanging over your bed and carefully tuck down ever corner. For a moment the envelope of mesh makes me feel like a princess guarded in a cocoon of safety. That is until I hear the inevitable "zzzz" sound of a friend inside the secured boundaries - then after a panicked moment waiting for it to land (so I can put myself out of the tortuous fear of a blood sucking bug attacking at will during the night - I say what we should all say first in any scary situation - "with God as my Savior what have I to fear? Go ahead you minion of the enemy out to disturb me - drink the blood of royalty and DIE!". Well, I don't say it that nice ;o) but you get the picture.

Here in Africa, mosquito nets literally mean life or death. I listened to Bono giving a speech on hearing about the number of deaths by malaria here (surpasses that of HIV/AIDS) and he said "you mean to tell me all it would take to save lives is a $2 mosquito net?"

Intercession is often referred to as "prayer covering". You might think as far removed from this situation as you are - there is not much importance in what you are doing to influence the critical nature of this mission. But as I read your encouragements and prayers I feel "covered". Our team is strengthened and when we do hear some annoying "buzz" from the enemy - we are armed with your supply of ammunition to shout out like the shepherd David to the mighty Goliath "I come in the name of the Lord of hosts... and all the assembly will know the Lord saves not with spear and sword: for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands". 1 Sam 17:45-47

In the middle of the night when nature calls after 2 liters of water - getting out from under the "covering" can be challenging in the dark. What begins as a sanctuary soon becomes a trap! You are fighting with what feels like a giant spider web.

But once out and over (no double entendre intended) one is quick to seek the safety, and in darkness cover up completely for continued rest.

The disciples tried to cast out a demon and were unsuccessful in the ninth chapter of Mark. The father then took his tortured son to Jesus who quickly cast out the spirits and the boy was at peace. The disciples were confused having previously seen success in casting out demons. Jesus explained:

"This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29

We might have had our share of "success" stories in the field, and witnessed the hand of God on many occasions - but the Father impressed this verse upon me for the task at hand.

YOU are our pray-ers! This enemy stronghold will NOT come down without YOUR faithfulness.

HE is asking you to do your part to help cast out the demonic influence of the village that is murdering the innocent under superstitious influence.

The mosquito net is working to guard us physically, the intercession is covering us spiritually, the battle is the Lord's.

He is faithful to hear and mighty to save!

Covered and smiling,

Velveeta

Be ready in season and out... 2 Tim 4:2

Outside the crickets are singing and inside the iPod is tuned to my "Surrender" playlist. The wild dogs surrounding the compound have yet to begin their cacophony of aggression so peace is present in the dark African night.

What was scheduled to be the first day of the conference actually turned into a day of preparation and rest (much needed). We were able to sing praises out loud this morning and even dance (who says Americans can't rustle up some rhythm) as we sang out loudly the song "He Reigns" which starts with the words "from the sounds of the African plains" and conclude in the chorus (this brought the Baptist to dancing) "all God's children singing glory glory He reigns".

What a treasured moment of His provision. He was definitely inhabiting our praise - the dance I'm not so sure about given our Caucasian awkwardness.

Mama Shangwe - the leader of this region (Sabina is her boss) gave us the schedule changes much to our surprise - but no surprise to God. Today we drove to Lake Victoria took a few photos, had a Coke and discussed the upcoming topics and how to address the situation we will face in the village. Sabina shared photos of horribly burned dead bodies, hacked corpses of elderly victims, a young woman whose brother had inflicted deep gashes with a machete (in an attempt to kill her) as the local Shaman said she was bewitching his possibility of gaining wealth. Hard to believe, difficult to digest and even greater still knowing the implications of the charge we have been given.

Saturday, we will travel to a see a performance troop to familiarize us with the culture of the village.

Sunday, we will address a group of widows at the church.

Monday is still our full day of travel.

Tuesday and Wednesday we will be with the villagers. They know we are coming and why.

Thursday is a full day of travel back to Mwanza.

Friday and Saturday is the Women's Conference.

Sunday we will meet with local church leaders on addressing human rights and suffering.

Because of the changes what we PLANNED to present has been modified and now God's hand is pulling the curtain further back. Sometimes this "peek-a-boo" on the projects gets a little tiring. But as I mentioned earlier in the 7/28 Oswald Chambers -it is about the process.

Here we are in the "process" I can't say it is enjoyable, or particularly comfortable - but what I can say is "cheese". Smiling at the eternal picture. Like the great American standard Velveeta - our presented material and our hearts are being processed to last through eternity. I'm not sure Velveeta will be in heaven but today it served a good purpose for the illustration. There are things you might not consider gourmet or even that palatable, but in a pinch - shelf life counts! His Word is never failing, His character unchanging and His mercy is new everyday.

Keep praying, keep processing and smile (say cheese) for you are in this service with us!

Are You the One?

The disciples of John the Baptist were sent to Jesus to ask that very question. John was imprisoned, facing the loss of his life and the promised Messiah was out there. In such personal dire circumstances, I can imagine he wanted to know the answer.

As John paved the way as the prophet Isaiah had predicted he probably was not asking for possible release or affecting his own personal situation. It could have been to understand the answer of the final hope "are YOU the one to change the world?"

Today as we drove to the compound Sabina was telling how she has been here in Mwanza "like John". I asked if she has taken up eating locust - she smiled and replied "no, I have prepared the way for your coming."

I immediately thought of the answer Jesus gave in Luke 7:22 and wondered at the wonderment of God bringing four women half way around the world - are WE the one's to change this "world"?

After a wonderful afternoon jet lag nap we were joined at dinner by a group from Iowa here doing work at the compound hospital. There are two eye doctors and a medical doctor to care for the village people who can come for treatment. We told them what brought us here and they shared their mission. They told of their trials (ALL their medical equipment is in a container in the port of Mombasa because of a strike) and their sucesses in spite of the limits.

The surgeon related of a man who came in with cataracts covering both eyes completely blinding him. "He arrived with a cane and left dancing with his new found sight". I said "the blind see - prophecies are been answered." As a physician he didn't exhibit quite the enthusiasm, but smiled and said "yeah, I guess you're right."

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light". Isaiah 9:2

Are we the one's?

You can bet on it. The Lord is revealing His glory, His power, His presence and we are rejoicing!

The Light has come and we are walking in it - we are going with His authority - keep up the prayer cranked power supply - this is Son Energy indeed.

Tomorrow we will have a day of preparation as our schedule has been modified for the conference days and the days in the village. I will update the schedule tomorrow to enable you to walk with us, pray with us, praise with us as His Truth goes marching on!

Please feel free to send notes and prayers of encouragement to all the team members. We are sharing your love and greetings with our brothers and sisters here in Mwanza and they are being strengthened by you care for them. (See Colossians 1:9-14)

Soon snoozing but still smiling in His service

The Journey Begins

Good morning ready soldiers!

We are all about to take an afternoon nap after a delicious lunch topped off with the sweetest pineapple any of us have ever tasted.

Already (even without the pineapple) we have tasted and seen the goodness of our God.

We got an early start off to the airport escorted by our blessed friend Ms Hyera - her kindness and hospitality are true testimony of the "oneness" experienced by believer's around the world. During our short flight from the capital to Mwanza we saw some British men rush to one side of the plane with their cameras. I asked what they were doing and with the unmistakable accent and enthusiasm of mountaineers they replied "it's the top of Kilimanjaro!".

Breathtaking to see the summit rising to a level breaking through the clouds at 35,000 feet.

We were greeted warmly by our dear sister Sabina and the leader here in Mwanza Mama Shangwe. We decided it was okay to call her Mama too as she ranks the eldest in our group. We now are all referred to as DaDa (sister). We had a short tour of the Diocese offices and made our way through town past Lake Victoria. We are staying at the diocese compound which will be our home until Monday when we leave for the village.

Our schedule has been modified but will give us a day of rest to prepare for all the Lord has in store.

Keep praying for hearts to be opened to the Spirit who has gone before preparing the way.

