Let's see...where was I....
4th house: Maasai lived in this house. We talked to two brothers and their two wives. The elder brother did not want to hear any of what we had come to say. I had only started sharing when he began talking in Swahili to Jonathon and Pastor Pius. The elder brother was explaining to them how they, as a family, worship spirits, and they don't want Jesus. Then, when the elder brother left for a second, because he didn't want to hear more, the younger brother said (and the two wives agreed from their places in the background of the house) that he was interested and wanted to hear. But, the younger brother explained, their father had just died, and especially now, the elder brother had more control over the home and the grounds and the family. The younger brother did ask Pastor Pius if he would try to come another time, when the elder brother would be away, and then they could listen and maybe accept.
Please join me in praying for these brothers and their wives. That Pastor Pius would find a time to return to talk to the younger brother and the wives in the absence of the elder brother. And then, that through the faith of the rest of his family, the elder brother would also come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
5th house: When we cried, "Hodi! Hodi!", as is the custom when entering someone's yard, (which translated basically means, we are here!, we are here!, can we come in?), a grandmother answered, "Karibuni" ("You are all welcome."). We began to explain what we were doing there, she listened. Several of her grandchildren were home, and they peeked out just their heads from behind curtains to other rooms. If I looked them in the eyes, they would retreat, only to peek their heads out again seconds later. I shared the gospel with the grandmother. She continued to listen intently. I noticed she was wearing a lot of bracelets; this sometimes indicates the person wearing the bracelets believes in the presence of evil spirits and maintains that he or she must wear bracelets to ward them off and to protect themselves.
After I finished telling her the story of Jesus using the cube, she began to talk very strongly to Jonathon and Pastor Pius. They didn't explain to me what was going on until afterward. Apparently, I was right about her beliefs and her bracelets. She believed strongly in the power of evil spirits. She could not understand how spirits could go to live with God forever, when I explained eternal life with God. She believes that when people die, their spirits remain with the family after briefly going to either the good or the bad spirit place (based on their deeds in life). Jonathon explained the grace of God, the futility of works, and the impossibility of gaining access to God simply by being good. She excused herself to go get water, very obviously gesturing that she was tired of listening to us.
Just as she was getting up to leave, a man entered the house and sat in a chair near me. She explained to Jonathon and Pastor Pius that he was a homeless man who wanders around. She left, and we were alone with this man (and of course the peeking grandchildren). Jonathon began to talk to the man asking if we could share with him about Jesus. I assumed from his gestures that he did not want to listen, and shortly afterward, Jonathon and the pastor said, "Let's go." As it turns out, it was not apparent to me, the man was angry, truly furious, that we were there talking about Jesus. And, even though this was not his house, he wanted us to leave and not come back.
Please pray that God's Truth finds this man wherever he may be. And that Pastor Pius can return to the house and talk again with the grandmother about God's almighty power over evil spirits.
So many interesting people in this world...so many who need Jesus.
One more house...but that will have to wait for another story. :)
Love in King of Kings!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Africa Story #3: Third Day - Part I
On our third day of ministry in Mang'ola, Sheila and I moved to a second church where Pastor Pius Reumi was pastor. On this third day of ministry, I encountered many interesting people. So many, in fact, that I am going to split up their stories in a few Africa Stories. :)
1st house: The people here were not ready to accept Jesus. I asked if I could pray for them. They said yes! I prayed for provision and blessing for their house, and then that God would open their hearts, that they might see Him.
2nd house: First, I shared the truth of Christ with an mzee, an elderly man, who was sick and lying down in his bed. He could barely see, so Jonathon and I got very close to him so that he could see the Evangecube (this is a small box that changes like a rubix cube, showing pictures of the story of Jesus-we use this as a tool to help the people, who learn aurally and visually, grasp the gospel as we share it with them). After a while, he said that he still needs to think about it and then he promised he would trust in Jesus if the pastor would come back another day. Pastor Pius said that he would.
