If I Had Two Hands Doing The Same Thing

Now that I have been in Tanzania for 8 months I have discovered something about myself.  I am constantly pulling God toward me with one hand and pushing Him away with the other. I wish that I had two hands doing the same thing. I have one hand that draws the Lord close to me and allows Him to challenge me to step out in faith. At the same time I have another hand that wants to push away from these challenges.  Do I really want to avoid being challenged and stretched by God? The answer to that question is a resounding, "No!" Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. James 1:3

Endurance is a necessity in our life in Africa. It is such a comfort to have God's Word to go to and find that the challenges that we are facing have purpose. They bring forth endurance which needs to increase in our life so that we can have longevity in our work. The funny thing about this journey that we are on is that it is just as much for us as it is for the Bibleless. God doesn't need Patrick and I to accomplish His work but He allows us to join Him for our benefit...so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

                            Because a child of God is known by their fruit (Matthew 7:20)

So, I welcome the challenges. Knowing that each one is growing my relationship with the Lord and bringing new buds of fruit onto my tree. Join me in praying for ours and the many families on the field who are learning to use both hands in their service. Pray that our hands will be outstretched to the Heavens and our trees dripping with fruit.

Soli Deo Gloria!


video by Jars of Clay taken in East Africa

Shillings, Mangoes and Peanuts

 Fridays are the day that we walk the kids down to the "MK" school so they can participate in group activities like Art, Music, Bible and P.E. So, Patrick and I began the morning with the usual breakfast routine. On this particular morning, after some incurred disappointments, I was just not feelin' it. I had no desire to be a participant in my life here in Africa. I longed for air-conditioning and something pre-packaged that I could throw on the table for the kids to scarf down before heading to school.  I had to come into my room and ask the Lord to send me some divine revelation that would encourage me to endure/persevere. Patrick offered to walk the older children to school and when he returned we decided to put the twins into one of our wagons and head into town. We were preparing to have a Tanzanian family over to eat, and as usual, we were taking our daily walk into town for supplies. Little did I know how good this trip into town would be.

I thought it would be good to take the twins to meet some of the merchants in town that have offered us so much kindness. I had two places in mind ,so off we went! The first stop was  a lady where I buy my rice, beans, and sugar. On my first meeting with her, after a long conversation, we found that we both had six children. So, we became instant friends. She now not only sells me the above items but she will go out of her way to help me get everything on my list. So, we rolled our little, red wagon into the market for the twins to meet her. My friend and I greeted each other and I told her that I had brought my husband and the twins with me today. She came running out from behind the cement wall where she sells her goods to greet my family. Immediately she bowed down before Patrick and shook his hand and then walked over to greet the twins. What happened next just blew my mind. My friend then runs back to her station and comes back with shillings for both of the twins. This is huge in my book. This woman who has little to nothing is giving our family money. She then placed her hands on both of their heads and thanked God for them and our family. 

God quietly whispered: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

So right then and there I had seen and experienced the presence of God. The circumstances of that morning that were supposed to steal my joy God had just transformed into worship. Right there surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the market, I stopped. I tuned out everything that was going on around me and encountered God.  I truly believe that faith is alive and at this moment God confirmed my belief.

We were headed home and I stopped to visit with the family that sells us our mangoes and cucumbers. Usually, it is a mother and her two daughters. On this day it was just the girls. The youngest one has just captured my heart and after hearing that her mother was sick, I decided to buy some fruit and veggies. After my purchase, as we were walking away, the youngest daughter grabbed some fruit and ran and gave it two the twins. Well, at this point, I was crying in the street. This young girl had given us thousands of shillings of free fruit. This is huge when you make so very little every day.

God whispered: "For they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." Mark 12:44

What an incredible display from God that he had heard my prayers that morning. He intended to meet my needs that morning but not in the way that I expected. He did not send what we needed in one lump sum ,but He intentionally placed people all along my way that opened their hands and their hearts to our family.

Deuteronomy 15:8-"But you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks."

I was sufficiently loved on at this point but isn't it just like God to say, " I am not quite done yet, my child."

I was out delivering something to the children's school teacher later that afternoon. On my return home three young ladies carrying peanuts on their heads were walking my way. They started shouting at me, in a good way, so I stopped. They all three started hugging me at one time and then began taking peanuts out of their baskets and filling my hands. I told them that I did not have any money to pay but they started saying, " God told us to give you these peanuts, no charge." Well it was a good thing that I was the only person on the street at this time because I began to have a little church, if you know what I mean!

