Continuing the Search...

Living as though He is enough...

2010-03-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

It is so easy to get wrapped up in life. Pursuing goals, maintaining relationships with family and friends, being involved in "church activities", and for me - my most recent endeavor is finding a life in the place that is called home. One thing i don't know if it is a personal thing or a human thing. But why am i always seeking the next thing in life? Why can't i enjoy the now?

As i was driving home from church the other night, singing along with the music like i always do. Singing a song that i have heard too many times, but this time it really caught my attention. Its a song called "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North. This is what it says:

"Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go"

Every time i try to add things to my life to make me feel more normal, or even after i achieve this ONE thing it will be enough its like saying "Lord you just aren't enough..i need more of something else." Wouldn't it make more sense to say "Lord, i need You more. I need to be closer to You, because only in You will i ever find my purpose. God help me learn to live knowing that You are enough and to live it out daily."

So until next time, ask yourself: Do i live as though He is enough...

Back in the groove...

2010-01-14T06:17:00.000-08:00

The past four days i have been looking for the time to update this blog, i've even had the tab open for that long! Last night i finally gave up, closed the tab and thought i would get to it maybe this weekend. But lone behold..i only had one email in my inbox this morning - so i am taking advantage of the few extra minutes!

After three weeks in Ohio raising this next years budget, visiting with family and enjoying some time off i am now ready to get back to the work that needs to be done. My three weeks in Ohio was a precious time. I was able to spend much needed time with family and friends. I was also able to go visit and share at One Hope Community Church and Miamisburg Assembly of God, two of my like family, partnering churches. It was an amazing time to celebrate all God has done in the past two years and gear up for what's coming up next.

In the next year as a missionary with OneHope i am working with the new Hope for Kids project that has been developed with Kids Evangelism Explosion. As i shared about this amazing ministry that is being developed we talked about the importance kids have in God's eyes. What an asset they can be to sharing the Gospel if we would just equip them to do so! When Jesus fed the 5,000 it was a small boy that gave of his bread and fish. Think of the faith, willingness and obedience it took for that boy to give of his family's livelihood! The disciples didn't see the potential in what the boy had to offer for they even said "what is this among so many?" But we are able to see the amazing way God used what that child had to offer.

It's time we start believing in our children. Equip them to share the Gospel, when a child knows something is true they are always eager to share it. We are told to have child like faith...so why don't we equip our children to share theirs. They are capable, willing and such a powerful tool in God's tool belt. They can change the world...its time for us to let them.

In the next five years this OneHope/Evangelism Explosion partnership is going to teaching 20 million kids how to share their faith. Each child will be challenged to share with 10 of their friends. In the next 5 years at least 200 million people will be effected by kids...think about that...its powerful!

Until next time...believe in a child...

Sari Day...

2009-10-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

I went into town on Friday. It was the day before the Dewali festival (Festival of Lights) that the Hindus were celebrating and town was buzzing. Purchasing fireworks, buying food and there was a beautiful display of colors. The day before Dawali Day is Sari day when all the women wear their saris. They were beautiful, flowing with color.. yet something lacked in their eyes. Hope...

The hustle and bustle of a festival is only an excitement temporarily, once it is over there is an emptiness that remains. Not knowing the One who can give them an everlasting light for them to carry in their lives. After the lights are turned off, fireworks have finished and the family has returned to their homes -- they remain in darkness...

How many people have celebrated Dawali in our own communities? How many exchange students in the universities a few miles down the road, don't know the true Light? What have we done to reach them?

Until next time...share your light with someone who doesn't know...

Kana, Kana!

2009-10-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

Kana...Kana..Eat...Eat! Besides "Naka" which means "thank you" these are the first Fijian words that i learned. After breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and evening tea...the words Kana...KANA was the last thing i could think about doing. The food is great, but this American girl couldn't eat anything else!!

