Friday, March 28, 2008
What’s on the horizon?
For the next couple of months we are going to spend 2 days a week with everyone that works at Living Hope. We plan to learn what each person or group does and how volunteers can be utilized in their departments. We want everyone that comes to have a great experience and to do what God intended for them to do based on their gifts. We began today in Muizenberg with the life skill educators. They have a set curriculum for teaching during the school year and then they have to come up with activities for after school kids clubs. The kids are out for 3 weeks break and they are putting together 2 weeks worth of “holiday clubs for kids”. They have to come up with Bible stories, skits, crafts and a snack each day for the next 2 weeks. Mon-Fri. We then interviewed them and asked them how could we help them to be more effective with volunteers and they gave us some great ideas. All in all our first day was a success. Starting next Friday we are going to teach all the life skill educators a skit each week that we learned in Fiji so they can use these for their ministry. We are very excited about all God has in store for us. As for Living Way we are just as excited about all that is going on there. We will launch our 2nd savings club in 2 weeks and have our 1st entrepreneurial class beginning on the 21st of April. Please pray for us to be effective in our ministry and to give God the Glory.
The Containers have arrived
For those of you who have been to Cape Town on a short/long term trip, the containers finally arrived 2 weeks ago. For those who don’t know, Living Hope has been waiting on 4 containers to be used for their kids clubs and other community activities in Capricorn township since September 07. These containers are metal buildings that look like the back section of an 18 wheeler truck with doors on the side. They set them on the ground and within 48 hrs they had already been broken into and vandalized. This is nothing unusual and we can’t allow fear to get in the way of what God has in store for these containers. We must look to figuring out ways to keep the bad guys out. They had a wire fence around the area but that wouldn’t keep anyone out so now they are looking at other alternatives. Everything costs money and fencing and security are expenses they don’t have right now. Please pray for provision and for protection until they get something figured out.
Also for those of you who have visited Living Hope Muizenberg homeless ministry, they are renaming it Living Grace starting April 1st. They will have crafts again and activities for the homeless people to come in and share their stories. They will continue the morning/lunch devotion and meals. They will also continue to provide a shower and place for them to wash their clothes. If anyone is looking for an opportunity in their life to serve and their passion is homeless people this would be a great ministry to get involved in.
Easter Sunday
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Sunday morning sunrise was dynamic in remembering the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We attended a sunrise service at the beach and 2 baptisms took place just as the sun came up over the mountains. Words cannot describe nor does this picture do it justice but it was an incredible reminder of what Christ did on the cross for our sins.
We then attended the 9:00 service at King of Kings and enjoyed the rest of the day with a drive around the tip end of South Africa.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The Week before Easter
First off, it has been a great week beginning with Palm Sunday. We visited/worked at Ocean View Baptist Church. This is one of the 5 communities that we are heavily involved with. We spoke about Living Hope/Living Way and asked for local volunteers to come and offer up their services from hair and nails for the patients, to entrepreneurial help for start up businesses for Living Way. While we were waiting for the service to get started we had a good idea the roof was about to be raised. They had very large speakers, a drum set without anything around it, a base guitar and 3 microphones for vocals. It was an awesome service and we both thank God for our experience in Fiji to allow us to have an open mind for the way others worship the Lord on any given Sunday!
On Monday, we began a 4 day entrepreneurial training program. We learned strategies that we have not thought about before and learned that starting out with a very small amount of Rand (South African money) is possible for a business. We are going to have our first training class at the end of April and begin with 6 students, 2 from the sewing class that was starting at Living Hope. This is an exciting time for us as we are digging in with volunteers, getting ready to launch our 2nd savings club in Red Hill, and having our 1st entrepreneurial class beginning on April 21st. I am still excited about incorporating Biblical Financial Principal’s but am waiting on the Lord for His guidance.
Good Friday was dedicated in the morning to going to church and reflecting on what Jesus did on the Cross for our sins. For our Brentwood family it was like Maundy Thursday. It was a great time of reflection and communion. The most amazing thing was that they had 2 different holidays this weekend. It was Good Friday and Human Right’s day. Everyone was off today and will be off on Monday. Since we couldn’t find anything open, we headed down to the beach to watch bodysurfing. The water was about 45 degrees and we couldn’t believe these guys were in the water surfing. We left and headed home for the evening. Stay tuned and I will update the rest of the weekend early next week.
Saturday morning we met United States Senator Bob Corker from Tennessee and Congress woman Diane Watson from California. They came to visit the healthcare facility and to tour around the Cape Town areas to see the impoverished townships. As soon as he met us he immediately said, “Will you all be staying for the tour I want to be sure and have my picture made with you.” I thought that to be really funny because I brought my camera in hopes that he would be willing to have his picture made with us. So they are going to e-mail those pictures to us. I will add them to the blog when they come in.
Lastly, we want to wish you all a Happy Easter! May we reflect on what Jesus did on the Cross for our sins? We need to give thanks and remember that the bread was broken as a representation of the body of Christ and the cup represents the new covenant in His blood, poured out for us.
On Monday, we began a 4 day entrepreneurial training program. We learned strategies that we have not thought about before and learned that starting out with a very small amount of Rand (South African money) is possible for a business. We are going to have our first training class at the end of April and begin with 6 students, 2 from the sewing class that was starting at Living Hope. This is an exciting time for us as we are digging in with volunteers, getting ready to launch our 2nd savings club in Red Hill, and having our 1st entrepreneurial class beginning on April 21st. I am still excited about incorporating Biblical Financial Principal’s but am waiting on the Lord for His guidance.
Good Friday was dedicated in the morning to going to church and reflecting on what Jesus did on the Cross for our sins. For our Brentwood family it was like Maundy Thursday. It was a great time of reflection and communion. The most amazing thing was that they had 2 different holidays this weekend. It was Good Friday and Human Right’s day. Everyone was off today and will be off on Monday. Since we couldn’t find anything open, we headed down to the beach to watch bodysurfing. The water was about 45 degrees and we couldn’t believe these guys were in the water surfing. We left and headed home for the evening. Stay tuned and I will update the rest of the weekend early next week.
Saturday morning we met United States Senator Bob Corker from Tennessee and Congress woman Diane Watson from California. They came to visit the healthcare facility and to tour around the Cape Town areas to see the impoverished townships. As soon as he met us he immediately said, “Will you all be staying for the tour I want to be sure and have my picture made with you.” I thought that to be really funny because I brought my camera in hopes that he would be willing to have his picture made with us. So they are going to e-mail those pictures to us. I will add them to the blog when they come in.
Lastly, we want to wish you all a Happy Easter! May we reflect on what Jesus did on the Cross for our sins? We need to give thanks and remember that the bread was broken as a representation of the body of Christ and the cup represents the new covenant in His blood, poured out for us.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Invasion of Privacy
Today, we went home for lunch to find that our upstairs neighbors had been broken into.
The intruders took just a few items, plasma tv, computer and jewelry. The police were there when we arrived and were just leaving. The older couple had only been gone for a couple of hours. Up until 2 days ago there was another couple across the hall but now they have left for a few months. We had been told that because we were off the beaten path and high up on the hill we weren’t in the everyday path of the people who make a life of crime but this has awakened our senses a lot. We had also been told that there had not been a break in for 32 years. Just 2 days ago in the evening before going to bed, we stuck our heads out the sunroom windows and asked the Lord for protection that we would not be invaded while living there. We have been blessed with a great flat and view. Well we have learned that we are always at risk and don’t need to let our guard down. Yesterday we had a new security gate installed because the one we had was bent and I couldn’t close and lock it only mike could. While I was waiting for the installers to come, I left it unlocked so I would hear them while out back hanging out the laundry. The installer actually said to me,"why don't you have this door locked". Had that been today it would have been the burglars instead of the installers because they came during that same time frame. First of all this tells us that someone was watching the place and the other thing is it had to be someone that had been in there flat previously. They knew what they were after. So with all that said, please pray for our safety and protection.
