wings118

Returning to Sudan

2012-01-28T01:37:00.000+03:00

Well the days in the states are coming to a close. I moved out of my house last Saturday, and moved in with my sister and brother-in-law for the time I have left here. What a blessing to be able to stay with them and have this time together. Stuff has been stored, Action Packers have been packed, unpacked, packed, unpacked, trying to get them down to 50lbs each. Have you ever thought about how... heavy dried fruit is????? So with one foot in the states the other foot in Africa and the rest of my body, going every which way, the time for farewells has started. I am thanking God for this time, for all that He has shown me, and for family (all family) What love has been shown. I will miss everyone here.

During my quiet time a few months ago when things were really hard God lead me to Jeremiah 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan."

As decisions were made and meetings held God continued to bring me back to this passage, and I realized this isn't just for Sudan, it is for all of us where ever we are.

I choose to run with the horses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I leave for Sudan on Feb 6th. All praise and glory to God!!!!!

God's Beauty

2011-12-28T04:09:00.000+03:00

Taken from my front window, what beauty, what love the Father has for us. We see God in our everyday living, just by stopping, and looking at what the Creator has created.

2011-12-24T22:07:00.002+03:00

As we celebrate the wonder of Jesus' birth, and we celebrate our rebirth into eternal life, let us allow thankfulness to flow freely from our hearts in response to the glorious gift He gave us. The greatest gift of all time our Messiah, Immanuel, our Savior.

But please know this gift that was given to us is for everyone who believes. He is extending salvation to everyone who will believe.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." Do you know Jesus, now is the time of Salvation.

Merry Christmas

The Sudan Team

2011-04-26T02:48:00.000+03:00

In February the Lord lead me to be apart of the Sudan team in Nairobi. God showed me that for this short time my gifts would be better used here. What a blessing it was to be a part of the Logistics team and to work with my Kenyan brothers and sisters. I would like you to meet the logistics team.

Debbie, Peter, Alfred, Stephen, Leah (little Graham) and Terry

Right before I started my trip to the US, the Sudan team had their SLC (Spiritual Life Conference) up at a beautiful location called Brackenhurst. God has created such beauty, and His provision for this conference was outside Nairobi at about 8000 feet. Thank you Jesus

Meet some of the team

Daniel Yor

VolleyBall anyone

Just taking time to rest

Chris and Jonathan with Heather sitting on the grass

Julie

Bethany and Rose

Claire

I am stateside now, and enjoying being home in Silverton Oregon, with my family and my church family. When we walk with the Lord we are always on a journey. I will be home for 9 months, and excited to see what God has in store during this time.

Please continue to pray for Sudan; as they move forward to becoming their own country, pray for strong leaders who know the Lord, for wise decisions as they rebuild the infrastructure, and please continue to pray for peace.

ALOT THAT GOD HAS SHOWN ME!!

2011-04-26T02:26:00.000+03:00

It has been quite some time since I updated my blog. Please accept my apologizes. I will try and bring you up to date on what the last 2 months have looked like.

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:1-2

April was filled with alot of farewells, and transitions as I prepared to come to the US for home assignment.
I share with you some of the loved ones that have been such a part of my life for almost four years.

IN SUDAN

Joy, Kamal, and Sani

Buls, Rhoda, Kamal and Deborah

My Mabaan daughter Sani and my Mabaan son Daud

Samoni

KENYA Free Baptist in Kayaba Slums

My good friend Alice

A beautiful sister in Christ

Worshipping together

Lynn and Nicole

To the girls, Lynn, Nicole and Leah I am known as Sho, Sho (grandma) to Levy and Lucy I am Mum

Muranga Town, Rural Pastor/Women's conference

No ladders

No electric or gas cookers, everything is done over open fire. Nothing is easy

They cut up enough cabbage to feed over 200 people

Since December there has been many opprotunities to be a part of what God is doing. My hearts desire is to be in Sudan, but God has given me the opportunty to be a part of what He is doing in Kenya. The relationships He has given are wonderful but also hard, as I have had many farewells, and there have been alot of tears shed not only from me but from all of those God has brought into my life. I would not change anything.

There is such a hunger in Sudan and Kenya to know God deeper, and to be able to be a part of the Pastor's conference was a blessing and a priviledge.

"He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, bu He frustrates the ways of the wicked." Psalm 146:7-9

He Is The Way The Truth The Life

2011-02-20T16:04:00.017+03:00

"For I know the plans I have for you" During my time here in Nairobi there have been many things to think and pray about, and one of those was whether or not I would be going back into Sudan before I go on home assingment in April. God has opened up the door for the team to start returning to Sudan and the flights to take us back in have started. However I will not be returning to Sudan at this time, there are many things involved in this decision. I share with you some of them. My back, which is better than it has been in several months, realizing that part of the reason for this is the ability to work out and swim, which I can do here in Nairobi, however it isn't quite that easy in Sudan.

The pastor and his wife from my church are coming to Nairobi in March to hold a conference for Kenya Pastors and their wives, and a prayer request from the SIM Sudan Director, sharing the needs in the office, one of those being logistics. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Through all of this the Lord has impressed upon me that the gifts He has given me can better be used here in Nairobi for the next couple of months. God has opened up the door for me to join Pastor Stan and Mindy (from my home church) in the Pastor's conference in March. He has also given me the opportunity and blessing to be a part of the Logistics team at SIM Sudan to help facilitate the movement of the team back into Sudan, and also coordinate the flying in of 8 tons of medical supplies that was donated. I thank God for His direction.

My heart is in Sudan and it has been hard for me to let go and accept that I would not be going back in with my team. God is faithful, He has worked me through all of this and has seen many tears fall. Even when things are not as you think they will be, He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I want to share with you some of the beautiful people God has brought into my life during this time in Sudan.

Bulus, Kamal, Roda, and Deborah

Katrina and Ester (team mate Karissa)

Rebeka and Hannah

Sani and Deborah (Mabaan Bora)

Gena (Grace) with Deborah

Elizabeth

Please continue to pray for Sudan, as they start the very hard task of rebuilding. Rebuilding Church and Nation.

The Lord's blessings

2011-02-19T20:43:00.005+03:00

For those who don't know the SIM Sudan team stretches over two countries. Of course Sudan is one of them and Kenya is the other. We have a support staff that is based in Kenya and I am blessed to be able to work with wonderful Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ. I would like to introduce you to one family that lives in Lokichoggio Kenya which is on the border of Sudan.

Meet Starline, Leah, Griffins and Graham. We are so blessed to have them in Lokichoggio. Starline is with AIM, and Leah is with SIM. Leah handles all the cargo and flights for the SIM Sudan team, she also runs the guest house, which is where we stay when we are on our way to Sudan.

Graham joined the family in January of this year.

January 9, 2011

2011-01-27T20:24:00.002+03:00

First off I want to thank everyone for all their prayers, as Sudan moved closer and than into the week of voting. January 9 - 15th.