Next, I walked around his bed to where a Christian woman had gathered the rest of the women of the house, including the mzee's first and second wives, around another bed, because she wanted them to all hear about Jesus. I presented the gospel to them, explaining the grace of God and how Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. All of them accepted Christ! They were so excited.
Then, they took me outside and then inside another house, where the newest third wife lived. The first wife went in the back and returned with a week-old baby. She placed the baby in my arms. So precious. I could not believe the little life in my arms. Next thing I know, this first wife brings out a cloth and puts it on my shoulders and wants me to nurse this baby! Ha! I emphatically said no, wishing I could explain that there was NO way, that it was truly impossible for me to do so. Jonathon handled the situation nicely, with hints of laughter, and told her I would not and could not nurse this little baby. After a little while, the fifteen-year-old mother of the baby and third wife, Mndulan, came out from the back room. The first wife urged me to share with her. I began telling her the story. She was so shy. She would not look at me or Jonathon or the Evangecube. Imagine being a mother at 15. And a third wife of an elderly man. And not knowing how to care for a baby, and having to trust other wives to help you do so. And having to greet guests after having a baby at home a week ago. Still, she wanted to put her faith in Jesus in the end. She finally prayed, though very quietly, to accept Jesus.
Join me in praying for this household. For the Mzee, that Pastor Pius goes and that the Mzee opens his heart to the truth of Jesus. For the wives and other women, that they continue in their walk with Christ. For Mndulan, that she finds peace and strength in her Heavenly Father, who loves her more than she can ever imagine.
3rd stop: As we were walking a distance to another house, we encountered a man on the road. Gaga was excited to hear what I had to say. I shared the gospel with him, and as I did, I noticed that he was really listening. His eyes were studying the cube, he was shaking his head, and I could tell that he was taking it all in. After sharing, he decided to trust in Jesus for his salvation!
Later in the afternoon, Sheila and I were back at the church leading a discipleship time. Every afternoon, we invited all the new believers to join us and other church members at the church for worship and teachings about what it means to be saved and security in faith. Sometimes the believers come and sometimes they don't. Some of them are already busy preparing the evening meal, and others have to far to walk. But for whatever reason, no new believers came this afternoon. As we were in the middle of singing, however, Gaga walked through the door. He asked to share a moment after we finish the song. Then, he proceeded to tell us, to tell me, that he was a witch doctor. A witch doctor! But after hearing the truth of Jesus Christ, he wanted to follow Him, leaving all the witch doctor stuff behind!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
More to come about this third day...
Love in Compassionate God!
1st house: The people here were not ready to accept Jesus. I asked if I could pray for them. They said yes! I prayed for provision and blessing for their house, and then that God would open their hearts, that they might see Him.
2nd house: First, I shared the truth of Christ with an mzee, an elderly man, who was sick and lying down in his bed. He could barely see, so Jonathon and I got very close to him so that he could see the Evangecube (this is a small box that changes like a rubix cube, showing pictures of the story of Jesus-we use this as a tool to help the people, who learn aurally and visually, grasp the gospel as we share it with them). After a while, he said that he still needs to think about it and then he promised he would trust in Jesus if the pastor would come back another day. Pastor Pius said that he would.
Next, I walked around his bed to where a Christian woman had gathered the rest of the women of the house, including the mzee's first and second wives, around another bed, because she wanted them to all hear about Jesus. I presented the gospel to them, explaining the grace of God and how Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. All of them accepted Christ! They were so excited.
Then, they took me outside and then inside another house, where the newest third wife lived. The first wife went in the back and returned with a week-old baby. She placed the baby in my arms. So precious. I could not believe the little life in my arms. Next thing I know, this first wife brings out a cloth and puts it on my shoulders and wants me to nurse this baby! Ha! I emphatically said no, wishing I could explain that there was NO way, that it was truly impossible for me to do so. Jonathon handled the situation nicely, with hints of laughter, and told her I would not and could not nurse this little baby. After a little while, the fifteen-year-old mother of the baby and third wife, Mndulan, came out from the back room. The first wife urged me to share with her. I began telling her the story. She was so shy. She would not look at me or Jonathon or the Evangecube. Imagine being a mother at 15. And a third wife of an elderly man. And not knowing how to care for a baby, and having to trust other wives to help you do so. And having to greet guests after having a baby at home a week ago. Still, she wanted to put her faith in Jesus in the end. She finally prayed, though very quietly, to accept Jesus.
