MON -Day 7) A Bumpy Ride

"Fasten your seat belts boys, it's going to be a very bumpy ride." Bette Davis

When those famous and often quoted words were spoken it had nothing to do with India. In fact it didn't even have anything to do with roads. It was said in regards to the emotional roller coaster the listeners were about to embark on.

The roads of India ARE bumpy. They are hazardous. However, seat belts are seldom available but prayer always is! Being in the Harvest fields is also the kind of emotional roller coaster the actress referred to. Prayer provides the seat belts for our hearts. The Word provides the "handles" for us to hang on to. And like any good ride, screaming occasional occurs. Like when a commotion broke out on the train that could have been ANYTHING - but turned out to be a hot cup of tea spilled on a passenger. I also screamed when I saw a "National Geographic" sized insect crawling up the wall of the restaurant at breakfast. There was screaming in the middle of the night while we were in Silonijin when a neighborhood card game got out of control.

And there were the screams of joy when the children were playing games of hot potato and dancing the Hokey Pokey.

This morning was our last. With all the packing accomplished the night before we took time to share our thoughts and pray for the seeds planted to reap a Harvest, some ten fold, some a thousand fold. We praise God for allowing us to contribute in some small way to the advancement of the Kingdom to come.

As I reflect on my days here, the difficulties and the delights, I am reminded of His Words:

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

I always thought of this verse in terms of my treasure being fixed in the realm of the heavenlies; on things eternal. These last few weeks I have expanded my vision and the location of my treasure.

I now see the geography as:

with the lepers

with the naked

with the hungry

with those who know real thirst

with those who are asking for God's mercy

with village evangelists and pastors who are not asking us to pray for buildings or even provision, but for more boldness and strength to share the Word when they are persecuted

with the children of tea workers and stone pickers who will never learn to read or write

with the faithful believers who will never own a Bible

with the orphans who have yet to be taken in to a home and are exploited by the evil

with the Hindus who live in a culture held in bondage to 330 million gods

with the Muslims who believe a reward awaits them in holy jihad and claim innocent victims

with the millions who live "across the river" evangelists will never reach

with a little thatch church on a hilltop in India that shines its light brighter than any I have ever seen in America

with our "church" that has neglected the plight of the lost and failed to fulfill the Great Commission

with our nation that has been given much, and will answer to the Living God for satiating appetites and desires

A few weeks ago, my oldest son traveled on business to Bangladesh. We were only a few geographic hours north on this trip to Assam. Before he went on his trip he asked if he should plan to travel to any other area in the region. I explained it is a tough place for the "uninitiated" traveler. I said, "You should have a really good reason to go." He called me when he arrived using Skpye technology and said, "This is the most god-forsaken place I have ever seen. I have a whole new appreciation for what you do. But tell me how do you do it?"

I replied, "I have a really good reason to go."

Now I understand, it is because it is where a good-sized part of my heart is.

Leaving with a chest full of treasure!
Charlynn in flight
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SUN -Day 6) On a Hill Far Away

I confess; after the river crossing, the 5 hour train ride from Dimapur back to Guwahati, and the traffic to our hotel, all I could think of was a long sleep. The thought of getting up and going to a "church" service I wouldn't even understand did nothing to ignite my spirit. It did a lot to just add to my weariness. But, as I have counseled other volunteers when things get their toughest remember the familiar Praise song, "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You're my God." Here in the tough place of my life not here in the pew!

Well after midnight, when the team was finally settled in and packed up for the day of "church" and ministry to the orphans, I sang myself to sleep. "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am...."

Lipok arrived and we headed off to the church. We didn't even bother asking how far it was, or how long it would take us to get there. "HERE (in India) we are to worship. HERE (at the end of a physically challenging trip) we are to bow down, HERE (in a church filled we people who don't understand anything we are saying) we are to say that You're our God."

The van pulled into what looked like an area of road construction just off the main highway. We looked around and saw no signs of a church or even a building. Lipok pointed to the dirt path leading up a MOUNTAIN (hey, I am from Texas) and said, "This way." It was STEEP, it was slightly muddy, it was uneven and did I mention it was STEEP!

"Here I am to bow down..."

I just prayed the bowing down part didn't entail me falling down. We trekked again on our journey with the King, and knowing my fear of heights AND falling, from somewhere on the slippery slope behind me I heard Vicki's voice say, "don't look down."

"When I said "my foot is slipping", your love, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:18-19

We keep walking, breathing heavily and wondering just WHERE was this church. When we could finally see the top of the hill - we saw it; still far from us and much higher still.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14

When we arrived to the thatch walled church and walked in it was filled with 90% children. It was a beautiful sight indeed. They were already in the process of singing songs. The 19 year-old girl who was leading the praise turned to us nervously and with her voice cracking said, "We can't believe you are here. We could have never imagined people like you would come to visit this place. We are a very poor church, you can see we are mostly children. We don't have any instruments even to play. But we have our hands. So we clap as we sing and praise God."

I cried.

Beginning the night before I had dreaded the thought of the morning. When I saw the steep road ahead of us with no church in sight I was even more agitated at the thought of what kind of mess God had gotten this 50 year old body into THIS time. By the time I stepped inside the church I was out of breath from the journey.

And then the Lord took my breath away with the humility of a young girl who expressed with such eloquence (in English) she could not have dreamed of such a day!

"O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Psalm 47:1

The children sang and praised God. They clapped their hands in rhythms that rang throughout the hilltops and on up into the heavenlies. When they finished the girl interpreted my story. I told her she had made me cry. She was embarrassed and said, "oh no." I explained my dismay looking up at the steep hill. But I went on to say if I had only known this was what was waiting I would have run as fast as I could to get there.

"Out of the mouth of babes and infants hast Thou perfected praise." Matthew 21:16

We all love the mountain top experiences. The view from the heights the Father takes us to remind us of how far we have come. Sometimes it's just hard to remember the journey to the top isn't always easy to make. We must remember to press on and pray, "Lead me to a rock that is higher than I."

Out of breath
Smiling!
Charlynn
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SAT -Day 5) Search but No Seizure

We arrived back to the church compound early in the afternoon. This gave us time to pack our things to be ready for departing by 7:00 am this morning. Lipok arranged the paperwork for us to enter the state of Nagaland (his tribal home) and do a day of children's ministry with a village of Muslims.

We also had time to pray.

It takes an additional (other than Indian) special visa to enter Nagaland. It is an area of tribal insurgency so people moving in and out of the area are closely monitored. We experienced this first hand when we passed through the military checkpoint. The armed soldiers motioned for the van to pull over. One stuck his head through the front seat window where I was sitting. He saw our bags of ministry items pushed under the seat, and he saw a car full of non-Indians. He opened my door and signaled us to get out.