It was an incredible week. God answered so many prayers as the elections went off very peacefully and reports from outside observers say that it was very fair too. The North is taking an enormous step in accepting the results: the South has decided to overwhelming vote for succession. This will take place in July 2011.

Please I encourage you to keep praying. Sudan, both North and South, is at a crossroads and the decisions they will make over the next few months will have dramatic impact on their future.

North Sudan: Pray that God will keep the door open for the gospel.
South Sudan: Pray for peace as the government develops and for careful development.
Pray that God will keep a door open to the south for the Gospel.

God is faithful

2011-01-27T17:34:00.015+03:00

Much has happened since the last time I posted to my blog, let me share some of what has been happening.

Sudan was facing a critical time in their history, the Referendum Vote was scheduled for January 9Th, this would be a vote to decide the future for south and north Sudan. So in preparation of this vote we as a team were brought off the field.

It was a time of many farewells, tears, laughter, and prayer. God allowed me to be a part of what He was doing in my village, and as I taught Mother Tongue literacy along with Sani and Daud (two mabaan translators that God provided), we were humbled as we watched ladies that couldn't read or write their mother tongue get to the point where they could read at a first grade level. My prayer was that I would be able to leave them with the Word of God in their language and that they would be able to read it. God answered that prayer. Thank you Jesus.

Katrina, Daud (teacher), Roda, Sani (teacher), Rebeka, Mary, Elizabeth, Mary. And the last picture is me with my Mabaan daughter and son. This was our time of giving thanks to God for what He has done, and honoring the women for their commitment.

God opened up the door of opportunity for Sani, Daud and I to go to the clinic two to three days a week and teach HIV/AIDS Awareness. We would do the teaching in three different languages, Mabaan (mother tongue), Arabic, and English. What you see in the background is the clinic which is showing the damage from the war. Those are bullet holes.

National Day of Prayer for Sudan

2010-11-09T15:38:00.008+03:00

Sudan is facing a very critical time and I am asking that you join me and thousands of others praying for Sudan.

Pray for Sudan - Pray for peace, pray that the church will stand strong. December 5th the World Evangelical Alliance has called church's and Christians to pray for peace in Sudan with the upcoming referendum.

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are

attentive to their prayers..." 1 Peter 3:12

Remembering Yakob Aga Ollie

2010-10-30T14:08:00.009+03:00

We will miss and remember Yacob with love and joy

Yacob Aga Ollie (1972-2010) is now in the presence of the Lord. Yacob and his wife, Tibarek arrived as newlyweds and have served the people of Sudan in Thiangrial, Atar and Yabus over the last 4 years. They were some of the first missionaries sent by the Ethiopian Kale Heywot Church to Sudan.

Yacob was part of the development team initiating Basic Education Learning Centers in the first two locations. The Lord blessed as they saw people respond to the gospel, start churches and people grow in their faith. Some were their adult students who completed a grade 8 education under them.

Yacob has been sharing his talents at the Yabus Sudan Interior Church Secondary School for about the last 6 months. He fell ill with cerebral malaria on October 24 and was promoted to heaven on October 25, 2010

Yacob is survived by his loving wife, Tibarek Wondemu who followed her husband into harm's way. She has returned to Ethiopia with Yacob's body for the funeral in his home area.

Jesus' urgent command to us is to make disciples. Yacob was busy making disciples when the Lord took him. As we mourn his passing, we are energized and galvanized to continue making disciples in Sudan as our Savior commanded.

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day."

We will miss Yacob and Tibarek (who will stay in Ethiopia) but thank God for their lives!

My Name Sake

2010-10-28T16:23:00.006+03:00

In Church on October 10Th, this beautiful baby girl was named. Her name is Deborah and she has been named after me. What a blessing to have a child named after you. The name Deborah comes from the Bible, and Deborah was a leader and had a heart for God. My prayer is that this Deborah will have a heart for our Lord and Savior and be a leader in her country.

Deborah was born October 1st. She is beautiful, and such a blessing. Deborah joins her older brother Camll. Her daddy is in Yabus attending secondary school, and has not been able to get back to see her yet, but through God's provisions I was able to send a picture to a team mate in Yabus so that he would be able to see his new daughter.

Pray for Bolus, Rhoda, Camll and Deborah

To God Be The Glory

2010-10-27T18:14:00.019+03:00

Sitting outside under the awning of my tent, I watch as the Master Artist paints the sky.

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been quite a while since I was last able to post. There has been much happening, and I would like to share with you the ways that God is working here in Doro Sudan.

I arrived back in Sudan on August 2, 2010; and within 3 days of my arrival, it was clear that there would be a new compound built. (The name of this village is Emmanuel, which means "God with us".) The village is now where I live, along with Sani who was born in Sudan, but left with her family during the war when she was 2 years old. She was back for a short visit in 2008. She is God provision to assist me in teaching HIV/AIDS Awareness, Women literacy classes in mother tongue (which is Mabaan), and sharing the Word of God.

During this time of building, God has opened many doors for relationships to be built, and also provided a young man named Daud to join our team. So now there are three.

Some of the doors that have been opened for us to go and share our teaching and the Word of God are: the clinic, we go two days a week and teach HIV/AIDS awareness to those whom are waiting to be seen. Most of these have walked many hours to get to the clinic, and they may sit there all day before they are seen. We also to into the Nutrition Clinic (this village takes care of Mal-nourished children,) and on Wednesday's they have an outpatient day so many, many mothers come back with their children to be checked. It is a privilege to sit with these people both at the Nutrition Village and the Clinic. It is also so humbling when they share with you, and you realize the suffering they have and are going through. I pray that God would use us as His vessels to that they may know Christ.

Two days a week we teach the women to read and write their mother tongue. It has never been deemed necessary to educate girls. In a small way that is changing and we have the privilege of helping some of the women learn to read. What excitement it is when they are able to repeat the sounds of the letters. All of the women speak their mother tongue fluently, now they will be able to read and write it. During this time we are also able to share God's Word with them, and my prayer is, that they will get to know God in a deeper way, or if they truly don't know Him, that they will come to accept Him as their Lord and Savior and ask Him into their hearts. Pray that God's Kingdom would be advanced.

There was major flooding in the area in September, and all of the crops were lost and thousands of people were displaced and have lost their homes and everything they had, whole villages were flooded out.

The above are before and after pictures of the building of the compound
(Emmanuel's Village) The teaching is done outside, under a tree and is done in English, Arabic and Mabaan. The building that you see in back is the clinic it is one of the few buildings that survived the war. The building is full of bullet holes.

The women we teach work very hard and when they get to class they are very tired, but the desire to learn to read and write their mother tongue energizes them to come and learn. We always spend the last 30 minutes sharing God's Word and even though they are tired they listen so closely. God's Word is what gives them the strength .

The flooding was bad and all the crops were lost. There were many days that the people would go out and swim in the river (what you see in the photo right above is the river which is about a 40 minute walk from us) and dive down and try to save whatever they could. At the writing of this there is still much flooding.

I know that there are many that read this blog that also pray for me and the people of Sudan and I would like to thank you for your prayers.