Join me in praying for this household. For the Mzee, that Pastor Pius goes and that the Mzee opens his heart to the truth of Jesus. For the wives and other women, that they continue in their walk with Christ. For Mndulan, that she finds peace and strength in her Heavenly Father, who loves her more than she can ever imagine.
3rd stop: As we were walking a distance to another house, we encountered a man on the road. Gaga was excited to hear what I had to say. I shared the gospel with him, and as I did, I noticed that he was really listening. His eyes were studying the cube, he was shaking his head, and I could tell that he was taking it all in. After sharing, he decided to trust in Jesus for his salvation!
Later in the afternoon, Sheila and I were back at the church leading a discipleship time. Every afternoon, we invited all the new believers to join us and other church members at the church for worship and teachings about what it means to be saved and security in faith. Sometimes the believers come and sometimes they don't. Some of them are already busy preparing the evening meal, and others have to far to walk. But for whatever reason, no new believers came this afternoon. As we were in the middle of singing, however, Gaga walked through the door. He asked to share a moment after we finish the song. Then, he proceeded to tell us, to tell me, that he was a witch doctor. A witch doctor! But after hearing the truth of Jesus Christ, he wanted to follow Him, leaving all the witch doctor stuff behind!!!
PRAISE GOD!!!
More to come about this third day...
Love in Compassionate God!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Africa Story #2: Neema (Grace)
On the second day of ministry in Mang'ola, my partner, Sheila, and I along with our translators, Christopher and Jonathon, and Pastor Tajaeli (or MentionGod) Sula went to a secondary school. Pastor Tajaeli wanted us to pray for some students. We first met the staff and learned that the seventh year students (aged anywhere from 13-20) needed prayer as they faced upcoming exit exams. The headmaster of the school also let us know that some of the children had fainted recently due to attacks by demons.
We were ready to pray! Our translators led us into the seventh year classroom full of about 40 students. It was so cool in that instant to realize that God had even planned this trip to this school. It was so fitting that it was Sheila and I who were given the opportunity to pray. I stepped forward and told the class, with Jonathon's help, that I had recently finished major exams. I told them I had doubts that were not of myself and that, when I prayed and gave them to God, He freed me from them. I told them that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Then, Sheila stepped forward with Christopher and shared how she used to be a teacher and how she understands their desire to succeed as well as their uneasy nerves regarding the exam. We both said we would pray for fears and worries to cease and that they would turn to Jesus in the stressful times. We also told them we would pray for peace. God has plans for them, we said, and He will help them with the exams.
Then, we begin to pray. The five of us stood in the front of the classroom, raised our hands toward the students, and all begin to pray out loud, at the same time, in our own languages. As we prayed, a girl in the middle of the classroom fell crashing down, shaking uncontrollably and convulsing unnaturally. Immediately, the four girls around her, probably her close friends, tied her feet together with a cloth and tried to steady her as she convulsed. Students scattered as we headed to the middle of the classroom to pray over her. Last year I witnessed a woman who was demon possessed be freed by the power of Christ. I understood what was occurring and began praying fervently. Still, I was crying. It breaks my heart to see someone tormented by someone out of their control, especially when it is by forces of evil. As I cried, I prayed. Prayed the authority of Jesus over demons, sins, death, Satan. Prayed for freedom. Prayer that the demons would leave in the name of Christ. Prayed that God would enable her to speak.
She would stop shaking, and then Christopher would ask her friends to lay her flat on the ground. As she lay still, we continued to pray. Then, he would tell the girls to help her sit up. (She is completely unconscious at this point.) While sitting up with the help of her friends, we prayed that she would claim the name of Jesus. Her friends called her name. No response. And then, she would start convulsing again. This happened several times.