After a few tense moments we were motioned to get back in and continue on our journey.

We knew we were going to have to cross the same checkpoint this morning and we knew we had to pray to advance the Kingdom!

Last night as we were preparing, Lipok came in with his familiar grin and said, "You ladies have two options. To get to the village we can walk across a river or we can take the road and we will have a mile walk to the village. It's up to you." We laughed. What kind of river was this? What if we fell in? What was God expecting us to do? How far would we go to a people that could potential run us out like the first village? If we had to cross a river to get there it would mean should we have to make an "escape" we might be swimming for our lives! Were crocodiles involved? Lipok also told us to "take care for our shoes."

By the time we reached the river, we saw it probably wasn't going to be all that bad. It was knee deep in places, cold and a little swift, but with several willing pastors to escort us across, and my bright yellow Crocs being used by everyone as "the shoes" to make the wade in, we did fine.

We could see the villagers and children gathered at the top of the embankment watching. We decided they were most likely taking bets on which one of us would fall.

We walked through the village and faced the crowds of the curious. Many of the men were out in the fields harvesting chilis and other produce. The women were at the embankment picking stones from the river and digging them out of the crumbling slopes. Lipok suggested we start with games and dancing before we shared the Gospel presentation. This would calm the men and young boys down so they could see we were there to do know harm.

It worked.

By the time it came around to passing out the beads and sharing the Gospel, even the young men who sat on the sidelines as skeptics, went through the crowd making sure everyone got a bracelet. They would encourage the older women to come up, they would walk with frightened toddlers. It was a most precious site to see how the Lord turned their hearts towards His.

When we were almost finished with the beads, a young man came up from the fields. He was carrying a 25 lb bag of fresh picked "hot" chilies. His teeth were orange, colored from years of chewing beetle nut. He looked at our strange gathering. One of the evangelist approached him with a bracelet and shared the whole message of the truth with him. It was a most wondrous sight. But a few moments later, the village evangelist (a converted Muslim) who was sitting on the grass guarding our backs and reading his bible was approached by this same young man.

There they sat, young seeker, and an old believer. One holding the Bible, one holding the Koran. It was a sight to behold indeed!

Today in a village of Muslim Stone pickers there were those who were searching.

We seized the day!

Carpe Diem and Dancing
Charlynn

"I will go before thee and make the crooked places straight." Isaiah 45:3
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FRI -Day 4) Jubilant Feet

"How can they call upon One in whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear unless someone goes" Romans 10:15

After six hours traveling on a dark road, even without the comforts of home it is easy to fall asleep. It takes some time to get our Coleman air mattresses inflated, our pillows from home out of their vacuumed sucked and sealed bags, change into sleepwear and say goodnight and "Thank God."

We were up with the chickens, the roosters, two hogs, new puppies and all the nationals that were preparing our breakfast and getting the supplies ready for our day of ministry. Each day we have asked with comic frustration "how long" is it going to take for us to arrive at our destination. Each day no matter what the answer the time is typically twice as long, three times as bumpy
and more than ten times the fun!

Our first stop was a school with over 150 students and village children gathered on the lawn waiting for our arrival. The second place of ministry was even farther and even MORE children and adults (250). We introduce ourselves, tell stories, make bracelets, share the Gospel and then -
we dance.

I never cease to be amazed at the joy shared by children (and adults)across the world when it comes to making like a "chicken." Their hands motion like beaks, they flap their arms like chickens and they swing their partners "round and round" grinning from ear to ear.

Even the older folks and very serious teenage boys sitting on the sidelines eventually have to crater and crack a smile.

When we ask Lipok how much time to take for the program, what to include (as far as tricks, stories, games, etc...) he always says, "But don't forget the Chicken.

The Word teaches the feet of those who bring the Good News are beautiful. I would hasten to add so are the ones that make like "chickens," for the King of all nations.
"Oh be swift my soul to answer Him, be jubilant my feet! His truth goes marching on."*

Serving, praising and dancing
And of course smiling at chickens
Charlynn


* Battle Hymn of the Republic
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THUR -Day 3b) Depth of Vision

Traveling down rural roads at night in India helped me realize an important truth; your vision goes only as far as your headlights allow.

In America and other developed nations, most highways and byways are well lit. The streets, signs and roadside exits with drive-through food and fuel stops have lights to entice to their brand of convenience. You can not just see where you are - you can see where you want to be!

It is not that way here. Even as we pass through townships of commerce, the light from the shop front only illuminates about 50 feet to the street side, and behind the building and beyond lies total darkness. When we have taken time to slow down (for crossing pedestrians, bicyclists and two passenger taxis) it was possible to catch a glimpse of kerosene lanterns inside the houses. But the rest is just dark.

There was fog when we drove through the Karinzanga Game reserve. This made spotting cyclists, workers walking home from a day picking tea and the animals that occupy this beautiful forest impossible to see. Signs cautioned drivers to use their horns as little as possible - but it was improbable humans would survive without the blast of sound alerting them to get off the road. I am sure the animals have grown accustomed to the noise of the Industrial Revolution harassing them in their habitat.

Coming from a nation founded on religious freedom, with Judeo-Christian morals as the plumb line for behavior, it is easy to cast a critical eye on those who question, quarrel and even threaten us with violence.

But driving down the dark roads I realized, they truly are a people living in "darkness". They do not understand because they have not been given the infrastructure (a Christian foundation) or the equipment (flashlights and street lamps of the Living Word) to guide them out of the dark.

I am always amazed to watch in the pitch black of night people walking without any form of light to guide them AT ALL. Until a car, truck or van passes they can't even see potholes or other dangers that might cause them to fall. They have grown so adept at finding their way "in the dark" is it all that hard to believe they see no reason for what we refer to as the Light of the World?

"This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light..." John 3:19

Turning on the Light
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THUR -Day 3a) Foxes Have Holes

"...and birds have nests but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."
We have finished the outreach in Gouapar. We prayed long and hard this morning before leaving for the village. Because of the opposition we faced the day before we were unsure what the atmosphere of the village elders would be.

We pulled off the side of the road and walked down the path to the schoolhouse with over a hundred waiting children. There were a few mothers with babes in arms but suspicion on their faces. We waved hello, and the national team helped raise interest and the enthusiasm of the children by singing songs. It took several choruses before they understood the words, lost their inhibition and decided the strange looking creatures really were harmless. We might even be fun!