The intruders took just a few items, plasma tv, computer and jewelry. The police were there when we arrived and were just leaving. The older couple had only been gone for a couple of hours. Up until 2 days ago there was another couple across the hall but now they have left for a few months. We had been told that because we were off the beaten path and high up on the hill we weren’t in the everyday path of the people who make a life of crime but this has awakened our senses a lot. We had also been told that there had not been a break in for 32 years. Just 2 days ago in the evening before going to bed, we stuck our heads out the sunroom windows and asked the Lord for protection that we would not be invaded while living there. We have been blessed with a great flat and view. Well we have learned that we are always at risk and don’t need to let our guard down. Yesterday we had a new security gate installed because the one we had was bent and I couldn’t close and lock it only mike could. While I was waiting for the installers to come, I left it unlocked so I would hear them while out back hanging out the laundry. The installer actually said to me,"why don't you have this door locked". Had that been today it would have been the burglars instead of the installers because they came during that same time frame. First of all this tells us that someone was watching the place and the other thing is it had to be someone that had been in there flat previously. They knew what they were after. So with all that said, please pray for our safety and protection.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Cape Argus Cyclist Race
Sunday was such a neat day. It was hot but there is always a breeze. Cape Town has an annual cyclist(bicycles) race and there were 38,000 entries. They close all the main streets around the area and it was difficult to get to church so we thought we would make a morning of it. We got up at 5:45am and got ready and went down to Fish Hoek with our chairs and waters and waited for the leaders to come through. We learned that the race started at 6:15 and the leaders would come through about 7:00 am. This was a 109 kilometer race( 67.7 miles) At a few minutes to 7 they started appearing in the distance. I was fascinated how these folks all came together in a pack, where they could literally reach out and touch the other person. If you have ever been at a NASCAR race and all the cars are going along at 200 miles an hour and don’t wreck, you would appreciate the rush that these guys left us with. After the first group went by it was a few more minutes and then another huge group went by this went on for hours. One of the pastors from King of Kings Church, that we attend, was in it. We wanted to see him go by but with so many bikers we didn’t think we stood a chance. The only thing we knew is that he left at 8:40. We then calculated how long it took the first one’s to come through and then based on that we calculated what his time might be. With all that said and done, we spotted him gave him words of encouragement and he waved to us. (This reminded me of those silly math questions in school that we had to figure out. I’m sure you all remember if A left at 6 and B left at 8 then what time would A arrive if C happened J something like that). There were some guys who set up some really big speakers and they were playing 80’s music to get the bikers pumped up when they went by. We heard someone way down the road playing the music first thing in the morning and I said, “I sure am glad that music is way down there”, and then another bunch came up at our end and cranked it up. Turns out it was a lot of fun. This lasted until 11:00 for us but the race didn’t finish until about 5:00 pm. We found out that the winner finished the race in 2 hours and 27 minutes just about the
time Guy, the pastor from church, was starting the race. We then went home had some lunch and enjoyed going to the beach.
About the beach this is another story in itself. The water here is cold and we debated about going in but we figured once we were numb we wouldn’t feel anything. After we had played in the waves, we laid out our Sulu’s (from Fiji) and our towels and decided to lay back and close our eyes. We know we weren’t there very long before the tide came in on us and soaked everything we had. We
moved faster than you can believe grabbed up our belongings and sat on the bank and held everything up for drying out. The winds blew and it looked like we were flying flags. I know, I know you really feel sorry for us and to top it off we got sunburned.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
My How Time Flies
It is so amazing how fast time goes by. I realized it has been a week since I blogged. Sorry! The team from Rolling Hills left late Wednesday night and we said our goodbyes. We don’t have another team scheduled until May so that gives us some time now to really write up our job descriptions and learn the ropes of Living Hope. It was great to get thrown into the fire to see how we can be more effective for the next group. We had a great time with them. They did a retreat for all of the Prevention team (support group leaders, lay counselors, and life skill educators.) They also took all of the home base care givers to the Aquarium. They intended on Table Mountain but it was too windy that day.
There were a couple of people on the team that went over to Red Hill where all the houses burned in site 3 and we were able to go over and see the shack (house) they built for one of the ladies who didn’t have anyone to help her build back. We also attended one of the afternoon programs, Kid’s Club, where they give the kids a snack do some sort of a craft and a Bible study each day. For some this snack may be the only meal or best meal they get. We also went over to the area where one of the staff at living hope was blessed to not have the fire come to her home. It really was amazing to see how close it came without doing any damage.
Mike and I really wanted to stay the rest of the day and work on building houses for the people and to be able to show them the hands of Jesus but we had to get back. There is a group there now (global challenge) that will be there for a couple of months and trying to do a long term plan. The 2nd day after the fire the people were told they had to go back to the land that the shelter couldn’t take care of them anymore and they had no hope as they got back to the area. There is a man who lives here now that was with YWAM from almost the beginning, his name is Floyd McClung, Mike and I met him last year and recognized he was really making a difference in some of the townships and had only been here a year. He is not with them now but with an organization called All Nations. He had been praying for a way to get into this township and this was the door that God opened. By the end of the first week, he had a team of people helping to bring hope and healing back into this community and now they are working together to rebuild Red Hill. Please pray for us as we really want to go help in this community as well but not sure this is where God wants us to be. There is just so much to do everywhere.
On a lighter note, Mike and I had our first haircuts here. Mike didn’t have any anxiety issues, but I on the other hand did. The ladies will understand this more than the men. I had been going to the same hairdresser for 18 yrs and I didn’t have to tell her anything when I went to her she knew what I wanted and just did it. We were riding down the road and I was talking to Mike about it and he said, “Well you better know what you want because you have to tell her.” I hadn’t really thought about it so I decided on just a trim until I could see how she was going to do. She did great with the trim and next week I am going to be brave enough to go for some “highlights.” Also known as “Covering up the gray hairs.”
This is all for now and I will hopefully do better. We still don’t have internet at home so this makes it more difficult to have to go to internet cafes. Please pray that we will get our connections soon!!!!!
We love you all and pray for you daily!!!
There were a couple of people on the team that went over to Red Hill where all the houses burned in site 3 and we were able to go over and see the shack (house) they built for one of the ladies who didn’t have anyone to help her build back. We also attended one of the afternoon programs, Kid’s Club, where they give the kids a snack do some sort of a craft and a Bible study each day. For some this snack may be the only meal or best meal they get. We also went over to the area where one of the staff at living hope was blessed to not have the fire come to her home. It really was amazing to see how close it came without doing any damage.
Mike and I really wanted to stay the rest of the day and work on building houses for the people and to be able to show them the hands of Jesus but we had to get back. There is a group there now (global challenge) that will be there for a couple of months and trying to do a long term plan. The 2nd day after the fire the people were told they had to go back to the land that the shelter couldn’t take care of them anymore and they had no hope as they got back to the area. There is a man who lives here now that was with YWAM from almost the beginning, his name is Floyd McClung, Mike and I met him last year and recognized he was really making a difference in some of the townships and had only been here a year. He is not with them now but with an organization called All Nations. He had been praying for a way to get into this township and this was the door that God opened. By the end of the first week, he had a team of people helping to bring hope and healing back into this community and now they are working together to rebuild Red Hill. Please pray for us as we really want to go help in this community as well but not sure this is where God wants us to be. There is just so much to do everywhere.
On a lighter note, Mike and I had our first haircuts here. Mike didn’t have any anxiety issues, but I on the other hand did. The ladies will understand this more than the men. I had been going to the same hairdresser for 18 yrs and I didn’t have to tell her anything when I went to her she knew what I wanted and just did it. We were riding down the road and I was talking to Mike about it and he said, “Well you better know what you want because you have to tell her.” I hadn’t really thought about it so I decided on just a trim until I could see how she was going to do. She did great with the trim and next week I am going to be brave enough to go for some “highlights.” Also known as “Covering up the gray hairs.”
This is all for now and I will hopefully do better. We still don’t have internet at home so this makes it more difficult to have to go to internet cafes. Please pray that we will get our connections soon!!!!!
We love you all and pray for you daily!!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Road Trip to Stellenbosch
A couple of days ago we had a small caravan with a group of the savings clubs members from Masiphumele, the Director of Living Way, Richard Lundie, and Mike and me. We took about an hour and 15 minute drive along the coast to a city called Stellenbosch. This place is known as Wine Country and is very beautiful. There were many vineyards along the roadside. We went to visit a couple of established savings clubs to encourage the new group from Masi and to help them with ideas about running their club. I wanted so desperately to step in with the teachings of the Biblical Principals, but understand that I must wait until The Lord says, “ok it is time to put it into practice.” My devotion for the morning was Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God, so with that said I will wait!!!