The atmosphere was so intense. Students crowded around in the classroom and then outside from other classrooms. Prayers being offered up all around me. I was still crying. So, I headed back to my backpack for a second. Grabbed Kleenex and my Bible. I could not think of anything else to pray so instead I read His Word. Verses that claimed Christ's authority. Verses of freedom. Verses about God as creator. And then, I was singing. And then, Christopher led songs in Swahili, and all the children joined in.
After about an hour and a half, a teacher came in and told us to carry the girl to a house nearby. Her four friends carried her and gently placed her on a mat in this house. They returned to school. The girl was still now, and Sheila and I got on the ground and began praying again. Our translators and the pastor also prayed.
She finally looked at peace, even though she was still unconscious. Christopher told us we needed to go. We had walked a long way to reach the school, and it was necessary for us to head back so we would have time to eat and then catch the bus. I did not want to leave her. Sheila didn't either. Christopher told us that her body was tired from the physical attack, and that after resting a little while, she would wake up. He said that they were bringing several younger children to come and sing quietly over her until she did. Then, there would be adult believers to talk to her about what may have caused the demon possession, did she do something to let them in (go to a witch doctor, for example), and then to talk to her about Jesus.
I did not talk for a while as we walked down the long road. Finally, I asked Sheila if she ever caught what the girl's name was in the midst of the intense prayer time. Yes. It was Neema.
Grace. Does she know the meaning of her name? Did she know before this day all that Christ did for her? Did she know that Christ gave His life and took her place that someday she might choose to follow Him and then live forever with Him? Join me in praying for Neema today. That those adults, that God, opened Neema's eyes to see His marvelous grace. That her testimony, how God freed her from demons, how His grace is sufficient, will touch so many other lives, leading them to Jesus Christ.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Love in Most Powerful God!
We were ready to pray! Our translators led us into the seventh year classroom full of about 40 students. It was so cool in that instant to realize that God had even planned this trip to this school. It was so fitting that it was Sheila and I who were given the opportunity to pray. I stepped forward and told the class, with Jonathon's help, that I had recently finished major exams. I told them I had doubts that were not of myself and that, when I prayed and gave them to God, He freed me from them. I told them that they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. Then, Sheila stepped forward with Christopher and shared how she used to be a teacher and how she understands their desire to succeed as well as their uneasy nerves regarding the exam. We both said we would pray for fears and worries to cease and that they would turn to Jesus in the stressful times. We also told them we would pray for peace. God has plans for them, we said, and He will help them with the exams.
Then, we begin to pray. The five of us stood in the front of the classroom, raised our hands toward the students, and all begin to pray out loud, at the same time, in our own languages. As we prayed, a girl in the middle of the classroom fell crashing down, shaking uncontrollably and convulsing unnaturally. Immediately, the four girls around her, probably her close friends, tied her feet together with a cloth and tried to steady her as she convulsed. Students scattered as we headed to the middle of the classroom to pray over her. Last year I witnessed a woman who was demon possessed be freed by the power of Christ. I understood what was occurring and began praying fervently. Still, I was crying. It breaks my heart to see someone tormented by someone out of their control, especially when it is by forces of evil. As I cried, I prayed. Prayed the authority of Jesus over demons, sins, death, Satan. Prayed for freedom. Prayer that the demons would leave in the name of Christ. Prayed that God would enable her to speak.
She would stop shaking, and then Christopher would ask her friends to lay her flat on the ground. As she lay still, we continued to pray. Then, he would tell the girls to help her sit up. (She is completely unconscious at this point.) While sitting up with the help of her friends, we prayed that she would claim the name of Jesus. Her friends called her name. No response. And then, she would start convulsing again. This happened several times.
The atmosphere was so intense. Students crowded around in the classroom and then outside from other classrooms. Prayers being offered up all around me. I was still crying. So, I headed back to my backpack for a second. Grabbed Kleenex and my Bible. I could not think of anything else to pray so instead I read His Word. Verses that claimed Christ's authority. Verses of freedom. Verses about God as creator. And then, I was singing. And then, Christopher led songs in Swahili, and all the children joined in.