Outside the roosters are crowing - but it may be just dinner ?! I will share more later as we have satellites circling keeping YOU in the loop, and the troops ready for action.

Good morning smiling

Midnight at the Oasis

Here it is 8 am and we find ourselves at the airport in plenty of time standing guard over our 400 lbs of luggage. The Lord gave His servants rest and we were humbled by our friend Ms. Hyera who met us at the airport and escorted us back. Please pray we do not get charged for the domestic leg on our suitcases. So far it has been good. We are a little apprehensive seeing the conference begins tomorrow - but our God is Mighty to serve and to save!

The people here have greeted us with kindness and sincerity at our coming and this is only the first day.

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness on them a light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy, they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest as they are glad when they divide the spoil." Isaiah 9:2-3

Beseech the Lord of our Harvest

Plowing on

Mixed Soup

We arrived a bit weary from our first 10 flight hour and to Amsterdam waiting among a multicultural cross section of the world. Arabs, Africans, Germans, Dutch, Germans and blend of skin colors and clothing that dazzles the eyes.

We are excited, anxious, but ALL feel the weight of carrying the full armor of God.

Oh that Paul could have had this technology but we have been have been the chosen to carry the message back and forth at light speed across the world.

Treasure this time as the beginning of the process. .Monday's Oswald Chambers was particularly fitting for the start of our trip. We must ""see Him walking on the water" in the midst of our storm. I can see no ocean or body of water - but His face is was I the brilliant red sunrise braking across the Western European sky.

He has gone before us and He has risen indeed!

Pray us down to Africa.

Onward and upward

"You Never Know Why You're Alive..."

"until you know what you would die for."
"I Would Die for You" Lyrics by MercyMe

If you are not familiar with the mission motivating song "I Would Die For You", the line from the chorus may stir your spirit. It ignites mine! Granted, they frighten me as well, given the experiences I have had in the mission field. I will never forget the very dark night in China after my friend had been deliberately targeted and run down by an automobile that I asked (okay yelled) at the Father "why?" to which the Spirit replied, "you are willing to die - but you are not willing to see someone you care about hurt for My Name's Sake?"

When I travel down mountain roads in third worlds at a rate of speed that causes my heart to race faster than the dangerous wheels that are carrying me - I calm myself with the joke, "I AM willing to die Lord, but maimed we are going to have to discuss." Frequently heavenward negotiations are involved when danger or fear erupts in our hearts. Real or imagined - we really don't want to suffer, experience pain or be out of control of any given situation.

In 2000, after a particularly emotional mission trip in war torn Bosnia , I was ready to leave the mission field. But one of the members of the team, upon hearing of my soul sickness recommended I read Don Richardson's "The Peace Child." It recounts his story of taking his family into Indonesia to live among a tribe of head-hunting cannibals. When he arrived with his wife and baby son, they were met by the tribesmen with war-painted bodies and spears held high. Immediately, he felt the presence of Jesus confront him and say, "Missionary, why are you here?" Peace that passes all understanding came over him as he answered, "Lord, I am here to tell them about You, and I am prepared to die to do it." From that moment on, while they were in many grave and life-threatening situations, he never doubted his mission, his call, or his God.

The baby he carried into the jungle (Steve Richardson) is now president of one of the largest mission organizations in the world (Pioneers). I had the great honor to sit next to him at a mission conference and tell him how his story kept me in the mission field, and keeps me going.

I share this bit of mission "history" to remind you part of the largeness of "His-story". There will be a day we will each have (on the other side) when someone will approach us to thank us for the life we have led, the way we faithfully followed, and how our obedience to stay the course, changed their life. Your "sending", your "praying", your "providing" is part of "His-story" in Kenya, in Ghana, in Tanzania, in India, in China, in Bosnia, in Israel, in Romania, in Finland, in Bolivia, in Sri Lanka, in Russia, in Siberia, in Cuba, in Mexico, and here on the home shores of America.

Join us in changing the history of Tanzania !

July 29th I will travel with a team of women to conduct two conferences. The first will be held in Mwanza, on the shores of Lake Victoria . This will be for women in leadership positions with a focus on the Gospel's response to human rights issues, as well as equipping them with boldness to enter their communities with the Truth. The second will be a three day conference in a remote village in the Shinyaga Region where ritual killings of elderly women accused of witchcraft take place. Below is an Internet article to give you some idea of the enemy realm we are entering into:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tanzania-suffers-rise-of-witchcraft-hysteria-517157.html

There is also a six minute video which address the horror:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWwFVfd9kY8&feature=email

In some ways, when I researched the situation, I felt the question, "Missionary why are you coming here." I felt inadequate and ill-equipped to confront head on such evil. During our village time we will be face-to-face with the men who have committed such atrocities. We will be looking into the eyes of the tribal elders and shaman (witch doctors) who order and ordained these heinous crimes. What do we a small group of white women have to say?

The Truth.

And that is all we need.

Each day, I am given new courage and boldness through the Word, and His Spirit. When the Lord told Joshua,"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) he had a great deal to be frightened of. While the situation we are entering into is one the enemy would love to evoke fear and trembling in us, we stand strong on ALL the promises of the Living God.

We will need the ammunition of intercession. We will need the effectual fervent prayers of the Saints on our behalf. We HAVE the commission of the Living God, we HAVE the provision and we HAVE the protection of the powerful shed blood of His Lamb!

Closing with conviction from "The Message"

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out....


Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.

Smiling in the Truth of His service,

"Greater is He that is with us.."
"We are more than conquerors"

TANZANIA - Calendar of Events

JULY 29

Depart DFW

JULY 30

Arrive Tanzania

Overnight in Dar es Salaam

JULY 31

Flight to Mwanza

AUGUST 1-2

Mwanza Women's Conference

AUGUST 3

Church Worship

AUGUST 4

Travel all day to Shinyanga Region

AUGUST 5-7

Village Conference in Shinyanga

AUGUST 8

Travel all day to return to Mwanza

AUGUST 9

Community Outreach

AUGUST 10

Church Worship

AUGUST 11

Depart Mwanza for USA

AUGUST 12

Arrive DFW

Mango Season

"Always be ready in season and out"

"What kind of fruit would you be?" Is always a good ice-breaker. I always pick the mango. I think my choice is not only because of the happy childhood memories it evokes, but also the fruit itself.

In the summertime, on rare occasions (because of their expense) my mother would treat herself (and us children) to a mango experience. And experience it was - because of the mess! She would carefully cut the slices (which we would eat with a fork) but when it came to the fruit left on the almond shaped seed at the heart of the fruit - it was a stand over the sink, try to hold on to the slippery golden delight, and use your teeth to scrape every last bit of the honey-peach flesh off.

It was sticky, the juice ran down our arms and the strings of the last vestiges of the delicacy stuck in our teeth, remnants and a reminder of the exotic delight we had just partaken in.

I am a mango.

Yes- fleshy, delicious with a golden heart when ripe in service of the King. If sliced correctly (a trick I didn't learn until I was an adult) most of the inside can be enjoyed without much mess. I especially relate to the weirdness of the seed's shape - I am a weirdo at heart. But if you want to have the whole experience (know the real me) it will be messy.

Much of the world I see is just that - a mess. The results of a fallen mankind reeking havoc on the innocent.

I see the "mess" poverty creates, and the ignorance ignoring it makes.

I see the "mess" of lives interrupted by broken bodies and broken spirits.

I see the "mess" of the third and fourth worlds with little social infrastructure to take care of things like trash.

I see the "mess" of the first world with few social morals and no boundaries to spare children the debasing imagery of internet pornography.

I see the mess

But I taste the mango.

I taste the redemptive power of a Creator who promised on a hillside the poor will inherit the earth.

I taste the restoration knowing in His time, we will all have new bodies fit for eternity.

I taste the removal of all the old things as He says in Revelation 21 - "behold I am making all things new - the former things are washed away."

I taste and rejoice to serve a righteous King who is on His way to judge the quick and the dead.

I taste and see -

The Lord is good!

I have eaten more mangos in the last six days than I eat in an entire Texas summer.