So my first few days of adjustment have been going well. Meeting new people, learning more about Fiji, learning some of the Fijian words, and realizing that the Fiji we see in the brochures is really on the coast - with the big resorts, hotels, and all the fancy houses isn't reality. Don't get me wrong Fiji is a beautiful place is this is how we see most of Fiji in this first picture. But behind the glitz and the glam there are regular people, with regular problems. There are people who struggle to feed their family, have a safe place to live and those who have never heard of Jesus before.

Much to my surprise there is a very large Indian population in Fiji. Its like 45% Indian and 55% Fijian. You can see the major influence the Indians have on the culture here. All the beautiful colors, businesses, Hinduism and all of Fiji even celebrates an Indian holiday called Dawali. Whether they are Fijian or Hindu or a tourist from another far away country...they all need to hear about Jesus.

Fiji is a beautiful country made up of many different dynamics, cultures and people. But these different things are what make up this beautiful country. Whether it is the glam you see in the photo above or the real Fiji you see in this picture i took outside my back door i am excited about the next few weeks. Equipping people to share Christ with others in their own countries, learning more about Evangelism Explosion and working on the OneHope/Evangelism Explosion partnership...it will be a few weeks of unknown adventure.

So until next time...Kana...KANA...

Packing List...

2009-10-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

The time is nearing and i have to keep reminding myself that i need to start packing and getting ready for Fiji. Besides the dreadful 12 layover i have in LA on Sunday afternoon i am very excited about my trip. As i have been thinking about packing, what to take, what the weather will be like, what kind of meetings i will be a part of, the amount of shampoo and conditioner i need to take...i realized that i haven't packed for a trip longer than 10 days since i was in Madagascar last year! YIKES! After being gone for a week here and there for the past 9 months, to pack for a month is taking a lot of energy. I haven't thought about what i am going to pack like this since i fist started this crazy adventure with OneHope!

Desperate times call for desperate measures...and dare i say it but i have thought about writing a....PACKING LIST! Now that i have written it and said it out loud i know the rest of my fellow missionaries will probably shudder and tell me i need to grow up and become a "real" missionary!

May the rat race of packing, moving, tying all the loose strings, completing projects, starting new ones and preparing for the next month begin. This time next week packing will be the least of my worries, but unpacking, starting projects, meeting new people, getting ready for the conference and trying to answer the questions that i have no idea how to answer. God give me grace and wisdom, for it is only through You that i can do all things!

I look forward to coming back and sharing all the great stories and pictures of my time in Fiji. Pray for me as i travel and work in Fiji for the next month. I will return on November 6th.

Until next time...what's on your packing list...

Good Bye Summer...

2009-09-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Oh how time flies! It seems like summer just began and now we have seen the last of sweet corn, watermelon and outdoor swimming pools. This summer was full of amazing 10 day teams and precious time with my family and friends. I watched three friends get married, one graduate, had a crazy pool and party day with the family, went to the Dixie Stampede and my niece Faith turn 1 year old.

As the summer came to a close with the GREAT DARKE CO FAIR, me and Dad drove down the van, known as "Ruby" to Florida. It was fun getting to spend almost a whole week just me and my Dad. It was time that i know i will treasure forever and now maybe i can get him to come visit again sometime!

Now that Fall is here and the leaves are changing colors, kids are going back to school (Dalton started Kindergarten), Ian and Grant have birthdays and we have started to look forward to Thanksgiving. I am back in FL, getting back to life as "normal"...well normal as it can get. I've been working in the OneHope office and getting ready to head to Fiji in October.

If you are reading this and you haven't received my most recent Summer newsletter please contact me and let me know, i would love to email it to you!

Until next time...enjoy some corn on the cob and a good 'ol BBQ...

Taking a Picture...

2009-09-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my newsletter these past few days, and as i filter through the many pictures i have taken these past 2 1/2 years i am reminded how blessed i am to have this opportunity to meet all these amazing men, women and children all around the world. I also wonder how i would feel if a bunch of crazy people came to visit my village, school and even sometimes homes and took pictures of me. Well when i was in Nicaragua just a month ago we were at a school and for the first time i saw a little girl pulled out her own camera and take pictures of these crazy Americans.