How is salvation received?: By believing. God's word says: "that if you confess with you mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

God opens doors May 16, 2010

2010-05-19T21:06:00.005+03:00

To go back to Kayaba and Free Baptist Church with Pastor Paul and his wife Anne.

This is the entrance to Free Baptist Church.

God's church doesn't need to be a fancy building, or in a wealthy area of town.

God's church is where ever He wants it.

We had a time of prayer, a time of worship, a time of giving thanks to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I was blessed and humbled to be able to share God's grace in my life. To teach on the women in the Bible, to encourage the women, and to give the message that Sunday.

God is looking for those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and be used as His vessels.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in

Christ. " Ephesians 1:3

God is Soverign

2010-05-19T20:44:00.002+03:00

We never know what things we will face in a day's time:

On January 31st after dropping off the team from EBC at the airport, I was on my way back home. I was riding in a van and as we were driving down the road one of the things that I noticed was how light traffic was, normally traffic in Nairobi is not only bumper to bumper but also side to side, you couldn't move out of the way if you had to.

We were coming upon a big round-about and were watching traffic moving on the other side of the road. We could both (the driver and me) tell that there was something wrong with a bus on the opposite side of the road, it seemed to be out of control and heading right for us. God gave Sammy (the driver) an awareness to recognize a problem, and because of the light traffic Sammy was able to move the front of the van just a little which stopped a head on collision, and saved our lives.

I remember thinking we had cleared the problem with the bus when all of a sudden we were slammed into, it was like I was on the outside watching what was happening and seeing my body being thrown around like a rag doll. I didn't have any time to stiffen up or brace myself, I just went with the impacts.

God protected and spared not only my life, but Sammy's and all the people who were on the bus. There were no serious injuries and no fatalities. We thank God for the protection He showed us.

Kayaba

2010-05-19T20:33:00.005+03:00

Stan, Mindy, Blue and I went with Pastor Paul to his church Free Baptist in Kayaba. Kayaba is one of the biggest slums in Nairobi. What a wonderful blessing and gift from God to spend time with them as we all worshiped God together.

Please pray for Free Baptist Church, Pastor Paul and the outreach to all those who live in Kayaba. Please pray for the people who live in Kayaba, without Jesus. You can't live in a place like this and have any hope. As we walked down throught he tin buildings there were eyes filled with pain, grief, hopelessness. Pray that the Gospel will go out and God's Kingdon will be advanced.

UPDATE: Received an email from Pastor Paul and he has shared with me how God is growing His church in Kayaba.

Praise the Lord.

Update continued

2010-05-19T20:27:00.002+03:00

January 2010

I was able to go to the Elephant Orphanage in Karen. This is where elephants who have lost the mothers, due to illness or killings are brought. They are feed, loved, and prepared to go back out into the wild after they grow up. Most of them are near death when they are found and brought here.

Have you ever been kissed by a Griaffe????

Update

2010-05-19T20:14:00.006+03:00

January 2010

Stan, Mindy, and Carly Blue came from the states. They used to be missionaries in Nairobi, and while they were here they were able to
spend time with team mates, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ that they had not seen in 13 years.

"He makes winds His messengers..." Psalm 104:4

2010-02-02T19:12:00.008+03:00

Jeremiah 1:9-10 Then the LORD reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over Nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

Along with the Pastor of my church, his wife and daughter (Stan, Mindy & Carly Blue) and myself, we flew into Sudan on January 20Th, to be a part of the pastor and women's conference having no idea what we would find. God prepared the path for the conference before the foundation, and He gave us the privilege of joining Him in what He was and is doing in Doro.

I share with you the work our Heavenly Father is doing: Upon our arrival in Doro we started having meetings with the SIC leaders, planning the conference times, the food, and who the translators would be, it was at this time that I was told Hadia my translator was no longer available, but there was another Hadia who would meet with us the next day. The next day we meant Hadia and from just talking with her a short time we realized that she would not be able to translate. God provided another meeting that afternoon with the leaders and I was able to talk to them about my concerns for a translator for the women's conference. They said we have one and you will meet her tomorrow. Praise the Lord. We walk by faith not by sight!!!

Saturday dawned and we all prepared to go to town. Upon our arrival I was told that the translator they had selected was no longer available, but they had another one in mind, after some minutes we found out that she was also not available, they introduced me to a young man but his English was very poor. I just lifted my hands to the sky and said "Father I know that you have opened the door for this women's conference, who will be able to translate there are no women translators?" Butrus was chosen (He is the choir leader for the youth) God's answer!!!

Mindy, Carly Blue, I and Butrus meant with the women over 50!!!!!!!!! came, Praise the Lord; Mindy shared her life, Carly shared her walk with the Lord, and I shared my life, as we talked to them and read scripture about God's faithfulness, His love, His grace. Oh as you looked at the sea of faces you see such beauty, but you think are they hearing? So much despair, bleakness, no hope. But as we continued to share scripture, you could see faces start to change. The Holy Spirit was present, and as He spoke to the women's hearts you could see them start to respond. For the women to be able to come and sit for a whole day, it doesn't happen here, God provided for these women to be still and listen. Praise the Lord as we asked if anyone had questions and many spoke up.

Please pray for the women here, their lives are very hard, and also continue to pray that God would bring to me a translator who will work side by side with me, so that the women can continue to hear about Jesus, and continue to grow in their walk with Him.

There are no words that can explain what God allowed us to be just a small part of on Sunday. We biked to town and Stan gave the message, there were so many, that they spilled out of the grass church and grouped around the doors, so that they could hear. Oh what a blessing as we joined in worship with all of our brothers and sisters, to hear worship in other languages, this is God's way of showing us just a little of what heaven is going to be like, when ever knee bows and ever tongues confesses that Jesus is Lord, and we all come together around His Throne of grace. Thank you Jesus. After church we broke bread with our Sudanese brothers and sisters in Christ.

Then we all came together men and women under a big baobab tree, and listened as Stan spoke on John 13; Jesus did not come to this earth to be served, He came to serve, at the last supper before His death, He washed the feet of His disciples. We are to be like Jesus, and we are to serve one another. Stan washed the feet of his wife Mindy, and then asked the pastors to wash the feet of their wives. You could feel the Spirit of the Lord, and we knew that God had prepared the hearts of the pastors.

This is a culture where husbands and wives do not sit together, do not eat together, and do not talk in public to each other, but God had prepared the path. The husbands went and got their wives and the foot washing started, oh how humbling to be such a small part of this. The women had never had their feet washed by their husbands, there was so much emotion, so many tears. I was also privileged to be able to wash the feet of many women and to be able to pray with them.

I cried as they cried, we saw brokenness, we watched as the Holy Spirit started healing old wounds, we saw forgiveness start, repentance as sins were confessed. Feet were washed, hearts were softened, and tears were shed. As God opened up the door Stan spoke on marriage, Eph 5, "Husbands are to love their wives as Jesus loves the church". As we sat there and listened there came a very strong wind out of the west, blowing leaves and things out of the tree all over us, this lasted for about 10 seconds. I believe the Holy Spirit was showing us He was present, and continuing to speak to the hearts and souls of those there.