Wow! What a day! God turned my pity party into dancing and redirected my worries into worship. So, I began to shout His love right then and there on the street. God had just healed my doubts and confirmed His love, yet again. I am sure that there will be many more days that I feel discouraged and insufficient. I pray that on these days that I remember moments just like this and am encouraged to persevere.

We're Back!

A lot has happened since our last update. I hope and pray that as I begin to give you a detailed look into our lives on the field that you will see how helpless we are and how mighty God is.

Leaving the U.S. was the craziest few hours of my life. Between security checks, making sure that all my kiddos were on the plane, time changes, weird air-line food, and an odd selection of in-flight movies, we landed in Tanzania. Most of you know me to be pretty emotional. Well, I did not disappoint on this excursion. When the pilot announced that we had arrived in Tanzania, the flood-gates opened. I mean if you had been through the whirl-wind that God had just brought us through, you would have cried too!

Entering Tanzania was even more crazy than leaving the U.S. We were met with Kiswahili, machine guns, and tremendous heat. I remember trying to fill out immigration papers with a military officer speaking unbelievably fast swahili in my ear and thinking, " Can I please board the plane and head anywhere but here?" The best part of transition into a foreign country is you can express these feelings in your native tongue and everyone around you just smiles. But, you feel so much better. Trust me, I have done it several times since we have been in Tanzania and I am sure that I will do it several times more while I am here.

Once we had taken our lives into our own hands in Tanzanian traffic and vehicles, tried a variety of Tanzanian dishes, shopped at the market, and learned how to greet everyone, we headed off to language school. This took place in Iringa. The bus ride to Iringa was an experience that I can compare to nothing. See, my whole life I have been terrified of roller coasters. I got on one once when I was younger and was scared to death and vowed that I would never ride one again. But, God must have a wonderful sense of humor because He put me on a bus that made space mountain look like It's a small world. ( If you have been to Disney then you will understand this comparison) I have never wanted to kiss the ground before but I came very close after that trip. 

Language school was the time to exhale. We had been on the go for so long, once we arrived at school, this is where our family finally got to grasp what had just happened to our lives. We had one day to rest before school started for everyone except the twins. Eden and Evan had the hardest time transitioning at school. We arrived on Saturday and had to leave them with a Tanzanian nanny on Monday morning. Their first nanny spoke no English whatsoever. It was very hard on them but then God brought us Mercy, literally and figuratively. She was truly an Angel and we still miss her to this day. Patrick and I worked very hard to learn the language while our older four worked hard to learn math, English, spelling and Swahili. They had a wonderful tutor and we were thankful for God providing her. During language school we also had a Tanzanian home-stay. It was the hardest week of my life and I am a mother of 6 kids! God was preparing me for life ahead so I am glad that I got over myself and I persevered and did the work. It was great training, especially in Swahili, and I think that my first week in Musoma has gone so well because of my home-stay. All I can say, is that I have never been around women who work so hard and have such great attitudes. It has been a great lesson for me to learn, hard work is a blessing not a curse. Well, after 4 months language school ended. We then boarded one of three buses and headed home.

We arrived in Musoma last Wednesday. It is truly a beautiful place and our teammates are beyond precious. I have spent so much time this week praising God for such plentiful provisions.For example:  When we were leaving the states I told Jesus how much I hated leaving this one special bush in my yard. It was passed down to me by my precious grandmother, who is turning 100 next month, so this bush was old. We planted it in the hopes that I would get to see it bloom for many years to come. I know it sounds silly but I hated leaving this plant for new homeowners. Well, let me tell you friend, Jesus hears every utterance you make, because when we pulled up into our driveway what do you think was waiting on me? That exact bush! It was sitting there all big, fat, and full of blooms! Are you tearing up, because I sure did?! He didn't bring my family through all of this to harm us and make us miserable but to prosper us. I told you that you would see just how weak our family is but how truly mighty God is! So, this is a quick update on our lives. All I can tell you is that we have cried, laughed, packed, unpacked, faced all kinds of fears and learned more and more how truly magnificent God is. We are so looking forward to beginning Kingdom work here in Musoma. I can tell you that there is plenty to do, so come and join us! There is a place for you in the nations and we are praying that each of you find that place and fill it so Jesus can come back and take us home. Can I get an Amen!