By the time the children started singing, the men started arriving. I immediately recognized some of the agitators from the first village the day before. The enemy is alive and well, and he was back.

The men motioned and called over the village evangelist and Lipok to question what were our intentions with the children. They asked if we were attempting to "indoctrinate" them? The nationals assured them we were only there to play with them, to sing, and give gifts.

We started the "short" program version; one designed to ease the tension before the Gospel was presented. I told a story, we played games like "hot potato" and frisbee relay, all while the adults cheered the children on. After a few games, Hokey Pokey, and the proverbial "Chicken Dance" we had the children sit down.
Even through the chaos of handing out cut string and a thousand beads, the Gospel was preached, the truth of the Living God proclaimed, and the Name above 330 million no-gods was lifted up! When all was said and done, even the "opposition" took what we had to offer (the bracelets, the cookies and candy and the pencils). They may not have accepted the gift of salvation - but the seeds of righteousness were planted on what was before today fallow ground.

We returned and loaded up our travelling "show" and prepared to thank our hosts. When we arrived late in the night we didn't quite understand the nature of our accommodations. We were introduced to the "owners" of the house - but they hastily disappeared, only to present themselves to help with the meal preparations. Today, as we were leaving Lipok explained we had been staying in their house. "Yes, yes thank you." We all expressed our gratitude. Then what was "lost in translation" was clarified. This was not some dwelling they rent to outsiders. This was THEIR HOUSE! They removed their few belongings and allowed us to move in "lock stock" and 500 lbs of luggage that were far from barrels! We were all shocked and humbled. Not one of us could think of any church goer we knew (INCLUDING ourselves) that would totally vacate their house and allow very strange foreigners to take over their home.

As in many places around the world I am humbled by the generosity of believers. They exhibit such willingness to sacrifice READILY in service to the King. Where I live we are more concerned about protecting our "territory" than advancing the Territory of the Kingdom of God.
.
When a man asked the Master if he could become one of His disciples. Jesus let Him know it would not be. a road of prosperity or possessions. The King of all Kings, Creator of the world did not own a single piece of property.

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

Through the things I have seen, the attacks and what little persecution I have endured, I have learned to embrace the culture of surrender. It was once easy to "think" "Lord, I would die for You." It is much harder (and heartbreaking) to begin to list the things I'm not ready to release.

I'm not sure I would let strangers move into the perceived sanctuary and safety of the place I call home.

I praise God there were people here in India who were!

On the road to the next temporary "fox hole"
Humbly bumpingly
Down the road of His service
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WED -Day 2) One Missing Found - One Mising Still Lost

"Surely, He leaves the ninety and nine to reach the one that was lost"

We reached our final destination well into the night. It took a while for the team to unload our semi-comforts of home (in the form of inflatable Coleman mattresses, Off Mosquito spray, 12 rolls of American toilet paper and beauty products to keep the age lines away).

We also had to adjust to the sounds of fighting dogs, and the rustling feathers of what would become tonight's dinner. We busied ourselves packing bags of balloons, beads, games and stories to be ready for the morning. It was after midnight when we finally succumbed to the humming songs of crickets, locusts, and canines whimpering in the dark.

After an early rising, we met with the nationals who arrived to help with the days scheduled village programs.

We prayed.

We felt prepared.

I lost my new Timex glow in the dark watch last night while organizing our "camp space." However, time in the third world isn't time kept on a clock. A trip we are told will take 40 minutes is usually at least a two hour ordeal (judging by how many breaks we take to water the roadside trees). My watch would have just made me anxious.

We drove, and drove, and slowed down for water buffalos, naked children in the road, cows napping, and baby goats happily jumping in front of the moving vehicles taking us to our destination. We were so far off the path it wasn't even "beaten." It was a decimated drive of trenches, troughs and bicycles parked in the midst of the trail. After all, four wheeled vehicles are a rarity in this stretch of jungle and rice fields.

As we drove along the banks of the river, the silted houses of the "Mising" tribal people appeared. We kept thinking - this place must be it. But further we drove, deeper and deeper until the vistas of the rice fields disappeared and the jungle closed in around our cars.

When we did arrive at the village, it wasn't the foliage that created density - it was the people. There were already children gathered and as soon as the vehicle stopped - the adults who had watched us drive into their domain came out as well.

There were hundreds of children, and an equal number of adults. It took a while to engage them - but they did finally begin to have fun. Once again, the men of the village stood on the outskirts of the program watching. Once again, alcohol was a factor. Once again, the devil showed his ugly face and that he was not giving up this territory!

Shouting broke out on the periphery, accusations of black magic and the lies of Christianity were all flying back and forth between the tribal elders (supporting us) and the enemy and his minions who were against us. Lipok suggested we pack up and head toward the cars.

By the time we reached the surrounded van - the agitation had increased. We sat and prayed, asked for intervention and supernatural protection. We drove away.

The disciples asked Jesus when they were met with opposition in the villages they traveled to if they should pray for "fire and brimestone." Given my history - it felt like a good day for some "wrath" to rain! But His answer was to shake the dust off their feet and move on.

Move on we did. We drove just to the outskirts of the village and trekked (and I do me TREKKED) to the neighboring village that had invited us to have a program there. Lipok assured us of our safety, as well as their willingness for us to be there.

We loaded up our backpacks, sacks of games and gifts and started walking. We crossed a 30 foot high bamboo bridge over a river that seemed as wide as the Mississippi (to this girl afraid of heights). And we walked, and we walked, through the rice fields, the sugar cane, the cow dung we were desperately trying to avoid and then we walked some more.

We walked past herds of water buffalo bathing in the river, men with elaborate bamboo constructions designed to catch fish, and a variety of women who walked out to the path just curious at the foreign pied pipers with hundreds of children keeping step.

As our 5 minute walk went well past 20, we arrived at a schoolhouse where the children were waiting in the sunshine and watching our approach.

They had a great time! They sang, they played games, they made Gospel bracelets and they heard the message of the gift of God through Christ His Son. We concluded without incident but definitely with the Kingdom advancing!

Around each corner we turned, it felt like at least we reached the "edge" of the "ends of the earth." But we kept going further still. I sense we still have a long way to go. Today, one "Mising" Tribe remained lost - but one was found.

"This Gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth - and then I will come!"