After about an hour and a half, a teacher came in and told us to carry the girl to a house nearby. Her four friends carried her and gently placed her on a mat in this house. They returned to school. The girl was still now, and Sheila and I got on the ground and began praying again. Our translators and the pastor also prayed.
She finally looked at peace, even though she was still unconscious. Christopher told us we needed to go. We had walked a long way to reach the school, and it was necessary for us to head back so we would have time to eat and then catch the bus. I did not want to leave her. Sheila didn't either. Christopher told us that her body was tired from the physical attack, and that after resting a little while, she would wake up. He said that they were bringing several younger children to come and sing quietly over her until she did. Then, there would be adult believers to talk to her about what may have caused the demon possession, did she do something to let them in (go to a witch doctor, for example), and then to talk to her about Jesus.
I did not talk for a while as we walked down the long road. Finally, I asked Sheila if she ever caught what the girl's name was in the midst of the intense prayer time. Yes. It was Neema.
Grace. Does she know the meaning of her name? Did she know before this day all that Christ did for her? Did she know that Christ gave His life and took her place that someday she might choose to follow Him and then live forever with Him? Join me in praying for Neema today. That those adults, that God, opened Neema's eyes to see His marvelous grace. That her testimony, how God freed her from demons, how His grace is sufficient, will touch so many other lives, leading them to Jesus Christ.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Love in Most Powerful God!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Africa Story #1: Victory!
My brother Colin and I arrived home safely from Tanzania on Tuesday, June 1st. The trip was amazing. Thanks for all your prayers and support! I felt so covered in prayer the whole trip. When things would get quiet, and I was too tired to even think, it was such a comfort to know that people were praying for me and Colin and the whole team. Thank you so much.
The phrase God has put in my heart to declare as the phrase for the trip is this:
God did incredible things to make His name famous.
As I head on to the overseas mission field, I always go expecting great things from God. He always shows up and shows off. :) As I go expecting great things from God, I have also learned to expect attacks from the devil. Satan does not want more people to come to know God. But he always fails, no matter how many attempts he makes to stop God's people from sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with others.
Before the trip, I personally was attacked by doubts. This happened last year too. Finals week was stressful, but along with lots of studying time came many doubts. About finals and the trip and graduation and then even about my image and my ability to share the gospel. My roommates opened my eyes to these ridiculous and outrageous doubts, and I realized I myself did not believe any of these thoughts. Ah! The devil was trying to bring me down before the trip. I prayed and read and recited truth from God's Word. Goodbye, doubts.
Then, the Monday before the Sunday I was leaving, I woke up sick. I did not hesitate. No freaking out or worrying or questioning if I should go on the trip. I have been sick before EVERY mission trip, and I know that, again, it is only the devil trying to stop me from going. I went to the doctor, got some meds, and continued on with my packing and preparing. I felt almost well as I got on the plane on Sunday.
Finally, we were on the plane headed to Tanzania! And then...
The volcano in Iceland erupted again. I was watching a movie when a little notice popped up saying we were not headed to Amsterdam any longer. Instead, we were going to Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf? Yes, Dusseldorf, Germany. Now I have a Germany stamp on my passport. Then, we had to take a three-hour bus ride from Dusseldorf to Amsterdam. But we played cards, and thanks to Michael Talley from Dallas, we laughed a lot.
Next, we had to stand in the longest line in the world. Much, much, much longer than DisneyWorld. For three and a half hours. And no one, including the Amsterdam airport employees, knew what was going on. I was glad to be in charge of moving Michael's guitar inch by inch as the lined moved forward. It gave me something to focus on and be distracted by. And then, when we thought that maybe we could glimpse the end of the line, a man told Steve that our plane was waiting for us, and we did not have to stand in line. We ran very fast to some sneaky way through security and caught our plane to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Praise God!
Satan still tried to stop us. A group from Alabama was stuck in Paris for two days because of the volcano, but, after an additional three flights, they made it safely to Tanzania. During the two weeks in Tanzania, there was no shortage of flat tires and delays and broken down buses and fishtailing vans. Lots of waiting and wondering. Much confusion as, many times, no one knew what was going on. There was problems with hotels as people were split up or had to share rooms.