As I was praying through my farewell this morning, getting my thoughts before the throne on another series of "goodbyes" - I cried.

The mess and the meaning came flooding into my heart. Poverty, pain, desperation, filth, farm animals, bare feet, broken hearts, and leprosy.

In this life, in this place there are no words to explain the meaning of the mess.

As I was trying to wrap my heart and mind around it all, the Lord reminded me of the season. Mangos!

Mangos, mangos, mangos!

Everywhere I look I see baskets and baskets of mangos. I smiled, it was if the Lord was revealing the great harvest of a girl who when asked what fruit she would be - always answers, "a mango."

"And some seed yielded a harvest a Hundred fold. "

I am on my way home smiling

Are You Looking at ME?

"You must be looking at me 'cause I don't see nobody else". Robert DeNiro - The Taxi Driver

The line made famous in an oscar winning performance "are you looking at me", plays in my head each time I look out into the audience of children.

I will wave, or smile, or call them forward to help with a story and they look around at all their friends, giggle, glance back with a finger pointing towards themselves and in the language of all hearts I read it in their eyes -

"Are you looking at me?"

They are also hesitant at times, unsure of embarrassment or worse, but on occasion my glance and gesture for them to come forward is met with great excitement as they jump to join me up front.

This usually happens after they have witnessed someone else do it without harm or injury, and actually survived and had a good time.

I have seen over a thousand children's faces, another 500 or so adults over the last six days and twelve programs. I saw quite a few "are you looking at me" gestures in the crowds I performed for.

I heard their applause echo in the heavenly realms and breaks hearts in bondage to false deities, through His love and joy.

Part of the program is making "Gospel Bracelets" as a craft. I share the Good News with them beforehand and then - what can I say - chaos erupts! The lay workers make their way through the crammed in bodies of the children, while most of them are jumping up to get their beads, their strings, their "possession". They grab, they trample, they cut in front of their friends - all for some worthless beads that will in all likelihood end up lost before they make it home.

I watch (from a safe distance) in awe at the patience of the workers (well, sometimes they loose their patience and resort to yelling for silence or "be seated") while they finish their job.

To add to the pandemonium of the experience I have added a bonus of handing out prizes for those who can tell the Gospel story.

At first, some are reluctant, but once the initial kid comes forward and leaves with candy and a pencil - it is a mad rush for the stage!

Tonight, during the last performance something unique happened among the children. Spontaneous groups formed among friends and they would coach each other to be sure they could make it through the "test". It was wonderful to see them take it so seriously. AH... If we could learn an evangelism lesson from that.

I do share at the end, the enthusiasm to gain an earthly "prize" for sharing the Good News should be equally matched with enthusiasm for sharing to gain a prize collected in eternity.

Isaiah 6:8 says "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "whom shall I send". Isaiah OVERHEARD in the spiritual realm the Lord looking for those to send out to proclaim His news.

The presence of our Master is all around us. Sometimes I think are we are gathered around our church pews waiting to see the "show". The Bible certainly says many came to see the miracles. And when some new "purpose" or "prayer" is offered in a Best Selling book, we clamor like the children, grabbing at this piece of knowledge, these three steps to progress, prosperity or promotion in the ranks.

And when we've got it "down", we're looking for the "prize" of a blessing He'll pass out because we paid attention and got it right.

And when we catch the Master's glance - do we look around at our friends for affirmation or decline - "no, you go". Afraid to be "chosen" for the job?

In many of my experiences with children and orphans around the world, I will look out at the crowd and catch a glimpse of His gaze through their eyes. Sometimes it is only a flash, a deep old soul look emanating from a grinning baby, or overzealous eyes followed by wildly enthusiastic laughter.

I don't have to say to Him, "are You lookin' at me?". Because I know that He is.

And when I find myself in the audience of One, I always here His voice saying "whom shall I send, who will go for me?". You must have guessed I always answer, "here I am send me."

At 2:00 pm Thursday CST, I will begin my long journey home. It will take 24 hours to make it back halfway around the world.

It has been a joyous adventure - and a harvest ripe for the picking. I have reaped what the faithful here tirelessly sow, and I have sown what will bring a harvest for the next round of workers.

Beseech the Lord of the Harvest!

If you are looking around at your friends - STOP! He IS looking at you!
If you haven't overheard His question - be quiet and then be brave!

YOU are the workers He is raising up!

Smiling because I saw His face here and heard His voice -
He was laughing

Laughter Among the Lepers

"A cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine." Prov 17:22

The road looked familiar. This is not an easy statement to make given there are virtually NO road signs except on the highway. I marvel each day at the ability of the pastors and lay workers to instruct the driver back into the remotest of village areas. But the turn off today remained in my cerebral directions since we were here at the Leper Colony in November.

I was actually surprised because Pastor Simon indicated yesterday it was a new place. We drove down the familiar road slicing through the community and out came the children running fast to keep up with our traveling road show.

When we were here before, we only stayed for a brief period of time, dropped off medical supplies and had little contact with the people or the children, most of whom were in school.

We stopped the van and made our way to the shade of a large tree. The children quickly assembled on the ground in front of us and continued to look at me with wonder. Again, they had never seen a white person before, and found my skin and hair quite comical to look at - especially when I would turn and make a ridiculous face at them.

Laughter among the lepers.

While most of the men stayed some distance away, the women and young girls were eager to join the children and watch the show.

They giggled at my silly gestures, they gawked at the changing magical coloring book, and when one of the boys came up to tell the story with me they grinned from ear to ear. They urged him on with all silliness and snickers on display. They were just children, sitting outside on a hot summer day enjoying a show -

Except...

They were lepers.

And you would not notice it much from the look in their eyes, or the sounds in their voices this hot morning in May. But if you looked at their arms, their legs, their hands, you would see the sores that don't heal, the flesh eaten away by the disease that is eradicated in most parts of the world.

And you would quickly see it in the older women, as they took what was left of their hands to try and cover their heads from the growing heat of the summer with their scarves.

And there would be no way you could miss seeing the disease - victorious over its victim - as he hobbled on all that was left of his feet, covered with makeshift boots to steady his balance. Or as he held forth his hands and tried to accept the pencils we gave out, but failed to grasp it for all of his fingers had been claimed by what will eventually take his life as well.

They might have seen their first white person today - but until my visit here last November - I had never seen anyone like them either.

Leprosy was a disease I'd only read about in the Bible, heard of colonies in the colonial times, and generally did not think about the suffering, the stigma or the sight of what someone with leprosy would actually look like.

I could tell you so much more about what I saw. But I would rather you remember what I heard.

Laughter among the lepers!

"A cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Feasting indeed in His service!

Are We There Yet?

"The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand..."

There was enough time Sunday morning for me to enjoy a sermon (saved in English) on my iPod. It started my day with remembrance of all I have to be thankful for, and not the least of which is the technology I have access to wherever I find myself in the world.

The sermon focused on the Kingdom of Heaven being all around us; how in our waiting for the eternal heaven we often miss the one right before our eyes.

As I look around passing through the highways, byways and "no way is that a road" way here in India - I see the colorful beauty of the women's clothing. I can say I don't think I have ever seen two of the same color or style.

Even in the most remote areas, a bright display of hues greet me. Red's complimented by purples or black, pinks and turquoise, yellow and orange, lime green and white paisleys - it is always a burst of beauty on parade.

I realize THAT beauty, that array of color is part of what the pastor spoke of "the Kingdom of Heaven at hand". In an impoverished and despairing place, there is splendor. Though the villages are dirt paths between houses, and the floors without covering or carpet, somehow the bottom of the long flowing garments are never dirty! It is something that has fascinated me since my first trip here. Nothing seems to darken their beauty.

Our evening village program was an hour on the outskirts of town. As we exited the main highway, I noticed the houses began right at the edge of the roadway. But I also noticed up against the concrete embankment of the highway service road, people sat in chairs - right on the road!

It confused me until I looked back at their houses and saw the Western setting sun bearing down on their cinder block homes. At 105 outside, I couldn't imagine the heat generated in dwellings that convert to virtual ovens every summer evening.

