WHAT IF

Simply "Church"  Max Lucado

The church names we banter about?  They don't exist in heaven.  Because its not the denomination that saves you.  And I wonder, if there're no denominations in heaven, why do we have denominations on earth?

I know this is a crazy thought -- but what would happen if all the churches agreed, on a given day, to change their names simply to "church"?  And then when people chose which church to attend, they wouldn't do so by the sign outside, they'd do so by the hearts of the people inside.

And then, when people were asked what church they attend, their answer wouldn't be a label but just a location.  And then we Christians wouldn't be known for what divides us; instead we'd be known for what unites us -- our common Father.

WHAT IF??????

"Commit your actions to the LORD and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

September 9th, 2013; saw me and another missionary at the MAF hanger very early in the morning, preparing to fly to S. Sudan.  This was Stacey's first time into S. Sudan, and I was going with her to try and help her through all the travel needed to arrive at the Melut base.

What a priviledge and an honor, as I watched her sit in the co-pilot seat, with such excitement, I was reminded of the excitment I felt the first time I flew into SS.

It was also a change for me to go and see friends I haven't been able to see for awhile, to spend time with S. Sudanese people I love so very much.  It was a time of going in with no agenda other than to be there for Stacey.  But God had so much more in mind.  So I take you on a photo journey of my trip, and the things God had in store.

                                                      Villages on the side of the Nile

The beauty of going down the While Nile river in a boat.  The river was like glass, as you can see in this last photo, the clouds are a reflection in the river.   The boat ride from Malakal to Melut is about 4 hours.

 Enjoying our trip down the river, looking at all that God has created.  Even saw a Croc!!!!

     A wonderful reunion with a dear friend, she gave birth 3 days after I left to this beautiful,            healthy little boy below.

              A unexpected reunion with Abuk, one of the students I taught when in Thiangrial

 

           And another unexpected reunion with other students from my time in Thiangrial

                                                      Spending time with the women

 Spending time with our team

 Having God open an opportunity for me to go by river to Thiangrial, for those who don't know that is the first base I was stationed at.  Yea the boat was sitting kind of low in the water, with team mate Jon and his daughter Rose.

 

On the last night before I started my journey back to Kenya, the Master Painter (God) was painting the sky with one of His magnificent sunsets.

Thank you Father, for the time I had in S. Sudan, thank you for using me as your vessel, and for the things you showed me, taught me, and how you drew me closer to you every step of the way.

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display his craftsmanship.  Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.  The speak without a sound or word, their voice is never heard.  Yet their message has gone thoughtout the earth and their words to all the world."  Psalm 19:1-4

                        There is no one on this earth that has not seen the GLORY OF GOD!!!!!!!!

Another blessing from the Lord

            I am so thankful for the Kenya families God has brought into my life.  I love this family.

                                        BaBa, Samuel, Praise, Wisdom, and mother, Faith.

Back home in Africa

     I have returned to Nairobi Kenya, to continue as part of the admin team, in moving our team in and our of S. Sudan, along with cargo, and so much more.  There is no way to discripe what a day is like in the logistics room, so I will say it is only by God's grace that we go through a day.  Our team

     I am blessed to be having a Bible Study with my logistics team, Leah, Stephen, and Alfred.  We meet every thursday for an hour and a half spending time in His Word.

     God has also give me the opportunity to disciple born again, rehab drug and alcohol additicts.  I am able to spend two saturday's a month with them.  Please pray for them.  There names are Kivija, Juma, Jumba, Minni, Mawangi, and Fred.  The picutres below show Juma, Kivija, and Jumba, three of the six in our group.

     And of course God has given me wonderful Kenya families I get to spend time with, I am spiritual mom and spiritual sho sho, (grandma.)  One of those families is below. 

     Dad; Starline, Mom, Leah, Sho, sho, Debbie, holding Grant, Graham in front of Sho, sho, and Griffins.  One of the many blessings from the Lord in my life.

     So my days, and weekends are full since returning to Nairobi, and I also a part of the Good Shepherd Church (the church I attend when in Nairobi) worship team.  Only by God's grace do I walk each and every day.

  "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of Gods grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

Back to the US

End of May found me flying back to the US.  Thanking God for His provisions.  I was able to spend a month in the US, with 3 1/2 weeks in my home Oregon, and 4 days in Charlotte NC to see a very special spiritual daughter get married.

My time at home was a blessing, a time to spend with some family, church family, and a time to have more shots put into my neck and back.

My sister and I were able to spend a day at the coast.  One of my favorite spots to go, as it reminds me of God's Mighty Power, His Creation, the beauty of it all.

And I was able to be at the wedding of Andrew and Karissa, which was so very special and such a blessing.  The last picture is of Christiane and me, dear, dear friend and room mate in Nairobi Kenya.

March, April, May 2013

The beautiful tea fields of Kenya.  Such beauty, so much green, in all different shades.  Nairobi is now where I spend most of my time.  God has been very gracious in helping me make the transition from S. Sudan, into the SIM-Sudan office where I work with two wonderful Kenya brothers in Christ and two wonderful Kenya sisters in Christ along with the other Admin team.

With God's graces we help move our team in and off the field.  Between the months of June 2012 and Feb. 2013, with God's grace we moved over 60 flights, and over 33,000 tons of cargo.  Praise the Lord.

May was also a month for our SLC (Spiritual Life Conference) which we have up at Brackenhurst which sits amongest these beautiful tea fields.  Our SLC is when our whole team is able to come together for a time of rest, fellowship, worship, and hearing God's Word. 

 The top picture is the Nairobi team

This picture is of the whole S. Sudan team as of April 2013

After SLC we started moving the team back onto the field.  There is no normal to the flights, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3.  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9  We never have a flight that moves the same, but God's Word is truth, and we no that at the end of the day it is only by His grace.

MAXFACTA

 This young girl has been raped twice, testing for HIV she was negative, the second time she has tested postive and is pregnant.   Please pray for her, she is a baby herself.  Pray that God will provide a home for this unborn child

What is MAXFACTA?  it is a rescue home for children.  All of these children you see here have been rescued out of horrible situations. 

God gave me an opportunity to go to the other side of Nairobi  in an area they call Eastland, this area is also home  to the third largest slum in Nairobi, It was a trip to visit this home and to see how these women who have given their lives to reach out to the least of these run the center.   What a honor it was to see how God is working through these women, who are being the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Please pray for them, for the children, for the needs, and that each one of these children will chose to follow Jesus.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." James 1:27
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me... 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25: 35-36a; 40

A New Day A New Year

Happy New Year 2013!!!

What will this year hold???  We do not know, but I know the one who does.  As I spend time reading His Word, He gives me a deeper understanding of who He is, and there is nothing that happens that He is not aware of. 

I have been reading Psalm 139 for the last several months, and I think WOW!!!!  I share with you His words of comfort.

                “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

            My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.

            When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.

            All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  Psalm 139:13-16

May these words bring you comfort and peace, knowing that God knows what each day will hold, and He knows what 2013 holds for us all.  There is nothing that takes Him by surprise, and I personally find comfort, rest, and peace in knowing this.

But please don’t just read the verses I typed; be blessed as you read all of Psalm 139, ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding so that you might get a deeper understand of His love for you.

To God Be All The Glory!!!!!!!