My prayer, that as she snapped those pictures and remembers the day that we were there, even more she remembers the message we shared and the love of Christ she experienced!

Until next time...think about who you are taking a picture of...

Word from Pastor Nate Carter

2009-08-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

In the bulletin at my church here in Florida, we were greeted with a word from our Pastor. It definitely spoke words into my own life and i wanted to pass it along to you. I hope you enjoy this little tidbit from Pastor Nate Carter.

"Aren't you glad he didn't redeem you and leave you on your own? If He had saved you and said, "Here's a road map, see you in heaven some day," you would never make it. Listen to this PROMISE, "He leadeth me beside the still waters." Why? To restore you when life is too much. Sometimes we get so busy that we don't take time to read His Word, or talk to Him in prayer, or wait quietly in His presence for the strength we need. As a result, we finish up "running on empty." At times like that He'll make you lie down while He does a work of restoration in you. Remember, He's much more interested in what you ARE to Him, than what you DO for Him.

Listen again, "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness"...right direction for my life. As i look back at the problems and painful situations I've been in, i confess that it was my best thinking that got me there. So i need His guiding, protecting hand in my life every day. How about you? Child of God, your Shepherd knows where the wolves are lurking, where the poison pasture is waiting, or how close you are to the ditch. You don't! So trust Him, follow Him, commit everything to Him, and He will take care of you."

Pastor Nate Carter
Frontline Christian Center
Boca Raton, FL

Saving the world..one page at a time...

2009-05-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

In my most recent adventure i traveled to Uganda. This was my first time to Uganda and east Africa. Many people believe all of Africa is the same but i am quickly learning that no matter where you go in Africa whether countries or communities each have their very own special touch. One of the things i love about Africa is roasted maize...yumm..it is like corn on the cob that is roasted by the fire - minus the butter and salt, but still very good!

As we were on our way to get dinner one evening the smell of roasted maize in the air, we had no choice but to stop! This didn't happen every day in South Florida so i wanted to make sure we got some maize while the opportunity presented itself. After a few minutes Leah and Edmond piled back into the truck handing back the very hot maize. As i looked down i realized that this maze was wrapped in some very familiar paper.

Could it be....no...wait...yes...oh my...it was true i couldn't believe it...they had given us maize wrapped in pages of the Book of Hope!!! In this case our national staff didn't have an idea to get God's Word out in a different way but somehow this particular lady selling roasted maize was spreading the Gospel and may have never known it.

The Bible says God's word never returns void...so i am just believing that whoever is hungry and receives their maize in the Book of Hope - will be satisfied by the words they read. To satisfy their hunger for maize and God at the same time...

Coincidence...i think not...

Until next time...think about how awesome our God is...

No hablo espanol...

2009-03-25T06:04:00.000-07:00

As you know my most recent trips have been to Spanish speaking countries. This has proved to be a challenge in the past, and although i can understand a little bit more i can't speak at all! Many times after you have asked a child how they are in Spanish they don't believe you when you tell them you can't speak Spanish. In Colombia i found it very helpful to find a child who does believe me when i tell them i can't speak Spanish.

I would like for you to meet my buddy Andres. We met because he thought it was cool that we ALMOST had the same name. After talking to him in my limited Spanish, he thought it was funny that i couldn't speak anymore...after a while more and more kids came up to me talking away and i would of course give them a blank stare with a smile. When i would tell them i couldn't speak, they would shake their heads and never believe me.

This is when Andres came in real handy. He would gently pull them to the side and explain to them that, it is true "she doesn't speak Spanish". After a while i would just look at him and say "you wanna tell them??!" He would smile and nod.

Such a delightful kid! The next evening i had to stay back and do some office work while the team went on to do a service. Andres was at church that night asking for me because he had a very special note he wanted to give me. He gave it to Daneli and asked that she give it to me and read it to me. It was a lovely note saying he hoped we came back.

It is always refreshing to meet kids like Andres, who are so sweet, special and innocent. Pray for Andres - that he will continue to serve the Lord as he grows up and that he will be a light to his friends at school.

Until next time...help someone out...