So, pray for the bible-less, pray for the ones that have the Bible but are without a Shepherd to teach them and train them, pray for those serving, and pray that God will give more people courage to step out on faith, there is truly no better way to live!

Until we see each other again face to face, know that we are enjoying the plant and looking forward to the Harvest.

Follow The Leader

"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."  John 12:26

With 17 days left before we leave the United States, I fear that I have made a huge mistake - I have run out of time. So many people to hug, so many yet to be shared meals, so many last minute glimpses of places that remind me of home, so much packing...


How should I order my last few days?
I love to look to the scriptures to help me prioritize. In the book of John we see Jesus display what is a priority as he finishes his earthly ministry.
*A meal v.2
*Worship  v.3
*Recognizing that the enemy is very near but defeated v.4
*Understanding that our purpose is to be a vessel for God’s glory and it requires sacrifice v.27-28

So…..

I will make time for every precious friend or family member that needs a moment of my time.


I will guard my time with the Lord each day and maintain a spirit of worship because I have so much to say “thank-you” for and God is Enough to warrant my continued praise.


I will stand firm against the enemy.  Knowing that his presence is a great reminder of what has been defeated and will not be a part of my eternity.


I will look forward to the days ahead, knowing that I must follow Him  and that He is right there beside me through every anxious turn, teaching me how to be an instrument for God’s glory.

21 days 'til we're leavin' on a jetplane...

3 weeks from today we fly out (July 18th). The past few weeks have been rough. As soon as we bought the plane tickets, everyone started getting sick. We had to cancel dinner dates, could not teach VBS, and even just this past Sunday, had to struggle through the morning service since we were the only speakers. But maybe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I keep saying that, hoping it will come true.

We are now under the gun to get everything packed. At this point, it looks like we may have room for school curriculum and toiletries. Who needs clothes? or books? or toys?

Just how many deodorants do we need?

Please continue to pray for our health. We realize there is a spiritual battle going on here. Also, pray that we would have good quality time with God everyday despite the sickness and the busy-ness of packing.

We love all of you. Thank you for your support and encouragement.


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Eph 6:12 NASB

A passport in the hand is worth two in the bush...

Yes, the United States government has determined that we are who we say we are (and they liked all the photos - no small feat). We currently have all eight passports in our hands! Just one more piece of the puzzle falling into place.

Thank you for your prayers! We are so grateful.

Freedom

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."  John 8:36

You are fully free-completely free, free indeed, when you have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will make you happy in a thousand years. Or we could say, you are fully free when you have the desire, the ability, and the opportunity to do what will leave you no regrets forever.

                                                                                                                     -Dr. John Piper-

We all want to be free, but are we truly free? The father of this world, the horrible liar that he is, daily tries everything in his power to re-shackle me to my roots. My words, my actions, my thoughts commit an allegiance to my previous enslavement. Where does this come from? Does it just happen or is it the core of who I am? I cannot deny that I was a child of darkness. Born into sin, I therefore find myself returning to do the desires of my father. Freedom seems out of my grasp. With that feeling of hopelessness, he has achieved the ultimate murder. He has single-handedly severed my cord of redemption, or has he?

As I am falling into the hands of destruction, the eagle appears. He swoops in with unexpected grace. The eagle bears me on wings of new strength that will not grow weary or tired. I am raised in the unconditional love, power,and splendor of the King. 

                                                                                           Isaiah 40:31

I am rescued. I am FREE. 

He then transplants my roots beside streams of living water. I now grow the branches that bear the fruit of my Risen Lord and King. I am His treasure and He is mine. My prayer to be a creation worthy of my Creator has now been given the ability and opportunity to accompany my desire to be beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.

I was made for more than the roaring lion wants me to believe. I am a doll in the eyes of my daddy. My feet we made to go to and fro on this earth that He created for my pleasure. My voice was made to fall on the ears of my Savior. My hands were made to take hold of those that are lost and bring them home to the banquet table. My ears were made to hear the praises of every nation, every language, every tongue. I was made extraordinary and so were you. Can you hear your invitation into the Glorious? Don’t we all long for a forever of mercy, grace, love, and no regrets?

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners."   Isaiah 61:1

I must go, I must tell, I must help others be set FREE.