Facing the Giants

We just watched the movie Facing the Giants as a family last night. What a great story! I highly recommend you pick this one up if you haven't seen it yet. It was filmed by Christians, based on a real story and most of the actors, actresses and crew were volunteers and many were involved in the real story. Although it was a "low budget" film, $100,000, there was nothing missing that would lead one to suspect that. A very Christian message is shared throughout the film. We plan to buy it to show Hollywood that more of these types of films are wanted.

My favorite quotes from the movie

"Why would He(God) make me so small...and weak?" -David, teenage football player
"To show how mighty He is." David's Dad


"What are you doing?"-assistant coach
"Preparing for rain."-head coach

Happy Blog Birthday!

It was one year ago yesterday that I started the blog. When I think over the past year I am amazed. I remember when I began, I wanted to have a place where friends and family could come to read more and understand our hearts as we moved into this huge new stage of our lives. I knew it was something that many people would not understand. I also wanted it to be a place of communication for after we move-a place where readers can go to read how and what we are doing.

The blog has become so much more than that. In addition to my original goals it has been a place that readers who don't know us have come to. How they find us I do not always know but I have had visitors from all over the world over the past year. It has been a place where often I am collecting our thoughts and we go back and read them and reread them as we process things through for ourselves.

As I look over the past year and see what God has done in us I am amazed. Last June, Shannon and I were fairly certain that God was calling us to this work but still had so many doubts. We asked God constantly if he was sure He could use us. Or if He wanted to. Wasn't there someone better qualified, better educated, more spiritual, that could do this better for Him? Now we know, God doesn't need any qualifications to use people for His work other than a willingness to step out and do it.

One year ago we had many conditions about going. It had to be by a certain time and in a certain way. Now we know one thing and one thing only-that this will happen in God's time and in His way. We do not want it in ours anymore as we know that will not work.

The changes God has made in our hearts and our children's over the past year have been huge. We know too that preparations are being made in other's hearts during this time and that His plan is perfect. At this point, there are no doubts in our minds-we will be moving to Mwanza Tanzania. When we will do so is in His hands. Whether it be one year from now or 5 years from now, we will be ready.

Serve the Underdogs, Change the World

Lately, God has been laying heavily on my heart, the persecuted people of the world. I have been reading about people, especially children, sold into slavery, often unknown to their parents. Children that are made to fight as soldiers in Civil Wars in their countries. Of victims of HIV worldwide and how they are treated. I think of all of the aborted babies worldwide but especially in our very own nation where every man has the right to life. Did you know that in the United States alone, since the beginning of the war in Iraq, as of today, over 5,521,275, that's 5 million plus, babies have been aborted? My heart just aches with all of the wrongs occurring around the world. I am sure this is all a part of the process of God refining in me a love for His people and a desire to see things changed but it is all so painful.

I challenge you to find a cause that you wish to learn more about and change. You may not be called into overseas missions but can you volunteer at your local Crisis Pregnancy Center? How about sending money to a place such as Voice of the Martyrs or Compassion International? I know many of my readers support missions either financially or in prayer. Find a place where God can use you to make a difference in the life of an underdog.

Think of the possiblilities...and have a plan

This is a hard hitting post. I do not mean to offend but rather cause my readers to think through the possibilities.

I just finished reading an email from a list I'm on. It comes from the Voice of the Martyrs and each email includes true stories of Christians who are currently being martyred around the world. I also finished reading a book yesterday called The Martyr's Song by Ted Dekker.

We are currently so very fortunate to be living in the United States where martyrdom is rare. Sadly, we are starting to see more and more persecution of Christians in our nation though. In the media we are portrayed negatively. There are so many times that Christians are not allowed to speak or show their faith while it is considered intolerant or even a crime to ask other religions not to do so. So often, there is a hoopla over a display of a nativity scene. My wish is that if someone doesn't agree with what another is displaying in their home or business they walk away. When other religions are portrayed in the media as Christianity is, there is a horrendous outrage. My question then becomes, why isn't there an outrage? By outrage on our part, I refer to a peaceful stand not a violent one. Writing letters, attending meetings, speaking out and even turning off the television, not attending movies or boycotting the media. Why do we allow it? My concern, in the US, is not just for today but more so for the Christians of tomorrow.