We carried 2 ladies with us, Beauty and Cynthia, and spent a lot of time just sharing about our families and asking it they were Christians. One spoke English very well and the other didn’t speak it well but understood. The one who spoke well said yes, with enthusiasm, I am a born again Christian that was awesome to know. Mike shared with them that he had 7 children and they were amazed their eyes got really big and Beauty translated to Cynthia and they couldn’t believe it. We had a good laugh. We are learning that we must build the relationships first. Jesus’ command to love thy neighbor is the number one priority here. We must build trust with them.
The savings clubs were very well established one had 64 people saving 1 Rand a day, mind you this is less than 14 cents a day for us, but that is all they can afford. The other had 250 but only 50 active. They only make if anything around 100 Rand per day and to us that is about 10 to14 dollars a DAY. This in itself blows our minds. How can they ever get out of the oppression if the cost of living is the same as living in America? (Franklin or Brentwood I might add) Most everyone lives in Tin shacks and desires to have a house. Overall it was great for them to see the clubs working and I believe it is going encourage them.
Richard came to me in the afternoon yesterday, and told me he talked with the ladies in his car on the way home about the Crown Information and they want to do it. So I am excited and just need to begin to write a curriculum to meet their needs. Please pray for the right person to come along side me to help me write it. God is truly at work in SA.
We carried 2 ladies with us, Beauty and Cynthia, and spent a lot of time just sharing about our families and asking it they were Christians. One spoke English very well and the other didn’t speak it well but understood. The one who spoke well said yes, with enthusiasm, I am a born again Christian that was awesome to know. Mike shared with them that he had 7 children and they were amazed their eyes got really big and Beauty translated to Cynthia and they couldn’t believe it. We had a good laugh. We are learning that we must build the relationships first. Jesus’ command to love thy neighbor is the number one priority here. We must build trust with them.
The savings clubs were very well established one had 64 people saving 1 Rand a day, mind you this is less than 14 cents a day for us, but that is all they can afford. The other had 250 but only 50 active. They only make if anything around 100 Rand per day and to us that is about 10 to14 dollars a DAY. This in itself blows our minds. How can they ever get out of the oppression if the cost of living is the same as living in America? (Franklin or Brentwood I might add) Most everyone lives in Tin shacks and desires to have a house. Overall it was great for them to see the clubs working and I believe it is going encourage them.
Richard came to me in the afternoon yesterday, and told me he talked with the ladies in his car on the way home about the Crown Information and they want to do it. So I am excited and just need to begin to write a curriculum to meet their needs. Please pray for the right person to come along side me to help me write it. God is truly at work in SA.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Our first week at Work
We arrive at Living Hope each day around 8:00 and we have a little room for us to work in. We meet first thing in the morning for devotions and then begin the week. Pat Ball, the volunteer coordinator, left yesterday for 2 weeks and Avril Thomas, John’s wife also left yesterday. This leaves us on our own for the next couple of weeks with Teams. Nothing like throwing us into the Lions Den!!!!
There is a couple coming from Releigh North Carolina today, Friday, to volunteer for 89 days. There is also a team coming from Rolling Hills Baptist Church, Franklin,Tn. on Saturday and they will be here for 2 weeks.
Pat came in to inform us that we are now on Africa time. She said don’t expect things to get done quickly. We have done pretty well at getting things accomplished. We have all of our furniture now and are trying to decorate a little. We also have been able to get contracts on cell phones, and a bank account, that usually takes a while for most volunteers who come. Mike is very persistent and it has paid off.
Mike has been made aware, but I think he knew it all along, that Pat wants to pass all of the volunteer coordinator job description on to him. I believe that I will be helping Mike as his assistant and we ask that you pray for us to get established and settled and help me see where I fit in. The Crown Financial will be slow going but I have faith that God will help me to persevere to get it into the support groups/savings clubs soon. I had a good meeting today with the director and he likes it but we have to have a curriculum for the townships because their needs are so much different from the Americans. Pray that I will learn their ways and if I am the one to write the curriculum that I will have help and the wisdom to get it done!!
There is a couple coming from Releigh North Carolina today, Friday, to volunteer for 89 days. There is also a team coming from Rolling Hills Baptist Church, Franklin,Tn. on Saturday and they will be here for 2 weeks.
Pat came in to inform us that we are now on Africa time. She said don’t expect things to get done quickly. We have done pretty well at getting things accomplished. We have all of our furniture now and are trying to decorate a little. We also have been able to get contracts on cell phones, and a bank account, that usually takes a while for most volunteers who come. Mike is very persistent and it has paid off.
Mike has been made aware, but I think he knew it all along, that Pat wants to pass all of the volunteer coordinator job description on to him. I believe that I will be helping Mike as his assistant and we ask that you pray for us to get established and settled and help me see where I fit in. The Crown Financial will be slow going but I have faith that God will help me to persevere to get it into the support groups/savings clubs soon. I had a good meeting today with the director and he likes it but we have to have a curriculum for the townships because their needs are so much different from the Americans. Pray that I will learn their ways and if I am the one to write the curriculum that I will have help and the wisdom to get it done!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Follow up to Fire on the Mountain
We went to church this morning and John, the Pastor, updated us on the fire. Ocean View had a lot of soot throughout their homes but not any damage. Red Hill has three areas and section 3 was completely destroyed. They were mostly from Zimbabwe. He told us that 2 of his staff lived there and the fire stopped just before it got to their shacks. You can’t tell me prayer doesn’t work because that was one huge answer to prayer!!
Fire on the Mountain
As I write this tonight, there is devastation just over the mountain side near Living Hope but it is in Red Hill and Ocean View. Both of these are places in which Living Hope has involvement. I don’t have information on Living Hope yet, but when we were heading home you could see the fire coming down the side of the mountain. They do not have the sophistication that America has and so they are not able to really fight it like we can. They have fire trucks in some of the neighborhoods and we saw a couple of helicopters with the water buckets, but the biggest fight they have is the wind. The wind is unbelievable here (30-40 mph gusting up to 50) and it is keeping the fires uncontainable. Mike and I realize the only thing we can do is pray, and believe that He can stop the wind if He chooses. As I know more details, I will update the blog. Please pray for the people here who have lost what little they have and that the crime doesn’t increase due to looking to replace what they lost.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A TESTIMONY
As we were preparing to leave during the last week, and the last several days, in particular, several close friends prayed with us and over us. Those are always good prayer times and you feel really blessed when so many people who you expect to be close to the Lord and active in their prayer life, stop to talk to the Almighty on your behalf. The kinds of prayer requests you hear most often are for safety, good health on the trip, ease of connections, peace, etc. A couple of the prayers on the day we left ask the Lord for us to be able to sense His presence during the entire trip! What a great trip this would be.
So, this is what happened. We had favor in our packing, were able to get 2 bags carried later by a team from our church (saving precious money), favor on the trip to the airport and had our “tip” for the baggage handler paid for us, had a friend step in just at the perfect time and paid for half of our charges for bags over the limit in number and weight. We had Pam’s brother arrange us a slight upgrade in seating from DC to Frankfurt. How much more could we see God’s hand touching us in so many ways to say, “I love you and I’m taking care of you?”
These things do not make us “able” to make the trip as we would still be in Frankfurt, Germany right now even if none of them happened. What is does do is to remind us that we are children of the King and we will be forever! He just desired to show us favor and honor the prayers offered to Him for us. We are excited to see what else the Father has in store.
Mike
So, this is what happened. We had favor in our packing, were able to get 2 bags carried later by a team from our church (saving precious money), favor on the trip to the airport and had our “tip” for the baggage handler paid for us, had a friend step in just at the perfect time and paid for half of our charges for bags over the limit in number and weight. We had Pam’s brother arrange us a slight upgrade in seating from DC to Frankfurt. How much more could we see God’s hand touching us in so many ways to say, “I love you and I’m taking care of you?”
These things do not make us “able” to make the trip as we would still be in Frankfurt, Germany right now even if none of them happened. What is does do is to remind us that we are children of the King and we will be forever! He just desired to show us favor and honor the prayers offered to Him for us. We are excited to see what else the Father has in store.