Thankful: The Series...

2009-01-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Over the next few weeks i am going to do a little series. The month that spent at home was wonderful and i found during that time that i am very thankful for many things. Over the next few blogs i am going to write about a few of those things.

So this time i want to start with a member of my family. My Dad. I was blessed to be able to spend more time with him than i usually do while i am home. We had a good 'ol time. Going to dinner at Clara's Pizza, watching Super Stars of Dance, going Line Dancing, IHOP and hanging out before and after his surgery. It seems simple, but when you are only around for such little time - every moment counts.

My Dad is a wonderful man who has always supported me in everything that i do. Even when i have messed up or it seems crazy like traveling around the world. I am blessed with an amazing earthly father...it helps me understand how our heavenly Father is so much more amazing.

So Dad if you read this, thanks for a great time the past month...i am thankful for you! Thanks for letting me gallivant all around the world - your prayers are heard and God honors you for trusting Him.

Readers by the way: my dad can cut a mean rug, best line dancer i know!

Until next time...learn a line dance...

Church Services

2008-12-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!

Well i just wanted to give you a quick update and let you know what is going on. I have finally arrived in COOOOOOOLLLLDDD Ohio, starting to think that if it wasn't because i loved spending time with my family i would definitely still be in the warm florida 80+ degree weather!! But i am glad to be home and looking forward to a great Christmas with my wonderful friends and family!

I will be sharing at a few different churches while i am home. So here is my schedule, if you have any additional questions please let me know and i would be happy to get you directions, or answer any other questions you may have.

December 28th AM Serivce - 10:00 am
Cedar Grove Church
373 Love Rd
New Paris, OH 45347

December 28th PM Service - 6:00 pm
Triumphant Christian Center
1129 Southtowne Ct
Greenville, OH 45331

January 11th PM Service - 6:00 pm
Tidal Wave Youth Ministries
Miamisburg Assembly of God
501 N 9th St
Miamisburg, OH 45342

January 18th - AM Service - 10:15
Miamisburg Assembly of God
501 N 9th St
Miamisburg, OH 45342

There is one other service i am confirming and will get that information to you as soon as possible! Thanks for your support and i look forward to seeing you at a service! Please come out and hear what the Lord has been doing all over the world! Love you all, have a Merry Christmas!!!!!

Madagascar Summary...

2008-11-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

Well i have officially been back in the states for a whole week and making all the normal adjustments. Simple things like the food, people speaking English, missing my adopted family in Madagascar and living what seems to be a much more complicated life. My time in Madagascar was very different from any other trip so far. The country itself was very unique, the poverty was like nothing i have ever seen before, the sexual immorality was heart breaking but the hearts of the people were like gold. I've always been told not to be impressed with what the devil has done but know how big of a God i serve. There were definitely things in Madagascar that will forever break my heart, like the fact that less than 50% of children have the opportunity to go to school, the life expectancy is less than 50 years, they have the highest STD rate in the whole world, some parents teach their kids that it is useless to learn how to read and the poverty is hard to ever put into words.

We can dwell on all the bad things for years, but i want to tell you about the good things that happened too! There were many great things that happened too. You see while we were there we trained at least 8 different ministries and groups of people to do Book of Hope in their own community. We trained the new national coordinator, Gwladys, and she is already accomplishing great things and has a vision to see Madagascar reached with God's Word.

Madagascar has tons of potential to be a God fearing nation all across the country...i am excited to hear the stories that come out of that country. It is exciting to see what has been done but even more importantly, what is going to happen.

Thank you for you prayers, support and encouragement during this time i spent on the island of Madagascar - God will bless you for your willingness to give of yourself. I pray He keeps you and guides you during this Christmas Season!

Until next time...give a helping hand to someone in need...

I fed a lemur,,,

2008-10-02T07:25:00.001-07:00

I am not sure if i have announced that i fed a lemur but i did and it was amazing! They have very soft hands which surprised me since they do everything with their hands. I wanted to share a few pictures of this amazing event with you...enjoy!

What Price Would You Pay?