There was a women that was standing away from the group, and one of the leaders came over and told us that she was struggling terribly, so we went and circled her in prayer, after that we asked her if she knew Jesus and if she could confess with her mouth that Jesus is Lord, she was not able to speak. We prayed and as we prayed the Holy Spirit touched her and took away the muteness. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He is the Victor, and we had the privilege of leading this women to the Lord. Praise God.

Please continue to pray for the Pastor's, church leaders, and women that what God has started will continue. Pray for roots that run deep, soft hearts, continued healing, forgiveness, unity, for the pastors and their shepherding of their flocks.

KNIT ONE PEARL TWO

2010-02-02T18:51:00.006+03:00

James 1:27... to look after orphans and widows in their distress... Matthew 25:40...'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of theses brothers of mine, you did for me.'

When I was home for a short time last year, the women of my church knitted many, many sweaters, and with ever knit one pearl two they prayed for the children that would be wearing these sweaters.

In December I was blessed to be able to take all of these sweaters to an orphanage outside of Nairobi, and hand them out to the beautiful children there. I would like you to meet the children that are being prayed for and by God's provision's are being kept warm.

The children are drinking a vitamin enriched porridge to help them stay healthy so that they will and not become malnourished.

As 2009 Comes To A Close

2009-12-29T16:16:00.004+03:00

As 2009 comes to a close, I wish you God's richest blessings in 2010.

Happy New Year in the Lord

God's Beauty

2009-12-29T12:20:00.015+03:00

Even in the dryness and brown of dry season, God provides color

The relationships that God is forming

God is about relationships, and even though I may not speak the same language as they do, there is no bridge that is to big for our Lord to cross. I go and spend time with these beautiful people, and Grace she is standing with me teaches me her mother tongue and I teach her English. When I am with her and her family I am humbled as I am every time I see God's hand. To be such a small part of what God is doing.

My Soul finds rest in God alone

2009-12-27T16:46:00.020+03:00

Well here it is almost the end of 2009. December 13Th was my two year anniversary in Sudan and I am humbled and in AWE of my heavenly Father and all that He has enabled me to do. I share with you some of the last two months.

God's amazing beauty. When you are living in the bush, with very little to distract you, you have time to stop and stare, as you walk, as you sit, or as you just stand and gaze upon what God has created.

Their lives are so much more then we could ever imagine. They are never to young to start learning how to cook, get water, take care of their brothers and sisters, do wash, and so much more.

God has provided bore hole wells around this area and that is how we are able to get water to the compound where we live. There is a man (they call him donkey man), who owns a donkey and water tanks and he comes in 3 or 4 times a week and fills up all the water drums. This is how he supports his family.

What a privilege and blessing from the Lord to be able to spend time with the women in the Nutrition Village (these are women or grandma's who have brought there children for help
because they are so malnourished. I sit twice a week with them, praying, sharing the love of Jesus, and using a translator teaching them about HIV/AIDS.

Their lives are hard, and they have suffered through many, many years of war. The land is flat and very dry. Rainy season is over with, so there is very little green left, food is short, and I continue to pray to my Father for provisions. Death is a way of life for many of them, but through it all you see smiles on their faces, and the joy of the Lord in their hearts. They know that God will provide and protect them. And God has given me the privilege and the honor to be used as His Vessel.

Pray for the ones who do not know Jesus, when you look in those eyes you see despair, no joy, no hope and such a darkness. Pray that they will have ears to hear the Good News and will except the gift that God has given us all JESUS.

The reason for Christmas

2009-12-27T16:39:00.002+03:00

Christmas began with a present from God to His sin-damaged world:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

I hope you have all enjoyed this Christmas season as you celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Happy New Year in the Lord.

Latest from Doro

2009-10-08T11:35:00.006+03:00

The last two months in Doro has been a time of settling in, getting to know my way around the bush, and the villages, learning the language, spending time with the people, and seeking the Lord and how to proceed with the HIV/AIDS ministry He has called me to.

As I prepare to return to Sudan after spending sometime in Nairobi, I would like to share with you what I will be doing.

VISION Hope for Sudan HIV/AIDS

God has impressed upon my heart this ministry and last year made it clear to me and to leadership that it was time to start walking forward through the doors He was opening. He showed us that Doro is where the ministry needed to began, and opened the door for me to move to Doro.

The focus as we get started is to spend time with the people in Mabaan, as we look to the Lord to provide those who He wants trained. I will be training 6 to 8 women and men leaders in HIV/AIDS, as well as the Gospel Wordless Book, along with disciplining and mentoring them. We will spend two weeks in a classroom setting, and then 1 week in the rural villages, schools and churchs presenting a Christ-centered HIV/AIDS prevention message, all the time sharing the Love of Jesus, and giving the reason for the hope we have. (Jesus) We will continue on with additional training during the times we are not out in the bush teaching.

The wider vision for this Ministry is: to provide home based care for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families, as well as children affected by AIDS. This project will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, while identifying those who are HIV+ in order to provide care and treatment. Both of these avenues will allow for opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

SIM Sudan

Project #098020

If you would like to support this ministry, click on this link: http://sim.org/index.php/content/donate and follow the prompts. Please put the Project #.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved that world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Blessed to be in Doro

2009-08-20T20:07:00.005+03:00

From the air and on my way into the landing strip. Have you ever seen a tree of this size? They are called Baobob's and they are massive. The beginnings of putting my tent up. My tent is now up and I am moved in.

It is rainy season right now, so everything is so green, there are many trees in Doro, something that I did not have in Thiangrial.

I have been able to spend time with the people and am so blessed with the relationships that God has started to form.

Please Continue to Pray

2009-08-08T05:55:00.003+03:00

Ryan has gone home to be with the Lord.

Friday was the toughest day of the year as the news that Ryan had succumbed to the injuries he suffered in last Saturday's aircraft accident and has gone home to be with Jesus. Ryan had been medevac-ed to South Africa on Wednesday for placement into an intensive burn unit, near Johannesburg. However, the extent of his burns and injuries were more than his body could withstand.

The family at AIMAIR are all grieving deeply as they consider the future for these two families.
"We believe in God's sovereignty and plans of good to come out of all of this."

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Toews and Williams families as they struggle through these heavy days. Please check for additional updates on the AIM AIR website at: http://www.aimair.org/page21/page21.html

"Therefore we do not loose heart although outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweights them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" II Cor 4:16-18

UPDATE AND ASKING FOR CONTINUED PRAYER

2009-08-05T09:04:00.004+03:00

We continue to ask for prayer for Frank's wife and children, as they deal with the loss of a husband and father. Among those who survived the crash, , Ryan sustained the most serious injuries. He underwent surgery at the Hospital on Sunday, and is currently being stabilized and prepared for a possible move out of Kenya where he will continue treatment and begin his long recovery. The other two passengers had much less severe physical injuries and are stable.