Mike
The continuation of our journey to South Africa and God’s favor since we arrived
The third and final leg of our journey was the longest but we made it. Our arrival was simple we had to go through customs and collect our luggage. As we were looking for our last 2 pieces of luggage, one of the porters walks up to me while Mike was at the carousel and says, “Are you looking for a large black bag that has the name Talley on it, I think it is over on the other side of the carousel I’ll get it for you. I told him yes but had no idea how he knew who I was or how many bags we had. We didn’t ask how he knew we just saw it as God’s hand on us.
Our rental car was a breeze and away we left to come to our resting for place for a few days, Wellwood Lodge. We had a great breakfast and then knew we had to hit the ground running. We had an appointment with a Real Estate agent to show us a couple of different flats (apartments) that we had been looking at on the internet before we left Brentwood, but when we arrived there was only one, so we felt this was where The Lord wanted us to be. We did check a few other agencies but nothing was available. We made an agreement pending a few things that needed work, mainly the carpet. They agreed to clean the carpets and had that done immediately, but by Sunday when it had dried it still didn’t look great. We met a couple a few doors down and they invited us up to see their flat, when he opened the door we were amazed at the hardwood floors he had. We, of course, started asking all kinds of questions and it turned out that we had the same floor under the soiled carpet. We began praying that the Lord would allow us to show the owner the floor and consider allowing us to have it fixed back to its original hardwood. We would even do some of the labor to keep costs down.
Monday morning came and we were supposed to meet the agent and the owner, but the agent was sick. The owner was great and she loved the idea of the floors and agreed to pay for all of it and hire someone else to do the work. Since then, so much more has been done to update the 30 year old flat and we are very excited. The only draw back is that we can’t move in until Friday. After that, we left the flat and we went to see a man recommended by John Thomas, about a car. Richard had a car that was going to be traded in so we had a verbal agreement for this car. It came in later in the day but it didn’t have air conditioning or power steering so we asked him if he had anything else and he did and it was cheaper. So PRAISE GOD! We get the car tomorrow. We also found a used bedroom suite and paid a deposit to have our telephone line (this is a whole other story but I will just give the glory to Him) put in. Lastly, most of the American’s that are here, were telling us how bad the banking system (fees for everything!!!!!!!!!!) is and Avril, John’s wife, recommended Nedbank. We first went to another bank, because of a recommendation, but I was hesitant about saying yes to opening the account because the fees were so bad. We then went to Nedbank and they have a flat monthly fee ( which is ridiculous) but it was the best of what we could have gotten.
Today is a new day and we just praise the Lord for the beauty that is here and all that He has in store for us today. We are having to leave Wellwood Lodge but we have a friend that has been so gracious to let us stay with her until our flat is ready. Check back next week for Days of Our Cape Town Lives.
Our rental car was a breeze and away we left to come to our resting for place for a few days, Wellwood Lodge. We had a great breakfast and then knew we had to hit the ground running. We had an appointment with a Real Estate agent to show us a couple of different flats (apartments) that we had been looking at on the internet before we left Brentwood, but when we arrived there was only one, so we felt this was where The Lord wanted us to be. We did check a few other agencies but nothing was available. We made an agreement pending a few things that needed work, mainly the carpet. They agreed to clean the carpets and had that done immediately, but by Sunday when it had dried it still didn’t look great. We met a couple a few doors down and they invited us up to see their flat, when he opened the door we were amazed at the hardwood floors he had. We, of course, started asking all kinds of questions and it turned out that we had the same floor under the soiled carpet. We began praying that the Lord would allow us to show the owner the floor and consider allowing us to have it fixed back to its original hardwood. We would even do some of the labor to keep costs down.
Monday morning came and we were supposed to meet the agent and the owner, but the agent was sick. The owner was great and she loved the idea of the floors and agreed to pay for all of it and hire someone else to do the work. Since then, so much more has been done to update the 30 year old flat and we are very excited. The only draw back is that we can’t move in until Friday. After that, we left the flat and we went to see a man recommended by John Thomas, about a car. Richard had a car that was going to be traded in so we had a verbal agreement for this car. It came in later in the day but it didn’t have air conditioning or power steering so we asked him if he had anything else and he did and it was cheaper. So PRAISE GOD! We get the car tomorrow. We also found a used bedroom suite and paid a deposit to have our telephone line (this is a whole other story but I will just give the glory to Him) put in. Lastly, most of the American’s that are here, were telling us how bad the banking system (fees for everything!!!!!!!!!!) is and Avril, John’s wife, recommended Nedbank. We first went to another bank, because of a recommendation, but I was hesitant about saying yes to opening the account because the fees were so bad. We then went to Nedbank and they have a flat monthly fee ( which is ridiculous) but it was the best of what we could have gotten.
Today is a new day and we just praise the Lord for the beauty that is here and all that He has in store for us today. We are having to leave Wellwood Lodge but we have a friend that has been so gracious to let us stay with her until our flat is ready. Check back next week for Days of Our Cape Town Lives.
Our first and second legs of the flight
We are sitting in reclining chairs waiting for our flight from Frankfurt Germany to Cape Town South Africa. I want to share God’s amazing grace through out our day yesterday. ‘
First we had 7 pieces of luggage, 3 extras than allowed, and weighing 20 lbs. over the limit. We had a wonderful friend to take us to the airport in his SUV because of the amount of luggage we had. He was gracious enough to tip the porter to take them for us so we didn’t have to handle them. Then as we checked in the clerk told us it was going to be really expensive to get the luggage over there. We had some idea it would be but didn’t really know how much. Just as we were getting the final amount another friend of ours walked up and said, “Hey I’ll split that with you!” Wow God’s timing is perfect. Not only did we split it but he reduced it by $90.00.
Next, my brother is a pilot for United Airlines and we were talking earlier in the day and we thought we might cross paths in Washington. We tried to make a plan to meet between our connecting flights, but we were a little late and he had to immediately get on a flight to Orlando. I had asked him in an e-mail earlier if it was at all possible to move us to a better seatJ could he do it. I told him the biblical saying is “you have not because you ask not” so I am asking!!!! When we got to the gate they were already boarding the plane, but I knew in my heart that if it was possible to get a better seat my brother would make it happen. I suggested to Mike to go up to the check in counter and see if we had been upgraded. The man at the counter asked him if he knew a Mike, (my brother is Mike too.) and Mike said, “Yes that is my wife’s brother” and he said, “I think you are going to like these seats you will have plenty of leg room. We got moved into economy plus and had all 5 seats to ourselves across the middle of the plane, so needless to say we stretched out to watch a movie and sleep.
Speaking of movie, Mike said when we got on the plane “I hope they are showing the movie, The Ultimate Gift, our friends we stayed with for 3 months said it was a great movie”. Well again, God is so good. We watched The Ultimate Gift and it was a great movie. It is so hard to out think God and His capabilities so stay tuned for the last leg of our journey.
First we had 7 pieces of luggage, 3 extras than allowed, and weighing 20 lbs. over the limit. We had a wonderful friend to take us to the airport in his SUV because of the amount of luggage we had. He was gracious enough to tip the porter to take them for us so we didn’t have to handle them. Then as we checked in the clerk told us it was going to be really expensive to get the luggage over there. We had some idea it would be but didn’t really know how much. Just as we were getting the final amount another friend of ours walked up and said, “Hey I’ll split that with you!” Wow God’s timing is perfect. Not only did we split it but he reduced it by $90.00.
Next, my brother is a pilot for United Airlines and we were talking earlier in the day and we thought we might cross paths in Washington. We tried to make a plan to meet between our connecting flights, but we were a little late and he had to immediately get on a flight to Orlando. I had asked him in an e-mail earlier if it was at all possible to move us to a better seatJ could he do it. I told him the biblical saying is “you have not because you ask not” so I am asking!!!! When we got to the gate they were already boarding the plane, but I knew in my heart that if it was possible to get a better seat my brother would make it happen. I suggested to Mike to go up to the check in counter and see if we had been upgraded. The man at the counter asked him if he knew a Mike, (my brother is Mike too.) and Mike said, “Yes that is my wife’s brother” and he said, “I think you are going to like these seats you will have plenty of leg room. We got moved into economy plus and had all 5 seats to ourselves across the middle of the plane, so needless to say we stretched out to watch a movie and sleep.