We stopped the van and stepped down a makeshift stairway into a village of around 30 huts. The people quickly pulled out plastic chairs for us to sit down and be comfortable in the shade. There was a breeze - but combined with the heat it felt more like a blow dryer than a comfort bringer.

As the pastors went door to door calling out the children for the program, I thought about Philip going to Nathaniel and saying "come and see". (John 1:46)

Mats were placed under a shade tree away from the sun for the children to sit and enjoy the show. As I sat in my chair, out of habit (and not being accustomed to life outdoors), I looked carefully to see where to place my things (weary of bugs and things animals might have left behind or come looking for). I noticed the ants and tried to find a spot to avoid them.

The program began and women and mothers sat off to the side and enjoyed with great enthusiasm the antics on display for their children. Something caught my eye on the mats closest to the tree providing sanctuary from the sun - a flurry of ants whose bed had obviously been interrupted by the makeshift floor.

Thousands of tiny ants crawled around. I could see them dash up the clothes (to be brushed off) of the children. But closest to the hot seat of angry aphids was the village pastors wife. The sari she wore was a light pastel green - I watched in horror as the ants continued to race up and around her flowing garment.

She sat, not unaware of the ants, but only occasionally bothered to brush them off. She didn't seek to move or stand or disrupt the program in any way. She didn't utter a word.

"The Kingdom of Heaven at hand" is like the calm and gentle spirit of a godly woman unfazed by the onslaught of the ant bed she has found herself in. I was distracted but kept thinking of those words, "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". Over and over we are instructed to be unfazed by the "angry ants" in the world our life of faith disrupts. We are called to be "in" the world but not of the world.

I thought of the constant distractions that worry and distress me, things we are specifically instructed not to concern ourselves with. "Consider the lilies of the field". And yet, instead of sitting patiently at the feet of my Master at the start of my day, casually brushing aside the "ants" of emails, phone calls, bills to pay - and all else crawling ferociously around in my mind - I jump up, (in theory) hurrying to protect "my" space and get lost in the aggressive onslaught of life.

The kingdom of heaven was at hand in the village - as we left and were followed by all the children and a good portion of the adults. The main woman organizer (one of the first believers in the village) ran up beside me and grabbed me around the waist. She laughed and hugged me, burying her head on my shoulder while we walked together back to the awaiting van (Indians RARELY show this type of affection).

The kingdom of Heaven at hand sometimes with the Father showing His great pleasure in the joy of those we share His love with!

Pray for our programs Tuesday. We will be visiting a Leper colony and doing a program for over 100 of the children there. We will also meet with 25 young woman to discuss a funding a sewing program for them as no one will make clothes for lepers.

Pray also for our evening program. We will be traveling over two hours deep into the forest surrounding Nellore to minister to tribal people there. It will be a long day AND hot!

Pray as always for boldness to proclaim the Gospel and that it be understood clearly.

Sowing in the morning, sowing in the evening, smiling and rejoicing bringing in the sheaves!

Bare Feet - Naked Heart

"Put off the shoes from thy feet for the place where you are standing is Holy ground". Exodus 3:5

I confess, even though the shoes I wear are not expensive (Teva Sandals) I still am a bit hesitant to remove them and put them in the pile of footwear outside the church building I am about to enter.

I'm not quite sure if it is about my fear of losing their protection when I leave, or if I just think "I" an American should not have to do what "you" are doing?

Sunday morning before I stepped into the Lone Star Church, I couldn't help hear God's words to Moses.

Moses had just turned aside to see the burning bush, and the Bible tells us God called his name when He saw him turn. "Moses". He answered "here I am".

God always asks action on our part. We are not to passively enter into our spiritual nature. We are required to exhibit acts of faith (things not seen). If I really believe the church is a residence of the Almighty how dare I NOT remove my shoes?

There are a lot more than shoes that need to be removed - things that cloak my heart and clog my ears. I said my shoes aren't that great, sensible as some would say, but they do offer good support and protection (like many other worldly things I cling to instead of God).

As I walked barefoot up the aisle, I had to wonder what other human realm of protection and false security I needed to remove, before I could turn to see a bush on fire and yet not consumed?

Keep praying for the Harvest! We have ministered to over 800 people (which includes close to 400 village children)

Smiling and HOT - With a double meaning!

Let the Children Come

"Jesus said, "let the children come unto Me..."

One of the "tricks I engage the children with is a drawing of Jesus sitting on a rock with disciples around Him. I explain how many people followed Jesus to see and learn from Him. He was healing people and the crowds of adults kept growing larger. But I also tell them children wanted to be around Jesus. The disciples would tell them to go away (and I then make a lot of shoo-shoo's at the gathered gazing group). Then I pull up the picture and there in color surrounding Jesus are children!

Ooooh's are heard as they try and figure out where the children appeared from and how did the color come into view?

As you have read, we are traveling some distance to reach the "unreached". Pastor Benhur explained how the children's program at ONE location we did in November resulted in THREE churches being planted in the surrounding villages.

Here, first come the children, maybe a few mothers and then God raises up a church! It is such a picture of fulfillment of Christ's words, "unless you come as a child".

When the villagers see a white woman arriving they come with childlike curiosity. As they listen to the stories and hear the love of the Savior He draws them in.

I watch the older men standing on the outside of the building peering in with folded arms across their chests and questioning glares, break into smiles and open their hearts to laugh and clap as loudly as the young children inside. It is amazing to see what God is doing here among the people.

When I was planning the program the Pastor gave me an approximate number, "you will see around 1000 children.". With the help of patient friends, we sat and counted beads, cut yarn and sorted for the days ahead. But... the numbers are NEVER what you can anticipate. One village the Pastor said, "expect 30 children.". There were close to 100! I thought of the verse in Acts "the Lord was adding to their numbers daily."

Numbers are off,the heat is unbearable, sweat dampens every article of clothing I am wearing, and there are new hurdles and challenges constantly emerging.

Friday night's program was at a small church building on the outskirts of town. Not a far drive, but no electricity. This means no fan circulating air among the packed in people and no lights. As the sun goes, so goes the show!

Talking as fast as I could be translated - trying to cover all the important parts like a good Baptist preacher with a three point sermon, the dusk quickly turned to darkness.

The children were restless in the heat. Soon, I could barely distinguish the mass of chocolate faces set apart only by the whiteness of their eyes. I closed the program, they clapped and clamored to get the candy, pencils and balloons the Pastors passed out as they left.

I gathered my things, took a long drink of water and smiled as the Psalmist song (139) came into my head. "Then I said to myself, "Oh, He even sees me in the dark! At night I am immersed in the light! It's a fact, darkness isn't dark to You".

Let the little children come

I watched them as they hurried into the night to homes with no lights, no running water, and certainly no air conditioning. Although the village church was without electricity tonight - the Light it represents couldn't have shown brighter!

Pray the Light has come! Pray for the Harvest is huge. Pray for more workers for the fields.
Pray and then some!
Expecting fresh wind - and new fire! His of course

A New Name

"I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name..." Rev 2:17

The first day of ministry began early to beat the harsh heat of the midday sun. I told the Pastor it was a good thing I am from Texas where 100+ temperatures are not that uncommon. But even with a childhood spent outside drinking water from the hose and running through rotating sprinklers for fun, I was not sure what 104 degrees would be like here in the barren dusty villages of India.

After an hour on the main road we finally turned to journey another forty-five minutes "off the beaten path". The one lane road battered the car and its passengers as we negotiated through rocks, pot holes and patches of "no road" road!

There were little signs of humanity, more animals than people and no villages in site. In many ways it does look like Texas in the sweltering summer sun. Few trees and what little vegetation remains is browned by the relentless heat.

We finally made a sharp left down a pathway that would take us back to our destination. A young boy who had been standing at the turn chased behind our van and was able to keep up because we could go no faster than a mile an hour for fear of hitting a chicken, a dog, or a rut that would hold us like a troll expecting payment for passage.