2008-10-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Our time spent here in Madagascar so far has been a real eye opener. There are times as I ride down the street in a taxi I think to myself how unfathomable it is to me to live like so many of these Malagasy people do. I often feel like I am paying the price to serve the Lord when I don’t get Mexican food for 3 months…but the stories of pastors who have truly experienced the cost to serve Christ has amazed me.

One of the missionaries here Jay Rosterfer (for those of you who go to MAG – our church actually supports them monthly – they are amazing by the way!!) was telling us a story the other day of a pastor in the south of Madagascar. This particular pastor moved his wife and kids down to the southern part of Madagascar. When they first moved there to plant a church they had no place to stay and therefore were living on the streets. The church started to grow but no one in the congregation was at a place to barely feed their families, so therefore the new believers didn’t see tithing as an option. The pastor was struggling to find a place to live and now his children were showing signs of malnutrition. For most of us it would be out of the question to sleep on the streets but this pastor had a vision. As his children became more ill he gave his wife and children the choice: do we stay or do we go? His wife and children chose to stay. In the following months he lost two of his children. But he stayed…continued doing what the Lord had asked them. Shortly after his second child died a man came to church who was a faithful to tithe. The pastor was able to feed his family and find a home. Financially things were going well for them. This faithful man was seeking the Lord one day when he felt like the Lord said “I am calling you…” The man didn’t know what this meant so he asked his Pastor what he should do. The pastor knew this young man had call on his life so he was faced with another choice? Did he release this faithful man who was feeding his family to go serve the Lord and become a pastor himself ? The pastor knew he had to encourage the young man to go to Bible school and follow God’s will so he did just that. God blessed this pastor for his obedience even after he had paid such a high price with the lives of his children, and now was releasing his only faithful tither into the ministry. Because this pastor in the south was faithful to the Lord, God has blessed him, his family and the ministry. He was blessed with more children, a home, people who were able to tithe faithfully and the church has grown. The pastor has a children’s church just about as large as the adults in the church. The story doesn’t end with this faithful young man who tithed. He is a pastor now to, and an active player with Book of Hope. His church is growing in adults and children and he is a frequent visitor to the bush where they travel to find those who have never heard about Jesus. The Lord has blessed these men for their faithfulness and obedience. But there was a price to pay. Things that happen in our lives don’t always make sense, but God has purpose in every one of them. Before we are quick to get angry at a circumstance why don’t we ask God what he wants us to do instead of asking him “why”?

The Lord is using Madagascar to teach me this. What in my life haven’t I given to the Lord, what stands between me and Him? If I am truly his servant I have to be willing to do whatever His will is. I share this with you as a challenge and an encouragement to see what is really happening all over the world. This isn’t an uncommon story in Madagascar but just one of the few…

Until next time…seek closeness with the Lord…

Even Babies Know...

2008-09-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

I have been racking my brain trying to think of what I could write for this first blog. It is hard to explain Madagascar. There are so many things that make it like no other place in the world. There are places you go and it is like I would imagine being in Asia. Other times you walk down the street and it feels like you have just walked into any African country. You can be sitting by two different Malagasy people and think that they are from completely different parts of the world. The streets are packed with people. Some people are carrying their job on their head, others pulling it in a cart, riding a wagon pulled by oxen or sitting at the fruit stand selling fruit, phone cards and bike parts. Words can’t explain this country, and I am not even sure that visiting it will ever make sense, but there are a few things that even babies know…

Even babies can recognize a vassa. (Vassa = a foreigner/white person.) We hear kids who are just starting to talk whisper “vassa, vassa”. So we smile and wave to them, even when they look frightened at the sight of someone who doesn’t look like them. Sunday morning on the way to church we always ride on what is called a Taxi Bay. (Taxi Bay = public transportation in bus/van form.) Taxi bays are always a cultural, interesting and entertaining experience. One particular Sunday after starting in the back of the bus I had finally settled beside a young lady who was holding baby. The baby couldn’t have even been a year old. But he just starred and starred at me. He wasn’t confused; he knew he was looking at a vassa even though he could say it out loud yet. Even babies know when something is out of place. It is very uncommon to see a “vassa” on public transportation. We as “vassas” tend to like our personal space something that isn’t optional on the taxi bay. I have no doubt that that baby was laughing on the inside, because even babies know when something is out of place…

Until next time…take public transport and sit really close to the person next to you…

(photos to follow)

Learning...