Above that, there was trouble the second week as the group tried to get permission to go into the Ngorongoro Conservation to talk to the Maasai people about Jesus. The government wanted each member of our team to pay $100 per day. Our budget would not allow for this. Finally, Keith Screws, the e3 leader from the states for our team, and Michael Silas, the second-in-command for e3 in Tanzania, after much debate with the person in charge, were able to get the price lowered to only $25 per day per US team member and $1.50 per Tanzanian team member. Praise God! We only were able to stay in the conservation for 4 days, but that was more than enough.
Other e3 campaigns had troubles too. One team never made it to their final destination, but instead were able to go to a different city. There was a trip originally planned to this city, Morogoro, but not enough people signed up. But because of the volcano, half of the Tabora team ended up in Morogoro! Churches got to be planted there, and people heard the name of Christ!
Satan may think that even as I share these stories with you, he will get some credit. He tried really hard to stop us from getting to Tanzania and from getting to the conservation. But he failed. And failed miserably.
After five campaigns in five cities, including the ones where I was in Mang'ola and Ngorongoro, over 23,000 people heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and over 13,000 people prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God deserves all the glory. Despite the devil's attempts, God blew away all my expectations and exceeded them beyond my imagination!!!!!!!!!!!! His power is inconceivable. The great thing is that though our plans were thwarted and turned on their heads and shattered, His plan played out perfectly just the way He planned and purposed from the beginning of time. I loved what my friend, Kala, said when we shared testimonies from the two weeks. She said, "I always knew God was good. But these weeks really God really showed me that He is perfect. And so is His timing."
Join me in worshipping the Victorious One. In Him, we always have the victory. Despite the circumstances. Despite every attempt made by the devil. God is always victorious!!!!
"With God we will gain the victory..." Psalm 60:12
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:4
Love in The Victorious One!!!
The phrase God has put in my heart to declare as the phrase for the trip is this:
God did incredible things to make His name famous.
As I head on to the overseas mission field, I always go expecting great things from God. He always shows up and shows off. :) As I go expecting great things from God, I have also learned to expect attacks from the devil. Satan does not want more people to come to know God. But he always fails, no matter how many attempts he makes to stop God's people from sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with others.
Before the trip, I personally was attacked by doubts. This happened last year too. Finals week was stressful, but along with lots of studying time came many doubts. About finals and the trip and graduation and then even about my image and my ability to share the gospel. My roommates opened my eyes to these ridiculous and outrageous doubts, and I realized I myself did not believe any of these thoughts. Ah! The devil was trying to bring me down before the trip. I prayed and read and recited truth from God's Word. Goodbye, doubts.
Then, the Monday before the Sunday I was leaving, I woke up sick. I did not hesitate. No freaking out or worrying or questioning if I should go on the trip. I have been sick before EVERY mission trip, and I know that, again, it is only the devil trying to stop me from going. I went to the doctor, got some meds, and continued on with my packing and preparing. I felt almost well as I got on the plane on Sunday.
Finally, we were on the plane headed to Tanzania! And then...
The volcano in Iceland erupted again. I was watching a movie when a little notice popped up saying we were not headed to Amsterdam any longer. Instead, we were going to Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf? Yes, Dusseldorf, Germany. Now I have a Germany stamp on my passport. Then, we had to take a three-hour bus ride from Dusseldorf to Amsterdam. But we played cards, and thanks to Michael Talley from Dallas, we laughed a lot.
Next, we had to stand in the longest line in the world. Much, much, much longer than DisneyWorld. For three and a half hours. And no one, including the Amsterdam airport employees, knew what was going on. I was glad to be in charge of moving Michael's guitar inch by inch as the lined moved forward. It gave me something to focus on and be distracted by. And then, when we thought that maybe we could glimpse the end of the line, a man told Steve that our plane was waiting for us, and we did not have to stand in line. We ran very fast to some sneaky way through security and caught our plane to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Praise God!