More and more villagers emerged from their huts to welcome our expected arrival. As we stopped near the "church" we were already surrounded by children as well as some curious adults. Even before I asked the question during the program I knew - I was the first white person they had ever seen. The Pastors were laughing at the gazes saying "you are so white to them!"

The newly built church had no walls, but a thick thatched roof and mats to cover the floor for seating. It was filled to capacity (of the roof and the mats) with over 40 children and 25 adults.

While my appearance could have been enough of a "show" the program proved even more entertaining than they expected. The Pastor said "these tribal people have no entertainment like the city people - there are no TVs or radios or anything here to make them laugh this much.

Laughter changes people. Joy and delight bring down the strongholds of judgment (these are the poorest of the poor as the Pastor described them). It unites us by a sense of commonality, a sense of sameness and a sense of humanity.

The audience seated in the first "church" in the area truly "tasted" and saw the Lord is good.

After the tricks, the stories, the crafts, there was one more special event to take place.

Two mothers, new believers in Christ brought their babies forward to receive Christian names. Children are typically named after one of the 300 million deities worshiped and when their is a conversion they seek new names for themselves and their offspring. Something to identify them to the Living God.

The first mother held her squirming daughter as close as the child would let me get. I asked her what she wished for her future. She answered "to grow strong in faith". As I prayed asking God for a new name I said to the mother - "you should call her Esther. She was a Queen who saved her people. She came from humble beginnings but the Lord raised her up to the most important position". I then quoted the verse "for such a time as this". And encouraged the mother with God's hope.

The second young mother brought forth twin daughters barely 3 months old. The pastor asked her the same question but she was not quite sure how to answer this "stranger from a strange land".

I told her about the two most important sisters in the Bible - Leah and Rachel the mothers of God's nation of Israel. I assured her God had great and important things planned for these sisters as well.

In Revelation, the end of the letter to the church at Pergamum says "each one will receive a new name...". Today, under the thatched roof of the Lord's house, three baby girls got the first of their promised new name in Christ.

See Revelation 21:3-5

Pray for the Harvest!
Pray for the heat!
Pray for the gates of hell are coming down!

Sweating but smiling in His service

The Flip Side

"...go ye therefore to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all nations..."

I am just waking up from my morning nap - and preparing to take the 3 hour car trip up to Nellore. My Blackberry still reads Texas time and I know my friends and family there are asleep (it is almost 1:00 am).

When I was a child I would see cartoons with various characters digging holes that would wind them up in China. From where I live (if it was possible in the cartoon world) I would have wound up in India directly half way around the world.

I could not have imagined digging my way here anymore than I could have imagined sharing the Gospel here. God has His plans and His hand upon our lives from birth - that's why I though to call this the "flip side".

God, the Master chef watching the batter of your life bubble until you are ready to be "flipped". Ready to have the sweet syrup of His Spirit poured over you so that someone else may "taste and see that the Lord is good".

There are a billion hungry souls here waiting to have a taste of the true and living God.

Tomorrow our programs begin in the villages. Pray for the harvest where faithful village Pastors have been preparing the fields. Pray for the Gospel to be presented boldly and a full understanding by the children.

Pray for my continued adjustment to the time zone. Pray for health and stamina. Pray for an ease in the 100+ heat. Pray for safety and protection as we plan to storm the long held strongholds. Pray with a smile on - they served pancakes here along with curry this morning.

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

The journey begins with the long long flight to the other side of the world. I praise God in advance for the work He has prepared before the foundations of the earth were laid.

We are living in uncertain and perilous times. Never has the frailty of human life been so evident in the recent catastrophe events in Myanmar and China.

We must get moving and advancing the Kingdom forward. We are told "the gates of hell WILL NOT prevail" but we must be moving in the hovel realm in advancing and claiming territory.

God of the Harvest - we beseech you. Hear us,
Smiling and flying

The Real Disaster

"... Jesus stopped..." Luke 18:40

This morning I read this passage of scripture in two separate places. It was my Bible reading for the day (Open Windows) as well as "Day 16" in the latest devotional from Joni Erickson Tada. You may never have noticed the importance of those two words in the midst of the passage where the blind beggar is crying out to Jesus for mercy from the street. I know I didn't.

Every day the news of the deaths in Myanmar from the Cyclone and now in China from the earthquake grow by the thousands. The United Nations has suspected the true number of deaths from the cyclone could top the 2004 deaths of the tsunami (over 200,000) and the tragedy in China (15,000 confirmed dead) continues to grow as whole cities and villages near the epicenter have been buried under the mountains in avalanches.

I imagine the survivors are all crying out for mercy. We are crying out for mercy. Those who have friends, relatives in the area, those who know mission workers who have planted seeds for the harvest are all crying out "Lord have mercy!"

"Jesus stopped..."

I know our Lord is listening now - He is listening always. And as we believers ask for "mercy" for the victims in these unparalleled disasters do we hear Him asking "What do you want me to do for you?" In human terms, our desire is to see rescue, recovery, victims attended to within a time frame that will make their survival possible. We ask for help, for compassion, for ease in government restrictions, we ask for aid workers to be able to enter the country and save lives. We ask for more heavy machinery to lift the thousands of pounds of concrete off those trapped in collapsed buildings. Our heart breaks across the seas with the parents standing helplessly by in front of school buildings where their children are buried without knowing if they are injured, alive, or dead - all crying out for mercy.

But are we asking Him for their souls?

Just a few days after I returned from the Warrior Retreat I received an email request from Pastor Benhur in Nellore, India:

Dear Sister Charlyn,
We are praying for your ministry and for your family. We are Praying God to bless us to be a Partner with your ministry for the Glory of God, as children having holidays,we are planing to conduct special programs to children. Please pray and plan to be a Partner for those programs. I attached some pictures of our ministry in this e mail,please see my next e mail to see only children programs of us.

"Those who desire harvest of souls must shed tears for souls"
Your Brother in Christ's love, Pastor.Benhur, Lone Star Church Nellore

Honestly, I was exhausted and really couldn't think of "leaving on a jet plane". But the Pastor persisted, and about every two days he would send another email with more pictures of the lost, the broken-hearted, the lepers we visited in October. Each email ended "we are praying for your arrival."

The Lord moved the mountain of exhaustion in my heart and I knew I had to go and join in this work. I will be leaving next Tuesday returning at the end of the month. After my plane ticket was purchased and all the plans were put in place, the storm hit the shores of Myanmar. As the death toll was rising and my heart was crying out for mercy - my thoughts went to the loss of the lost. How many of the victims had never heard the Word of God. How many died without hope. There is a reason the government is controlling the incoming foreigners. The greatest "aid" is given through Christian NGO's who not only bring in fresh water, food, shelter and clothing as relief they, also bring His hope.

I will never forget the words of my dear Christian brother Amila while I was Sri Lanka. We had just seen some of the worst devastation, the loss of life and the absolute destruction was overwhelming. But Amila (who had traveled all across the region immediately after the tsunami and had witnessed thousands upon thousands of bodies being piled up and burned) said "Sister Charlynn, this tsunami caused outward destruction, but it also brought in a tidal wave of the Gospel. Where the government had kept out God's Word for years, aid workers came in and offered not just temporary help, but gave us an eternal solution for such a time as this."

"Jesus stopped..."

As you ask for mercy remember to ask for missionaries.

In His service always
Charlynn


Sunshine After Rain Ministries is totally dependent upon individuals for support of this global work. Contributions not only cover the direct expenses of travel, in-country costs and expenditures, the generous financial gifts we receive enable us to fund immediate needs in the areas we visit (for example the food supplied to cyclone victims in Nellore, medical supplies for the leper colonies as well as humanitarian aid to orphans across the globe).

You can now conveniently donate online through our website: www.sunshineafterrain.org

Your support through prayer and financial giving makes a difference for eternity!

Sunshine After Rain Ministries is a 501c3 organization. All donations are considered tax deductible by the IRS. Visit our website for more information on "Ministry Initiatives" your donations suupport across the world.