There has already been a large show of support for those involved in this tragedy. Many have asked how they can help. As a result of this accident, there will be innumerable financial burdens for both the Toews and Williams. If you have a desire to help in this way, Africa Inland Mission can receive gifts on their behalf through their offices in New. York.

There has been two projects set up one Memorial Fund for Frank Toews Project 099096 and one for Ryan Williams Relief Fund Project 099097. If you desire to help you can go to http://www.aimint.org/usa and give.

Specific Prayer requests:
Tiffany and Toews kids. Pray for God's comfort.
Ryan as he remains in critical condition - for his stability and the possible medical transport flight.
Family members of Frank and Tiffany as they attempt to get travel documents and tickets on short notice.
AIM AIR as they follow up on a myriad of logistics
The investigation team - for safe travel to Kenya
Pray for God to be honored in their words and actions. For God to be glorified through this tragedy.

Please join us in Prayer

2009-08-05T08:51:00.002+03:00

An accident occurred on August 1st, with an AIM Cessna 206. It occurred near the Nairobi Wilson Airport. There were four people on board, AIM AIR pilot Frank Toews, AIM AIR mechanic Ryan Williams and two Americans.

Frank Toews, the pilot did not survive the accident and has gone to be with the Lord and Savior whom he loved dearly and served well.

Please pray with us, specifically for the timely return for health of those who are injured, their families, and particularly for Frank's wife and 4 children as they trust God for strength and comfort during this difficult time.

AIM and SIM partner together in spreading the Gospel to those who have never heard.

Returning to Sudan

2009-07-26T04:43:00.006+03:00

After being State side for a few months, God has prepared my body to return to Sudan and my second family. Praise His Holy Name. I will be returning to a different village and looking to the Lord for the relationships that He will build.

Knit one pearl two: Many women from my church knitted while I was home and along with me came 40 knitted sweaters to be given to the children. With every knit one and pearl two they were also praying, so these sweaters come with Jesus love for whoever receives them.

As I return I will be following God's leading on the start of a HIV/AIDS ministry.

Vision of the Project:

SIM-SUDAN will educate Sudanese on HIV/AIDS as well as train and equip women and national church leaders to go into the rural areas and present a Christ-centered HIV/AIDS prevention message and to provide home based care for people living with HIV/AIDS, and their families, as well as children affected with AIDS.

This project will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, while identifying those who are HIV+ in order to provide care and treatment. Both of these avenues will allow for opportunities to share about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sharing State Side and God's Creation

2009-07-26T03:52:00.007+03:00

The first day there was light.

The second day there was sky.

The third day water and ground was seperated.

The fourth day there were lights in the sky.

The fifth day the water and the land teemed with living creatures.

The sixth day God created man in His own image.

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

Genesis 2:1

White Nile River

2009-06-03T00:28:00.003+03:00

Have you ever thought what it would be like to go to sleep listening to a Hippo.

This is just one of many Hippo's that live in the White Nile River

Yes that's right this is a Hippo coming up out of the water, right by where I live.

God's wonderful creature.

State Side

2009-06-03T00:01:00.004+03:00

It is such a blessing to be state side. I returned to the states in March and have been blessed to see it snow, watch the flowers and trees bloom during the Spring, and now be able to eat fresh strawberries, and before long blueberries right off the plants.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

To make the most of every opportunity. God has opened many doors for me to share His work in Africa, to share with people the life I live in Africa, and to share His love with all He brings into my path; John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I am enjoying all of the opportunties God is giving me, but am also looking with excitement when I can return to my home in Africa.

Graduation Celebration

2009-03-04T14:35:00.002+03:00

2009-03-02T16:22:00.003+03:00

I am humbled and so thankful that God would use me in Thiangrial, not only to teach English but also to share His Word, to help them grow in their understanding of who He is, and to strengthen them to equip them to go out. It has been an honor to be there.

February was packed with student review in preparation for the National Final, the giving of the test, grading, and preparing the celebration for graduation. God gave us the strength that we needed everyday to do the things that needed to be done. He also enabled us to teach the students. It is only by His grace, His strength, His mercy.

God has blessed us by letting us hear the testimonies of so many, and hearing those I thank God that any of these students are still able to learn. Our verse that we stood on was

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
So join us in giving praise and thanks to our Lord and Savior for these students. First Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), Basic Education Learning Center (BELC) graduating class, February 2009.

Graduation was a time of honoring God for all that He enabled us to do (teachers and students), and honoring the students for their achievements, students that range in age from 17 to 43. It was truly a time of celebration, To God be all the glory. Please pray for the students as they make decisions for their future. Pray that they will seek God and ask for His Will.

The Commissioner sent a representative from his office and they have committed to paying the first years tuition for up to 14 students to attend Secondary School. This was an answer to prayer.

This is home in Thiangrial

2009-01-27T18:52:00.005+03:00

This is our compound from the air. The clearing in the water is where boats come in at. We sit right on the White Nile River.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-19T16:16:00.008+03:00

"For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given"

"He shall be called Immanuel God with us"

To celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ with all of our Sudanese brothers and sisters, what a privilege and honor.

Christmas Eve at about 10:00 pm we all meant in the church. There were 8 other villages that came to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

"Come let us sing for joy to the Lord let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

Because there was such a crowd our church would not hold everyone so Christmas morning we all meant under a tree and worshiped together both in Word and song. What a wonderful time of worship and fellowship.

Then we went into the village and had a meal with everyone and continued our celebration for the birth of Jesus.

On December 26Th, we had a baptism service and 37 were baptised. Our watchman was one of those baptized along with a new believer who came to the Lord Christmas day. Oh what a blessing I received to be able to spend Christmas in Thiangrial.

Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Psalm 86:8:10

Dedication of New Community Building 11/2008

2009-01-18T15:51:00.010+03:00

God's continued provisions. Our first school was a grass hut, in October of this year we were able to move into our new school. Praise the Lord

In November we had a time of celebration and thanksgiving to the Lord for His provisions of this new building, that will not only be used as a school but also as a community center for the whole community in Thiangrial.

I have been so blessed to be a part of this community. To see how God is working, and to help our brothers and sisters in Christ to learn, and grow deeper in their knowledge of God and a deeper knowledge of His Word.

November 2008

2009-01-18T15:23:00.008+03:00

Where we Worship

God's Provisions beforeThe arrival of God's provisions down the White NileCarrying the precious cargo from the river to the churchThe long awaited church pews outside the church God's provisions:

Church in a mud hut with a grass roof. Voices raised at the top of their lungs singing praises to our Lord and Savior. Sitting on plastic chairs borrowed from the school, or just sitting on the mud floor. God doesn't care what type of building your in because we are there to worship Him and we don't need a building to do that.

What a privilege it was when God spoke to the heart of one to provide benches for the church. How would this be done? It they have to be built in Kenya than there is the cost of air shipping them into Sudan, which would be very expensive. But God said no, I am going to supply everything right here in Sudan, so I watched in AWE as He brought the carpenter, showed us where to get the supplies, and we were able to arrange transport by road and than up the White Nile river. We had originally said who 30 benches would be such a blessing. Well God provided 56 benches. Enough for the church, the primary school, and the women's literacy class.