2008-08-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

School is going to start again soon and everyone is gearing up to start learning new ideas and concepts. No matter how old we get i think everyone looks forward to getting good deals on school supplies. You just can't beat 57 cents for a school box!! I have also found now that i have been out of all education facilities that what we are told as kids is true, we really never stop learning.

Sometimes we learn things we don't want to learn like how to grieve, tight budgeting, dealing with gas prices, working on our communication skills and not to speak Spanish when we have no experience with the language.

Sometimes we learn things that we are excited to invite into our lives like new people we meet, new job opportunities, how to drive, a sweet deal on school supplies and about a new country (Madagascar) that is about to be part of your life for the next four months.

Then other times we learn things that we didn't even see coming. I guess that is what i have experienced the past week or so since i have been home. These are some of the things i have learned:

-I don't understand everything that happens in life...
-We may not always understand God's plan...we just have to trust Him, He is God...
-Coming home and leaving again will never get easier...
-When we feel like we are in a valley we know God is going to teach us something amazing...
-You may go to 2 doctors but only a family doctor can write you a malaria prescription...
-Being a cool aunt is easy...just push them on the swings...have fun...and promise to get in the pool after nap time...
-Most recently i have learned more about God and how healing is just as much of God's plan as salvation. Start in Psalm 103:3 "He is the One who forgives all your sins, the One who heals all your diseases" We know the first part of that is true because it is in God's Word. Why then do we say if it is God's will He will heal? If we say that then why not ask if it is God's will then maybe you will be saved. NO! By His grace we are saved...and He heals our diseases! Isaiah 53:6 is very familiar we all know it "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" God is teaching me to not just believe what i read when it is convenient for me. ALL of God's Word is truth. My mom died of cancer and for a long time i was angry, bitter, blamed God and blamed myself. God has taught me to remember the good things, it wasn't my fault i prayed and i know He gave her strength during those days of pain. He reminded me that none of us are guaranteed our next breath. When it is our time we will go no matter what the circumstances are...Mom's in heaven now she is in the place we all can't wait to get to. This is what God's Word says right...i believe it all! If the enemy thinks that he is going to stop me from praying for the sick, he has another thing coming...he is getting whooped. God's Word never changes...He is true to His Word...and His Word says a prayer offered in faith will make the sick well. So when we get the first part right...we are living for God and found righteous and repent when we make a mistake then our sickness WILL be healed...
-No matter if we see results right away or not God always starts something when we pray...just stand on His Word...
-God is God...He says it...i have to believe it!

So i just have a question...what is God teaching you??

Until next time...talk to God...

Lost in Translation

2008-07-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

As some of you know throughout the trip i expressed some concern and slight frustration because of my Spanish skills...which are basically the same as my Zulu skills if you get my drift. Toward the end of the trip something happened that made me realize that i should never speak without my translator by my side...and that is the story i am going to tell you today.

It was a large high school we had to visit two times in one day because they were so big. Located in the city Chincha, they were at a temporary sight because of the earthquake damage had been so extensive a year ago that they had to set up a temporary school for over 2500 students. Because of the set up and chaos we had a teacher help lead us to each classroom.

I went from classroom to classroom making sure that everyone had enough books so i spent some time with this particular teacher. It can get pretty awkward hanging out with someone for more than 2 minutes and not speaking to them so Senor took the first step. The first time i just smiled and tried to tell him that i didn't speak Spanish, the second time i caught something about the United States. This is how the conversion went.

Andrea: Oh am i from the United States?
Senor: (nodded his head yes)
Andrea: Si Si Si i am from the United States.
Senor: (his eyes got real big)
Andrea: (got real nervous)

A few minutes later my translator returned and after a few words with Senor began to laugh uncontrollably. He then said "Andrea did you tell this man that you would take him with you back to the states???!"