INDIA - Calendar of Events

MAY 20
Depart DFW

MAY 21
Arrive Frankfurt
Depart for Chennai, India
Overnight Chennai

MAY 22
Travel to Nellore

MAY 23
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

MAY 24
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

MAY 25
AM Church Program
PM Village Outreach

MAY 26
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

MAY 27
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

MAY 28
AM Village Outreach
PM Village Outreach

MAY 29
Travel to Chennai

MAY 30
Depart Chennai 1:45 am
Arrive DFW 2:20 pm

Water into Wine

"...Jesus told the servants to bring the water jugs..."

Our morning devotional (led by one of the physician's who has been working with the soldiers) was on the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Canaan. He asked that we look at the passage from the servants point of view. Jesus asked them to do the heavy lifting, and told them to carry the full (20 gallon) jugs. How many of you have lifted one of the water cooler jugs? It is no easy task.

But the point of the devotion on our last full day of the retreat - was not so much the heavy lifting but the fact the only people who knew about the miracle (the fact the water had been changed into wine) were those laborers (not invited to the wedding) doing the heavy lifting.

We were all uplifted and ready for the days heavy lifting! Especially upon hearing 7 soldiers committed their life to Christ after hearing last night's message delivered by Nick.

The day was filled with a fishing tournament, horseback riding, and games. The kids were ecstatic, the servants did heavy lifting and our God showed up.

Tonight, J and I orchestrated a Trivia Game filled with much laughter, joy and enthusiasm (even though the prizes included Vienna sausages and Spam.) The final speaker was Jonathan Spinx who delivered a powerful message of life before and after Christ. As he closed with an invitation message and asked for commitments one young man stood to say yes to a new life. Jonathan then asked them men to pray with him for Christ's love and change in their hearts. Many men stayed behind after the closing and spoke with the various lay workers, the speaker and the Chaplain's in attendance.

Even if you count only 8 definite acceptances of salvation that is close to 50% of those who have attended. Not bad for a handful of servants pouring out the Miracle Jesus has allowed us to see!

Tomorrow Joni will deliver the closing message of hope and offer once again an opportunity to decide who they will leave here serving - they will still be servicemen but we pray they will be serving the King.

The clowns will present the Gospel during Children's church and one of the staff will give them an opportunity to make a decision. You are the ammunition arming and equipping us to bring down the strongholds and continue doing the heavy lifting! We have seen the Living Water quench the thirst of these desert fighting soldiers.

God bless America and those who serve "One Nation" that started under the One God!

Ten Fingers and Ten Toes

One of the first things uttered and eagerly waited for at the birth of a new baby is the phrase "all ten fingers and toes are here - he/she is beautiful! That phrase typically is used to indicate a healthy baby.

Today, at the Warrior Retreat marked the anticipated arrival of Nick Vujicic (www.lifewithoutlimbs.org ) As you may understand from the name of his website, he was born without arms or legs. He was basically born (and has lived 25 years) with only a torso and a small appendage where a leg would have been, should have been.

Part of the testimony he gives as a world-renowned inspirational speaker is the pity people felt for his parents when he was born. But, as he tells it his parents praised God! His father (a pastor) knew God had blessed them with a child who would only survive with God, and God would use him to encourage those who face great discouragement.

Here we are, all able-bodied, weary, and grumbling like Israelites in the desert because we are short of volunteers, no one has any experience, in our youngest group we have a crier, a crawler, and a kicker! As we were taking a heavy sigh at the afternoon break we started to walk to our room and complain (after all I just returned from India) up rolls Nick, pushed by his caregiver in the child-sized stroller his torso easily fits in. Beaming an infectious smile, he stops and says in his charming Australian accent "hey love, how are you doing? Come give a hug"

Okay, here is a guy with no arms or legs saying as casually as saying nice to meet you - give me a hug! It is - no disrespect or pun intended - totally "disarming"! We hugged, he chatted with us and told us he had just arrived TWO HOURS earlier from Columbia SOUTH AMERICA! There went my "just got back from India excuse and moan."

God is faithful!

Just when His children start throwing a party of pity, He opens our eyes to a different reality, and just how much mercy He is capable of, and how adequate His provision ALWAYS is.

We are humbled by the opportunity God has provided for us here at the Warrior Retreat. There have been many chances for the families to be ministered to as well as the love of Christ illustrated through the speakers, the volunteers, the Chaplains and leadership.

Many of these soldiers started life in a delivery room with the word of health uttered "all ten fingers and toes". Now, many in the prime years of their life have lost those symbols of health. They are fitted with prosthetic arms or legs - they don't have fingers and toes.

Our continued heart and prayer is as they hear testimony of the magnitude and goodness of God, (despite the broken neck of a 17 year-old girl - the birth of a child with no limbs at all, the hardships of an abused child who turned his anger into a world championship kick boxing career - and ultimately a testimony of God's mercy on his son diagnosed with terminal brain cancer ) they will find hope in the place where hope will not fail.

The enemy is pulling out all the stops to weaken and break us, irritate and tire us, and frustrate us to the point of grumbling. We know God parted the Red Sea at the moment the Israelites were at their most frightened, weakest, and weary moment. Tomorrow we are watching to "behold the power of our God". We need it!

Fight the good fight of faith with us and continue to equip us with you faithful intercession. Strongholds are coming down.

We are more than conquerors!

In the battlefield humbly with a smile

Off to Battle

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Once again, I am sending out the call to arms! I have just been in the US for a little over one week, and find myself called back to duty down near San Antonio, TX (not such a long drive and no airplanes are involved). It is with great privilege I have been asked to participate at the first Joni & Friends retreat for returning wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

What began as an unsure position with few children on the role, has turned into 4 full days of very active duty serving close to 25 children. We have lots of amazing activities planned: rock wall climbing, Nascar simulator, fishing tournament, fire truck with demonstration, and of course clowning around. Sunshine After Rain Ministries (through the generous contribution of supporters) has underwritten Trail Rides for all of the kids to participate, as well as providing funding for a soldier and his family of four children to attend (they were the last on the waiting list).

Please pray for strength, health and heart. My dear aunt who has accompanied me to Family Retreats for the last 5 years will be coming along to be my right hand clown! I have also enlisted the services of the Family Retreat Child II Director to work alongside us in the children's program. We need all hands on deck, all hearts in prayer, and all spirits lifting us high as the enemy will seek to retain his stronghold of discouragement and despair among these courageous soldiers.

There is a very real and present danger as we move into the enemies territory. We are committed, we are armed for the battle through your prayers and financial support, and we are ready to bring down strongholds!

For information on the speakers who will be encouraging the soldiers, visit the following websites:

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

http://jspinks.org/

http://www.joniandfriends.org/about_joni.php

God bless you, God bless us, God bless our troops, and God bless America!

Smiling, serving and saying AMEN,

Endure Hardship with Us

Tomorrow, I leave for the Joni and Friends (JAF) Wounded Warrior Retreat. The invitation to participate came just as I left for India before much information had been released to the JAF corporate office (i.e. how many soldiers, children etc…). I wholeheartedly agreed and was genuinely honored to be considered for “duty”. When I returned and spoke with the Director, I realized the time and physical commitment was much more than I signed up for (after all, I just returned from a battlefield halfway around the world).

War is War, and the battle for eternity is not over yet! This is a fight there is no retreating from. The General we answer to assured me He would provide the strength and support necessary for me to complete the mission. I understand these wounded young men and women (some as young as 19), returned having left a great part of themselves on the battlefield. But they willingly signed up – knowing the cost could be their lives, their future, and their hope. Many came home from the battlefield paralyzed, severely burned, missing arms, legs, sight and hearing. They sacrificed for freedom.

It is sobering, and humbling to grasp the courage and strength they have on a human level. Our prayer is through the speakers, the attention and care they are shown these next few days, their hearts will be healed on a spiritual level and grasp how great is the love God has for them. We pray they will come to see a new future, a new hope, and understand the sacrifice of One who died to set them free.

I never understood the purpose of “Boot Camp.” It always seemed cruel and unusual punishment of youth volunteering for the dangerous position of defending freedom. However, when I had the privilege to talk with a soldier enlisted in the army and ask the reason for all the shouting, yelling and what I thought was “cruel” treatment, he explained quite simply, “We are preparing them for war, not a picnic.”