Speaking of movie, Mike said when we got on the plane “I hope they are showing the movie, The Ultimate Gift, our friends we stayed with for 3 months said it was a great movie”. Well again, God is so good. We watched The Ultimate Gift and it was a great movie. It is so hard to out think God and His capabilities so stay tuned for the last leg of our journey.
Monday, January 28, 2008
God Reveals Himself Daily
As we prepare to get all of our ducks in a row, God continuously reveals himself to us.
I had to have a CPR course to keep up my license and I called a friend of mine that has recertified me for about 8yrs. I wanted to get her a gift certificate to a restaurant but wasn’t sure about the amount. Mike and I felt that $40.00 was what the Holy Spirit laid on our hearts. I called her and long story short she said, “I usually charge $40.00.” However, she was so gracious and told us to go use it as a blessing to us from her.
We have been so amazed at the financial support from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
God is totally in control of our “daily bread.” He continues to blow our minds with contributions that we least expect along the way. He strengthens our Faith on a daily basis. If He were to give it to us all at once, how would He continue to build the relationship? A few weeks ago we started watching the currency exchange and the rate was under the normal $1.00 to 7 rand. I asked the Lord to increase that rate so when the money was transferred from the church to Living Hope we would get more for our dollar. Yesterday the rate went to 7.12 and we are supposed to have the money transferred tomorrow. We thank Him for the provision and continue to be in awe over His sovereignty for our budget.
Lastly, this was so awesome. Mike has to take a medication for his thyroid on a daily basis. Normally, the insurance company won’t allow more than 30 days at a time. Last year, when we went to Fiji, he was able get enough for 6mths. This time he was going to try and get another 6mth supply and worry about the rest once we were in SA. When he called the insurance company to get the ok, the guy kept asking for a round about date for our return. We didn’t really want to commit to a day but he wouldn’t let up, so Mike told him around Dec. 15th. The guy then said, “would 330 days work for you?” Mike said, “I think that would be just fine.” We recognized after it was all said and done that was just another gift from Our Father.
There are many more things God has showed his hand in but these really stood out in our minds. We wanted to share these stories with you all.
I had to have a CPR course to keep up my license and I called a friend of mine that has recertified me for about 8yrs. I wanted to get her a gift certificate to a restaurant but wasn’t sure about the amount. Mike and I felt that $40.00 was what the Holy Spirit laid on our hearts. I called her and long story short she said, “I usually charge $40.00.” However, she was so gracious and told us to go use it as a blessing to us from her.
We have been so amazed at the financial support from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
God is totally in control of our “daily bread.” He continues to blow our minds with contributions that we least expect along the way. He strengthens our Faith on a daily basis. If He were to give it to us all at once, how would He continue to build the relationship? A few weeks ago we started watching the currency exchange and the rate was under the normal $1.00 to 7 rand. I asked the Lord to increase that rate so when the money was transferred from the church to Living Hope we would get more for our dollar. Yesterday the rate went to 7.12 and we are supposed to have the money transferred tomorrow. We thank Him for the provision and continue to be in awe over His sovereignty for our budget.
Lastly, this was so awesome. Mike has to take a medication for his thyroid on a daily basis. Normally, the insurance company won’t allow more than 30 days at a time. Last year, when we went to Fiji, he was able get enough for 6mths. This time he was going to try and get another 6mth supply and worry about the rest once we were in SA. When he called the insurance company to get the ok, the guy kept asking for a round about date for our return. We didn’t really want to commit to a day but he wouldn’t let up, so Mike told him around Dec. 15th. The guy then said, “would 330 days work for you?” Mike said, “I think that would be just fine.” We recognized after it was all said and done that was just another gift from Our Father.
There are many more things God has showed his hand in but these really stood out in our minds. We wanted to share these stories with you all.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
HOW WE HEARD OUR CALL
This is always a great opportunity to share a portion of our testimony. Back in October before we left Cape Town we had several meetings with John Thomas at Living Hope Community Centre. He listened to our passions and desires of our heart, but never tried to sway us in any decisions to come to South Africa. He did however, give us great pastoral counsel and advised us to be sure we had “4 lights” lined up like an airplane coming in for the perfect landing before we committed to any sort of service for the Kingdom.
Those 4 lights were Scripture, Circumstances, Counsel of the Brethren (wise counsel), and Peace.
Scripture is for WHEN things don’t go right and we face those trials and struggles. We will be able to go to those scriptures and remember how God revealed those to us before leaving. A few of those scriptures are Isaiah 58:10-11, Acts 1:8, Psalm 139: 9-10, Psalm 2:8.
Circumstances had already revealed to us that the light was on green.
Counsel of the Brethren was also set in place because we have a wonderful team that loves us and surrounds us with support and guidance. They advised us to make a decision about Cape Town before we left which forced us to really seek God’s will for us while we were there.
Peace was a flashing yellow light. We did not have peace in our hearts so we could not accept the opportunity. We had to come home without the decision made, but realized that was the best decision because it was easier to come home to family and friends without having to tell them we would be leaving again soon. It also forced us to be patient and wait on the Lord.
We had committed to apply for the IMB (International Mission Board) as another option before making a decision. As we began the application process, we realized we were a few days late for the deadline to apply for the January 2008 conference. Our missions minister said go ahead and I’ll call and try to use my contacts to get you in. Long story short that door was closed. We felt God wanted us to wait on Him and His timing so we did. Psalm 37:7
We knew John was coming to Brentwood on the 25th and 26th of November and wanted to meet with us again. We still didn’t have clarity but perhaps he would display some “flashing neon sign”. The night before we met I had a dream that involved John and I shared it with Mike the next morning. As we shared the scriptures God had revealed to us, John shared some issues about Cape Town that had been resolved. We began to have the peace that we needed. To further help us with the “peace” issue, John reminded us that God talks to different people in different ways, and he told us to read Job 33:14. It says, “God sometimes speaks to us through dreams.” I looked at Mike and said to John, “I had a dream last night and you were in it but I couldn’t understand what you were saying.” He said, “I have never used this verse before in my 27 years of counseling how much clearer can it get?” We were still not satisfied and still looking for that neon sign, so we attended a couple of more functions with him. John announced at the CEO fellowship meeting that they, as in Living Hope/ Living Way, had been praying that someone like Mike and Pam would come along side and work with them in South Africa. We knew then the call was clear.
One of the most difficult decisions we had to make was leaving our family with all of the different situations going on in their lives. Our parents are aging and not in the best health, and the children and grandchildren just don’t want us to go. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 19:29, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Mark 10:29, Luke 18:29, Matthew 10:37 have similar messages and we understood all this to say “you must go, I will take care of your family.” We love each one of them, but must obey the call.
This last year has been an incredible journey of faith and we have been so blessed to have you all to take part in it with us. We pray you will continue to join us for the next season of our life.
Those 4 lights were Scripture, Circumstances, Counsel of the Brethren (wise counsel), and Peace.
Scripture is for WHEN things don’t go right and we face those trials and struggles. We will be able to go to those scriptures and remember how God revealed those to us before leaving. A few of those scriptures are Isaiah 58:10-11, Acts 1:8, Psalm 139: 9-10, Psalm 2:8.
Circumstances had already revealed to us that the light was on green.
Counsel of the Brethren was also set in place because we have a wonderful team that loves us and surrounds us with support and guidance. They advised us to make a decision about Cape Town before we left which forced us to really seek God’s will for us while we were there.
Peace was a flashing yellow light. We did not have peace in our hearts so we could not accept the opportunity. We had to come home without the decision made, but realized that was the best decision because it was easier to come home to family and friends without having to tell them we would be leaving again soon. It also forced us to be patient and wait on the Lord.