Maranatha
You can hardly say that without a smile
But you'd better be serving when He does
Charlynn
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TUE -Day 1) Where the Streets Have No Name

"I want to reach out, and touch the frail - where the streets have no name." U2

I have heard Bono, the lead singer of U2, is a believer. I can't say that with certainty, but he has used his celebrity to bring awareness and aid to the disenfranchised of the world. There is a YouTube video of his acceptance speech for an NAACP award that could compete with any sermon preached from a pulpit. In it he states, "if you want to be where Jesus is - then be among the poor." It brought rounds of "amens," "preach on brother," and a standing ovation from the crowd.

I don't know the spiritual state of the band when the hit song "Where the Streets Have No Name" was penned years ago, but as our plane from New Delhi flew over the lowlands of the Himalaya valley, it was a good song to be listening to.

"Delay" seemed to be the operative word along the start of our long journey. The East West team was delayed out of Chicago. We were all delayed out of Delhi. I am not sure that cows, goats, bicycles and the commerce of humanity on the roadway qualifies as a "delay" but it sure making the getting from point "A" (the airport) to point "B" (the campground for our program) take a long long long long time.

At 5:00 pm darkness came with a sudden and certain finality. It makes it easier for the team that has just arrived to reset their body clocks. You know it is some kind of tired - when women can pitch their heads back on the seat of a moving vehicle, and stay asleep amidst blaring horns, headlights on high beam, and intermittent braking for traffic heading our way HEAD ON!

Since my body clock has been reset - I am taking my mind off imminent danger by writing what could be my "Last Will and Testament" (okay so I exaggerate.)

But truly, my last "will" (and I hasten to add that of my teammates) is to do the will of the Father. We are here with Pastor Lipok and his team as the FIRST foreigners to break ground in this area. We are giving "testament" of the Living God to a people who are living in darkness.

We are travelling down streets with "no names" (and those that do we couldn't begin to pronounce). Lipok laughed and said he invited a team of men, who quickly adopted the moniker the "Extreme Team". He said, "Here you are - women doing the job first - and you don't even think it is extreme. You just came."

Perhaps after about 2,000 more swerves, 4,358 more blasts of the horn, 150 near miss collisions, and NO MORE elephants (yes, we did see working elephants on the side of the road), we will reach our destination.

To the children
To the parents
To the tribal elders
To the frail
To those who are known as "Missing"

To those who are lost - at the end of "streets with no names"

Standing on the Rock
That never rolls!
Although smiling (and singing)
In His service
Charlynn

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Leaving on a(nother) Jet Plane

I have finally arrived to depart again! I am sending this short note to let you know this could be the last time I am able (or have time) to send information until I return to Delhi next Monday.

I will be flying into Delhi tonight and eventually (the EW team's plane was delayed) meet up with the rest of the team. Tomorrow morning we will catch a flight to Guwahati and then make the 5 hour trip to Gouapur. Our first all day program is on Wednesday.
We will have two programs in Gouapur, then Thursday afternoon we will travel 6 hours to Silinjin. Friday morning we will have a program and then Friday afternoon leave for Dimapur. Saturday will be our program in Dimapur and then we will catch a train back to Guwahati (5 hours). We will visit an orphanage there on Sunday. And that as Porky Pig would stutter "that's all folks."

Aside from being "on the move" quite a bit, the area we are travelling to is surrounded by three international borders (Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar)and satellites are controlled by the military. We did not have service when we were there in January.

This area is also a hot bed of "activity". I cannot stress the importance of intercession at a time like this. The enemy has a firm stronghold on the region and the hearts of children are his breeding ground of hatred and deception. Even if you do not know how to pray remember the "unutterable" prayers of the spirit know exactly what we will be in need of.

These are harsh circumstances for women who are neither teenagers nor campers - but we know the Lord and His hosts will be encamped about us.

Pray:
For safety in ALL travels
For health
For stamina
For discernment for the leadership
For boldness in sharing the truth
For the light of the Kingdom to break through the darkness
For weapons not of the worldly kind- but ones that will bring down strongholds
For restoration for all teammates during these long journeys
For the hearts of the children to be open to the good news
For those that hear (the adults and parents) to come to salvation
For nations to bow down and worship the King

He is sovereign
He is smiling
Me - I'm still in service
Charlynn
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Open My Eyes

For the past four days of ministry the skies have grown increasing cloudy. I read the forecast for this area before I arrived. The predictions were rain every day. The East West team that arrived a week before I did experienced the showers and the sickness that generally accompanies flood waters.

Each day of ministry has been just overcast enough to keep the unbearable heat tolerable, and there would be a little bit of sunshine throughout the day - but no rain.

That is, until yesterday. A cyclone hit the west coast of India on Tuesday and the bands of storm clouds reached finally reached the east coast (where we are). Huge thunder clouds surrounded us from every direction. My interpreters and teammates for the day kept watchful eyes on the threatening skies throughout our 1 1/2 hour drive to the village. "Rain coming! This will not be good." When a national utters a warning like that you know the odds are it will "not be good" it will in fact mostly likely be very very BAD!

The area of Nellore has already suffered severe flooding and more rain on muddy dirt roads makes for impassable places and potential stuck vehicles.

I offered optimism. "No, my ministry is Sunshine After Rain, you had rain last week - this week sunshine only." It was hard to sound believable as the sky grew darker. Miraculously, and thankfully we had a day without rain. But it did come with its share of "darkness."

The plan for the day was to have four village programs for children. November 14 is the holiday know as National Children's day, so all the schools were closed and children were already anticipating something special. They really couldn't picture what we were bringing - but their excitement level was at a fever pitch. Wild clapping, exuberant laughter and when it came time to make Gospel Bracelets or hand out balloons and chocolate, pandemonium.

The two young youth workers were just as excited to see something new as well. They were thanking me for showing them new ways to reach children. At the end of the day it didn't look favorable for the sunshine to last. Every few minutes a drop would fall from the sky. I would hold my hands upward (in a makeshift effort to abate the coming downpour). When we began to head toward the last village, my interpreter (Dennis) nervously laughed. "Sister, each time we have tried to have a program in this place it has rained. I don't know about this place. There are lots of demons there. The children are very mischievous. I think it will be hard."

Threatening weather and threatening people; this information did not make for an enthusiastic performer on the way out to the "way out."

It was difficult reaching the gathering. The roads were narrow and extremely muddy. At any moment it felt like our little mini-Cooper sized car would be swallowed in the mire. Dennis stopped the car to make sure we could get through. We were immediately surrounded by a group of hostile women banging on my window asking for what - I had no clue?

Dennis calmed them down, encouraged them to bring their children and they finally walked on. He explained to me, the last time visitors were here they left because the crowd became chaotic and threatening and so they didn't leave anything behind (food, rice, money, or chocolates) but hastily exited filled with fear.