As soldiers prepare to leave for the battlefield, the reality must seem a distant danger as they hold hope high; to defend with honor and return home to the ones they love. My friends may tire of my “battlefield” analogies when speaking of faith and endurance and getting ready to go “again”, I catch myself saying, “This is war” many times. I have endured hardship, and troubles, attacks, as well as seeing a friend “wounded” in action. All these “war” times, my heart and spirit tell me have been in preparation for my next “Tour of Duty”, to serve the real soldiers home from a very real war.

We live in perilous times, but we serve a Mighty King! Join with us in support as we serve the soldiers who willingly defend our nation.

TEXAS - Calendar of Events

April 9
Depart for Warrior Retreat

April 10
Arrive at Retreat Center and Set Up
Soldiers and Families arrive between 3-5 pm
CARE EE & Nellie Bell Evening Program

April 11
Full Day Children's Program
Evening Program - Clown Around and Around

April 12
Full Day Children's Program
Trail Ride
Fishing Tournament
Adult Evening Program - Fanna White and her Bucket of Fortune

April 13
Children's Church
Sharing the Good News
Return to DFW area

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

Jesus used parables to engage the imaginations of the people in His time. A good storyteller always does.

Here in the 21st traveling century with iTunes, iPods, iPhones, WiFi, Blackberries (the ones you can't eat) and Hemi engines (I think it means more if you live in Texas) there must be some new analogies to draw from that post-modern culture and the metro-sexual would understand.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a corn field" just doesn't translate in a world of Internet and Hi Def TV.

Today as I was boarding yet another airplane (destination home) I experienced the usual relief of a job well done, mission accomplished, and all the comforts and normal things that were waiting for me at the end of my twelve hour odyssey.

Fifty thousand feet, ten hours, close to six thousand miles this leg of the journey and after the mandatory pass through customs and a short drive I will be home.

The flight agent stood taking boarding passes. I handed her mine and out popped a small white square. She looked up and said, "Miss J, you have been upgraded today to Business Class."

I couldn't believe my ears! The Germans don't let go of those passes readily. At first I wanted to hide my newly upgraded and undeserved status. But I couldn't -I was traveling with friends. I went to the counter and inquired of my companion - I wanted someone to experience this joy with.

WOW - she had been upgraded too! Now things were really looking up. We thought of the meals, the seats, the leg room, the service. We were downright giddy and overcome with the whole unexpected nature of our good fortune.

"Eye cannot see, nor ear hear or heart imagine all that God has in store for those who love Him."

We felt like we had "arrived"!

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a free - unexpected - undeserved Business Class Upgrade."

There is a journey we must take - it may be familiar and hold it's own set of known promises.

We envision Heaven as a reunion with those we know have gone before, finally seeing the Master, beautiful scenery (or maybe just those big fluffy clouds). But I know (because the Bible tells me so) Heaven is so much more. And today, I had to smile as I played with the multi-function chair (up/down foot rests, back massage, ad infinitum it seemed) lean back, lay flat, add comfort to your lumbar spine area.

All the things in heaven we'll be playing with like giddy children who got way more than they knew they deserved!

This Present Suffering

“… I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...” Romans 8:18

One of my favorite verses in recent years is The Message translation of Colossians 1: 24 “ I want you to know how glad I am that it me sitting here (in jail) and not you. There’s a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world - it’s the kind of suffering Christ takes on … I welcome the chance to take my share in the churches part of that suffering.”

It took me many years to grasp the place and appropriate role of a missionary. I would come home from an amazing experience and determine every one needs to be “out there.” It went beyond determination and judgment of what I thought were “lazy pew warmers,” there was a whole world out there perishing for lack of “preachers being sent.”

“and how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14-15

Fortunately and divinely God adjusted my heart and aligned my attitude. Now, I do see my “goings” as my part of what the “church” is doing. All working together “One Body” and the Lord certainly tells us there are no parts more or less important than others. The Body needs praise singers, and greeters passing out bulletins as much as it needs its missionaries out in the faraway ends of the earth passing out tracks or using other methods to get the Gospel out. It helped deflate my head and take the “grrr” out of my speech when I spoke of my most recent place of the Lord’s business (and why weren’t you there)?

We have been in South India laboring in a variety of ways. We began on Good Friday with over 100 children singing, laughing, decorating their photo and seeing how uniquely they had each been created. We had illness interrupt and alter our plans – but God’s design is unstoppable. And the faithful troop of women He sent into the Indian battlefield pressed on.

There wasn’t one thought of retreat among us. I reminded our team member who was in the “camp” at the hotel as we went out, the promise Kind David gave to his troops, “those who remain with the stuff” (Yes, it really uses the word stuff in the KJV) get the same portion of the spoils as those who go into battle. (See 1 Samuel 30:24)

For the first three days while Evelyn was “encamped” at the hotel, she stayed with our “stuff”. The stuff of anxiety putting on a program one member less, the worry over her health, the supply issues, the travel safety and the thoughts we all battled of “what if we all get sick?” Yes, E got the same portion, although she didn’t see hands raised in affirmation and acceptance of the salvation message. Each day when we returned, the Lord had faithfully renewed her, comforted her, and gave her a bucketful of one liners to make us laugh at the end of a tiring day.

Sometimes I felt she was our “battlefield cook” gathering sustenance (in forms of humor, a gentle and quiet spirit, and even sharing her past police officer experiences) to equip us from her bedside. Each evening and morning we gathered in her room to be armed, dangerous, and looking for God in the unexpected places.

He certainly showed up in E.

Although I am used to the travel, and upon entrance to “row whatever” and seat “always with a view”, the other teammates were not. We coached them in travel tips (order a special meal because they come out first, etc…). I don’t think they needed it. For even after 20+ flying hours, 7 hours in the Chennai domestic terminal with few people but 10,000 flies and mosquitoes – they were tired but never faltered. They soaked in the sights, the sounds and smells and never complained.

They walked among the trash heaps, noticed the cows in the road, but even when the driving was treacherous (up and down the mountain – in the city dodging cars, cats, cows, and people) a gasp may escape – but never a complaint. It was all just part of what they had been called to do it like the good soldiers the Bible calls us to be.

Each morning we had devotions presented from each member to set our hearts towards Him and to “fix our eyes on our Jerusalem”, the children of Southern India and the rescued orphans on the hills in Kodai. Our fearless leader (V) would go over our day as carefully and thoroughly as it had been plotted and planned and written out. She would then look up from her note-filled paper, grin, maybe chuckle and say “but things can change”. And change they did, many times over – but always the chain of command was in place and the Commander-in-Chief was in charge.

I arrived to her room first one morning, and she said, “I need to show you where all the important papers are concerning the trip.” “What?” I exploded. She then went on to say her evening bout with heartburn gave her pause to think, “What if it isn’t heartburn and it’s a heart attack?” I said, “surely V you are joking!” She just looked at me and laughed and said, “Face it the way things have been going with this trip nothing would surprise me.”

All around the city you witness a variety transportation forms: rickshaws, cattle carts, cars, vans, buses, and motorcycles. We all asked J (a veteran cyclist) if she thought it would be thrilling to negotiate the roads and actually NOT hit a cow. In her most convincing, wide-eyed, southern accented voice she said, “ARE YOU KIDDING!”

Five women on a mission trip sometimes use expletives (all right it was mostly me around the mountain curves, but E would add quietly “I second that emotion”). We talked about books, movies, top tens, threw in a life experience relevant to our day and we laughed and laughed. Of course there are those things they say, “What happens in India stays in India” and with confidence I can share this much – it did stay in India – we flushed it down the commode (or at least tried).

Most of us in our down time, fell down on the bed, remarked at the inches our ankles had increased or decreased , tried to remember if we had consumed our two liters of water, processed our own mental fantasies (controlled electricity, hot soaking bath, green salad without fear and other simple things you find you miss while away from home). But our teammate K would put us all to cerebral shame by carrying around a set of mathematical equations she is using to study for the GMAT. If you don’t know what it means, you probably will never need to know.

