Beauty For Ashes

Isaiah 61:1-3 was the signature scripture for the conference
61 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
It is amazing that we are 8000 miles away and an American Author, Angela Thomas, and Christian Singer/Songwriter, Nicole C. Mullen, come to the Women’s conference here in Cape Town. Now what is even better than that is we got to meet them and have our picture made with them. In the states, this doesn’t happen. We were ministered to and sung to and had or “tanks” filled up. Nicole had airport issues in Atlanta so she didn’t actually make it for the conference. However, she did a make-up concert for us and so the guys were allowed to come. Hence, Mike in the photo! I think he must have prayed really hard for some way to get to go and as a result she had to postpone until Monday night. We really enjoyed her singing. We have had a great week with a Team from Shades Mountain Baptist Church from Birmingham Ala. and had 1 man give his life to the Lord during the celebration. The team goes out door to door each morning for 4 days and prays with folks and invites them to a celebration on the last day. We have testing for HIV, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. and then have crafts for them while they wait. In the evening we have some worship music, people share testimonies and then provide a meal for them.
This past Friday evening the US Consulate General, Dr. Alberta Mayberry, invited many of the American Volunteers working here in South Africa to her home for a celebration. Yes it was 9/11 and we did have a remembrance, but it was also recognition of our duty to serve. Then on Sunday we got to go over to a couple’s house that we met earlier who works for the Consulate and watch “American” Football. It was live and everything. This is a blessing when you don’t get to see football but once or twice a year.
This week we have started our second phase of the entrepreneur class and will finish this on Thursday. We also have another team here from Knoxville Tn. doing the same thing that the team did last week. We are looking forward to the celebration on Thursday. Please pray for more seeds to be sown.

Live in the Faith Zone, not the Safe Zone

For most of us, we live life in the Safe Zone. I always had a steady job a place to live and a car to drive. Until about 7 yrs ago I thought I had all I needed, but changes in my life and moving into The Faith Zone has given me more than I could ever have imagined. I took my first step of Faith when I went on a 2 week mission trip to Honduras with Mercy Ships in May of 02. I didn’t know anyone, but as I stepped out in Faith God placed a couple in my path that were from Nashville. We met before we left but they were only going to be joining the dental team for the second week. This was my first step towards trusting God in all that I do and it has been an adventure ever since. I went on a couple more trips alone, but soon after that God gave me a wonderful husband to share my life with. We began living in the Safe Zone again and did not have the fulfillment that each of us had while serving God independently. We began praying that God would move us in to the Faith Zone and that is exactly what He did. The Faith Zone requires some risk and it makes us leave our Safe “comfort” Zone. So these are some words of encouragement, from John Maxwell, for everyone who is ready to live in the Faith Zone.
• “We do not naturally leave the safe zone. Most people don’t want to have changes in their lives, but without changes you will never experience anything different. Just because you don’t want to do something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!”
• “Growth begins when we leave the safe zone. Yes I had a lot of security in my job and owning my own place, but not until I let all that go did I learn what was really important. I also discovered a lot about me and became remade by God. You can’t stay the same and learn at the same time. If you want to grow, you need to go.”
• “The safe zones rob us of our greatest moments and memories. Many people are so afraid of risks that they spend their lives in the land of just enough. God wants us to leave the wilderness and enter the land of more than enough. Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the risks you didn’t take than by the ones you did.”
I must say that leaving my safe zone has allowed me to enjoy God’s blessings to the fullest. Moses was taken out of his comfort zone in all aspects of his life beginning at birth and we are challenged by his story to Live in the faith zone, not in the safe zone.
This is Moses’ Prayer for us
Lord God, the God of my fathers,
Give my friends a healthy discontent. Draw them out of the safe zone so
that they may live every day in the faith zone. Make them wholly dependent
on You, so that they can do things greater than themselves.
Amen