All day as we negotiated through, towns, villages and what could perhaps be called "enclaves" of humanity, I kept noticing men clad in black shirts and mid-calf length skirting. I asked Dennis what this signified. He explained it was the time of year to worship a certain demonic god - and these darkly clad men were the followers. They were everywhere. They were unsettling. They were triggering my Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD).

I fought to quote scriptures, hold my spirit in check, etc, etc... However, the darker the night the more the men in black appeared. At the village, those same men surrounded us on all sides. Some were visibly drunk. An occasional skirmish would break out between the inebriated, but the pastors and lay workers would soon usher them on down the road away from our gathering. They heckled (I presume) what the interpreters were saying.

"Greater is He that is with me." 1 John 4:4

The village kids enjoyed the program and laughed, the women too, and some of the elderly men grinned from time to time. But always the leering looks of the enemy (dressed as men in black) caught my eye.

I made it through. No worse for the wear. I was NOT in danger. There were seven men with me which could have quickly provided protection and I hasten to add the Spirit and the Hosts were guarding me as well.

But this morning after a story night - it hit; the "PTSD." Fear washed over me. I am a person who faced the enemy and was attacked. I cried. I prayed. I called my therapist (and very best friend), and I called my comrade who had shared the event with me in Gokak.

I left this morning for another full day of ministry, praying for my Elisha answer:

"Alas my master, how shall we do? And he answered, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, "I pray to open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." 2 Kings 6:17

I know when I am weak - He is strong. Today, the strong arm of salvation and mercy was with me. One hundred more children and villagers heard the name of Jesus lifted up and the King of Kings glorified. I might not have "seen" the chariots of fire, but I have no doubt they were there. It is His promise!
(Psalm 91:9-13)

My time here in Nellore has ended with over 1000 village children and adults being ministered to. Tomorrow morning I leave for a 4 hour drive back down to Chennai, a flight to Delhi, and there I will meet up with the team from East West. We will overnight in Delhi then catch a morning flight to Guwahati, and travel 5 hours to Gouapur the first stop for our Children's camp programs.

Pray for their rest on the long flight to India and for travel mercies on each step of our journey.

Praise God for the works He has accomplished here and the opportunities He has ahead.

Praise God for counting me worthy to suffer a vicious attack, protect me and allow me to press on for the upward high calling.

Praise God for He is worthy of all praise.

Smiling at the thought I have a "chariot" driver named Benhur!
Charlynn
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A Celebration!

It's past my bedtime here in India (and it would be past my bedtime if I was back home too). I just came back from bidding a bon voyage to the East West team headed back to the US. When I went into the lobby there were balloons everywhere, a camera crew and women arriving "dressed to the nines" as they say down south.

I was curious to what was creating all the "paparazzi" and elegance? Did I miss the announce of "Bran-Jolina"? Was a famous Bollywood actor arriving? What could it be?

Suddenly, the movie cameras and photographers moved towards the entrance. I was excited. I was about to witness something. I wasn't sure what but hey when in Rome - wait this is India! All heads turned as the door was open to the arriving vehicle. Out stepped a beautiful woman stunningly dressed and a dapper gentleman holding a bewildered toddler in a white dress. Who were these people? Was I missing something? Were they important dignitaries or celebrities People magazine doesn't cover?

I turned to Benhur and said, "Are they famous?" He laughed, "No sister, they are rich." I inquired further not willing to think a bank account could account for the festivities. "What is the celebration?" To which I was informed it was the little girl's first birthday.

The team came downstairs in the midst of the poses, the pinching of the cheeks and the pats and poo-pah-has over the child. I gave the low down on the high brows. "It's her birthday." With a sardonic grin, one of the ladies said, "She probably doesn't even know how SPECIAL she is."

I told her I would have to write about that!

WE are that special! The 100 village children ministered to on this day are THAT special. The King and creator of the universe makes THAT much (even more actually) fanfare over each one of His children. The father carried the child with pride and invited all his most important friends to acknowledge the day she was born. The child didn't have a clue.

So many of us don't.

Our Father does.

At the end of every dirt path, in each village and inside huts made of palm fronds and plastic are the esteemed of the Lord. There are people who need to know they are not forsaken, or forgotten but forgiven. They have a chance to be adopted and accepted into Royalty!

Today over 100 children and adults heard an invitation from the King of Kings to the biggest celebration of all.

Taking pictures at the party!
Smiling behind the "lens" of service
Charlynn
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The Unutterable

The first full day of ministry has concluded here in Nellore. It began comically, trying to find a place none of the 5 accompanying Pastors had been to before. This is not a place a Garmin, a new iPhone app or even an old-fashioned map could help you locate. Even the semi-nearby residents could not direct us with any certainty. Our van made three turn arounds (you can't u-turn on a one lane path). When our driver would ask the local shop merchants or those passing by where the school was, they would scratch their heads in confusion and seem to direct us to a place we had just passed, and it always seemed to be a muddier road than the last.

We finally found the two room school house, not from accurate directions but from the school master standing in the middle of the road flagging us down. There were no other cars traversing the village which made it easy to know we were looking for him.

We got out of the van and began to draw a crowd. The social worker (a parishioner of Pastor Benhur) was our host and had arranged for our program. He escorted me to the school (two rooms 10 x 5) filled with excited children but no chairs, desks or electricity.

It was obvious the porch around the building wouldn't accommodate all the children and gathering adults so where do you think we set up our makeshift road-show? In the road of course!

The children carried the mats out to the street to see what the first foreigner they had ever seen (probably the last) had to show. They kept staring in disbelief at the color of my skin, my eyes, the shade of my hair, and the strange words coming out of my mouth. But they laughed the same as children all over the world at the tricks and the stories. Today down a muddy street in India at "the ragged edge of a broken world"* the message of the Good News was proclaimed.

Our next destination was a familiar one. We had no trouble locating the village of the leper beggars. It is a place near to the Pastor's heart and to mine. These are the same people who had their entire village bulldozed at the whim of a land owner. Our first trip to visit them, they were next to the cemetery. Then the land became more valuable than their shelters and they lost what little they had. Now they are even further removed from the city, but next to the latrine for the school.

Four young boys dressed in uniforms took their place under the tree to watch the show. I thought it was unusual, but I didn't have a chance to ask anyone about them. When the program was complete, I asked the Pastor if the leper children were now able to go to school. He shook his head. "Oh no sister these are not leper children. These are children who left school to go to the latrine and saw what was happening and stayed." I asked if any of the 50 children (from a few months old to age 17) had a chance to go to school.

"No, sister."