We had committed to apply for the IMB (International Mission Board) as another option before making a decision. As we began the application process, we realized we were a few days late for the deadline to apply for the January 2008 conference. Our missions minister said go ahead and I’ll call and try to use my contacts to get you in. Long story short that door was closed. We felt God wanted us to wait on Him and His timing so we did. Psalm 37:7
We knew John was coming to Brentwood on the 25th and 26th of November and wanted to meet with us again. We still didn’t have clarity but perhaps he would display some “flashing neon sign”. The night before we met I had a dream that involved John and I shared it with Mike the next morning. As we shared the scriptures God had revealed to us, John shared some issues about Cape Town that had been resolved. We began to have the peace that we needed. To further help us with the “peace” issue, John reminded us that God talks to different people in different ways, and he told us to read Job 33:14. It says, “God sometimes speaks to us through dreams.” I looked at Mike and said to John, “I had a dream last night and you were in it but I couldn’t understand what you were saying.” He said, “I have never used this verse before in my 27 years of counseling how much clearer can it get?” We were still not satisfied and still looking for that neon sign, so we attended a couple of more functions with him. John announced at the CEO fellowship meeting that they, as in Living Hope/ Living Way, had been praying that someone like Mike and Pam would come along side and work with them in South Africa. We knew then the call was clear.
One of the most difficult decisions we had to make was leaving our family with all of the different situations going on in their lives. Our parents are aging and not in the best health, and the children and grandchildren just don’t want us to go. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 19:29, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Mark 10:29, Luke 18:29, Matthew 10:37 have similar messages and we understood all this to say “you must go, I will take care of your family.” We love each one of them, but must obey the call.
This last year has been an incredible journey of faith and we have been so blessed to have you all to take part in it with us. We pray you will continue to join us for the next season of our life.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
God is My Provider
Today I would like to share a testimony with you about how I believe God is my Provider. I have not always believed this because I always thought I was my own provider. I have struggled with a stronghold issue of money all of my life and God is teaching me how to depend on Him instead of me depending on myself.
For most of my life I have been influenced by money. I grew up in a small town but one of the riches towns in America. I was influenced by my parents as well as my friends. We were a middle class family but the emphasis was on the need to have things. I was raised to be responsible for myself. To have a nice home, drive a nice car and rely only on self if I were going to make it in THIS world. My dad allowed me to work weekends with him at his store managing the cash register at age 10 and my mom taught me how to run a lemonade stand business to the golfers in my back yard at age 12. I would not change these experiences for anything because they were great lessons learned, however, I had no idea how they would impact me later on in life. Money became an idol for me very early in life.
With all of this, I realized early on, it played a large role in my need for security from anything but the Lord. I worked very long hours in the same dental practice for 17 years because I was afraid that I couldn’t do anything different or find anything better. I did not trust God for anything nor did I look to Him during this time. I was trying to get ahead! I ask myself now what or who was I trying to get ahead of? Mark 8:36 says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
God began working in my life about 5 years ago. He began changing my heart for my work. (because I asked him to of course!) I didn’t love going anymore. I realized I wanted more in short term mission trips and I couldn’t work like I was and be a servant for Jesus. Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 says, “No servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and LOVE the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. For all those years I finally realized I was serving the wrong master, but I didn’t know how to get away from it.
One Sunday morning while reading our bulletin in Church, the Lord pointed out a Bible Study that I felt called to be in. I talked to Mike about it and we prayed and he agreed it would be good for both of us. Little did I know it would change my life. The name of it was Crown Financial Ministries. It taught Biblical principles about money and how to manage it. One thing that most of us don’t know is that there are over 2350 verses in the Bible about the use of money and or possessions. The only issue talked about more was love. Jesus knew that this topic would be a stronghold for many and that is why we have so much scripture for Guidance. LUCKY FOR YOU GUYS I’M ONLY GOING TO POINT OUT A FEW!
They gave us 1 verse a week to memorize and then the study to go along with it.
LUKE 16:11 “If you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” How we handle our money impacts our relationship with the Lord. If we don’t know how to use God’s money here on earth how can we be trusted to His true riches.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O’ Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and Honor come from you alone and you are the Ruler of all mankind. Your hand controls power and might and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. (TLB)
This scripture has spoken to me in so many ways, but the 2 most important things for me were Everything comes from God. Riches come from Him alone and He can give it and He can take it away.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Scripture teaches not that riches themselves are evil but the value we place on them can lead to our undoing.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13 “ I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am, I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
These were powerful scriptures that really spoke to my heart during this time.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
As God slowly revealed these verses to me week by week, I began to understand the need to trust Him for my provisions. I prayed for contentment whatever the circumstances and not long after that I left my job of 17 yrs (my security blanket) and ventured out into the unknown to Trust the Lord with whatever He had in store for me and Mike.
He Provided another job with less hours and more money. I was amazed! However, had a known what would lye ahead I wouldn’t have left. Thank God he doesn’t reveal everything to us. This past September, after I had only been there a year I was fired! This was very humbling to me because there was not just cause. I was bitter and didn’t understand what God had planned but I trusted Him. There wasn’t a job to be had for 3mths and Mike’s Real Estate business was not doing well and God really forced us to reevaluate our lives. Mike and I had been praying for long term mission opportunities but at the time we didn’t see this unfolding. I was on my knees at this point asking God to provide because I couldn’t do it anymore. He asked me this question, “Will you trust me with this journey?” I said yes I will!
Weeks went by and the leader from my financial Bible study e-mailed me one day and said “ Hey just thought I would remind you of your long term prayer request from 2 years ago,” God please use us for your Kingdom building in long term missions.” I knew then God had a plan for us and we were to be obedient to His call. He had to take me to the bottom to get my attention that He will always be my PROVIDER.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says, then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during his few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. These verses give me hope! Isn’t it great to know that God isn’t against rich people. Here in these verses we see God actually makes some people rich and says it is proper for man to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun. God tops it all off by enabling them to enjoy it! These people are so busy using God’s money for His Glory that they don’t worry about their provisions.
Matthew 7:11 If the heart is right and we seek it in the manner that he has chosen to give it, “How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
This gave me a new perspective on working hard and giving from my heart.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, work diligently as unto the Lord whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men. It is the Lord Christ who you serve.
Acts 20:35 says remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
I wanted to close this with a revelation from Debra’s lecture yesterday. She shared about her grief and explained the loss of her expectations of her husband as the provider and that triggered my grief and loss of expectations of the men in my life as being the provider. I had always depended on my earthly father and yearned for my husband’s to be the provider but that was not what God intended for me. He has been trying to get my attention all of my adult life to look to Him for provision and so I turned it over to Him at the cross yesterday.
For most of my life I have been influenced by money. I grew up in a small town but one of the riches towns in America. I was influenced by my parents as well as my friends. We were a middle class family but the emphasis was on the need to have things. I was raised to be responsible for myself. To have a nice home, drive a nice car and rely only on self if I were going to make it in THIS world. My dad allowed me to work weekends with him at his store managing the cash register at age 10 and my mom taught me how to run a lemonade stand business to the golfers in my back yard at age 12. I would not change these experiences for anything because they were great lessons learned, however, I had no idea how they would impact me later on in life. Money became an idol for me very early in life.
With all of this, I realized early on, it played a large role in my need for security from anything but the Lord. I worked very long hours in the same dental practice for 17 years because I was afraid that I couldn’t do anything different or find anything better. I did not trust God for anything nor did I look to Him during this time. I was trying to get ahead! I ask myself now what or who was I trying to get ahead of? Mark 8:36 says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
God began working in my life about 5 years ago. He began changing my heart for my work. (because I asked him to of course!) I didn’t love going anymore. I realized I wanted more in short term mission trips and I couldn’t work like I was and be a servant for Jesus. Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 says, “No servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and LOVE the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. For all those years I finally realized I was serving the wrong master, but I didn’t know how to get away from it.
One Sunday morning while reading our bulletin in Church, the Lord pointed out a Bible Study that I felt called to be in. I talked to Mike about it and we prayed and he agreed it would be good for both of us. Little did I know it would change my life. The name of it was Crown Financial Ministries. It taught Biblical principles about money and how to manage it. One thing that most of us don’t know is that there are over 2350 verses in the Bible about the use of money and or possessions. The only issue talked about more was love. Jesus knew that this topic would be a stronghold for many and that is why we have so much scripture for Guidance. LUCKY FOR YOU GUYS I’M ONLY GOING TO POINT OUT A FEW!
They gave us 1 verse a week to memorize and then the study to go along with it.