Praise His Holy Name

October 2008

2009-01-18T15:16:00.004+03:00

God's little Miracles. In October I was able to join the family in welcoming and celebrating the birth of these two beautiful Miracles from the Lord. Please pray for these babies.

Isaiah

2008-10-08T21:17:00.006+03:00

Isaiah 40:3-5
" A voice of one calling; in the desert perpare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Have you ever cleared an Air Strip

2008-10-08T20:58:00.005+03:00

Clearning the air strip is a team effort, it is not done with equipment it is done by hand. 20 plus of us went out the day before the plane was due in to make sure the strip was landable. We spent 4 hours clearing, praising the Lord for His provisions of the air strip, and sharing Jesus.

Back Home in Thiangrial

2008-10-08T20:26:00.004+03:00

I am back and it has been wonderful. To see how God has been working, to greet all my Thiangrial family again, and to start teaching. God's abundant blessings. Many greetings, many tears so grateful to our Lord and Savior for bringing us all back safely.

A day in Thiangrial starts before day break, preparing for the day of teaching, moving water from tanks, into filtering systems, preparing breakfast, devotionals with the team, and giving the day to the Lord.

School started September 1st, and we thank God for the safe return of all the students. God has provided a new building and we were able to start school there. God's perfect timing, upon our return the Tukel we taught in was leaning at about a 60 degree angle.

From Malakal to Thiangrial by boat on the Nile River

2008-10-08T20:15:00.005+03:00

Most of the trip was sunshine, but about half the way there we got caught in a down pour and were under tarps and praying that the food would not get wet. What a blessing to have this time to reflect on our Creator, and see His mighty hand.

On This Rock

2008-10-08T18:17:00.011+03:00

A village about 1 hour from Yabus

"...and on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

We went and worshiped here one Sunday with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Yabus and my time there

2008-10-08T17:58:00.005+03:00

Beautifully green, beautiful mountains, rivers, and God's children.

I was able to go out to surrounding villages and spend time with the women and children. Teaching literacy classes to many. The challenges are many for the people, but through it all you see such hope and joy in their faces. Why you ask? Because they know Jesus.

Many river trips and as you can see from the picture it is no easy thing to get across this river in rainy season. God provided every time we needed to get across.

Going to Yabus

2008-07-08T19:45:00.004+03:00

This is the river that we cross from the landing strip to get to our compound. Our compound

consists of a brand new secondary school, housing (Tukel's or Safari Tents) for missionaries, student dorms along with staff housing, a community eating area, outdoor shower and outdoor toilet.

It is now rainy season in Sudan, so what once was all brown no is plush green, with much mud. Transportation is limited during this time so we are limited on when and where we travel.

What a privilege to be going to Yabus for the next 1 1/2 to 2 months. I am excited to see how God will work in me and through me. I eagerly anticipate what God has in store.

I will be joining a team, Eli, Bethany, and their boys; Isaac and Evan are currently in Nairobi awaiting a new baby. Phalice is the administrator for the secondary school and Katie is teaching literacy.

Pray for our health, and that we will bear much fruit.

Going Home to Sudan

2008-06-26T21:12:00.006+03:00

I am released!!!!!!!. On January 18, 2004 God released me from my chains, AND THERE WILL NEVER BE A MORE POWERFUL MEANING OF THOSE WORDS!!!!!!,

Monday He released me to go back home to Sudan. The doctor said "Debbie you can go back to Sudan." I cried, I jumped for joy, I PRAISED my Savior Chirst Jesus I THANKED Christ Jesus, I danced with Jesus, and I stand in AWE of Abba Father, The Great I Am, His perfect timing, His grace and mercy. Thank you Jesus.

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He will enable you as He wants you to “be”

To Him be all the Glory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

April 26, 2008 We Were On Holy Ground

2008-05-16T20:38:00.009+03:00

Who would have ever known what was going to happen on that day. There is nothing that takes Our Heavenly Father by surprise. God’s right hand was upon us, and He let us see a Miracle that day. By human standards there is no reason we are alive. But we don’t look to humans, we look to HIM the ALL POWERFUL, ALL MIGHTY; ALL SOVEREIGN, OMNIPRESENT, OMNIPOTENT, THE GREAT I AM, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS

Andy, Claire, Sandy, Debbie, & Barb

“He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under His feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind, He made darkness His covering, His canopy around Him the dark rain clouds of the sky…The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot His arrows and scattered the enemies… He reached down from on high and took hold of me; (us) He drew me (us) out of deep waters. He rescued me (us) from my (our) powerful enemy from my (our) foes who were too strong for me (us). They confronted me (us) in the day of my (our) disaster, but the LORD was my (our)support. He brought me (us) out into a spacious place; He rescued me (us) He delighted in me (us).” Psalm 18 9-12, 16-19

To God be all the Glory. Glorify your name Father in all the World

Thiangrial my home

2008-05-16T20:08:00.008+03:00

Hungry to learn

God's little Children

Sunday School under a tree.

They want to hear about Jesus and sing praises to Him

Deborah and Deborah

Baptized in the Nile

2008-04-20T16:53:00.017+03:00

God Pod's arrive after being baptized in the Nile River!

What are God Pod's? They are like an IPod filled with God's word spoken in Dinka. Yes that's right all 40 of them were baptized in the Nile, we rushed to unpack them and put them out in the
hot Sudan sun to try and get them dried out. We prayed, they were filled with water. God answered our prayers, after three days they were dried out; we pressed the green button and jumped for joy shouting our Praises to God as all 4o of them turned on and worked.

The sounds of God's Word in Dinka filled our compound, along with worship songs. HE IS WORTHY OF ALL OUR PRAISE

Smiling faces voices raised in Worship to Our Lord and Savior.

We thank God for the baptism of the God Pods, had they arrived dry they would of stayed in the box until we distributed them, but God said no people are going to hear about them far and wide and they did.

Far and Wide God's Word started to be heard as the students used a bull horn to broadcast. Young and old, man and women, the sweet sound of God's Word in Dinka is heard everywhere. God is drawing many to Him as they listen and worship Him.

Thank You Jesus All for His Glory

Hippo's singing and sunset on the Nile

2008-04-13T20:48:00.003+03:00

Hippo’s anyone. I go to sleep listening to them sing at night, and sometimes they even wake me up.

God's wonderful creature

Sunset on the Nile

Meet Ward and Mona

2008-04-13T20:33:00.003+03:00

We were blessed with a short term husband and wife team in March, Ward was only able to stay for a week, but Mona stayed until the end of March. God used them in a mighty way. They jumped in and helped where ever was needed and even took on some of the teaching responsibilities. During this same time Ryan and Andrew (part of the Sudan team) based in Malakal came down and started to access the water system that was put in for the village last December. So we had a full compound but we were all blessed to be together

Life in Thiangrial

2008-04-13T17:41:00.006+03:00

The living is hard, but I rest on Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
This is a picture of the compound I live on. You can't see the fence, but it is made out of Balsa Wood, the lightest wood I think I have every picked up. I am on a extended camping trip.