"We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26

I praise God for the indwelling of His Spirit. What do you begin to ask for when there is no education, no medical assistance, no economic relief, no change EVER. A new government won't help these people. A cure has already been discovered for leprosy, but reformed health care will not affect the state or advancement of their disease.

They are outcast and beyond destitute. But they are not beyond the hand or the heart of the Almighty!

They smiled today. They remembered me - and I remembered them. For a sliver of time this side of eternity, under the shade of mango trees the lepers were laughing.

In the whisper of the wind, I could almost hear the angels too.

"But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me." Micah 7:7

Counting on the Author to write the rest of this story
Charlynn

*Quoted from TEAM Ministries
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A Call to the Heights

"So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights..." Hebrews 3:1

Looking out the window from my hotel in Nellore, India it doesn't look too high from the fourth floor. It has been ten months since my last visit here. So much is familiar, but there is something about memory the softens the reality.

I remembered it is loud. But arriving after midnight, I forgot just HOW loud it always is. The horns never stop, commerce goes on well into the night (bananas for sale at 4am) and the food - it is not just spicy - it is down right HOT!

Thank you for your prayers marking the steps of my long journey here. I arrived without incident and so did all my luggage. The car ride was fast and furious - but I survived and as far as I know so did all cows, cats and dogs that we passed along the way.

Today, I am getting acclimated and organized while Pastor Benhur performs the wedding for his niece. There is a team of Americans from East West (EW) here, but I didn't see them at the breakfast "hot chili" buffet. Pastor Benhur reported last night four of the team had been sick but are recovering. It is hard NOT to be afflicted by something unusual here. Pray for their recovery and a strong immune system in place for me. I have a long way to go before I return to a breakfast that does not include curry.

The EW team visited the leper beggars, but Benhur said "They are asking where is our sister?" He assured them I am on the way. How it warmed my heart to know they have remembrance and fondness for a fair skinned, fair haired girl from a distant land.

Friends, we are called to the "heights." But the heights of the Lord are found among the poor, the lame, the outcast, and yes, the lepers. The night before our King's last night on earth, He spent it dining in the home of Simon THE LEPER. He was not honored in a palace or 4 star restaurant. He found honor among those the world had cast out.

Here I am in the heights of India. Let us walk this tight-rope of faith with confidence He serves not only as our balance but our net in case we fall.

Taking a deep breath
Admiring the view with a smile
Charlynn

PS. India is 11 and a 1/2 hours ahead of CST. To make a quick calculation of where I am on my side of the world just subtract 30 minutes from your time (CST) and change your am to pm or pm to am.
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Mark the Journey

I have arrived in Frankfurt with no prblems. Prya my bags make the short connection time.

Oncw I arrive in Chennai, I will be met by Pastor Ben Hur and then we will drive directly to Nellore (e hours).

Pray for safety on the dark and dangerous roads!

On the way
With a tired grin
Charlynn
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Mark the Journey

I have arrived in Frankfurt with no prblems. Prya my bags make the short connection time.

Oncw I arrive in Chennai, I will be met by Pastor Ben Hur and then we will drive directly to Nellore (e hours).

Pray for safety on the dark and dangerous roads!

On the way
With a tired grin
Charlynn
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Just Around the Corner

A week ago, I returned from the mountain top experience of serving wounded soldiers and their families at the fourth Warrior Getaway. The director forwarded a touching email from one in attendance describing what the respite meant for he and his family.

(paraphrased) "I was ready to give up. I had so many problems I didn't even want to be around to face the holidays. But the volunteers gave me "joy" and I want to stick around and give back what was given to me."

Two days later, Fort Hood came under fire. It was not "friendly." Thirteen soldiers lost their lives and over 30 were wounded - the country was shocked. Here, men and women who VOLUNTER to serve our country and protect our freedom were killed in a senseless act of violence. The protectors - unprotected.

"Friends, when life gets really difficult don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job."

What is happening in our world? What happens in the heart to create such catastrophe?

"Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced."

I am preparing to leave for India this afternoon wondering what I will encounter. Although I have served in this area (Nellore) I still find myself a bit anxious at the thought. The overwhelming poverty, the disease, the broken hearts of those afflicted by leprosy - a curable illness if...
I am holding fast to the promises of the Word.

"This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner". 1 Peter 4:13

Just around the corner, His glory will be revealed. The suffering over, the questions answered, and all the tears wiped away. (Revelation 21:4). Until then - we must ALL be about the Father's business. As the body of Christ we are ALL enlisted into a volunteer army - sent out into the world to "set the captives free." Life IS difficult. But our God is on the job and our King is on the throne!

Last week, I read this devotion:

"If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of
experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others... God's way is always the way of suffering - the way of the "long road home" Oswald Chambers Nov 5

I am embarking on the "long road" to India. I am praying to be useful in His hands. I am entering into the suffering. Join me:

Pray:
For travel mercies
For quick recovery from the journey
For the flood victims in the region we will be ministering to
For the Pastors and team in India
For the hearts of the people to see the One true and living God
For the East West team as they prepare to come on the 15th to northern India
For health and safety
For boldness to proclaim the Good News!
For the remaining $3700 needed for China

Putting one foot in front of the other
Smiling still
Charlynn

To make a donation online please visit our website: www.sunshineafterrain.org

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Haste the Day...

…when my faith shall be sight.”*

I returned from the fourth Warrior Getaway and collected the mail my neighbor faithfully holds for me while I am away to parts west, east, north and south. I hoped all the financial needs to purchase and fund my December trip to China would be found tucked in the piles and piles of catalogs, coupons and the latest grocery store ads. Alas, it was not.

“Even so, it is well with my soul…”*

During difficult economic times, I understand the reluctance to financially commit to the “unseen” work of the Kingdom. It is the end of the year, Christmas is coming and on, and on, and on. Each morning I have laid my heart at the throne and surrendered to my King. “If You have other plans for me during this season, I am ready.” I have prayed Philippians 4:6 repeatedly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, AND THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.” A close friend and faithful supporter reminded me I also needed to be specific and present my requests to you.

In the eight consecutive trips Sunshine After Rain Ministries has made to China (since 2001), we have ministered directly to over 12,000 orphans and University students. We have appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts, magazine publications and newspaper articles have covered our trips to the orphanages. This has resulted in exposing the Gospel to literally hundreds of thousands of Chinese who might never have listened except for the Lord using the “foolish” (a clown) to confound the wise. Christmas is one of the best “Harvest” opportunities. China has embraced the Christmas holiday, but few know anything about the “Real Reason for the Season.” Many foreigners take this time of year to share the hope found in the Savior’s birth with friends and acquaintances.