Satan still tried to stop us. A group from Alabama was stuck in Paris for two days because of the volcano, but, after an additional three flights, they made it safely to Tanzania. During the two weeks in Tanzania, there was no shortage of flat tires and delays and broken down buses and fishtailing vans. Lots of waiting and wondering. Much confusion as, many times, no one knew what was going on. There was problems with hotels as people were split up or had to share rooms.
Above that, there was trouble the second week as the group tried to get permission to go into the Ngorongoro Conservation to talk to the Maasai people about Jesus. The government wanted each member of our team to pay $100 per day. Our budget would not allow for this. Finally, Keith Screws, the e3 leader from the states for our team, and Michael Silas, the second-in-command for e3 in Tanzania, after much debate with the person in charge, were able to get the price lowered to only $25 per day per US team member and $1.50 per Tanzanian team member. Praise God! We only were able to stay in the conservation for 4 days, but that was more than enough.
Other e3 campaigns had troubles too. One team never made it to their final destination, but instead were able to go to a different city. There was a trip originally planned to this city, Morogoro, but not enough people signed up. But because of the volcano, half of the Tabora team ended up in Morogoro! Churches got to be planted there, and people heard the name of Christ!
Satan may think that even as I share these stories with you, he will get some credit. He tried really hard to stop us from getting to Tanzania and from getting to the conservation. But he failed. And failed miserably.
After five campaigns in five cities, including the ones where I was in Mang'ola and Ngorongoro, over 23,000 people heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and over 13,000 people prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God deserves all the glory. Despite the devil's attempts, God blew away all my expectations and exceeded them beyond my imagination!!!!!!!!!!!! His power is inconceivable. The great thing is that though our plans were thwarted and turned on their heads and shattered, His plan played out perfectly just the way He planned and purposed from the beginning of time. I loved what my friend, Kala, said when we shared testimonies from the two weeks. She said, "I always knew God was good. But these weeks really God really showed me that He is perfect. And so is His timing."
Join me in worshipping the Victorious One. In Him, we always have the victory. Despite the circumstances. Despite every attempt made by the devil. God is always victorious!!!!
"With God we will gain the victory..." Psalm 60:12
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:4
Love in The Victorious One!!!
Friday, May 14, 2010
graduation.
Today I walked across a stage
After lots of anticipation.
After days, weeks, months, years
Of hard work, sweat, laughter, and tears
I am headed to a new destination.
Today my life turned a page
College chapter ends--conclusion.
After facing trials and challenges and fears
The future unknown, but exciting, nears
It's time for a new introduction.
Today doors opened to my cage
Change comes, a new situation.
After time spent turning my gears
I turn to Him, for God steers
As I have finished graduation.
"...There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Deuteronomy 1:31
Friday, May 7, 2010
just finished.
I just finished my last final exam.
I ended my Children's Literature essay on the role of magic in fairy stories with this:
"The role of magic, and therefore the role of nature, in the story, and in life, is a direct reflection of the readers, and then writers, who take time to observe the nature surrounding them and then go one step further and give it new life."
Great last sentence for my last paragraph of my last essay on my last final exam for my last class in college.
And speaking of lasts...
On Wednesday, I used my graphing calculator for the last time.
(Maybe forever.)
Then, Thursday brought the last honors course final exam ever.
Last night was my last night of studying.
And today, I finished my last final exam.
No tears. If there were, they would be tears of joy.
Pure joy!
Accomplishment has never felt so good.
All burdens lifted.
Everything finished.
Period. Statement. Declarative sentence.
Praise the Lord!
I ended my Children's Literature essay on the role of magic in fairy stories with this:
"The role of magic, and therefore the role of nature, in the story, and in life, is a direct reflection of the readers, and then writers, who take time to observe the nature surrounding them and then go one step further and give it new life."
Great last sentence for my last paragraph of my last essay on my last final exam for my last class in college.
And speaking of lasts...
On Wednesday, I used my graphing calculator for the last time.