LUKE 16:11 “If you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?” How we handle our money impacts our relationship with the Lord. If we don’t know how to use God’s money here on earth how can we be trusted to His true riches.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O’ Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and Honor come from you alone and you are the Ruler of all mankind. Your hand controls power and might and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. (TLB)
This scripture has spoken to me in so many ways, but the 2 most important things for me were Everything comes from God. Riches come from Him alone and He can give it and He can take it away.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Scripture teaches not that riches themselves are evil but the value we place on them can lead to our undoing.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13 “ I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am, I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
These were powerful scriptures that really spoke to my heart during this time.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
As God slowly revealed these verses to me week by week, I began to understand the need to trust Him for my provisions. I prayed for contentment whatever the circumstances and not long after that I left my job of 17 yrs (my security blanket) and ventured out into the unknown to Trust the Lord with whatever He had in store for me and Mike.
He Provided another job with less hours and more money. I was amazed! However, had a known what would lye ahead I wouldn’t have left. Thank God he doesn’t reveal everything to us. This past September, after I had only been there a year I was fired! This was very humbling to me because there was not just cause. I was bitter and didn’t understand what God had planned but I trusted Him. There wasn’t a job to be had for 3mths and Mike’s Real Estate business was not doing well and God really forced us to reevaluate our lives. Mike and I had been praying for long term mission opportunities but at the time we didn’t see this unfolding. I was on my knees at this point asking God to provide because I couldn’t do it anymore. He asked me this question, “Will you trust me with this journey?” I said yes I will!
Weeks went by and the leader from my financial Bible study e-mailed me one day and said “ Hey just thought I would remind you of your long term prayer request from 2 years ago,” God please use us for your Kingdom building in long term missions.” I knew then God had a plan for us and we were to be obedient to His call. He had to take me to the bottom to get my attention that He will always be my PROVIDER.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 says, then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during his few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. These verses give me hope! Isn’t it great to know that God isn’t against rich people. Here in these verses we see God actually makes some people rich and says it is proper for man to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun. God tops it all off by enabling them to enjoy it! These people are so busy using God’s money for His Glory that they don’t worry about their provisions.
Matthew 7:11 If the heart is right and we seek it in the manner that he has chosen to give it, “How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
This gave me a new perspective on working hard and giving from my heart.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, work diligently as unto the Lord whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men. It is the Lord Christ who you serve.
Acts 20:35 says remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
I wanted to close this with a revelation from Debra’s lecture yesterday. She shared about her grief and explained the loss of her expectations of her husband as the provider and that triggered my grief and loss of expectations of the men in my life as being the provider. I had always depended on my earthly father and yearned for my husband’s to be the provider but that was not what God intended for me. He has been trying to get my attention all of my adult life to look to Him for provision and so I turned it over to Him at the cross yesterday.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
DAILY ROUTINE
This will be the first installment of a series of articles I am offering to share with you what life is like here. Before we left, and at all the support meetings, we speculated as to what our life would be like here in Fiji. Now, I want to follow-up on that theme and share with you the reality, and you can put together the pieces of how much we guessed correctly and how much we were off the mark. Also, you might find it interesting what we do each day, what are the specifics of our daily routine, etc, so this little series will help with all of that.
First of all, our speculation that we would quickly pick-up the Aussie/Kiwi accent has come to pass. Pam and I even think now with the sort-of British accent and have admitted to each other that when we pray silently, out self-talk is with the accent. It’s really quite natural with the large majority of our friends here from one of those 3 places. We even have an instructor this week that has been to Nashville and has had fun with our Southern drawl and we have laughed, as well.
I will start with our daily routine. We have a very full schedule, it seems, which leaves only scarce free time. We have class from 8:30 to 12:30 each day with a 30 minute tea break at 10:30. Breakfast is from 7:00 to 7:30 and quiet time from 7:30 to 8:30. We usually get up around 6 and try to go for a walk along the waterfront, which is usually about 2 ½ miles and we make this trek about 3-4 times each week. After lunch every day is different. Mondays we have small group, which is 2 groups of men and one group of women. In my small group, we have 3 men students and 2 leaders. We spend the 1 ½ hours different ways, but it includes praying for each other and talking about what’s going on with us from the classwork and/or personally. It will prove to be a great bonding time for us men and will be part of our journey most treasured. Sometimes we walk to a nearby hotel and get a milkshake, and that’s a great treat.
The funny thing is that we don’t have the normal house duties we have at home, but we have less free time. I haven’t quite understood where the time goes, but it gets to around 9 or 10 pm and we’re ready for bed and have not gotten all our personal stuff done, almost every day. Maybe, because of the communal type living accommodation, it’s easy to visit for 5 to 15 minutes here and there, and then at other times it’s tough to find time alone to write and think. Anyway, time is hard to control.
Everybody has work duties every day, and we have 3 rotations of 4 weeks each. My first rotation was on maintenance, which made my work a breeze. Pam’s first job has been as the cook’s helper, and I must admit, is one of the hardest on the base. She works harder and for more hours than anyone else here. Our second rotation starts May 21 and Pam has lunch clean-up plus hospitality for our guest speaker each week. Hospitality duties include making our guests feel welcome with a card, clean sheets, cold drinks in their private “fridge”, snacks, etc. plus photocopies or whatever help he/she might need during the week. We expect this duty will require 3-4 hours per week. My second rotation is dinner (“tea”) clean-up, which takes about an hour per evening. Tough work, but this will not be as long as the 2 hrs/day on maintenance. Our new schedules will allow us some time together in the afternoons between 3 and 5:30 that we did not have for the first four weeks, and we plan to have fun checking out the local town much more during this time.
Every afternoon is different, but I will attempt to share a brief overview. After lunch at 12:30 (this takes about 30 minutes) we have a time slot from 1:30 to 3:00 each day that varies. Monday is small group, Tuesday is intercession (usually for Fiji), Wednesday is free time, Thursday is local community outreach, and Friday is a time for feedback and review with the week’s speaker.
In addition to the above schedule, we have a weekly meeting with our “one-on-one” which takes about an hour. Our one-on-one is one of the staff that meets with us weekly, plus any other time we need it to make sure we are understanding the intended teaching. We also do a weekly journal which has a specific guideline that is an overview of the week’s lectures and how they have affected our spiritual journey. We turn these in to our one-on-one each Monday morning for review and correction, if needed. We also have to read 4 books while we are here, and the first 3 of them require a written book report. We usually write a 2-3 page review of the main points of the book, why it was written, and how its information will affect our ministry. Pam and I are now almost finished with our second book and should complete our second book reports by the end of this week, which is a little ahead of schedule. We just can’t imagine getting behind with so little free time, so we try to stay ahead to avoid that.
We will try to add more later on our weekend journeys and adventures, and also cultural differences.
First of all, our speculation that we would quickly pick-up the Aussie/Kiwi accent has come to pass. Pam and I even think now with the sort-of British accent and have admitted to each other that when we pray silently, out self-talk is with the accent. It’s really quite natural with the large majority of our friends here from one of those 3 places. We even have an instructor this week that has been to Nashville and has had fun with our Southern drawl and we have laughed, as well.
I will start with our daily routine. We have a very full schedule, it seems, which leaves only scarce free time. We have class from 8:30 to 12:30 each day with a 30 minute tea break at 10:30. Breakfast is from 7:00 to 7:30 and quiet time from 7:30 to 8:30. We usually get up around 6 and try to go for a walk along the waterfront, which is usually about 2 ½ miles and we make this trek about 3-4 times each week. After lunch every day is different. Mondays we have small group, which is 2 groups of men and one group of women. In my small group, we have 3 men students and 2 leaders. We spend the 1 ½ hours different ways, but it includes praying for each other and talking about what’s going on with us from the classwork and/or personally. It will prove to be a great bonding time for us men and will be part of our journey most treasured. Sometimes we walk to a nearby hotel and get a milkshake, and that’s a great treat.
The funny thing is that we don’t have the normal house duties we have at home, but we have less free time. I haven’t quite understood where the time goes, but it gets to around 9 or 10 pm and we’re ready for bed and have not gotten all our personal stuff done, almost every day. Maybe, because of the communal type living accommodation, it’s easy to visit for 5 to 15 minutes here and there, and then at other times it’s tough to find time alone to write and think. Anyway, time is hard to control.