Praise God for His Provisions.

I Thank God for the VBS children at EBC, who broke piggy banks, asked parents and others to raise the support needed to buy this tent my home. God Bless

My tent is wonderful, and God has provided a bed, plastic drawers to keep my clothes in, a plastic table and chairs, and oh I don’t want to forget my bucket bathroom, for the nights.

We cook over a charcoal fire open flame in the open, we have a tarp for protection from the Sun and this is where we eat. The days seem to go by and at the end of the day I wonder where the day has gone.

Arrival in Thiangrial Sudan

2008-04-13T17:08:00.007+03:00

Thiangrial my home. Arrival on Februay 6th, 2008.
God's provisions for everything to come in. We were meant by a group of students and villagers, and they helped carry all
the things to the compound, which was a 45 minute walk

Dining Room and Living Room

My first sunset looking out the gate of the compound.

In Memory of Dr. David Masters

2008-04-13T17:01:00.002+03:00

We received a message on our satellite phone early on April 1,2008 that Dr. David Masters, an English doctor and SIM-Sudan colleague, had passed away in the night.
He and his wife, Irene,have been stationed in Doro, Eastern Sudan, an SIM base. They've been part of a large medical ministry team there. This couple recently joined the SIM-Sudan team in January of this year but they were among our most experienced missionaries. Dr. David and Irene spent 19 years serving in Congo and then 19years serving in England.
They arrived in Doro on February 4, 2008. The day before he died, Dr. Masters rode his bicycle over an hour away to visit a village, taking care of their sicknesses and sharing the love of Christ. Please keep Irene and the Doro team in your prayers as Dr. Masters will be greatly missed.

MEET THE WHOLE TEAM

2008-01-27T15:17:00.000+03:00

Gods team with brothers and sisters from Ethiopia, Wales, New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada and America. Some are newborn and some are...experienced. But what a terrific and stretching time it was as we grew to know each other and heard what the past year has been like for each other. A new year is ahead so please continue to pray for the peace of Sudan to hold and the love of Christ to be shared honestly and faithfully through our lives.

God's Abundant Blessings

2008-01-26T19:58:00.000+03:00

Worshipping in three different languages. I can only imagine what it will be like when every tongue and every nation worship together!!!!! Praise God

Our time at Brackenhurst was amazing. A time of the whole team to meet and get to know one another. A time of hearing God's amazing grace in our lives. A time of praising our Lord and Savior, a time of worshipping Him a time of prayer.

Beautiful countryside, beautiful flowers, seeing another part of God's wonderful creation.

Brakenhurst is located outside Nairobi about an hours drive.
There are tea fields all around. One of Kenya's main exports is tea. It is wonderful. We were truly blessed to have this time as a team.

Everything that has breath Praise the LORD

2008-01-06T09:13:00.000+03:00

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

Let There Be Light

2008-01-05T09:05:00.000+03:00

Then God said, "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night." And evening passed and morning came. making the fourth day. Genesis 1

I will sing of the LORD's unfailing love forever!!! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. Psalm 89:1-2

Mango's Anyone

2008-01-05T08:54:00.000+03:00

Mango's that are bigger than both of my hands put together. We are blessed with an abundant amount of fresh fruit and vegetables here in Kenya.

2007-12-29T14:27:00.000+03:00

During this season we are reminded that the Creator

became flesh and dwelt among us.

What LOVE ! Phil 2:5-8
It is beyond our comprehension. His Love! Rom 3:11
He pursues us. True Love, Grace and Mercy! John 3:16
And what does He ask from us? Faith. Heb 11:6

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T18:04:00.000+03:00

For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

For those of us who know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him, we know and live in His peace, joy, grace, mercy, and happiness.

God wants that none should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Do you know Jesus? Do you know His peace?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

May you all have a joyful Christmas

Morning and Evening in Kenya

2007-12-23T17:47:00.001+03:00

Evening in Kenya looking out from my windows. It is quite
beautiful here in Kenya everything is green and the flowers are beautiful.

You can see God's hand everywhere you look.

Mornings are also beautiful, God's awesome light shining through the clouds. When I look at God's sunrises and His sunsets,
I think of God's Word.

Psalm 119:105

"You word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path"

Glory to God

2007-12-23T17:31:00.000+03:00

My first attempt at Banana Bread in Kenya. As you can see the banana's are very small you can get the bigger banana's like you see in the States, but oh the taste of the little ones. Once I was able to figure out what I needed and then go to the market and get the right ingredients, which is not always easy because the names may be different I was able to put it together. As you can see we tried it and it is great.

To God Be The Glory

2007-12-16T21:20:00.000+03:00

Well it has been awhile since I last updated. So much has happened since then. Training was completed on November 9th, and than I flew back to Oregon with just a month to finish preparing for my departure date of December 11th.

It was wonderful to be back with family and friends to worship with them, to spend time fellowshiping, to be back home. Where is home well for me it is where ever God has me laying my head down at night.

So the month home was spent purchasing things still needed to go with me, pack the action packers then repack the action packers. Continued communication with the airlines, saying my farewells. My church Emmanuel Bible Church held a commissioning service for me on December 9th, than the evening of the 9th, they planned a farewell party which I like to say was a PRAISE THE LORD PARTY!!!! It was a wonderful time.

December 11th was departure date. I arrived in Africa on December 12th, after 21 hours in the air. Praise God for the good flights.
So what am I doing now. More prepartion,getting to know people, adjusting to an 11 hour time difference. Repacking the action packers, yes once again. New sounds, new food, new language. Praise God.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY

Action Packers again

2007-12-16T21:16:00.001+03:00

2007-10-22T04:30:00.000+03:00

John Chisum, George Searcy

Our heart our desire
Is to see the nations worship

Our cry our prayer

Is to sing Your praise to the ends of the earth That with one mighty voice

Every tribe and tongue rejoices

Our heart our desire

Is to see the nations worship You

Heavenly Father Your mercy showers down upon all people

Every race upon this earth

May Your Spirit pierce the darkness

Break the chains of death upon us

Let us rise in honest worship To declare Your matchless worth

There is no power that for one hour

Can withstand the greatness Of Your Word on tongues of faith

So we're bold in intercession

Praying now that every heart will bow

Before You Lord in praise in praise

Our heart our desire

Is to see the nations worship You

Allowing the Gospel to Change our Hearts

2007-10-05T03:12:00.000+03:00

God's provisions for equipping, here at CIT; first class completed today. What an awesome 5 weeks it has been. Meeting new brothers and sisters in Christ that are going all over the world that have said to God "send me I will go"

Being stretched. Learning that I will be a learner a 150% person: What is a 150% person?