Andrea says: NO NO NO i said that i was from the United States FROM the United States...

Needless to say something was lost in translation and i didn't exercise my Spanish skills for the rest of the trip...it was a scary experience...

Until next time check your Spanish dictionary...

Peru

2008-07-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

The past month has gone so fast and i can't believe that i haven't updated this blog since before i left. But i promise that i will make it up to you all. I am working on getting some stories together and will be posting them in the next few weeks while i am in the states. I look forward to talking with you while i am home. Keep checking for new posts and pictures coming soon!!

Until next time...use a translator...

On the Road Again...

2008-06-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

It's true I am on the road again. I arrived in Florida Monday afternoon and have been preparing for the Peru team to arrive for training on Friday.

Currently there are a lot of things unknown but i will update you as i receive the information. I do know that we will be working for a time in the villages up in the mountains which is exciting. Book of Hope hasn't been in this particular area for 10 years and we have the opportunity to give the kids here the Book of Hope..it should be awesome!

My time at home was wonderful and a great time of rest and recharging for what the Lord has coming up next. I was able to spend time with family and friends and experience a little bit of stability for a few short weeks. But i guess i am beginning to realize why they call us "Nomads". Nomads are a people group who move according to the readiness of the harvest. No matter how exciting home is, there always comes this point when you know it is time to go. Time to move back into the fields because the fields are ripe and the Lord will use anyone who is willing. I am ready to move! Who knows how much time is left we have to keep working...

The next few weeks i will keep you updated on what's happening on this field...so until next time...

Get out in the fields....

My Apologies...

2008-05-27T14:34:00.001-07:00

I am so sorry that i have neglected to update this blog with new information about what is going on at home and stories from the field. So to make up for my negligence i have began to upload pictures onto a flickr site. You can find the link just to the left. Click the link and you will see photos from all over Africa. As i continue to travel in Latin America this summer and continue searching all over the world i will update these photos as often as i can as well as this blog!

Health Update: All of my tests have come back fine and so i am just waiting on one last release.

Currently i am scheduled to be in Latin American the end of June through the first of August! Begin praying for the kids we will come in contact with. Pray for favor with the national government and churches in the places we will be working!

If you have any questions please let me know and i can do my best to help! Thank you for your patience and i hope you enjoy some new photos and coming soon some stories from Africa!

Until next time... take a picture...

Home...

2008-04-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

I am "home" in the states that is. I arrived yesterday afternoon and will be arriving in Ohio on Saturday.

For the next few weeks since i am stateside i will be posting stories from the field. Things that happened the past few months.

Keep reading...i will do my best to make it interesting.

Until next time pack your suitcase...

Zimbabwe

2008-04-11T08:27:00.001-07:00

So I hadn’t heard much about Zimbabwe before I started to travel around these African countries. Basically all I knew until the end of March was that they were in a lot of trouble. The inflation rate is 30, 000,000 to one American dollar. It has come to the point where you just can’t buy fuel let alone bread in the country. The government won’t print money anymore so people do it on their own. Zimbabwe is also known as either number one or number two most corrupt countries in the world.
After deciding that we were going to go to Victoria Falls, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, we had two choices. Go on the Zambia side which was four times as expensive or go to the Zimbabwe side which was cheaper and the rumor was that it was more beautiful. So we decided to take our chances and go to the Zimbabwe side. This is just a recap of our adventure.
Border Crossing into Zimbabwe – border crossings are always interesting anyways but we didn’t know how it would all work out…

General Rules:
1) Stay calm
2) Act like you always know what you are doing
3) Make jokes to keep the workers happy
4) No unnecessary questions
5) Leave the office when you are done, don’t wait around causing more chaos