Shannon and I have talked about the possibilities of martyrdom. Not necessarily because we are entering the mission field though. Fortunately, Tanzania, at this point, is a fairly safe place for Christians. Martyrdom can happen anywhere and we all need to be prepared for that possibility. Most of us remember Cassie Bernall, asked to renounce her faith, before she was shot and killed, here in the US. I have found it easy to say that if someone gave me the option I would take the bullet without hesitation, but what if it was my child's life on the line? What would I do? What would you do?

Consider the legacy you would leave if you did renounce your faith to save that child's life. Would you, in fact, save the child's life physically, only to end it spiritually? I know I would not want anyone,especially not my child, to live an earthly life after seeing me renounce my faith. I want be a stronger witness than that, as painful as it could be.

"If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us." 2 Timothy 2:12

Something to think about...



This post was edited on 6/29/07 to more clearly portray my point.

It Looks Promising

Shannon talked to his supervisor yesterday and it looks hopeful for the time off in September. The supervisor seemed to think the cause was good and just wants to talk with the person that would have to do the scheduling while Shannon is away. He won't be able to do that until next week.

We have talked about the possibility of me going if Shannon cannot. I don't think that will happen. It is really difficult for Shannon when I am away, more so than it is for me when he is away. This is because he mainly "just" goes to work each day. On a daily basis, dealing with the different schedules and appointments for 5 children requires much organization. We also have two employees that work with our youngest daughter for about 50+ hours per week so working with those schedules is added in too. As badly as I want to be in Tanzania I am at a point where the next time I go there I want it to be with all of us as we move.

Anyway, please continue to pray that it will work out at Shannon's job.

A trip to Tanzania in the fall?

As I mentioned earlier, we are praying about the possibility of Shannon going to Tanzania again in September. We found out today that he will need to ask for nearly three weeks off from work to be able to go. That would be just for the time in Tanzania. He would leave the team and head home on the day they would continue on into Burundi.

We believe Shannon only has two days of vacation "on the books" due to all of the changes at his work now that it has gone from privately owned to corporately owned. We do not know if his supervisor will even consider this much time off. Shannon is hoping to speak with him tomorrow, explaining to him the long-term plans and how this trip is so very important because of the itinerary including visits to other children's homes in the area.

Please pray that if God wants Shannon there this fall, his supervisor approve the time off. If that happens we will then need to address the financial end of the trip as well as child care needs. I will need help with the children here on the home front as I carry my two part-time jobs and deal with the needs of 5 children, two of which have special needs. Thanks for your prayers.

Our Promised Land?

It has been well over a year now that both of us knew we were being "called" to Mwanza, Tanzania(nearly seven since the thought first crossed my mind and three since I was fairly certain). For several months, very little has happened, it would seem, in the process of getting us there. Shannon and I are well aware that although little seems to have happened in the physical, many things are happening in our hearts and others. This past Saturday saw something exciting in the physical. The board of End Time Glory Ministries voted to make a purchase offer on the second parcel of land. I am not sure how soon we will know if the offer has been accepted. Please pray for that.

I think it is very likely that Shannon will be joining Rev. Debra and a few others as they travel to Mwanza in September. We had originally decided he wasn't going to go-mainly due to the cost of around $3000. We also had thought it wouldn't make a difference in the long-term whether he went this fall or not. Since then it has been decided that they will be touring several other children's homes in the Mwanza area. They want to see how they are doing things and learn from them as well as not make mistakes they have made. It seems very important to us that Shannon be there for this. If there was any way for us to both go we would but with 5 children at home it is nearly impossible. If you feel tug on your spirit to help us financially with the trip, please let us know. Although we haven't officially started fund raising for the long term we will need help with the trip in the meantime. Any amount will be appreciated as every dollar helps.