(Maybe forever.)
Then, Thursday brought the last honors course final exam ever.
Last night was my last night of studying.
And today, I finished my last final exam.
No tears. If there were, they would be tears of joy.
Pure joy!
Accomplishment has never felt so good.
All burdens lifted.
Everything finished.
Period. Statement. Declarative sentence.
Praise the Lord!
Monday, May 3, 2010
lasts.
There have been so many lasts in the past couple of weeks. And there will be so many more lasts in the next two.
Last paragraph of last honors paper.
Tears. Yes. Tears.
Last research paper.
Excitement.
Last lab report.
Pure joy.
Last Leadership Community meeting with Highland Baptist Church College Ministry.
Tears. Pictures.
Last Children's Literature class--my favorite class at Baylor.
Pictures. Sadness. Gladness.
Last day of class of my undergraduate education at Baylor University.
Custard with my roomies. Pictures. Nails done.
Last Sunday as official Greeter Servant Team leader at church.
Bittersweet passing of the torch to the amazing new leader.
Last coffee with special friends.
Tears.
Last Connection Group Bible study that I lead at my apartment.
Pictures. Laughter.
Last gathering of my Connection Group.
Lunch. Pictures. Tears.
Last hurrah with the small group I am in.
Dinner. Movie. Laughter.
Many things are ending. But that just means so many more things are beginning. Life has gotten comfortable, too comfortable. A dear friend of mine, who is a really cool person and who is also graduating, wrote this in a published article: "When a person starts feeling too comfortable in a place, it is probably a sign they need to leave."
It is time. The old is getting old. No, college life is not getting old in an it's-stale-let's-get-rid-of-it-this-second kind of way; it's just that it is the right time right now to bring in the new.
The hardest part of all these lasts is the people part. God has richly and abundantly and exceedingly blessed my life with the dearest friends in the whole world. I have not had to face too many "lasts" with people quite yet, but they are coming. And I am sure the tears will be there too.
The wonderful thing about all these lasts is that they lead me to cling to my Lord. He is the One who never changes, even though my life changes. He is the One who is always there, even though I move to different places.
No matter what I am doing or where I go, God is the One who lasts. And lasts forever.
And He is the One who gives me such a peace as I slowly savor and enjoy each of my lasts.
Last paragraph of last honors paper.
Tears. Yes. Tears.
Last research paper.
Excitement.
Last lab report.
Pure joy.
Last Leadership Community meeting with Highland Baptist Church College Ministry.
Tears. Pictures.
Last Children's Literature class--my favorite class at Baylor.
Pictures. Sadness. Gladness.
Last day of class of my undergraduate education at Baylor University.
Custard with my roomies. Pictures. Nails done.
Last Sunday as official Greeter Servant Team leader at church.
Bittersweet passing of the torch to the amazing new leader.
Last coffee with special friends.
Tears.
Last Connection Group Bible study that I lead at my apartment.
Pictures. Laughter.
Last gathering of my Connection Group.
Lunch. Pictures. Tears.
Last hurrah with the small group I am in.
Dinner. Movie. Laughter.
Many things are ending. But that just means so many more things are beginning. Life has gotten comfortable, too comfortable. A dear friend of mine, who is a really cool person and who is also graduating, wrote this in a published article: "When a person starts feeling too comfortable in a place, it is probably a sign they need to leave."
It is time. The old is getting old. No, college life is not getting old in an it's-stale-let's-get-rid-of-it-this-second kind of way; it's just that it is the right time right now to bring in the new.
The hardest part of all these lasts is the people part. God has richly and abundantly and exceedingly blessed my life with the dearest friends in the whole world. I have not had to face too many "lasts" with people quite yet, but they are coming. And I am sure the tears will be there too.
The wonderful thing about all these lasts is that they lead me to cling to my Lord. He is the One who never changes, even though my life changes. He is the One who is always there, even though I move to different places.
No matter what I am doing or where I go, God is the One who lasts. And lasts forever.
And He is the One who gives me such a peace as I slowly savor and enjoy each of my lasts.
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