I want to be a part of the Holiday Harvest in December 2009. This covers not just our flight, and in-country costs, but also allows us to bless the orphanages with much needed items for the winter. In past years we have provided winter clothing, warm blankets, winter boots, heaters, air purifiers and common items as simple as diapers and fresh fruit.

Thank you in advance for your support during these last days of “what we cannot see” and have an impact in Eternity.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see.” Hebrews 11:1

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

* Lyrics from the traditional hymn “It is Well with My Soul”

INDIA - Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER 9
Depart USA

NOVEMBER 10
Arrive in Germany
Depart for Chennai India
Arrive in Chennai 11:50 pm

NOVEMBER 11
Drive to Nellore

NOVEMBER 12
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

NOVEMBER 13
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

NOVEMBER 14
PROGRAM AM
Village Outreach
PROGRAM PM
Village Outreach

NOVEMBER 15
Church Program

NOVEMBER 16
Travel to Chennai
Flight to Delhi

NOVEMBER 17
Flight to Guwahati
Travel to Goupar

NOVEMBER 18
Children's Camp

NOVEMBER 19
Children's Camp
Travel to Solinijan

NOVEMBER 20
Children's Camp
Travel to Dimapur

NOVEMBER 21
Children's Camp
Travel to Guwahati by train

NOVEMBER 22
Orphanage

NOVEMBER 23
Flight to Delhi

NOVEMBER 24
Depart for USA 3:05 am
Arrive DFW 2:30 pm

Like No Place on Earth

A man walks in to a BBQ, sits down and takes off his leg and says to a pirate, "Hey, Chaplain, what do you think of my new Harley?"

Two angels were at the same BBQ. One looks over and says, "Honey your halo is crooked - let me fix that for you."

At the next table a man with hearts on his eyes adjusted the camouflage wings of a warrior angel.

Elvis posed on a haystack in the center of the room with a Renaissance man who was his daughter and his quarterback son who was dressed as a princess.

It was a place where superstars posed with superheroes.

The dish didn’t run away with the spoon, but a princess did enjoy her corn on the cob!

Walt Disney doesn’t have the monopoly on a place that is “like no place on earth.” For the past few days, a golf resort near San Antonio, Texas was like nothing you could ever imagine. I know I couldn’t have imagined any of the scenes above even though this was the fourth such event for Wounded Warriors and their families. It fell over a weekend that is known for its goblins and ghouls, tricks and treats, and clocks that turned back time! I heard more than one child sadly express they did not want to participate because it would mean they would miss the door-to-door tradition. They couldn’t have imagined there would be nothing missed and everything gained.

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It’s a world of hopes; it’s a world of fear*

Our team of volunteers had many opportunities to laugh with the soldiers and their families. They helped kids catch fish (some ten feet long!) and make it to the top of a mountain (a rock climbing wall) to ring the bell. There were times of tears as spouses shared the heartbreak of neglect by the government, and overwhelming relief knowing their loved one had survived. Hope (in the joy of Christ) was shared by Dale Witwer (http://www.joniandfriendsradio.org/listen-now/2009/1/30/witwer-family/ ) our inspirational speaker for the weekend; and he openly spoke of the fear he felt at 14 years old, the night he was shot in the head.

There’s so much that we share
That its time we're aware
It’s a small world after all

When the children and parents walked into the “Joy Station” and realized they could come in and dress up anytime they wanted to, their grins reached from ear to ear! Grown men and women who had fought the enemy valiantly for our freedom, were now in a place where they had freedom to don silly hats and wigs and smile like there was no tomorrow.
Yesterday, after the praise and worship service, there was an opportunity for families to voice what the Wounded Warrior Getaway meant to them. One spouse got up and shared what she had written to express her and her family’s gratitude. She apologized for reading it, but said, “I wanted to be sure not to forget anything.” She mentioned the quote engraved in stone at the Center for the Intrepid (the rehabilitation facility at Brooke Army Medical Center) from Marine Staff Sgt. Dan Clay (killed in action in Fallujah in 2005):
“I know what honor is. It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never Falter. Don't hesitate to honor and support those of us who had the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting.”

It was a world of tears in the audience when she expressed we (the volunteers and those who make the getaway possible) are the ones worth protecting! She is a devout Christian woman; one who has lived through the trials of a wounded soldier and come out the other side. She went on to say, how the quote reminds her of Christ who didn’t hesitate to die, and He found us worthy of protecting.

It was a world of hope, when one of the soldiers just as he was preparing to leave the center, came up to a volunteer. He said, “I didn’t get a chance to talk with you very much but I want to thank you for making this a great weekend.” Then he lifted up his shirt, revealing a chest covered in scars from an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast. He turned around to show the 18” incision where the surgeons had repaired his internal organs. As he lowered his shirt and turned to face her, he smiled, “I wanted you to see I am okay.”

“Heal the wound but leave the scar, a reminder of how merciful You are. I am broken, torn apart. Take the pieces of this heart, and heal the wound but leave the scar.”**

For a few days, somewhere off the GPS systems of Garmins and governments, a place down south was like no place on earth. In fact, I am sure everyone who attended would agree, it was in fact a piece of heaven on earth.

Thank you for participating in prayer to keep those who have protected us – protected.

Looking up for the answers
From a kneeling position


* Lyrics: It’s a Small World
** Lyrics: Heal the Wound by Point of Grace

He is Coming!

After lunch, I stood in the parking lot chatting with one of the Warrior's spouses. We were catching up on life's events since our last time together at the Warrior Getaway in May. Her husband was due to arrive after his classes (he is back in college to get his degree in Mathematics so he can teach).

Up came her 8 year old daughter jumping up and down, "When's he going to be here? When? When?" Her mother reassured her, he was on the way. "Calm down, he'll be here." As our conversation started up again, just as suddenly as she was shushed, she started jumping and shouting, "I hear him, I hear him!"

I looked up toward the winding road that lead out of the Tapatio resort property; not a car in sight. Strangely, she was still jumping, grabbing the shirt sleeve of her mother. Her excitement could be contained no longer.

A few more seconds passed, when it became audible to "non-childlike" ears; the sound of a Ford F150 truck with a hemmi engine roaring through the rocky foothills and heading our way.

"My sheep hear My voice and they know Me." (See John 10)

Our first full day concluded with an evening performance by the Christian comedian Bob Smiley. I cannot begin to describe how loud the laughter was. The hoots, the howls and tears streamed down the faces of wounded, broken but hard core military personnel over some silly jokes.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine."