Everybody has work duties every day, and we have 3 rotations of 4 weeks each. My first rotation was on maintenance, which made my work a breeze. Pam’s first job has been as the cook’s helper, and I must admit, is one of the hardest on the base. She works harder and for more hours than anyone else here. Our second rotation starts May 21 and Pam has lunch clean-up plus hospitality for our guest speaker each week. Hospitality duties include making our guests feel welcome with a card, clean sheets, cold drinks in their private “fridge”, snacks, etc. plus photocopies or whatever help he/she might need during the week. We expect this duty will require 3-4 hours per week. My second rotation is dinner (“tea”) clean-up, which takes about an hour per evening. Tough work, but this will not be as long as the 2 hrs/day on maintenance. Our new schedules will allow us some time together in the afternoons between 3 and 5:30 that we did not have for the first four weeks, and we plan to have fun checking out the local town much more during this time.
Every afternoon is different, but I will attempt to share a brief overview. After lunch at 12:30 (this takes about 30 minutes) we have a time slot from 1:30 to 3:00 each day that varies. Monday is small group, Tuesday is intercession (usually for Fiji), Wednesday is free time, Thursday is local community outreach, and Friday is a time for feedback and review with the week’s speaker.
In addition to the above schedule, we have a weekly meeting with our “one-on-one” which takes about an hour. Our one-on-one is one of the staff that meets with us weekly, plus any other time we need it to make sure we are understanding the intended teaching. We also do a weekly journal which has a specific guideline that is an overview of the week’s lectures and how they have affected our spiritual journey. We turn these in to our one-on-one each Monday morning for review and correction, if needed. We also have to read 4 books while we are here, and the first 3 of them require a written book report. We usually write a 2-3 page review of the main points of the book, why it was written, and how its information will affect our ministry. Pam and I are now almost finished with our second book and should complete our second book reports by the end of this week, which is a little ahead of schedule. We just can’t imagine getting behind with so little free time, so we try to stay ahead to avoid that.
We will try to add more later on our weekend journeys and adventures, and also cultural differences.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Just A Piece Of Wood
On the first day we arrived we were given a tour of the facilities just like all the other students. Well, if you know me, I cannot ignore the little things that need repair. I catch many of them at first glance and immediately try to figure out how to fix them. On the roof of our building are two clothes washers which are covered by a wobbly shed type cover, made of plywood and 2X4’s. The doors were held closed by a bent nail because the structure was not study enough to hold the doors square so the locks would hold. Within 60 seconds I shared with our tour guide (who is in charge of maintenance during the school) how we could just put some ¾” plywood corners of about 8” on each side, cut into a triangle, at each of the front corners and then the doors would close properly and we cold eliminate the nails. I was excited about my idea for repair, but was slightly discouraged in learning, much like every other missions environment, that we didn’t have any wood and if we did, we would have to purchase a whole sheet of plywood, and we also did not have any sawhorses or a square.Very limited!
On the way to town yesterday, I stopped in at the plumbing supply store across the street and purchased a small bolt lock for our bedroom (my second repair project). While I was there I inquired about a square and also about other ideas related to the washer shed repair: what about some 8” corner braces or now much wood would I have to buy and how much would it cost? There was an Indian man in the back listening to my queries to the clerk and he asked, “What about if I give you a piece of lumber?” I told him the details that I needed approx. an 8” piece cut into triangles. He wanted me to go with him across town with him and he would have the wood cut for me. What do you think I was thinking? Who is this man? What does he want? Will my family ever see me again? Will they be able to find my body? And on and on! I told him I had to be back for supper in 30 minutes and he said we’d better hurry and get in the car if we were to be back in time for me. I gave myself and my protection to God and jumped in the car. Right now you are trying to remind me that my protection was already in God’s hands and I know that, but sometimes you just need to try to recommit God to His job. Within 30 seconds of driving off the man told me he was the owner of the plumbing supply business and he had a lumber yard across town. He has 5 branches and he supplies plumbing material to the government of Fiji. He is a very successful self-made entrepreneur and just wanted to be a good neighbor and offer help to me. He knows the director here very well, and our base has purchased much from him and his company. How big is our God? The man hurried me across Lautoka to his lumber yard and promptly directed one of his men to find me a one inch piece of lumber (it was a little over 7” wide and I thought that would be plenty wide enough) which he asked for my approval. He then had the man plane it and then cut me two 7 ¼” triangles and we hurried off to get me back home in time for supper. The man showed me every part of his operation at the lumber yard and also at the supply house when we returned. I now have the wooden braces for our washer shed, but more importantly, I have a friend named Sarwan across the street with a lot of connections in Fiji. In time, I will be able to discuss eternal topics with him. Thank you, God for your providence
On the way to town yesterday, I stopped in at the plumbing supply store across the street and purchased a small bolt lock for our bedroom (my second repair project). While I was there I inquired about a square and also about other ideas related to the washer shed repair: what about some 8” corner braces or now much wood would I have to buy and how much would it cost? There was an Indian man in the back listening to my queries to the clerk and he asked, “What about if I give you a piece of lumber?” I told him the details that I needed approx. an 8” piece cut into triangles. He wanted me to go with him across town with him and he would have the wood cut for me. What do you think I was thinking? Who is this man? What does he want? Will my family ever see me again? Will they be able to find my body? And on and on! I told him I had to be back for supper in 30 minutes and he said we’d better hurry and get in the car if we were to be back in time for me. I gave myself and my protection to God and jumped in the car. Right now you are trying to remind me that my protection was already in God’s hands and I know that, but sometimes you just need to try to recommit God to His job. Within 30 seconds of driving off the man told me he was the owner of the plumbing supply business and he had a lumber yard across town. He has 5 branches and he supplies plumbing material to the government of Fiji. He is a very successful self-made entrepreneur and just wanted to be a good neighbor and offer help to me. He knows the director here very well, and our base has purchased much from him and his company. How big is our God? The man hurried me across Lautoka to his lumber yard and promptly directed one of his men to find me a one inch piece of lumber (it was a little over 7” wide and I thought that would be plenty wide enough) which he asked for my approval. He then had the man plane it and then cut me two 7 ¼” triangles and we hurried off to get me back home in time for supper. The man showed me every part of his operation at the lumber yard and also at the supply house when we returned. I now have the wooden braces for our washer shed, but more importantly, I have a friend named Sarwan across the street with a lot of connections in Fiji. In time, I will be able to discuss eternal topics with him. Thank you, God for your providence
Who's Got The Book?
There are so many things that happen in our everyday lives that we attribute to circumstance that if we were spiritually aware, we would easily see how God is at work in the minute details of our lives. Here is one such story.
In preparation for this school I have been reading a book by Loren Cunningham, Is That Really You, God? I was and am very impressed by the book because of the reality that we can really clearly understand God’s will for our lives, not only in minute details but in the major decisions we make that guide our ministry and future. The other overwhelming feature of the book was that it was difficult to put down. I wanted to read it all the way through. I knew it would be a great book to share with my children so they could gain a little more insight into YWAM, and also to stimulate their desire to know Him in a more intimate way.
When I talked to Libby (my oldest) on last Saturday morning (which was Friday for her) I mentioned the book to her and suggested she find it and read it. She accepted my suggestion and the very next day while she and several other of her brothers and sister were having a yard sale she spotted the very book I asked her to find on her sister’s table of goods for sale! Nilesen’s husband Sidney had the book (don’t know where he got it) for sale and Libby bought it for fifty cents! I know God placed that book in Libby’s hands.
In preparation for this school I have been reading a book by Loren Cunningham, Is That Really You, God? I was and am very impressed by the book because of the reality that we can really clearly understand God’s will for our lives, not only in minute details but in the major decisions we make that guide our ministry and future. The other overwhelming feature of the book was that it was difficult to put down. I wanted to read it all the way through. I knew it would be a great book to share with my children so they could gain a little more insight into YWAM, and also to stimulate their desire to know Him in a more intimate way.
When I talked to Libby (my oldest) on last Saturday morning (which was Friday for her) I mentioned the book to her and suggested she find it and read it. She accepted my suggestion and the very next day while she and several other of her brothers and sister were having a yard sale she spotted the very book I asked her to find on her sister’s table of goods for sale! Nilesen’s husband Sidney had the book (don’t know where he got it) for sale and Libby bought it for fifty cents! I know God placed that book in Libby’s hands.
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