The example set by Christ; who, "being in very nature God," did not cling to that identity but instead became not only a Jew but also a servant among Jews (Phil 2:6-7) We must love the poeple to whom we minister so much that we are willing to enter their culture as children, to learn how to speak as they speak, play as they play, eat what they eat, sleep where they sleep, study what they study, and thus earn their repect and adminration. In essence, we must leave our prison, enter their prison, and become full participants within it. (From Ministering Cross-Culturally S. Lingenfelter & M. Mayers)

Who am I "I am a CHILD of the KING

Have you ever looked at the heart of an Orphan:

I am alone, unwanted

It's all up to me (other's don't care)

I am responsible for life

I must earn acceptance

I need to create order for safety

I have a question for you.

What would be missing in your relationship with God if He was just your Savior, but not your Father?

I have the weekend off, what will I do, update my blog, catch up on sleep, answer emails, and prepare for Monday morning. Language Acquisition. (How do I learn a language?)

God has equipped CIT to prepare people for the call to Cross Cultural Ministry. The work load is heavy, reflection and processing, study, spending time in God's Word, searching out scripture, memorizing scripture, there is no better way to spend time than going deeper and deeper with the Lord and His Word. CIT is Scripture based with Godly men and women who have been where you are going. God has equipped them so that they can equip us. God is the head and the very core of CIT. You can check them out at http://www.cit-online.org/

ALL FOR HIS GLORY

Studying

2007-09-30T01:39:00.000+03:00

We have a lifetime of studying and learning

Preparing for the field

2007-09-30T01:26:00.000+03:00

God's abundant blessings. CIT, God has provided a setting to be able to learn, to spend hours in His Word and grow deeper deeper. I LOVE IT!!!!. CIT is scripture based with God at the head. We start every day with devotionals, than go into the days learning, Life mapping, Learning Styles, Worldview, Ethnocentrism, Did you know that people growing up knowing only one culture and language are monocultural, and that Momoculturalsim is the assumption that all other people are like us. Cross Cultural Communication and so much more. The brothers and sisters that are teaching us have all spent time on different fields as missionaries, and they are willing to share with us and be transparent, to help equip us for our different fields. Pray for us as we continue learning. The learning will never end, we have a lifetime of learning.

CIT Roommates

2007-09-24T04:15:00.001+03:00

Kathy is my roommate. As we get to know each other more, we are finding out that God has put us together for a reason. (Every thing He does is for His Glory), we worship together, pray together, process together, and God has given us a safety to be able to talk to each other about all sorts of things.
Part of my/our training here at CIT is community living. We are many families, many personalities, many differences. We are all wonderfully made by our Creator, and we are all Children of God.

God The Creator of Heaven and Earth

2007-09-16T22:55:00.000+03:00

Oregon coast, and clouds hanging

Continuing to Prepare

2007-09-16T22:32:00.000+03:00

Returning home in the middle of July many things have come to a close and things continue to change.

For the first few days that I returned home I lived in a tent in my sister's back yard. That was fun, and such a privilege to experience that before going to the field.

God provided the one who He wanted to fill my spot at church, so we were working together so she could be equipped to step in.

Spending time with family and friends and starting to grieve leaving everything I know and everyone I love. God's promise "Heb 13:5 "...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid." Sadness, Joy, Happiness, Excitement.

The day before leaving my sister and I went to the coast, to spend time together and in God's word and praying. To just sit and watch His awesome strength as the waves come in.

So now I am back in North Carolina at CIT for 2 1/2 months of cultural training, team building, community living, and spiritual formation. What an awesome experience, and one Studying different cultures, what is right what is not acceptable. Being prepared to become a child and sit and listen and learn. It is not about the task first it is about relationships, community. Western Worldview, what we perceive to be correct or right is that the worldview of another culture? No
The challenge is to listen, don't assume, to not be critical, to want to become a child sitting at the feet and learning.
"If we are to follow the example of Christ, we must aim at incarnation! Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself" (Matt. 16:24). These acts of self denial are in fact the first steps of freedom in Christ. We must consciously release our attachments to home, income, security, convenience, significance in work or ministry, and even comfort of family. We must enter a new community of strangers, often without many if not most of the comforts and symbols of home, and begin as children, learning at the feet of those we have gone to serve. The challenges will shape us; the changes will trouble us. Our bodies will get sick, our minds will suffer fatigue, our emotions will sweep us from ecstasy to depression. Yet the love of Christ will sustain us so that we can identify with Paul, who said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings" (1 Cor: 9:22-23) (Ministering Cross Culturally). Alot to learn, alot to process but God says "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" "It is not I who lives but Christ who lives in me" that God would choose to use me is humbling, All the glory goes to my Lord and Savior.

CIT sits at the bottom of the Blue Ridge mountains you can go to their web site at http://www.cit-online.org/ if you are interested in finding out more about them. Everything they teach is tied to scripture and God is the head. What a awesome way to be equipped.

By His Amazing Grace

Family

2007-07-27T06:31:00.000+03:00

After leaving CIT in July I flew to FL to spend time with my family. It was a wonderful time of sharing fun, laughter, go cart riding, which I was told grandma (me) had more fun at than the children. It was wonderful.

In Transition

2007-07-01T20:35:00.000+03:00

Hi everyone:

Another week has passed, when I think about the time I've been here at CIT it has been a wonderful time of fellowship with the Lord. Going deeper and deeper into His Word. But it has also been a time of stretching and meeting new sisters' and brothers' in Christ, and seeing how God is working in the lives of all.

Some going to Russia, some going to Vietnam, some going to Africa, some to India, all in transition and all of us pretty much homeless during this time of equipping. But I can truly say all of us Joyful and giving Thanks and Praises to our Lord and Savior.

Kay and I took a little time Saturday (Kay and her husband Kirk will be going to Cameroon, but will first be in language school for a year), to go and do some hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. What an awesome sight, God's creation in another part of the US.

If anyone is interested in seeing where I'm at and what I am doing check out CIT's website http://www.cit-online.org/.

The Lord bless you

Following His Call
Debbie

Chimney Rock, NC.

Following His Call

2007-06-23T04:44:00.000+03:00

Much has happened since the last time I was at this site. So let's see if I can update everyone.

I was at Simco in Charlotte NC when this Blog was created for 3 weeks of training. Meeting with many different people and boards and listening to hear God's direction on His calling.

I will be joining a team in Africa and will be Ministering to Widows and Orphans. I am so excited that God has called me to this area.

Alot of things to do. I moved out of the house the Lord has provided for me for the last 2 1/2 years and the first weekend in June had a yard sale and sold all my stuff, moved in with my sister and brother for a couple of weeks, all in preparation for coming back to NC (Which is where I'm at now) and spending 3 weeks studying God's Word. What an exciting time. Going deeper and deeper with the Lord.

When I finish here I will be going to Florida to see family for a few days. Then will return home for about 6 weeks before returning to NC for 2 1/2 months of Cultural training, team building, Spiritual formation, community building. Some one once asked me what I do for fun. With a smile on my face I said THIS!!!!

Once I return from NC in November, if it is God's perfect timing I will have about 2 weeks before going to the field.

Pictures of Malakal

2007-03-10T03:59:00.000+03:00

Click here for pictures from Malakal, Sudan.