For a small slice of time, there were no doctors, no nurses, no appointments or procedures, no high ranking officers that needed saluting. There was laughter and it was healing.

Tomorrow is another full day. Our speaker Dale Witwer will present the message of joy in Christ found through salvation. Pray for open hearts. The children's programs will be full of activity as well. There will be rock climbing, fishing, kayaking and more! The evening will conclude with a Harvest Festival and bonfire. Pray to the Lord for the Harvest.

Tonight, I was reading news of the President's speech at the UN referring to the "Israeli occupation of Palestine." My stomach turned and I said to my roommate, "What is going to happen now?" Then the Lord reminded me of a little girl, jumping up and down in the parking lot. She knew the sound of her daddy's car coming down the road a mile away. She couldn't wait to see him.

I see the work He is doing in the hearts of the soldiers and their families here. And I hear His engine revving as He is coming down the road.

Jumping up and down
Smiling and Childlike

Sunshine no Rain

Tuesday the predictions were in. Sunshine for the rest of the day, Wednesday partly cloudy and then the storm that was dumping inches of snow in Colorado would make it to Texas and bring back the RAIN on Thursday.

The thought dampened my spirits. In fact, it has rained so much recently- I might even say I am almost MOLDY! I knew there would be Warriors coming down to San Antonio from Dallas, and nearby suburbs. Rain might grow grass but is does not make for fun.

By late evening, all the volunteers had arrived, some with missed flights, lost luggage and even throw in missing clown costumes. It was clear the enemy was busy - but he could not steal our joy! At breakfast this morning, the leaders were huddled around discussing hospitals and "what had happened," just as we were making our way off for a good night's sleep. One of the staff members who flew in from Pennsylvania (a paraplegic) fell out of his chair and broke his leg in two places. His wife came into the dining room exhausted from a night at the hospital with no definitive answers from the doctors (surgery now or later, here or there, stay/go) with a profound disappointment at the prospect of ALL the details.

Chaplain Tony, in his Booming Major voice announced, "Listen up, we're gonna pray."

We walked out of the dining hall and looked up at the sky darkening around us. I turned to my friend and quoted one of my favorite sayings of Jesus when His disciples reported back to Him on their recent activities. "I saw satan fall like lightening!"

The Warriors had not even arrived, and one of "our own" was already "down." We ferried up to the hillside above the resort center to have our morning devotionals and pray in the shadow of the three crosses standing tall above our "holy ground."

When the van returned to take us back to the center - it got stuck in the mud (the San Antonio area has had 11 inches of rain this month). The enemy fought hard to mire our spirits in the muck of his activities. I am here reporting at the end of the day -

WE WON!

The doctors decided stabilizing the broken leg would be fine and the couple would be able to stay. And get this forecasters, the rain rain, went away, it didn't come another day - it never even arrived.

But the soldiers and their families did! They are here with a variety of woundedness. Some visible, some spiritual, some emotional but ALL "healable" by the touching hand of the Great Physician. After Jesus spoke of the fall of the enemy, He reminded His disciples not to glory in what they had accomplished, but thank God for their own salvation.

Fellow soldiers (in the army of the Lord) we are still fighting the good fight. We need to share the love of Christ that sets captives free, that binds up the broken hearted and says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."

We NEED prayers that will tear the rooftop off and allow us to lower those in need to see the Master.

We NEED prayers that will send the enemy packing and enable the heavenly hosts to breakthrough and break down strongholds!

We NEED prayers, for when the disciples were unable to cast out the demonic spirit, Jesus told them the reason was because, "This can ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH PRAYER."
The soldiers and their families may be home from a foreign battlefield where much was lost, but the greater battle is fought in the soil of their soul.

Mine eyes have seen the glory...
I am singing "His truth is marching on"
And smiling
Serviceman Charlynn

The English Horn and the 12th Hour Workers

Friday night was the long awaited much touted Grand Opening of the new Dallas Opera House. Unfortunately for my son, but fortunately for me - he has yet to find a young woman to appreciate his front row season tickets to the Opera.

The fanfare, seeing the beautiful and fashionable arriving and finding our front row seats just to the left of the Maestro was beyond exciting. We applauded as the former First Lady Laura Bush was introduced, as well as the mayor of Dallas who was just a few seats away. It was one of those moments in my life where I felt like, "I have arrived." All the while secretly acknowledging, I am really way out of and far above my normal lifestyle.

It was incredible to sit so close to the orchestra and watch them all preparing, tuning and waiting for the entrance of the Maestro. He made the familiar tap, and with arms raised the music played, the curtain rose and the show began.

My eyes scanned the orchestra pit, watching the adagios and the allegros played out by the various instruments. After the close of Act II I noticed the English Horn player had been absent the whole second act. My son and I discussed this and he casually mentioned even in absentia, he probably still gets paid the same amount as all the other players. "What! He didn't blow a single note in all of Act II. How is that fair? I just watched the cellist play her guts out and even let out an audible (to the front row fans) "Whew". It reminded me of the parable of the 12th hour workers.

Those who negotiated for the rate at the start of the day were upset that the workmen who showed up the last hour got the same amount. The Master questioned if they were angry because He was generous.

The last act began and out walked the English Horn player. He took his seat and again, the orchestra (and audience) waited for the entrance of the Maestro.

Tap Tap

The singular solo notes of the English Horn startled me and also made me smile. Here I had been thinking he was way over paid - and now the beautiful sound carried the "rest of the show."

We are His orchestra.

Sometimes we have solo performances, sometimes we all make sound at the same time, and sometimes when we "practice" it seems like just a lot of noise. I could relate to the cellist after a particularly long stanza, just letting out a sigh of relief it was over, well played.

I am waiting to hear the tap from the Maestro. I am in place ready to begin the "performance" at the Wounded Warrior Getaway. Some of you may be issuing forth exclamations at recent endurance performances the Master has called you to participate in. Some of you may be waiting in the wings, ready for the next "Act." Others may be tired of holding up the seemingly insignificant triangle for the single note that is very noticed.

The Scripture is very specific that we are ONE body with Christ as the head. Not one is more important than the other, the outward not better than the "innards"! It takes an orchestra to create a symphony. It takes all of us working together playing our assigned parts to "bring the house down." Those may be strongholds of depression, despair, feelings of forsakenness and doubt. And especially the one that makes the heavenly chorus break forth in rejoicing - a life redeemed. The Maestro has given us a willing audience; the Word says, "The Harvest is ripe. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest."

I hear His steps
Get ready to play
Smiling of course

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"