I would watch her on the plane, in the bus, outside at 6:00 am, whenever there would be a break in activity, she’d be flashing (her brain that is). It was amazing to watch the energy she exuded during the day and still find the mental acuity to flash x’s and y’s, equals and divide signs by her often weary and closing eyes. Her heart and dedication to everything she does was apparent. You could see it in the four inch stack she had in her pants leg pocket!

Here in India, we came together in unusual but ordained circumstances. We worked in unison with hands willing to fold fabric, paint walls, hoe a row, plant a seed, write a verse, and then at the end of the day, tenderly touch the face of a child. It was precious to watch K tenderly stroke the arm of one girl who had been abandoned at a later age. This severely traumatized child would spend most of her time in the playroom in the corner away from the other girls. Every day, K would sit down beside her, begin to gently stroke her arm and sing or utter quiet words, “I love you, and Jesus thinks you are beautiful.” In the end, she finally did allow her an embrace.

J never seemed to know which girl to love on first, but baby Sara Grace always sought her out and they would park in a chair. Sara Grace held tightly to her chest and their hearts would synch – two peas in a pod – a safe place to fall.

E’s health and recovery was bolstered not only by the exercise of gardening in the sun, but when she would sit on the floor her quiet voice and slight form offered haven to a whole bevy of enthusiastic babies. They would rush for her like linemen after a quarterback - and when they accomplished their task of knocking her off her balance – all would burst into laughter, hug harder and then retreat to start the process over.

And then there is V, friend, sister, co-laborer and leader. Countless times I saw her heart for orphans. It would show up in laughter while she giggled, held and played with the 18 baby girls, it would leak out of her eyes as they glistened with tears in a tender moment as she held her namesake, “baby Vicki”, and I would see it as she watched the women she led being changed by the hand of God as they practiced “pure religion undefiled”.

I am sure they would all say, “we were glad it was us here… in Kodai doing our part for the church.”

And me –

well, who am I, I’m just “the clown.”

Those Who Sow

As the Israelite pilgrims made their way up to Jerusalem for the festivals set by the Lord they sang songs. They are recorded for us as the Psalms of the Ascents. The old standard hymn "Bringing in the Sheaves" finds its origins in Psalm 126.

"Those who sow in tears will return with rejoicing carrying sheaves of joy"

We have completed the tasks set before us. We have sown and sewn, painted and decorated walls with the Word of God protectively above the hearts and heads of the orphans.

We walked down the hilltop one final time today. With each step I took, it seemed as though my tears were watering the flowers beside the path. I remembered the Psalmist and found joy in the promise of the future Harvest He is growing.

This morning we make our way back down the mountain. Our health issues are minor to what they have been, but there is 36 hours of travel to make it through. We need safety, rest, restoration and good health for the journey.

We have seen God's hand, we have felt His pleasure and we thank you for faithfully interceeding for the "farmers".

Finished sewing - smiling and waiting to sown some more!

Sowers and Sewers

I praise the Father of the fatherless for your faithful prayers on our behalf.

I can't say the Lord has given us the strength of ten men, but He has been faithful each day to restore and energize us for all He has planned for us to accomplish. When I am climbing the hill up to the orphanage the view is breathtaking (or is it the steep hike combined with altitude that is taking my breath away)?

Today we began to decorate the home with the variety of materials we had pooled together from various sources and combined creative gifts. The "formal room" is now covered with "Stewart Stenciled Stars" and one wall has foam crosses that form a cross. The girls names and the date they were "rescued" is interspersed between the "Hearts by hand of V". It is so cheerful and honoring. Sonya, the girl rescued on Sony's birthday (the last baby to join the home) name appears at the foot of the cross. Soso loved it!

The main play room now has a border that says "Grow in God's Word" circling the entire room. Above each area are Bible figures depicting various stories. I had the task of writing all the stories and verses around the pictures. It brought me to tears as I looked back at the handiwork knowing "God's word does not return to Him void". At any time as the girls grow they will be surrounded "by so great a cloud of witnesses". David and Goliath, Moses, Jonah, Noah, the story of the Exodus, and many more.

E, J and K took turns in the garden - sowing a future Harvest that will sustain the girls nourishment for the season to come. Everyone is familiar with the adage, don't just give a man a fish - but teach him to fish. Well, the Lord provided these precious little ones women who knew nothing about gardening (hey we can read the package), had painted only when necessary, sewn only on occasion or when a button falls off, but all who overheard the voice of the Lord and replied "Here I am send me."

We have traveled by plane, traversed mountain roads with no guard rails, and RAN when we had the runs out of necessity not fun. Great has been our reward!

We have seen the face our Father in the dark eyes glistening with joy as we hugged, tickled, gurgled and made gorilla growls.

Our hands have been guided supernaturally as seeds for sustenance were sown, and blankets of warmth were sewn!

We have had moments of poignant sadness sharing a widow's grief and seeing her own orphaned children, when their father who had such a passion for orphans left this life too soon by our understanding.

We finish what He has asked of us tomorrow - but we leave behind a garden made with love and a home decorated with delight.

We beseech the Lord of the Harvest for this harvest. We count on His promise to Jeremiah, He is watching over His word (painted on the walls)to see that it performs all He has set out for it to do!

Sowing, Sewing, and still smiling
In His service

Rescued, Redeemed, Restored

"...long ago He decided to adopt us into His family...". Eph 1

Here in Kodaikanal, at the top of the mountain there is quiet. It is quite the contrast to other places in India, where the traffic horns blare well into the night and start up again in a cacophony of impatient tones well before dawn.

We arrived safely, anxious around the hair pin curves, but considering E was fit for travel, we felt blessed to be able to make the journey and proceed with the work at the orphanage.

We all rested well, and were excited to make our way to the Redeeming India orphanage. The home sits on the side of a steep hill, at the end of a one lane dirt road (partially washed out by the recent rains). The stone stairs leading to the home are flanked on both sides by beautiful purple flowering shrubs, and lantana spilling over from the elevation above.

We were greeted warmly by the house mothers, but for the 18 baby girls (ages 6 months to 4 years) we were an odd size, shape and color. Most were able to accept our strange greetings and cooings in baby language without tears, but there were a few that took one look at our strangeness and let us know they were not near as excited as we were.

We spent most of the day accomplishing the needed tasks: a garden planted, new bed sheets and pillow cases sewn, and the classroom painted. But our afternoon was spent on the floor coaxing cuddles out of our new friends.

Little by little (after their naps and lunch) the began to allow their curiosity to rule their proximity and they approached us one by one. When they saw we were odd - but funny - there was no stopping their enthusiasm to have new playmates that made strange sounds (Kathy has a perfect gorilla imitation) and laugh with the joy we unfortunately loose with age but rediscover around babies!

Loving on these girls, seeing their beautiful cherub-like faces, and hearing them laugh, it was hard to imagine how superstitious practices would have robbed them of life, often by horribly cruel murderous methods shortly after their birth.

But they were rescued.

Although they will never know the man responsible for saving them, they will know a Father's love who promises He has a future for them, plans to prosper them and not to harm them. They are daily being cared for by young Christian women serving sacrificially illustrating the love of the Savior.

They have been redeemed.

When Sony first shared how these girls are "bought for a price" it truly was a picture of our own "redemption" story. We have an enemy, one who seeks to destroy our life - and but for the effort of the One - we would die separated never knowing the Father's love.

We just celebrated the truth of Christ' conquering the grave. We know one day we will join together with those who have gone before, and a "Prince" of a man who understood pure religion undefiled, will stand with His King and see the girls he saved restored into his loving and awaiting arms.

Psalm 124:2. If the Lord had not been on the side of: Pria, Sophia, Sarah Grace, Gloria, Sonja, Vicki, Jennifer, Angelina, Kristina, Faith, Camille, Eden Joy, Karissa, Tricia, Nancy, Beth, Rachel Lisa Marie and you and me - we would have lost our lives."