So keeping this all in mind the workers were the friendliest workers we had all day after already crossing two other boarders (that’s right three countries in one day). Even better we got through in no time. As Kim and Jeremy worked on getting the stuff we needed for the car we sat in the cars and talked. I remember saying “man those guys were really nice it is so sad that the whole country gets a bad rap for the choices of the government.” We were all loaded up now and getting ready to go through the gate when we were stopped. Apparently Kim and Jeremy didn’t go to meet the guy on top of a cement platform with a single desk about insurance. After going from $100 per car to $10 (American) for both cars they realized it was a scam and they finally let us through the gate…WEIRD…maybe it isn’t just the government hummm….
We arrived to Victoria Falls safely and ate at a Whimpy (a burger joint) except all they had were a few sandwiches and coke…we ate a meal for over 1 billion dollars in their currency which equaled around $50 (American) CRAZY!

The Falls were beautiful as you can see on the pictures that I have posted…it is something I think that everyone should see in their life time. A few of the boys decided to go bungee jumping so we ventured down to the bridge were it was taking place. During our time there we were asked repeatedly to buy souvenirs that we didn’t need, watched a few people run for the border illegally and then raced back to the car so we could make all three borders by 6:00 pm. We crossed back into Namibia at 5:59 pm..WHOA!

It was an amazing day and one I will never forget in my life. I wish I could express in words how amazing it was…if you are ever even 20 hours away from Victoria Falls you have to make the trip…oh by the way the Zimbabwe was way more beautiful than I’ve heard the Zambia side is.

Until next time…keep crossing borders…

2008-04-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Well I may have mentioned previously how amazing the church we have been working with has been to us! We’ve made a lot of new friends and they have just blessed our socks off. One Thursday we went to lunch with Dion, a wonderful business man who attends the Thursday morning business men prayer meeting. After we ate lunch he informed us that they had arranged for all the ladies to have their hair done.

You will see in this blog a before picture…note Andrea on the far left…looking a little mangy. Then take a look at the after picture…who knew my hair could do that! My hair is curly again but needless to say it is much thinner, lighter and I am really enjoying the new do.

Until next time…comb your hair…

thankfulness

2008-03-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

As I stood under a blanket of stars surrounded by teens of different backgrounds, races and walks of life there was one thing that we all had in common. We all stood giving thanks to God for who He is and all He has done. It was a few hours where differences were set aside and everyone in one way or another gave thanks to God. We arrived in Phalaborwa a few weeks ago welcomed by everyone we came in contact with. It has been amazing how the people have just taken care of us and blessed us in such a way that we are daily just blown away by it. We’re so thankful for the relationships we’ve developed, kids we’ve be able to minister to, volunteers (Sam, Joe, DiDi, Jinx, Mercy and Pastor Cashwell) we’ve been able to train and take into the schools with us, the partnerships the local people have made with one another, the unity that has come and so much more I can’t even begin to list all of them. The past two weeks have also been a time of challenges and confusion. You see since I’ve been here a year now there are times when I think that I have South Africa as a country figured out. I have come to realize that South Africa is very much like an onion…you can just find layer after layer of stuff…good things, shocking things, sad things, terrible acts, unity but still there can be disunity that spreads like cancer and eats away at the national church like a cancer does. These are only a few layers I have discovered.
Maybe above has given you a little idea what was going through my mind on a Friday night when over 100 teachers, students, Americans, Afrikaners, Africans got together to give thanks to God. We met at Frances de Toit, the town’s high school. This particular school is known for an amazing success story of mixing the blacks and whites one of the best in the Limpopo province and even throughout the country. Although it is a major success story we still hear of the challenges that it is presented with. But I was just so overwhelmed that this particular night everything was set aside to give thanks to God. It didn’t matter the race, what country you were from or even what denomination you were a part of…all differences set aside over 100 young people worshipped the Almighty God under the stars together. God showed up in an amazing way, people were saved, hearts were freed and restoration began in my heart and I know other hearts to.
I am so thankful that God saved my soul, freed me from guilt, shame and sins of my past. I am thankful for every experience painful or joyful that God has allowed me to go through. Not only because of the things it has done for me, the people I’ve been to minister to all over the world…but because I know that all the Glory belongs to God…so I thank God and will praise Him for the rest of my life!