We know that God called us into this ministry and we know that He gave us the desire to go. It is because of this that we know He will give us the desires of our hearts in His time.

"But do not forget this one thing dear friends:With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise." 2Peter 3:8-9a

How Can I Explain Part 2

I will never forget the day, nearly 10 years ago, when we first met the couple who ended up being very important and dear friends of ours. It was in our current church. The church is an eclectic group of people-business owners and laborers, old and young, well dressed and casual. We sat down in a pew near Bob and Jamie and I noticed Bob had a "California raisins" t-shirt on. Do you remember those guys? They were sunglass wearing, dancing, singing, little raisin looking guys. Now I never really thought of them as "in" and never would have worn one of their t-shirts if they were, but by 10 years ago, they were definitely "out." I knew at the time, not to judge people's hearts based on what they were wearing but this was testing my limits. I hope you are sensing my attempt at sarcastic humor here.

Anyway, over the years and especially after going to Tanzania, I have seen even more and more that what we wear to church is not what matters. When I was there I remember many of the children wearing their Sunday best to church, which often consisted of what looked to be cast offs from my generation as a child-the 70's. Then this week I discovered former missionary, Andy's, blog. Here is yet another link to one of his stories called "What Not to Wear." It really puts it all into perspective.

How can I explain

I have wondered so many times, how I can explain to my readers, how my thought process has been changed by my visit to Tanzania and my love for the people of Africa. I have alluded here to how I feel we live in such a material world- a world where figurines on shelves, lots of books, expensive cars and fake fingernails are high on priority lists. So often I find myself stopping as I go to purchase something. I always ask now if it is something I need or want? Is it something I can take with me to Africa and would it be helpful there? These questions often make me put something back on the store shelf.

I recently stumbled on the blog of a former West African missionary. He lives in Canada now and as I read some of what he writes I find myself nodding and shouting inside, "Yes, yes, exactly. That's how I feel!" I will be linking to his blog over the next few posts as he has some great stories to share. I hope you enjoy them.

The first I want to share with you is the story of being haunted by an African banana.

Land news from Tanzania

Part of the delay with the land the ministry was looking at buying was that it hadn't been parceled out yet or surveyed. The property is owned by the city of Mwanza but there are "squatters" using it for living on and raising crops on. In order for the ministry to purchase that land we would need to pay off the squatters, pay the city to have the land surveyed and pay for the land. Shannon had some concerns, after viewing last fall, that the property might be inaccessible during the rainy seasons or at least very difficult to get to and from.

Just before Pastor Richard left Tanzania to meet the ministry team in Uganda for a couple of weeks, someone came to him. There is a 25-30 acres plot of land, located about 8 miles outside of Mwanza. It is, according to Pastor Richard, more fertile ground, easier to access, in a nicer area and it may be easier to drill a well on it as well. The land is privately owned and already surveyed. The owners are wanting to sell it as it was an inheritance and they are wanting to have the income from it and divide evenly amongst family members. It sounds like the owners are willing to sell it to the ministry over time, which would prevent the ministry needing to take out a loan for it. It is also significantly cheaper than the city owned land.

The board of End Time Glory Ministries is meeting this Saturday and will be voting on whether or not to make the purchase. Please pray that if this land is God's will for the ministry that all will proceed as it needs to. Rev. Debra told Shannon that if this land is purchased, things could start happening quickly. Both Shannon and I remain patient, waiting to see what God has planned, reminding ourselves that His will and timing are perfect.

Biblical Character Trait: Kindness

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God. Ephesians 4:32

These are the words that were read as Collin was called up on stage for his 8th grade graduation last week. It is just one of the things I love about the school. How they insert God and His word into every aspect of teaching and daily living.

Collin also received an award for Perfect Memory Work and one for Outstanding Musician in the choir. We are hoping to be able to have Collin return there again next year. If he does he will be in only the second class of 9th graders the school has had. They added 9th grade last year, and will add a new grade each year with 10th grade this fall.

Kindness...makes a momma proud.